REGIONAL CITIES: GOVERNMENT POLICY

My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Regional Cities, Dr Napthine, and concerns regional cities and regional centres. In 2010 the previous Labor government approved amendment VC71 to the state planning policy framework. This introduced regional Victoria’s settlement framework, which recognised Hamilton as a regional city and centre. This was done…

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY: REPORT 2010

I rise to make a contribution on the Deakin University annual report 2010. I would like to begin by acknowledging Professor Sally Walker, the former vice-chancellor of Deakin University, who resigned from her position during the reporting period. Professor Walker was Deakin’s fifth vice-chancellor and its first woman vice-chancellor. She led the university for seven…

CROATIAN COMMUNITY: INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS

On another note, I wish to signal my appreciation to the Croatian community in Geelong for its warm hospitality on Saturday night. The well-attended function was to recognise the 20th anniversary of Croatian independence. This is a well-organised community which has really contributed to making Geelong a great place to live.

COMMUNITY SECTOR: WAGES

On 8 June I joined many of my parliamentary Labor colleagues, along with thousands of other Victorians, to rally to fight for equal pay in the equal pay case currently before Fair Work Australia. In the most significant equal pay decision since the 1969 adoption of equal pay for work of equal value, Fair Work…

LEADERS FOR GEELONG: RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the 2009-11 Leaders for Geelong team research project breakfast in Geelong. The event showcased five presentations of research projects conducted over the past two years by some of Geelong’s leaders, including projects on school bullying in Geelong, which dealt with the trends in Geelong and successful practices…

LOAVES AND FISHES: FUNDING

My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge. It is in relation to an organisation in Portland called Loaves and Fishes, which is a food bank that provides emergency food relief for those in need in the Portland area. The volunteers, staff and committee of management of Loaves and Fishes…

COALITION LEAVE GEELONG OUT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AGAIN

After mercilessly criticising the Myki ticketing system before the November 2010 State election, the Baillieu Government has accepted the system making just a few minor changes. The Member for South Barwon, Andrew Katos and the Baillieu Government must now explain how the Myki system will work in Geelong, the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney…

AVALON AIRPORT: FUTURE

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister responsible for the Aviation Industry. I refer to the government’s commitment to build a railway line to Avalon Airport and to last week’s decision by Tiger Airways to reduce services from Avalon in favour of Tullamarine. I ask: what measures does the government have…

SHIRE OF COLAC OTWAY: AWARD

On another note, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Colac Otway Shire Council, which recently won an award for the best annual report in the ‘low resources’ section of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s annual reporting awards. I would like to echo Mayor Brian Crook’s words: “These awards not only reflect the quality of…

RURAL PRESS CLUB OF VICTORIA: BREAKFAST

On Friday morning of the last sitting week I was fortunate enough to attend the Rural Press Club of Victoria breakfast. The guest speaker was Alana Johnson, farmer and 2010 Victorian rural woman of the year. Alana spoke of her vision for rural and regional Australia and of the role the philanthropic sector can play…

BAILLIEU AXES HOME WISE FOR VULNERABLE

The Baillieu Government must rethink its decision to axe emergency assistance to low-income Victorians to repair or replace essential appliances, Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today. “Mr Baillieu’s choice to axe the Home Wise program is shameful and will leave many people in Surfcoast out in the cold this winter,” Ms Tierney…

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE SURFCOAST OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP has called on the surfcoast community to nominate outstanding seniors ahead of this year’s Senior of the Year Awards. “Seniors on the surfcoast are a vital part of our community and the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is a great way to recognise their contribution,” Ms…

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE COLAC OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP has called on the Colac community to nominate outstanding seniors ahead of this year’s Senior of the Year Awards. “Seniors in Colac are a vital part of our community and the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is a great way to recognise their contribution,” Ms Tierney…

BAILLIEU AXES HOME WISE FOR VULNERABLE COLAC RESIDENTS

The Baillieu Government must rethink its decision to axe emergency assistance to low-income Victorians to repair or replace essential appliances, Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today. “Mr Baillieu’s choice to axe the Home Wise program is shameful and will leave many people in Colac out in the cold this winter,” Ms Tierney…

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE CORANGAMITE OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP has called on the Corangamite community to nominate outstanding seniors ahead of this year’s Senior of the Year Awards. “Seniors in Corangamite are a vital part of our community and the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is a great way to recognise their contribution,” Ms Tierney…

AWARDS TO RECOGNISE PORTLAND OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP has called on the Portland community to nominate outstanding seniors ahead of this year’s Senior of the Year Awards. “Seniors in Portland are a vital part of our community and the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is a great way to recognise their contribution,” Ms Tierney…

BAILLIEU AXES HOME WISE FOR VULNERABLE PORTLAND RESIDENTS

The Baillieu Government must rethink its decision to axe emergency assistance to low-income Victorians to repair or replace essential appliances, Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today. “Mr Baillieu’s choice to axe the Home Wise program is shameful and will leave many people in Portland out in the cold this winter,” Ms Tierney…

COLAC SECONDARY COLLEGE: FOOTBALL AND CRICKET OVAL

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education and is in relation to Colac Secondary College. I beg the indulgence of the house to give some background, because it is not simply about providing a football and cricket oval at the school; there is also a significant history. In April 2008 construction…

SOUTH WEST TAFE: REPORT 2010

I rise to make a contribution on the South West TAFE annual report for 2010. I would like to begin with a short profile of South West TAFE to get a sense of the service area that this important training and education institution covers in south-western Victoria. Its catchment area covers a huge expanse, approximately…

WORK PLAN

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — Firstly, I might create a world first by saying I agree with Mrs Peulich in terms of this motion not being riveting. The fact is it is not meant to be a riveting motion; it is a straight up and down, black and white request for a particular committee that…

NATIONAL CELTIC FESTIVAL, PORTARLINGTON

Much enjoyment was had in Portarlington over the weekend. Many of us had our musical hearts stolen by Eleanor McEvoy, whilst Solas and Claymore gave strong, tight and rallying performances. The National Celtic Festival team outdid itself this year. A strong line-up and record attendances led to Portarlington bouncing all weekend. The program appealed to…

ANGLESEA PRIMARY SCHOOL: REDEVELOPMENT

On Sunday, 22 May, I had the great pleasure of attending Anglesea Primary School’s farewell to the old school and welcome to the new school celebration. Beginning at what is now termed ‘the old school’, hundreds of students, parents, teachers and Anglesea residents relived memories of their days at the school, browsing through the classrooms…

CANCER COUNCIL VICTORIA: ANNUAL REVIEW 2010

I rise to speak on Cancer Council Victoria — Annual Review 2010. I am particularly pleased to speak about the excellent work that the council does, but today is also a significant day for another valuable organisation. It is the first day of the Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Women campaign, and I commend those…