Wednesday, 31 May 2023

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:57): (218) My question is to the Minister for Local Government. My constituents in Geelong care deeply about their libraries. Libraries are more than just places to find books, they are focal points in the community where people can meet, take their children, study and have access to knowledge that can and does change lives. But unfortunately our libraries are under threat, and my constituents are adamant that we must do everything we can to protect these vital assets in our community. Four Geelong libraries have recently just escaped closure, but the network is now facing reduced hours and closure on weekends as councils struggle to maintain operating costs. Successive Victorian governments have failed to support community libraries adequately, with the costs increasingly being forced onto councils, who are limited in their ability to raise revenue and are dealing with ever-growing cost shifting from state and federal government. Historically, library funding was shared 50–50 between state and local governments, but gradually that support has dwindled. Councils are now shouldering an unsustainable 83 per cent of costs. Minister, will you commit to protecting library services in Geelong by adequately funding and supporting their ongoing operation?