Thursday, 5 February 2026

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (12:41): My constituency question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. How is the Labor government supporting lifesaving clubs in the Southern Metropolitan Region? The volunteer lifesaving clubs, as with all of our emergency services, do an incredible job, and this summer has been particularly hot and particularly challenging. On hot days Melburnians flock to the beaches to cool off, and there are a lot of great beaches in the Southern Metropolitan Region. In December I visited the Black Rock Life Saving Club, which through the government’s volunteer emergency services equipment program received a new inflatable rescue boat, a patrol trailer and a beach trailer, among other crucial equipment, to help keep people safe through the summer and beyond. They are not alone. Mentone, Half Moon Bay, Sandringham, Elwood, Hampton and Brighton lifesaving clubs also received brand new equipment thanks to the funding provided by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. The VESEP funding is being doubled over the next four years – but not if the Liberals get elected. They are going to cut that funding, and these lifesaving clubs are going to be worse off.