Wednesday, 8 March 2023

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:30): I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting Victorians to recover from last year’s flood emergency. Firstly, I pay tribute to the first responders, emergency services and defence force personnel as well as relief workers who have worked tirelessly to support affected communities. I also pay tribute to the social workers, child protection and family service practitioners, disability workers and dedicated workers in our community sector organisations. On International Women’s Day, can I also acknowledge that so many of the fabulous people who keep these organisations going are indeed women and that they are the backbone of these organisations.

The department continues to coordinate social recovery activities for Victorian communities impacted by this flooding event, and this includes administration of the Victorian government’s personal hardship assistance program. As at 27 February the department has provided over $30 million in hardship payments, including over 27,000 emergency relief payments, to support people impacted by major emergencies to meet their urgent relief needs, such as for food, for accommodation, for clothing and for medication. And over 600 emergency re-establishment payments have been paid to support people on low incomes to repair or rebuild uninsured homes damaged or destroyed by natural emergency events.

We recognise that there is more to do, and that is why recently we announced the five successful neighbourhood houses and men’s sheds that will receive funding from the Rebuild and Reconnect grants. We know that during emergencies neighbourhood houses provide critical support to communities through services including food relief. A range of community projects and local services are also supported by men’s sheds. That is why five organisations from flood-affected communities will receive funding to repair damage caused by the devastating flood events of last year, including Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre for repairs and replacement of furniture and equipment; Rochester Community House for internal refurbishment of the building and equipment replacement for the house and men’s shed; Echuca Neighbourhood House for replacement of furniture and equipment; Charlton Neighbourhood House for rectification of damage to doors, floors, walls and furniture replacement; and Benalla Woodworkers Association and men’s shed for repair of electric motors for dust extractors. I know that my colleague the Attorney-General is looking forward to seeing some of these important works completed.