I thank the Member for Wendouree for her kind invitation to attend White Night Ballarat. It was a pleasure to attend with her along with 65,000 people to celebrate Ballarat being projected – quite literally – in a new light.

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.

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question and am pleased to advise the following regarding the new roundabout under construction at Dyson Drive and Ballarat-Carngham Road as part of the Keep Ballarat Moving program.

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.

The Victorian Government is committed to growing educational opportunities for all Victorians. We have invested $16.9 billion over the past 10 years to build new schools and modernise educational facilities across Victoria.

I thank the member for Wendouree for their question and I am pleased to reply that the Allan Labor Government has made significant progress towards implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing system with work having commenced on more than 90 per cent of its recommendations.

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.