I rise to speak on the Sentencing Amendment (Correction of Sentencing Error) Bill 2015. This bill is aimed at simplifying and speeding up our criminal justice system in cases of sentencing errors made by judges and magistrates. Fortunately errors are not common, but when they do occur they need to be rectified quickly. Sentencing is…
I am pleased to make a contribution to the debate on the Crimes Amendment (Repeal of Section 19A) Bill 2015. The bill is the result of an election commitment made by Labor prior to the International AIDS Conference last year. I am particularly pleased to speak about an election commitment being fulfilled. To be frank, it…
I rise to make a contribution on the Deakin University annual report for 2014. Deakin celebrated its 40th anniversary in this reporting year. It has grown from a small regional university into a world leader during that time. It is in the top 3 per cent of the world’s universities, and it is at the cutting…
My constituency question is to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water regarding the stakeholder consultation process arising out of the government’s release of the report entitled Review of Performance Targets for Bushfire Management on Public Land by the inspector-general for emergency management. The review recommended that Victoria move from a hectare-based fuel reduction…
I rise to congratulate Ms Lyn Maniz, a teacher at Ballarat Secondary College on winning of the Victorian certificate of applied learning (VCAL) Teacher of the Year award. Ms Maniz was humble in receiving her award, thanking her colleagues at the college. She did, however, say that it was a huge honour and the highlight of her…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Ports, and it is in relation to the future sustainability of the port of Geelong. Geelong is Victoria’s largest regional port and one of the largest multi-cargo facilities in the country. Over 12 million tonnes of cargo a year are handled at the port. It is responsible for…
I rise to speak on the Regional Development Victoria Amendment (Jobs and Infrastructure) Bill 2015 and state from the outset that the bill before us today fulfils an election commitment. It always gives me great pleasure to speak in this place on election commitments, as they are promises made to the people of Victoria — promises…
I rise to speak on National Sorry Day. This is the 17th National Sorry Day, and I am sad that, although some progress has been made on Indigenous issues since the first sorry day, the story is still not good. Since 1998 there have been good symbols and important symbolic actions taken, including Kevin Rudd’s…
My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Racing, and it relates to the bolstered Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF). Members in this place know that racing is an important economic driver in Victoria, generating $2.8 billion of economic activity and supporting more than 26 000 full-time jobs, many of which are in regional…
Young drivers in Colac will benefit following the announcement earlier this year of $16 million in funding to continue the L2P learner driver mentor program across Victoria. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the funding, which will help disadvantaged young drivers in Colac and across the region get their licence. The program targets young…
A split has emerged within the Liberal Party on fair go rate capping, as Andrew Katos, Member for South Barwon, declared war on the policy – despite Opposition Spokesperson David Davis’ support. The split emerged after Mr Katos declared he did not believe in rate capping in today’s Geelong Independent, saying the policy was merely…
What a great week for western Victoria! After years of uncertainty, and a bandaid fix by the previous government, the Andrews Labor government has provided confidence and certainty for over 200 workers at Avalon Airport. In a deal struck by Labor with Jetstar and Linfox, the Andrews government will contribute $12 million to shore up this important…
I begin my address-in-reply by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respects to their elders both past and present. I will also start by congratulating the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Bruce Atkinson, on again being elected as President of…
I rise to make a contribution on the South West Institute of TAFE’s annual report 2014, which was tabled last sitting week. It is fair to say that it has been a tough few years for South West Institute of TAFE, as it has been for every other TAFE in this state. This sector has…
My constituency question is for the Minister for Education and it is in relation to the Warrnambool Special Developmental School. In yesterday’s state budget the Andrews government fulfilled its election commitment to allocate $5 million towards this school. That funding is much needed. The current school is located on the side of a hill, making it…
The Andrews Labor Government has secured $1.8 million in the 2015-16 VictorianBudget to improve pedestrian safety in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove. Pedestrians using Bridge Rd and Hitchcock Avenue in Barwon Heads will benefit from $800,000 in safety improvements, announced today by Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney. As part of the project, access to…
The south-west of the state will receive a boost, with the Andrews Labor Government providing $2.4 million to upgrade Colac-Ballarat Rd as part of the 2015-16 Victorian Budget. The upgrade will make a significant difference to the more than 1,000 vehicles that use the busy road each day. As part of the upgrade, improvements will…
Students in the electorate of South-West Coast are big winners in the Andrews Labor Government’s first Education State Budget. Warrnambool Special Development School will receive $5 million towards the first stage of the schools new location, which will accommodate rising enrolment numbers. The Labor Government has used its first Education State Budget to inject a…
The Andrews Labor Government will upgrade one of Anglesea’s most notorious intersections. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the $2.9 million in funding for roundabout improvements at the intersection of Great Ocean Road and Camp Rd as announced in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget. The roundabout forms a key junction for traffic travelling between the…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Training and Skills and is in relation to local learning and employment networks, commonly known as LLENs. There are 31 LLENs in Victoria, and I have quite a few in my electorate, including the Central Grampians LLEN in Ararat, the Geelong Region LLEN in Geelong, the Glenelg and…
I am pleased to stand here today to make a contribution to debate on the Domestic Animals Amendment Bill 2015, because this amendment is an election commitment that the Labor Party took to the last state election. It is also with great pride that I am making a contribution that reinforces the delivery of that…
Since the last time this Parliament met, a number of horrific events have occurred beyond the borders of this state. In particular I wish to speak on the devastating earthquake in Nepal. The number of lives lost from this disaster continues to rise, with the latest news reports stating a figure over 7300 . The number…
The Andrews Labor Government will upgrade one of Anglesea’s most notorious intersections. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the $2.9 million in funding for roundabout improvements at the intersection of Great Ocean Road and Camp Rd as announced in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget. The roundabout forms a key junction for traffic travelling between the…
Small businesses in the Warrnambool area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on growing their business at a workshop to be held on Wednesday 20 May 2015. Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform…