Thursday, 23 February 2023

Maroondah Hospital

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:12): (52) My question is to the minister representing the Premier. Earlier this week one of the co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, called on governments and organisations to use more First Nations names for significant places. Last year the government announced its plans to remove the Aboriginal name of the Maroondah Hospital and replace it with that of our former monarch. This led to tens of thousands of people calling for this decision to be reversed. Following the First Peoples’ Assembly’s calls for more First Nations names to be used, will the government now reverse its decision on naming a hospital after Queen Elizabeth and instead retain the wonderful name that already exists in Maroondah?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:13): I thank Mr Puglielli. Am I getting closer? I am going to get there. Puglielli?

Aiv Puglielli: Puglielli.

Jaclyn SYMES: Puglielli.

Aiv Puglielli: Yes.

Jaclyn SYMES: Yay! Mr Puglielli, thank you for your question to the Premier. There are a number of portfolio responsibilities that consider naming of significant places – streets, for example – whether its local government or planning. It is something that we are very conscious of, but I will get you a response from the Premier.

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:14): I thank the minister for referring the question for an answer. As a follow-up, I ask: in light of the calls from Aunty Geraldine, will the government implement a First Nations naming or dual naming policy across the state?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:14): I will pass Mr Puglielli’s question on to the Premier for a response.