NEW FACILITIES FOR OTWAYS CAMPGROUND

The Andrews Labor Government is making camping better and more accessible for Victorians in the south west, with works to commence at a popular Otways campground. Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced a $448,000 expansion for the Dandos Campground near Gellibrand along the Gellibrand River. It means the site will be able to cater…

IMPROVING KINDERGARTEN IN FORREST FOR THE FUTURE

The Andrews Labor Government is building and upgrading kindergartens across Victoria including in Forrest– creating thousands of new kinder places and hundreds of jobs as Victoria rolls out funded universal Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today announced Forrest Learning Centre will receive over $112,000 to improve their learning environments. The project involves…

BUILDING & IMPROVING KINDERGARTEN IN PORT FAIRY FOR THE FUTURE

The Andrews Labor Government is building and upgrading kindergartens across Victoria including in Port Fairy – creating thousands of new kinder places and hundreds of jobs as Victoria rolls out funded universal Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today announced Port Fairy Community Services Centre will receive over $478,000 to boost kindergarten places.…

APPROPRIATION (2020–2021) BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education): 2020 has been an astonishing and challenging year, with events that none of us could have foreseen, and Western Victoria has experienced it all, from bushfires last summer through to the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and even floods in the far south-west in spring.…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: APPRENTICESHIP TRADE PAPERS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): I rise today to discuss this government’s commitment to apprentices and the value of an apprenticeship. Members will be aware that in this year’s budget we are investing over $33 million in the Big Build apprenticeship program and almost $20 million in growing apprenticeships.…

PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING AMENDMENT (QUARANTINE FEES) BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:15): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: Opening paragraphs In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, (the Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect…

MAJOR EXPANSION OF FORREST MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS

The Victorian Government is investing $1.57 million to expand and improve the mountain bike track network in Forrest. Upgraded facilities and new tracks will further boost Forrest’s already strong reputation as a world-class destination for mountain biking, attracting an estimated 25,000 visitors each year. The Forrest Mountain Bike Revitalisation Project will see the creation of…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I am pleased to share with the house the role that free TAFE will play in Victoria’s economic and social recovery. We have all seen the success of free TAFE since it began in 2019—significant increases in enrolments in priority courses, significant…

$2.5 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS REFURBISHING EMERGENCY SERVICES IN SOUTH WEST VICTORIA

The Andrews Labor Government has invested $2,500,769 in emergency services in Western Victoria to improve infrastructure and facilities, back in the important work that our volunteers do and provide a boost in employment within the local community. Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney has announced 28 projects will receive funding to deliver vital repairs and…

$2.5 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS REFURBISHING EMERGENCY SERVICES IN WESTERN VICTORIA

The Andrews Labor Government has invested $2,500,769 in emergency services in Western Victoria to improve infrastructure and facilities, back in the important work that our volunteers do and provide a boost in employment within the local community. Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney has announced 28 projects will receive funding to deliver vital repairs and…

STATE TAXATION ACTS AMENDMENT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:42): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: This Bill gives effect to Budget measures that will deliver important support…

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:00): I thank the member for his question. I am troubled by the cuts at universities in Victoria, whether they be course cuts or to funding to different organisations on campus and indeed of course staff cuts as well. Course cuts reduce the…

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Again I thank the member for his question. What I did in my substantive response was outline where the responsibilities lie in relation to the state and the commonwealth. What my question to you and your party is: what are you going…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:11): As our state recovers stronger and fairer, the Andrews Labor government is making sure every Victorian has the support they need to get back to work. Thanks to a billion-dollar boost TAFE will be at the heart of our economic recovery, and…

MEMBERS STATEMENTS: AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Last Friday was the Australian Training Awards. I’m constantly impressed by the calibre of talent and achievement in Victoria, and this was very much on display at the national awards. And for the fifth year in a row, Victoria has taken out the Large…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: SHEARING INDUSTRY

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:26): Last week I had the opportunity to visit Yulong farm near Cavendish to see the progress on the Andrews Labor government’s investment in the shearing industry. As part of our $1.2 million investment, a new shearing app has been created to complement hands-on…

MEMBERS STATEMENTS: GREAT OCEAN ROAD

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education)  Last week there was great news for communities in the vicinity of the Great Ocean Road, in the south-west of my electorate. I was so pleased to be at Eastern View’s Memorial Arch for the announcement of a fantastic investment of $272.2 million…

DELIVERING SUPPORT FOR VICTORIA’S VETERANS IN THE SOUTH WEST

The Victorian Government is continuing to support veterans and their families in Western Victoria, with the latest round of grants to support the ex-service community. Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney earlier this week announced the successful recipients from three separate veterans’ grants programs, delivering 62 projects State wide. The…

BIG HOUSING BUILD FOR WARRNAMBOOL

The Victorian Government is making sure more Victorians have the security and stability of a home, with our state’s – and Australia’s – biggest ever investment in public and community housing. The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will deliver a historic $5.3 billion Big Housing Build to build more than 12,000 new homes throughout metro and regional…

MEMBERS STATEMENTS: WOODFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Woodford Primary is a wonderful school just north of Warrnambool. Its students are a mix of those living in Woodford itself, from nearby rural communities and a number travelling from Warrnambool. The school’s website makes it clear that this school does deliver on a…

DELIVERING SUPPORT FOR VICTORIA’S VETERANS IN THE SOUTH WEST

The Victorian Government is continuing to support veterans and their families in Western Victoria, with the latest round of grants to support the ex-service community. Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney earlier this week announced the successful recipients from three separate veterans’ grants programs, delivering 62 projects State wide. The…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: WORLD TEACHERS DAY

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05): I rise to recognise and applaud the work of Victoria’s teachers as we mark today World Teachers Day 2020. In particular I would like to recognise staff in the VET, Learn Local and higher education sectors across all fields and thank teachers, trainers,…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: LEARN LOCAL AWARDS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:27): This week I announced the Learn Local Awards finalists for 2020, and it was great to make this announcement with the member for Lara, John Eren, at the Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, which is a finalist in the Volunteer Team Award. Rosewall have…

WORKER SCREENING BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:24): I would like to begin by thanking members for their contributions on the Worker Screening Bill 2020. This is a bill that will give effect to Victoria’s commitment to the Intergovernmental Agreement on Nationally Consistent Worker Screening for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): I am pleased to update the chamber on the important work that the Andrews Labor government has been doing to make Victoria’s TAFE system more inclusive and accessible to Victorians with a disability. We know that education and training open doors into…

MEMBERS STATEMENT: WESTERN VICTORIA REGION SCHOOLS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) In mid-October I had the absolute pleasure to announce some really exciting news to three schools in the State’s south-west—Hampden Specialist School, Terang College and Colac Specialist School. The Andrews Labor government is especially proud of its record in progressively upgrading schools for…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS

TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:44): I rise today to celebrate the commencement of the 2020 Victorian Training Awards. Of course this year’s awards are looking a little different, being presented as an online series rather than a gala event, but that does not change the importance of these…

$250,000 AWARDED TO GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE COUNCIL TO BOOST SAFETY AND EMPLOYMENT

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded more than $1,360,000 to councils and organisations across Western Victoria to improve community safety and provide an economic boost to local workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the projects funded from the Community Safety Infrastructure Grants, which includes $250,000 to…

$51,000 AWARDED TO WARRNAMBOOL CITY COUNCIL TO BOOST SAFETY AND EMPLOYMENT

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded more than $1,360,000 to councils and organisations across Western Victoria to improve community safety and provide an economic boost to local workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the projects funded from the Community Safety Infrastructure Grants, which includes $51,150 to…

$55,000 AWARDED TO TIMBOON DEMONS FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB TO BOOST SAFETY AND EMPLOYMENT

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded more than $1,360,000 to councils and organisations across Western Victoria to improve community safety and provide an economic boost to local workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the projects funded from the Community Safety Infrastructure Grants, which includes $55,000 to…

$250,000 AWARDED TO GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE COUNCIL TO BOOST SAFETY AND EMPLOYMENT

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded more than $1,360,000 to councils and organisations across Western Victoria to improve community safety and provide an economic boost to local workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the projects funded from the Community Safety Infrastructure Grants, which includes $250,000 to…

FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG VICTORIANS IN WARRNAMBOOL TO CARE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

Young people in Warrnambool will share in $409,500 for biodiversity projects from the Victorian Government. Grants of up to $5,000 have been allocated to 113 recipients across Victoria through the 2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants. As Victorian children and young adults return to face-to-face learning across the state, the projects will engage students in outdoor,…

FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG VICTORIANS IN PORTLAND TO CARE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

Schools in Portland will share in $409,500 for biodiversity projects from the Victorian Government. Grants of up to $5,000 have been allocated to 113 recipients across Victoria through the 2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants. As Victorian children and young adults return to face-to-face learning across the state, the projects will engage students in outdoor, hands-on…

FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG VICTORIANS TO CARE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

Schools in Colac region will share in $409,500 for biodiversity projects from the Victorian Government. Grants of up to $5,000 have been allocated to 113 recipients across Victoria through the 2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants. As Victorian children and young adults return to face-to-face learning across the state, the projects will engage students in outdoor,…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37): I rise to update the chamber on how free TAFE is helping to provide a skilled pipeline of workers that we need now and in the economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. As this house knows, free TAFE has been incredibly successful.…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:18): As members of this chamber know, Victoria is the TAFE capital of Australia, and it is the TAFE capital because of the Andrews Labor government’s investment in the system since coming to office. Backing our TAFEs is not just funding courses but…

MEMBERS STATEMENTS: WEST GATE BRIDGE TRAGEDY COMMEMORATION

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:13): The memorial park at the foot of pier 10 honours and remembers 35 men who lost their lives when the West Gate Bridge collapsed during construction. Today is the 50th anniversary of that terrible industrial disaster where 88 children lost their fathers. Each year there is…

MEMBERS STATEMENT: PORTLAND FISHING INDUSTRY

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I rise today to highlight the importance of the fishing industry to Victoria’s economy, and in particular the role of Portland in Victoria’s south-west. Portland’s fishing fleet lands up to 40 per cent of Victoria’s catch. It goes without saying that fishing and aquaculture…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: SKILLS FIRST RECONNECT

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:47): Last week I announced that the expansion of the Skills First Reconnect program was about to take place. It provides tailored, one-on-one support for Victorians who want to study at TAFE or a Learn Local but face challenges that make it more…

MEMBERS STATEMENTS: GUNDITJMARA HERITAGE PROJECTS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) In the 1830s a terrible event occurred near Portland, at a coastal area known as the ‘Convincing Ground’. European whalers, in advance of the wave of squatters who took over much of Western Victoria’s land, brutally wiped out almost all of the Kilcarrer…

HELPING WESTERN VICTORIA’S SPORT AND ACTIVE RECREATION ORGANISATIONS SURVIVE AND THRIVE

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced 8 grants have so far been approved in the electorate under the second round of the Government’s Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Short-term Survival Package. The successful organisations are: Central Highlands Netball League (Skipton) Cobden and District Night Netball Association Inc 1st Otway Foresters Scout Group Lorne…

HELPING SOUTH WEST SPORT AND ACTIVE RECREATION ORGANISATIONS SURVIVE AND THRIVE

Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced 7 grants have so far been approved in the electorate under the second round of the Government’s Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Short-term Survival Package. The successful organisations are: Portland Netball Association Inc Warrnambool And District Cricket Association Inc Warrnambool City Netball Association Portland Pistol Club Portland…

$1.187 MILLION TO PLAN FOR FUTURE WORKS AT HAMPDEN SPECIALIST SCHOOL/TERANG COLLEGE

The Victorian Government is investing $42 million into planning for school infrastructure projects to fast-track the state’s long-term economic recovery hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney visited Hampden Specialist School today to announce Hampden Specialist School and Terang College are amongst 33 further schools given the green light to…

PRESERVING WINCHELSEA’S LOCAL HISTORY

Community groups across Victoria are being recognised for preserving, recording and sharing their community’s local history. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today congratulated Winchelsea & District Historical Society for receiving funding as part of the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants Program. Winchelsea & District Historical Society received $3,246 to go towards their efforts…

PRESERVING SOUTH WEST VICTORIA’S LOCAL HISTORY

Community groups across Victoria are being recognised for preserving, recording and sharing their community’s local history. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today congratulated Friends of St. Brigid’s Association for receiving funding as part of the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants Program. Friends of St. Brigid’s Association received $1,500 to go towards their efforts…

GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS TO BRING CREATIVITY TO THE CLASSROOM

Schools throughout Western Victoria are encouraged to join forces with artists and creative professionals as part of a Victorian Government program to expand student learning and breathe creativity into curriculum. Applications are now open for the Creative Learning Partnerships program, which enables schools to tap into Victoria’s wealth of creative talent to deliver meaningful and…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: AMES AUSTRALIA

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I am really pleased to share with the chamber the critical work that the Adult Multicultural Education Services is doing to ensure our culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians do not fall through the cracks during the pandemic. Victoria has a proud history…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:07): This week is an important milestone in the government’s commitment to make TAFE better than ever. On Sunday I announced $55 million worth of TAFE maintenance projects—projects at standalone TAFEs across Victoria—and the list of projects is really exciting. At TAFE Gippsland the…

REGIONAL VICTORIA TO TAKE THIRD STEP

From 11:59pm tomorrow Victoria’s south west and other regional communities across the state will take the third step along the roadmap to COVID Normal. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the announcement was a testament to the determination of regional communities to stay the course and drive numbers down. The 14-day average in…

NEW YOUTH HUB FOR BANNOCKBURN

A new purpose-built youth centre for the fast-growing township of Bannockburn has been made possible thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund. Local Government Minister Shaun Leane and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney have announced the Youth Hub project will receive more than  $271,000 from the fund. The Golden Plains…

UPGRADED CLASSROOMS AND FACILITIES FOR TEESDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Teesdale students now have better classrooms and school facilities to learn in, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that Teesdale Primary School has completed it’s $300,000 upgrade to refurbish classrooms and update facilities, giving Teesdale students a modern learning environment. Works included the installation of a…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:19): Our regional TAFEs are making a real difference in their communities. Free TAFE is a game changer across the state, and with significant capital works projects well underway in many regional TAFEs, it is even more exciting for them. On top of…

COVID-19

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I rise today to note the value of the Working for Victoria Fund in easing the devastating effect of job loss that is a direct result of COVID-19. I’m heartened to see the cooperation between regional shire councils and organisations like catchment management…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: LEARN LOCAL PROVIDERS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:43): Today marks the start of Adult Learners Week. Adult Learners Week is an annual celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning. This year’s theme is ‘Renew you’, highlighting the power of learning as a tool for improving lives and creating new opportunities.…

KINDER UPGRADES FOR COBDEN AND SKIPTON

The Andrews Labor Government is repairing, expanding and building new kinders so every child can access Three-Year-Old kinder as the ground-breaking program rolls out across the state. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that the Victorian Government would provide $689,000 to Corangamite Shire for an expansion of Cobden Kindergarten. The expansion will…

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT DELIVERS WORLD GAME TO BANNOCKBURN

Football has been given a boost in Bannockburn with the Victorian Government announcing funding to Golden Plains Shire Council to upgrade to facilities at Bannockburn Recreation Reserve. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced $464,535 towards the Bannockburn Soccer Facility Upgrade project from the government’s 2019-20 The World Game Facilities Fund. The project…

COVID-19 – Community Sport Sector Survival Package

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I’d like to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s community sport sector COVID-19 survival package. Local sport clubs are close to the heart of regional communities as they provide fun, fitness and social connection. We need local clubs to survive the…

GRANTS TO KEEP LOCAL CREATIVES WORKING

Western Victoria’s artists and creative businesses are among hundreds of Victorian creatives to receive a lifeline from the Victorian Government, enabling them to keep working, adapting and creating through the pandemic. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced a total of $48,000 to local creative workers to support activities, including a new performance…

MORTLAKE P–12 COLLEGE

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I am pleased to update the house on some fantastic support the Andrews Labor government is giving to Mortlake P–12 College that will set their students and community up for recovery after the COVID pandemic has passed. For the first time this year…