Thursday, 10 December 2020

Ministers statements: government achievements

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (14:41): I am very pleased to deliver the fifth ministers statement today. This is very good. The Deputy Premier is a loud voice on behalf of students, parents and school communities, and it is not just talk. It is the biggest building program this state has ever seen, so I would invite those opposite to ask away. Ask as many questions as you like about education, because we are more than capable of demonstrating that we do not just think it and talk it; we are building it in the Education State.

At the end of a year like no other—which of course began with some of the worst bushfires our state has ever seen, with a massive impact on the High Country and East Gippsland, and only a short time later a global pandemic arrived here, a one-in-100-year event, something that there is no rule book for, something that no-one had ever experienced in living memory—despite the depth of the challenge, despite the difficulty of the circumstances that Victorians have faced this year, every day of this year, we finish this unprecedented 12-month period with a sense of optimism and confidence for 2021.

We will, as announced last Sunday, as Victorians are able to enjoy a COVID-safe summer, be cherishing those things we have missed the most: connection with those who we love the most, economic activity, jobs. The notion of not a normal but a COVID-safe summer, a COVID normal—that is not just within reach, that has been delivered by the sacrifice, the commitment, the courage and the absolute conviction of Victorians to see this virus off. We have also extended compassion to each other in so many ways. It is a point of pride for every Victorian that this summer will be a COVID-safe summer, and we will all be able to, because of our determination as a community, having shown our nation and the world what it is that we as Victorians are truly made of, enjoy that COVID-safe summer. And it is a merry Christmas and a happy new year I wish to all Victorians.

Ms Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a couple of outstanding answers to questions I would like you to follow up with the relevant ministers. They are question on notice 4495 to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and adjournment matter 4515 and constituency question 4584 to the Minister for Planning. If you could follow them up, I would really appreciate it, as my constituents would like a response on these matters and I would like to get back to them.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for raising that. I will follow that matter up.

Ms Sandell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have eight outstanding questions that I would love to be followed up: 2575, 3526, 3530, 4523, 4626, 4627, 4709 and 4711.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for Melbourne. I will follow that matter up as well.