Thursday, 31 October 2019

 Mr STAIKOS (Bentleigh) (17:40): (1397) My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Health in the other place and concerns the government’s SunSmart program. The action I seek is that she approves the school shade grants applications of both Bentleigh Secondary College and Bayside Special Developmental School (SDS). They are both fantastic schools in my electorate, and both schools that this Andrews Labor government has rebuilt. I was pleased recently to join the Premier at the opening of the new buildings at Bayside SDS.

It is important that the minister approves these school shade grants applications because I know that they will absolutely complement the fantastic upgrades at both schools. I also note that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians being diagnosed with the disease before the age of 70. In 2017 melanoma was the fourth-most common cancer in Victoria, yet it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Our government has had this important program for quite a number of years now, and I ask that these schools have their applications approved. I know that there are also some community groups in my electorate who have also made applications. I understand that they will be considered separately, and I look forward to raising those requests as well.