Tuesday, 2 May 2023

 John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (14:54): I rise to commend the Andrews Labor government for their work supporting the annual Good Friday Appeal. This year our government donated $1 million to the cause. I pay tribute to the Premier and the Minister for Health, who attended the Kids Day Out at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to draw attention to this work. As we know, the Good Friday Appeal supports the life-saving work of the Royal Children’s Hospital. This hospital has been delivering fantastic care to the community for over 150 years. It is world renowned as an expert in paediatric care. The best clinicians from around the world support leading research at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne’s department of paediatrics. Since the appeal began in 1931, more than $421 million has been raised in donations. That is massive. Those donations contribute to groundbreaking research, world-class equipment and technology and vital education programs.

Well done to the community for their record $23 million raised this year – a shining testament to the very best in our community. It is these moments that make me feel proud to be a Victorian. I know that all the families take comfort in knowing that they have access to the very best paediatric care right here in our city, so I am sure this house will join me in commending the Good Friday Appeal to the floor.