Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:15): What an exciting time it is to be a Victorian. Each spring Melbourne comes alive with events – the AFL Grand Final, the Spring Racing Carnival and the Royal Melbourne Show, to name a few – and it is also the season for a number of events in my corrections portfolio. Spring marks the return of the theatre production and art show by Somebody’s Daughter at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Since 1980 the community-led Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company has supported women in custody by conducting workshops in music, drama, dance and visual art. The women participate in rehearsals throughout the year, culminating in an annual production held inside the four walls. Last week I had the pleasure of attending this year’s performance, Second Bite, alongside the chair of the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee and hardworking member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison in the other place. It was apparent how much work and passion had gone into making this year’s production a success. The results of countless rehearsals, workshops with professional actors and clever set design were on show for the 100-plus crowd to see. Second Bite contained plenty of humour, personal insights into the justice system and social commentary that would give our sharpest political commentators a run for their money. But this show is about more than putting on a good show. Programs like Somebody’s Daughter are an important part of our efforts to rehabilitate people whilst they are with us. The program gives women confidence and skills in working together as a team and solving problems with creativity, things that will help them lead productive lives after their release into the community, because that is good for them and good for all Victorians and their families. I want to give my special thanks to Maud Clark and Kharen Harper, the powerhouses behind Somebody’s Daughter Theatre, for another successful production, and of course I want to thank everyone across this chamber for their support for this important program.