Ms ADDISON (Wendouree): I wish to thank the Ballarat community for their response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our willingness to adopt social distancing, wash our hands and stay at home has resulted our community achieving three consecutive weeks without a new COVID-19 case.

This is the result of our actions. We have not visited family and friends, we have not played sport and we have not gone out for a meal. We have adapted our lives by embracing the challenges of remote learning, working from home and staying connected through phone calls and Zoom catch-ups.

For many this has been a really hard time, I truly understand that, but the restrictions are working. We are saving lives by staying at home, learning from home and working from home.

There are so many people and organisations that deserve recognition for how they are supporting the community during this unprecedented time.

I wish to thank our police, who are protecting us throughout this challenging time and always. I send my best wishes to all members of Victoria Police and sincerely thank them for their service and for putting themselves in harm’s way. My thoughts are with you on this tragic day.

Thank you to our frontline health workers at Ballarat Health Services as well as the leadership of CEO Dale Fraser and the executive directors.

Thank you to our school principals, teachers and support staff for the work they are doing to ensure ongoing teaching and learning, and to students and their families who are rising to the challenges of remote learning.

The Andrews Labor government is focused on minimising the impact of the coronavirus on businesses and workers, and we are working hard to support our community now and into the future.

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