Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:09): Thank you very much for the opportunity to stand up today and talk about Pick My Park. Now, here on this side of the chamber we know how important parks and open spaces are for Victorian families. We know that as our city grows, free and accessible parks, playgrounds and green spaces need to grow as well. That is why on Sunday I joined my good friend Mr Batchelor at the Clarke Reserve in Elwood. That is in Mr Newbury’s seat, but unfortunately he was unable to attend to announce the 97 winners of the first round.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Can the clerks please reset the clock. I do not believe the minister was being provocative there to have provoked so much noise.

A member interjected.

The PRESIDENT: If she gets there, maybe; if she gets to that point. But she has not yet, so let us hear her in silence.

Harriet SHING: I will miss the enthusiastic endorsement of all parts of this chamber as I get to my feet today to talk again about how important parks and open spaces are for Victorian families, and I want to take this opportunity to talk about the Pick My Park program. As our city grows, we know that free and accessible parks, playgrounds and open spaces need to grow as well. That is why on Sunday I was delighted to join my good friend Mr Batchelor at the Clarke Reserve in Elwood – again, unfortunately Mr Newbury, the member for Brighton, was unable to attend – to announce the first 97 winners of the first round of Pick My Park.

Nick McGowan: On a point of order, President – it really is a point of order – just on truthfulness, I am just keen to know that Mr Newbury was invited to join you, Minister.

Harriet Shing interjected.

Nick McGowan: I would not want the chamber to be misled into thinking he received it. The point of order is that it is not appropriate for a minister to mislead the house if the member was not in fact invited.

The PRESIDENT: The only way that you can accuse any member of misleading the house is by substantive motion. You can do that thing which I think we set a precedent for a number of weeks ago where if you want the house to take note of the minister’s statement on the next day of meeting, feel free to move that at the end of her statement.

Harriet SHING: Scheduling conflicts notwithstanding, it was really, really wonderful to be able to announce the first 97 winners of the first round of the Pick My Park program. Clarke Reserve in Elwood in the seat of Brighton will receive $250,000 from the Pick My Park program, along with $320,000 in a partnership with the Port Phillip City Council, for new play equipment, improved accessibility and expanding the park’s greenery.

These 97 investments come directly from listening to the community, who were able to nominate their local park for an upgrade. As we heard from communities, well-designed and inclusive spaces are important, with plenty of trees and shade, modern safe play equipment, well-lit public areas and seating spaces to connect with others. Round 1 projects are receiving funding of between $20,000 and $250,000. Labor knows that time is money, and making sure that Victorians have support with the cost of living, with safety and also with opportunities to connect across their communities is helping people to spend less time travelling and more time with their families and loved ones. We also know that improving community safety with passive surveillance and lighting improvements is particularly important. That includes Frankston, it includes Wyndham and it includes so many parts of the city. Get on board and see if you cannot start supporting this work that is improving communities across the board.