MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:43:47): Today I congratulate Lorne P–12 College for its outstanding achievement in engaging students in the Victorian certificate of applied learning (VCAL). Principal Shane Elevato and his staff deliver a program that is an exemplar to educators and schools in Western Victoria. Their…
MS TIERNEY: That same emphasis on supporting students is reflected in a really significant initiative that will see schools having dedicated mental health practitioners on site. The Andrews Labor government understands the challenges faced by regional communities, especially young people living in farming areas. All schools aim to support students’ health and wellbeing, but welfare…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:40:31): On Monday I joined the vice-chancellor of RMIT, Martin Bean, at the reopening of the iconic Capitol theatre on Swanston Street in the city. By investing $2.5 million in the Capitol’s refurbishment, the Andrews Labor government has helped to make this world-class…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (14:04:40): Today I want to inform the house of yet another example of how the Andrews government’s revitalisation of Victoria’s TAFE system is changing people’s lives. In March I had the pleasure of opening the Berwick Centre for Health at the Chisholm Institute…
Students at Warrnambool Primary School are a step closer to getting the facilities they need for a great start in life, with an architect appointed to design the school’s exciting upgrade. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that Rendine has been appointed to design the school’s $739,000 upgrade. The upgrade will deliver a…
Children in Terang, Timboon, Cobden and Skipton will be among almost 20,000 heading to kindergarten this year who will benefit from the Andrews Labor Government’s Australian-first school readiness funding. All kindergartens in Corangamite Shire will receive a funding boost to engage with professional support such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists and language and literacy experts,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:49:12): Last weekend I was very pleased to join the Bannockburn community in opening the Bannockburn Victoria Park netball courts. The completion of two competition-standard netball courts with new lighting plus undercover seating and fencing was made possible by a $100 000 grant…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21:56): I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s further investment in Victoria’s TAFE infrastructure. Prior to last year’s state election Labor announced a $220 million Building Better TAFEs Fund, the largest single investment in Victoria’s TAFE asset portfolio in…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:14:05): Thank you, and that is not what the budget paper says. In fact what we have is those on the opposite side being in absolute denial. They are the past masters of cuts. If you want to know about cuts, just go across…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:09:40): I am very pleased with the outcome for the skills and training, and higher education portfolios in last Monday’s budget. The fact of the matter is that there has been an additional $82 million provided in government-subsidised training. There is also an…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07:28): I rise to update the house on an additional two courses that will be added to Labor’s free TAFE course list as a result of Monday’s state budget. Next year the certificate III in early childhood education and care and the diploma…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07:28): I rise to update the house on an additional two courses that will be added to Labor’s free TAFE course list as a result of Monday’s state budget. Next year the certificate III in early childhood education and care and the diploma…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:50:54): Throughout the course of this debate, in the other place as well as in some of the points made in this house, issues were raised that require some clarification. Firstly, on the subject of medical treatment decisions under the Medical Treatment Planning…
Bannockburn’s run-down and unsafe netball courts have been rebuilt to competition standard, thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today officially opened the two courts, made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Labor Government’s Country Football and Netball Program. The Victoria Park Recreation Reserve…
Sporting clubs in Western Victoria are among 386 grassroots sports clubs across Victoria sharing in more than $530,000 in grants to boost their equipment, skills and administration expertise. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the 17 clubs that had successfully applied for funding in the second round of the Andrews Labor Government’s 2018-19…
Thousands of Victorians are still waiting to receive the funding and services they desperately need under Scott Morrison’s botched rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today called on the Federal Liberal Government to step up and finally deliver an NDIS plan to the estimated 497 people in…
Thousands of Victorians are still waiting to receive the funding and services they desperately need under Scott Morrison’s botched rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today called on the Federal Liberal Government to step up and finally deliver an NDIS plan to the estimated 318 people in…
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced $860,000 in funding for a new program to provide targeted support and stronger services for people sleeping rough in Warrnambool. The Andrews Labor Government is working closely with the City of Warrnambool and service provider Brophy Family and Youth Services to deliver the program, which includes…
The Victorian Government has announced the opening of the 2019-2020 Victorian Landcare Grants for projects that protect and restore Victoria’s land and environment in Western Victoria. Minister for Energy, Environment & Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced the $1.76 million grants program to support Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle…
Finalists have been announced for the 2019 ResourceSmart School of the Year Awards with Warrnambool East Primary School in the running. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said it’s great to see Warrnambool East Primary School being recognised for its work to reduce its environmental footprint and sharing these learnings beyond the gate. The…
More local roads, bridges and intersections will be upgraded across regional and rural Victoria as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program, meaning safer and more reliable journeys for drivers. Corangamite Shire Council has secured a portion of the $70 million in second round funding for additional road improvement projects. This funding…
More local roads, bridges and intersections will be upgraded across regional and rural Victoria as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program, meaning safer and more reliable journeys for drivers. Glenelg Shire Council has secured a portion of the $70 million in second round funding for additional road improvement projects. This funding…
More local roads, bridges and intersections will be upgraded across regional and rural Victoria as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program, meaning safer and more reliable journeys for drivers. Moyne Shire Council has secured a portion of the $70 million in second round funding for additional road upgrades. This funding will…
The Andrews Labor Government is offering an additional 300 scholarships to aspiring kinder teachers, as well as $9,000 incentives to support early childhood teachers to move to areas where three-year-old kinder is rolling out. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today encouraged local residents to consider pursuing careers in early childhood education, with an…
Ambulances arrived at the scene of emergencies on average more than two minutes quicker in the March quarter than at the height of the ambulance crisis under the former Liberal Government, new data shows. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Jenny Mikakos earlier this week released the March quarter of the Victorian Health and Human…
Ambulances arrived at the scene of emergencies on average more than two minutes quicker in the March quarter than at the height of the ambulance crisis under the former Liberal National Government, new data shows. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Jenny Mikakos earlier this week released the March quarter of the Victorian Health and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:21:42): Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their contributions in this debate this afternoon. Suppression orders in courts are generally used at points that are very distressing for people, and I think that with everyone’s contributions today we have been able…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:32:21): Recently I had the pleasure of visiting GOTAFE’s Shepparton campus to speak firsthand with staff and students who are part of this growing institute. There is absolutely no doubt that GOTAFE is turning the institution around. This has happened through the sheer…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37:06): On 29 March I was privileged to take part in the installation of the new chancellor of La Trobe University, the Honourable John Brumby, AO. John, who served as Premier of this great state from 2007 to 2010, could not be a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (16:30:58): I rise today to acknowledge with great sadness the recent passing of Doug Phillips of Portland and offer my condolences to Doug’s wife Helen and children, Lachlan and Brianna. Doug devoted untold hours, over decades, to environmental activism, protecting forests, waterways and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:49:28): (By leave) I rise to pay tribute to two valued and very much loved members of the Victorian community in Western Victoria, Ross and Andrew Powell – a father and son who recently lost their lives while attempting to rescue a person…
Western Victorian locals will have a chance to share their lived experiences and be a part of a once-in-a-generation reform of our mental health system. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney encouraged locals to access the new online portal, share their experiences and tell the Commissioners what matters to them. Submissions will close on…
The Andrews Labor Government is upgrading the Casterton Racing Club to make the course safer and improve access for racegoers and staff for future meetings, as part of a joint funding package worth nearly $42,000. The infrastructure upgrades will include regrading and resurfacing the entrance areas to the public dining room, general admission area and…
The Andrews Labor Government is keeping the legacy of our veterans alive for future generations in Winchelsea. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney has announced $30,000 for Surf Coast Shire Council for the Winchelsea Memorial Park and Interactive Map Project. The grant was approved as part of the Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues…
The Andrews Labor Government is giving Portland District Health the latest cutting-edge equipment so that they can continue to do what they do best. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced Portland District Health would receive funding under the Medical Equipment Replacement Program and Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program grant. In total, the Labor…
The Andrews Labor Government is building or upgrading men’s sheds for communities all over Victoria. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced this year’s Men’s Shed grant applications are now open. The Labor Government is investing nearly $900,000 to build, upgrade or refurbish men’s sheds, which play a key role safeguarding the emotional and…
South Western Centre Against Sexual Assault (SWCASA) will receive counselling and support for an extra 154 survivors of sexual abuse over two years, under a $272,418 funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government. The funds are part of a state-wide package set to reach an extra 2,800 survivors of sexual assault across Victoria, providing crisis…
Accessing one of Warrnambool’s fastest-growing commercial and residential centres is now safer and more efficient with works complete on Boiling Down Road thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Rehabilitation and widening works on 1.2 kilometres of Boiling Down Road are now complete, providing extra room for vehicles to pass one another without having to veer…
Drivers will now enjoy a smoother and safer journey when travelling between Lavers Hill and Cobden with the completion of a massive road rebuilding project thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said about 10 kilometres of Lavers Hill-Cobden Road had been completely rebuilt between Chapple Vale and Jancourt East…
The Andrews Labor Government is helping local communities to protect their neighbourhoods from illegal graffiti, with applications now open for the Graffiti Prevention Grants program. Western Victorian Community groups can team up with their local council to apply for a grant of up to $30,000 to tackle graffiti vandalism in their neighbourhoods and increase perceptions…
The Andrews Labor Government and Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney is inviting local organisations that support veterans to apply now for grants of up to $200,000 to spruce up their buildings and facilities. Ms Tierney said the new funding round for the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program would help eligible organisations fund facility…
Small business operators in the Apollo Bay area will be able to access support and government business services when the Small Business Bus visits on Wednesday 10 April. This is part of the assistance offered by the Andrews Labor Government, from cuts to payroll tax cuts in Regional Victoria to the mentoring services. This support…
The Andrews Labor Government is giving growing footy and netball clubs in country Victoria locations another chance to secure funding to upgrade grounds, courts and pavilions to welcome more members than ever before. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today encouraged local clubs to consider applying for the next round of the Country Football…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria — Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37:34): My ministers statement today is on the importance of not only training in regional communities but training that leads to good, sustainable jobs. Last week I had the pleasure of meeting workers at Benalla’s LS Precast facility who supply precast…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (16:49:32): I will make some brief remarks in picking up some of the points that have been raised by some of the members, and obviously we will have the opportunity in committee to explore other matters. I thank members for their contributions and for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:48:34): Today I rise to pay tribute to the life of Francis Sutherland Hambly, whose career reflected long and dedicated service to tertiary education in this country. Frank Hambly passed away in November 2018, aged 83, in Canberra, although both his own education…
Five cemeteries across Western Victoria will share in over $22,000 as part of an $832,000 state-wide investment by the Andrews Labor Government to ensure the final resting places of our loved ones are maintained in a respectful manner. Announcing the grants, the Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the funds would be used…
The Andrews Labor Government is making Casterton-Apsley Road smoother and safer for drivers with the completion of recent road upgrades. Just under a kilometre of road at Nangeela was reconstructed, resurfaced and widened as part of the Labor Government’s $40 million Narrow Roads program. Previously this section of road was too narrow for two vehicles…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:00:47): I rise today to reflect on the life of Gordon Scholes, a man whose life was devoted to longstanding service to his community and to the Australian Labor Party. Gordon Scholes died in December 2018 at the age of 87. He represented…