The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Ballarat locals experiencing the devastating impacts of gambling harm can get tailored treatment and support services with an innovative new program being piloted in the region.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering another boost for regional Victoria’s health system, as part of a comprehensive plan to make sure patients are getting the quality care they need while there is record demand on the national health system. Premier Daniel Andrews today visited Ballarat Hospital to meet with nurses and other hospital staff who will benefit from the additional resources and staff announced as part of the latest $162 million health support package – to make sure patients are getting the quality care they need.

Thank you to the Member for Wendouree for her question regarding The Orange Door Network in Central Highlands, and for her continued advocacy for victim survivors of family violence in her local community.

The Alfredton Recreation Reserve has been transformed thanks to the Victorian Government, with new practice wickets, an electronic scoreboard, changerooms and more. The upgrade is a huge win for footballers, bowlers and netballers as well as local schools and residents. 

Football has been given a boost in Ballarat with the announcement of State Government funding to the City of Ballarat to upgrade facilities at Pleasant Street Reserve. Detailed design works are underway for the redevelopment of two senior pitches and training area, coaches’ boxes at the Pleasant Street Reserve.

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 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.