The Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ) is a major success story for local job creation, with works on track to exceed expectations for the number of local workers, suppliers and materials sourced during construction thanks to the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today joined Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and the team from building firm Winslow Constructors to see first-hand the latest construction progress at the precinct.

Free parking at Ballarat GovHub will be made available to the local community – supporting jobs growth and helping the vibrant regional city to be an even better place to live, work and visit. Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney today announced that 120 car spaces in the city’s GovHub will be open for everyone to use from 2025, so locals have even more free parking options that are close by to where they want to go.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate and speak in support of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Integrity, Defamation and Other Matters) Bill 2024. This is a bill which proposes a variety of small but important improvements for our justice system and our integrity agencies.

Great news for the North Ballarat Football & Netball Club and the North Ballarat Cricket Club, with $5 million from the Allan Labor government to deliver new clubrooms and facilities at north oval 2.

It was great to attend the Ballarat Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre Inc. AGM with the member for Eureka and the member for Ripon.

Victoria’s hardworking volunteer firefighters will be better equipped to keep their communities safe, with 25 new CFA pumpers rolling off local assembly lines thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes today visited Wendouree-based SEM Fire and Rescue to announce the company will build all the new pumpers and confirm the first ten CFA brigades to receive the vehicles.

The Allan Labor Government has revealed the early designs for a $50 million upgrade to Ballarat Station to improve accessibility. The new plans released today include installing a pedestrian overpass with a passenger lift and stairs to both platforms.

Ballarat will lead the way in family violence prevention thanks to a brand-new project to saturate anti-violence awareness and action – providing valuable learning for communities across our state and nation.

Congratulations to Forest Street Primary School principal Jillian Burt on achieving the incredible milestone of 50 years in public education.

Ballarat lost a good man when Reverend John Furness died on 18 May, a man I deeply admired and whose friendship I enjoyed.

My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure regarding disability access at the Ballarat train station, a timely question following the excellent session today with the Victorian Disability Advisory Council.

What we are doing with the Financial Management Amendment (Gender Responsive Budgeting) Bill is seeking to embed gender equality and inclusivity considerations within the Victorian budgeting process. Addressing gender equality is a hallmark of this government.

It was terrific to be Sovereign Hill yesterday with the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos and the member for Ripon to announce that the Regional Events Fund has now been extended to 2027.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today visited Ballarat to announce the new Food, Fire and Light Festival which will light up Sovereign Hill this October and announce the latest round of the Labor Government’s $38 million Regional Events Fund.

Premier Jacinta Allan today joined Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and the Mount Clear Junior Football Club to announce the Victorian Budget 2024/25 invests an extra $6 million to extend the Labor Government’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program.

Racing clubs in Western Victoria will benefit from new infrastructure that will help boost local economies, benefit trainers and racegoers and protect animal welfare thanks to investment from the Allan Labor Government. Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines today visited the Ballarat Racecourse, Burrumbeet Racecourse and The Ballarat Greyhounds at Morshead Park to announce the latest milestones across three racing infrastructure projects backed with almost $3 million from the Labor Government.