Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (14:55): My constituency question is for the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, and I am glad she is in the house. Minister, how is our government listening to Aboriginal Victorians and enacting what they need to determine their own future?

The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-op, known as BADAC, does outstanding work. Under the leadership of CEO Karen Heap AM, the organisation is going from strength to strength, delivering health, social and community development programs.

I am pleased that the Andrews Labor government has listened to BADAC and supported their projects, including the Perridak art gallery, which is strengthening storytelling and the arts in our region; Yirram Burron kindergarten and long day care centre in Sebastopol, which is providing quality education and care, with an emphasis on culture and community; and most recently the elders independent living community for local Aboriginal elders in central Ballarat, which is currently under construction.

I really look forward to the minister’s response, and I thank BADAC for the great work they do in my community.

You can take a look at more of my speeches to Parliament here.