Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (18:13): Ms Ermacora raised a matter for the Minister for Planning, Dr Heath raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Mr Ettershank also raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Mr Galea raised a matter for the Minister for Mental Health, Mr Davis raised a matter for the Minister for Planning, Mr Puglielli raised a matter for the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Mrs Deeming raised a matter for the Premier, Ms Gray-Barberio raised a matter for the Treasurer, Mr Berger raised a matter for the Minister for Planning, Mr Luu raised a matter for the Minister for Corrections, Dr Mansfield raised a matter for the Premier, Ms Terpstra raised a matter for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Mr Mulholland raised a matter for the Minister for Environment, Ms Purcell raised a matter for the Minister for Racing, Mrs Broad and Ms Crozier raised matters for the Premier, Mrs Hermans raised a matter for the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Ms Lovell raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Mr Welch raised a matter for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop.

Mr Batchelor raised a matter for me as Minister for Children and asked that I visit the Holocaust museum. I would be very pleased to accompany Mr Batchelor on a visit to the Holocaust museum and specifically to visit the children’s exhibition. This is a very important exhibition for children to learn about the horrific realities of the Holocaust, both in terms of what they meant at the time and what they have meant and the implications for generations since. The absolute tragedies of the Holocaust can never be forgotten, and we must never let them be repeated. I think this is a really important exhibition in terms of teaching children exactly about that time in history but also in relation to recent events that have sadly occurred here and overseas. I did not have the opportunity to contribute to the motion in the previous sitting week, and I was overseas at the time of the Bondi tragedy. But for the record, I do take this opportunity to express my absolute condolence for the Jewish community in Sydney, in Melbourne, around Australia and around the world and say that I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community both here at home and indeed around the country and around the world. I absolutely stand for the fundamental protections of rights and freedoms, including those of identity, security and the right to practice one’s religion here and around the world. I was certainly pleased to represent the government and thank President Herzog for his visit and the comfort that it brought the Victorian and Australian Jewish community. I would be most pleased to accompany Mr Batchelor on a visit – a subsequent visit; I have visited previously – to the Holocaust museum, specifically in relation to this exhibition for children. I will refer all of those other matters accordingly.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 6:16 pm.