Thursday, 19 June 2025

Responses

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (18:06): Ms Ermacora raised a matter for the Minister for Industrial Relations. Mr Davis raised a matter for the Treasurer. Mr Limbrick raised a matter for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Mr McIntosh raised a matter for the Minister for Energy and Resources. Ms Lovell raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Ms Purcell raised a matter for the Minister for Racing. Mr Berger raised a matter for the Minister for Youth. Mr Luu raised a matter for the Minister for Health. Ms Terpstra raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport. Ms Bath raised a matter for the Minister for Environment. Mr Galea raised a matter for the Minister for Equality. Mrs Deeming raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, as did Ms Watt. Mr Mulholland raised a matter for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure.

Ms Gray-Barberio raised a matter for me as Minister for Children in relation to the Pacific Islander playgroup in Broadmeadows. I am a great advocate of playgroups. They are an integral part of our children and family services system, and our government does invest significantly in supported playgroups. Ms Gray-Barberio raised issues in relation to supported playgroups as well as community playgroups, and I will take offline a discussion with her around the different types of funding that may or may not be available for the different types of playgroups. Can I also say as a member in the other place previously for the district of Pascoe Vale I know the Islander community around Melbourne’s inner north very well. I have spent much time with them and their families over many years, as I know the member for Broadmeadows does on a very regular basis. I have always been grateful for the leadership of the families of the Islander communities within that part of Melbourne and indeed the example that they set not just in children and family services but in community services more broadly. They do amazing work in their communities and across the community, as Ms Gray-Barberio acknowledged, but not just within their own community; they open up their support services and community functions to many who are not of Islander communities but who will also benefit from the amazing supports and services that they do offer. Playgroups are an integral part of our system. If my schedule permits, I am more than happy to again engage with the Islander community in Broadmeadows and their great advocate in the member for Broadmeadows as well. The member for Broadmeadows and I often speak with families across Melbourne’s north and particularly in Broadmeadows on a daily basis. We are inspired by their work, and of course we are happy to and privileged to continue to work with them. I will refer those other matters accordingly.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 6:09 pm.