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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. How will the new roundabout that is under construction at Dyson Drive and Ballarat-Carngham Road improve traffic flow and make the intersection safer for my community?
On Mother’s Day we honour our mums. We celebrate the joys of motherhood and pay tribute to the women in our lives who are mother figures.
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit my electorate of Wendouree for White Night Ballarat on 1 June.
I too am pleased to rise to contribute to the debate today in support of the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Reform Bill 2024. The reason I am so pleased to do it is because this legislation provides a sensible and comprehensive approach to transitioning over time to an annual commercial and industrial property tax as a replacement for stamp duty currently levied on commercial property sales across Victoria.
John was a wise and good man who was intelligent, compassionate and humble. He was committed to social justice and spoke to me often about the importance of members of Parliament always serving their community, words that I will never forget and will always live by.
I was glad to meet with the Member for Wendouree on 8 February 2024 to discuss the progress being made on the upgrades to Eureka Stadium.