Wednesday, 29 November 2023

 Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (18:01): (636) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education. The action I seek is for the minister to reinstate the flood relief for Victorian students initiative, which was a grant previously available following the 2022 floods. I am informed, Minister, by concerned members of the Maribyrnong community that many flood-affected families were unable to access the grant due to communication barriers and delays. Many of these families are still struggling today and are in urgent need of support.

The parliamentary flooding inquiry has highlighted the systemic issues that contribute to flooding, including climate change and poor city planning. The ongoing impacts of the floods have shown that our disaster resilience and recovery systems have failed people. As we look ahead now to prepare communities for more climate change related events, we must continue to support and rebuild communities who have already paid a high price. I am informed by the Maribyrnong community recovery committee that around 1500 people in nearly 600 homes were impacted by the floods in Maribyrnong. Barely 40 per cent of these people have returned to their homes. Among those who have returned, many are still living in damaged houses with limited electricity. Given these ongoing impacts, it is imperative that the government provide support to residents, especially children whose schooling has been interrupted repeatedly over the past few years.

Through its own investigations the Maribyrnong community recovery committee has found that only one family was able to access the Department of Education’s flood relief for Victorian students grants. We are told that most families were completely unaware that this grant was available. Despite this, the grant is no longer available on the department’s website in its original form. It has now been downgraded, which means it is only available to families at a handful of schools and only for very limited purposes. Previously the grant provided $1200 for school students at government, Catholic or independent schools to replace a wide range of school supplies, including laptops. Currently people in genuine need are unable to access it.

Minister, I ask that you reinstate the grant and remove the barriers to accessing it so all families in need can receive support. We want to see children back in school and not having to worry about buying books, clothing or in some cases whether there will be food for their lunchboxes. If the grant is reinstated, the Maribyrnong community recovery committee has kindly offered to assist in ensuring schools and families are made aware of its availability. The Maribyrnong community have come together beautifully to support each other through these trying times. Now they just need the government to lend a hand too.