The Andrews Labor Government is improving mobile connectivity in western Victoria with a new mobile tower and upgrades to existing infrastructure. Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced partnerships with Optus and TPG Telecom to deliver a new mobile tower and upgrade five existing towers from 4G to 5G through the Labor Government’s Connecting Victoria program.
As part of the Victorian Budget 2022/23, the Andrews Labor Government will invest $250 million in a new $250 Power Saving Bonus from 1 July 2022, driving down the cost of living right across the state. Through the new program, all Victorian Households are eligible to receive a once-off payment of $250 to ease the cost-of-living pressures.
The Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre is game, set, and match ready to serve up even more tennis day and night thanks to new court lighting at the popular venue. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today officially opened lighting upgrades at the centre and inspected the progress of works on six new Hot Shot courts, made possible by a more than $1 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
Ballarat’s Tramway Museum is set to deliver better and more accessible experience, thanks to a $200,000 investment from the Andrews Labor Government. The Member for Wendouree, Ms Juliana Addison MP today announced funding for upgrades at the museum, through the government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering greater water security to Ballarat by supporting an expansion of the city’s recycled water network. As part of the Integrated Water Management project we’re investing $1 million towards upgrading the capacity of the Ballarat North Water Reclamation Plant and recycled water pump station to deliver additional recycled water for irrigating recreational spaces in Ballarat.
The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee pilot scheme will transform casual and contract work in Victoria, by providing eligible workers with the safety net they need to take time off when they are sick or need to care for loved ones.
With Ballarat officially announced as one of four regional hubs for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with plans to deliver this global sporting event.
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers. I ask the minister to provide an update on how the establishment of a Foodbank hub in Ballarat will address the issue of food insecurity in my electorate of Wendouree and the broader community.
I am honoured today to speak in support of the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022 and to be one of the very last speakers on this very historic day. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the Parliament is built, the Wurundjeri people, pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and extend those respects to the Aboriginal people who are here with us today and those who were with us earlier.
My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Will the minister please advise how the $6.5 million investment for robot-assisted surgery to be delivered at Grampians Health services’ Ballarat Base Hospital will improve outcomes and reduce recovery times for regional patients?
The Andrews Labor government is committed to supporting families in ensuring our littlest Victorians have the best start in life, with kinder to be free from 2023.
I am pleased also to rise to speak in favour of the government business program, following on from the Leader of the House and the member for Mount Waverley.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing more than $7.5 million into Victorian not-for-profit organisations to deliver innovative educational programs that enrich the learning experience of students across the state. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today announced the Art Gallery of Ballarat is among almost 80 organisations which will receive a share of the funding from Victorian Government’s Strategic Partnerships Program.
The Andrews Labor government is backing Ballarat as a great place to play, live, learn and work, with many wins for Wendouree. Our government is investing in our city and our community.
I am going to talk about why I believe that the 2022–23 budget is the most outstanding budget for regional Victoria.
My question is for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence. Will the minister please advise me how the Central Highlands Orange Door in Ballarat is supporting women and children in my community and the broader region?
I direct my adjournment to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. The action I seek is for her to provide me with an update on how the Victorian government is continuing to support Victorians who are paying more for power than they should.
Thank you very much, Acting Speaker, and it is lovely to see you in the Chair today. Like so many people here in this house today I stand to support the Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Symbol Prohibition) Bill 2022, which will prohibit the intentional display of the Hakenkreuz, also known as the Nazi swastika, in a public place knowing that it supports Nazi ideology.