I too am honoured to contribute to this debate in support of the Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Bill 2023. It is great to follow on from the member for Eltham, who showed her real passion for disability – those dances sound terrific. Likewise with the member for Mordialloc – another excellent contribution from him, which is always most welcome.

Congratulations to Alfredton Primary School principal Laurel Donaldson on celebrating 40 years in education. Over Laurel’s four decades of teaching and school leadership she has had a positive influence on the lives of thousands of students and their families across Ballarat and the district.

Well done to Alfredton Primary School student Felicity Driscoll on winning her campaign for a new footpath to her school and local sporting facilities on Windsor Avenue. Felicity is just seven years old and has secured a funding commitment from the City of Ballarat for the footpath.

My question is for the Minister for Housing, about the progress of the number of big build projects that are underway in my electorate of Wendouree. I am so proud we are delivering more social and affordable housing in my community and creating jobs in the building industry.

A new gallery dedicated to First Nations art and storytelling is officially open to locals and visitors in Ballarat, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison represented Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing to formally open the Perridak Arts Gallery on Mair Street.

The Andrews Labor Government is another step closer to delivering a legacy of new and upgraded sporting facilities for the Ballarat community ahead of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games. An Advance Tender Notice (ATN) has been released for a main works contractor to complete the upgrade to Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for raising the matter of the veteran community in Ballarat. I acknowledge that the Member highlighted the positive and important work of veteran organisations within her electorate, which provide support not just to veterans, but also to their families and communities.

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting education, skills and innovation in the heart of Victoria’s second biggest regional city, with the launch of Federation University’s Co-operative Centre of Excellence. Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney today opened the new centre for industry and education in Ballarat’s CBD – made possible by a $9.5 million Labor Government investment.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question about how the Andrews Labor Government is improving mental health services and supporting consumers and their families, carers and supporters in her electorate.

I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to talk about how the Andrews Labor government is delivering cheaper fares, not only for regional Victorians but for all Victorians.

This bill will save lives. It will change outcomes. This bill will prevent deaths and it will change conversations.

My constituency question is for the Minister for Equality. What support is the government providing our trans community?

Congratulations to the Ballarat Keralites Foundation of Australia for their Taste of India fundraiser on Sunday night as part of Harmony Fest. More than 500 meals were cooked, with all funds raised being donated to the Ballarat soup bus to support people experiencing homelessness in our community.

Yesterday marked five years since the devastating trench collapse in Delacombe that killed Charlie Howkins and Jack Brownlee. There are not enough words to thank Jack’s parents Janine and Dave Brownlee and Charlie’s wife Lana Cormie for their extraordinary courage, determination and advocacy, which resulted in the introduction of Victoria’s landmark workplace manslaughter laws.

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Veterans, and the action that I seek is for the minister to visit Ballarat to meet with representatives of veterans organisations in my community and visit significant memorials to the fallen and to those who have served in my electorate of Wendouree.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question and for her outstanding advocacy for this important program for her community. The Andrews Labor Government is investing more than $60 million to upgrade six traffic hotspots and surrounding roads under the Keeping Ballarat Moving program.