I am very pleased to again speak on the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee report on the inquiry into commonwealth support for Victoria. We considered various issues associated with the inadequacy of commonwealth support for Victoria, including but not limited to Victoria’s share of federal GST funding and the expiration of the no-worse-off GST guarantee.

I wish to congratulate PETstock on the opening of its 200th store in Ballarat, 31 years after opening the family’s first retail store on La Trobe Street, Delacombe. PETstock is a 100 per cent proudly Australian family owned and operated company founded in Ballarat by the Young family and built on humble beginnings in regional Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Ballarat to position itself as a must-visit craft and small batch drink destination with a new hub for distilling and brewing. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced a $450,000 investment from the Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund to create the new hub – which will be a tourism drawcard for the region while creating more jobs.

A major investment by one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand is creating a jobs boost in Ballarat, thanks to backing from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today announced the Labor Government’s support for George Weston Foods’ new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat and production expansion across regional Victoria.

Sovereign Hill will soon boast new cultural and event spaces, generating jobs and attracting more visitors, thanks to a $6 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government. Minster for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula visited the historic Ballarat tourist attraction today to announce the upgrade, funded from the Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

Thank you for your support of the Andrews Labor Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and education.

An Australian consulting giant will establish a new office in Ballarat, creating up to 200 jobs in the important regional centre, backed by support from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas today announced the establishment of the Ernst & Young (EY) Service Delivery Centre at the Federation University Ballarat Tech Park in Mt Helen.

I direct my adjournment matter to the Minister for Fishing and Boating. The action I seek from the minister is to provide me with an update on the Victorian government’s investment in fishing and boating and how this is benefiting recreational fishing in Victoria.

My question is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. Will the minister please advise how hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games will benefit Ballarat and regional Victoria?

I rise to speak on the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee report on the inquiry into commonwealth support for Victoria. This is the second time I have spoken on this committee report, and I am sure there will be a third time as well because there are so many important things to discuss about Victoria’s future and how we are getting done over by the federal government.

The Andrews Labor Government is serving up more jobs supporting hospitality venues and tourism in regional Victoria. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford today announced a $6 million initiative which will provide 240 jobseekers with hospitality and tourism traineeships to help address workforce shortages across the state.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question about the Regional Infrastructure Fund Round Two and am pleased to hear that her electorate is benefiting from previous Regional Infrastructure Fund investments.

Ballarat and Grampians patients will have better treatment closer to home for cancer therapy, surgery and mental health as part of the major expansion of health care announced in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

Ballarat is very proud of our veterans, and a number of Anzac services were held across Ballarat, including the dawn service, the Arch of Victory, the Ex- Prisoners of War Memorial, the Sebastopol RSL parade and service and the Ballarat RSL parade and service at the Cenotaph.

My question is for the Minister for Employment in the other place. Will the minister please provide me with an update on how Jobs Victoria programs are supporting my local jobseekers to find employment and supporting local businesses to fill roles in the Ballarat community?

The Andrews Labor Government is creating better sporting facilities as well as upgrading an RSL hall and a community garden in a bid to revitalise the town of Sebastopol. Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today joined members from the Community Reference Group at MR Power Park in western Victoria to inspect works on the new facilities, backed by more than $1 million funding from the Labor Government’s Spotlight on Sebastopol program.