I am so pleased to contribute to the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Early Childhood Employment Powers) Bill 2024, which sets up the legislative basis for the 50 government owned and operated early learning centres that we will be delivering across the next four years.

Happy 100th birthday to Ruby Fagan. I met Ruby for the first time at Bupa Aged Care in Delacombe on her birthday on Valentine’s Day and was immediately impressed by her. She was in excellent health and enjoying all the festivities to mark her centenary.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her ongoing support and advocacy for a world-class public transport system for Victorians, and look forward to further opportunities to celebrate the success of the X’Trapolis 2.0 Project and manufacturing in Ballarat.

My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Mental Health and is regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the 2021 landmark Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and how that is benefiting my constituents in Wendouree.

I am delighted to rise, following on from the member for Sandringham, to talk about the Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2023. I am standing up to support this amendment, which will further improve the delivery of digital government services across the state.

Following the tabling of the final report of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, how will Ballarat community members who experience mental illness access better treatment, care and support as a result of the recommendations handed down in the final report from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System?

I rise today to provide further comments on the report from the Environment and Planning Committee’s inquiry into employers and contractors who refuse to pay their subcontractors for completed works. This really is at the heart of fairness and what our country is about – that a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.

Ballarat is one of the greatest places to live and visit, and there are so many reasons why, including hosting the AusCycling 2024 Federation University Road National Championships.

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and it is about the record investment the Allan Labor government is making at the Eureka sports precinct in my electorate of Wendouree. Would the minister please meet with me to discuss the progress being made on the expansion of Eureka stadium with an additional 5000 seats and the construction of the new athletics track at the adjacent former Ballarat Showgrounds site?

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her strong advocacy to deliver better transport infrastructure outcomes for her community.

The half-a-billion-dollar redevelopment of Ballarat Base Hospital is another step closer, with a builder now appointed to deliver the final works of the major project. Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Built has been appointed to deliver the last stage of the $595 million redevelopment, including a new multi-level tower and helipad.

The Allan Labor Government is delivering an important upgrade to Grampians Health’s Ballarat Base Hospital, investing in new high-tech health equipment to ensure locals can continue to receive the best care, closer to home. Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the health service to announce the upcoming arrival of seven replacement anaesthesia machines and associated patient monitoring devices – made possible by a grant of more than $916,000 from the eighth round of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

Schools in Ballarat have been worthy recipients of capital works funding through multiple programs in recent years.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for their question, and their advocacy for their trans and gender diverse constituents.

A new community hub in the heart of Ballarat will assist not-for-profit service providers support locals in need, backed by the Allan Labor Government. Acting Minister for Regional Development Steve Dimopoulos today announced the start of works at the old Chatham House building in Lydiard Street South, supported by a $1 million investment from the Labor Government.

An Architect has been appointed to design the new state-of-the-art Regional Animal Facility at Mitchell Park. Architecture Matters was awarded the design contract by City of Ballarat Contracts Committee and is expected to finalise the designs for the new facility in 2024.