Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Budget 2024–25

Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (20:47): (908) President, I am sure that you and many others in this place know that I love the footy, in particular my beloved Carlton Football Club.

Members interjecting.

Sheena WATT: That is right. I also love Rugby League, netball, swimming and round-ball football – it was a bit of a shame about the results for Victory on the weekend, I have got to say. I love tennis; the truth is that I just love sport. That is why, when I saw the extra funding for the Get Active Kids vouchers in the 2024 budget, I was absolutely ecstatic. You see, the Allan Labor government has already provided over almost 150,000 vouchers to kids all around Victoria so that they can play the sports that they love. That is 150,000 opportunities for kids all around Victoria to stay happy, healthy and involved in our community. That is 150,000 opportunities for Victorian children to become the next Eddie Betts or the next Ash Barty – yes, they are my two favourites. These vouchers have helped so many Victorian families cover the cost of sports, whether it is boots, balls, rackets, jerseys, helmets, mouthguards or more, these vouchers ensure that families do not need to sacrifice sport to cost-of-living pressures.

This budget also had an investment of $116 million for the active schools program, which does not just look after the physical health of students but also benefits their classroom behaviour, brain function, motivation and concentration. $76 million of that will go to swimming lessons and water safety programs so Victorian school kids are set up and safe for the summer swims we all look forward to. Maybe it is the next Emma McKeon or Ian Thorpe – they should come from Victoria, I reckon. We know that Victoria is the undisputed home of sport. No other state even comes close to what we have got, whether it is the F1, the Aussie open, the Melbourne Cup or the most beloved AFL Grand Final, just to name a few. Investments like this into the athletes of the future will keep Victoria the sporting capital. Today my adjournment matter is for the Minister for Community Sport in the other place, and I ask the minister to provide information to explain how the true voucher and reimbursement models in this program help families to achieve sport and active recreation.