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…

LOCAL SCHOOL TO RECEIVE LYNNE KOSKY MEMORIAL VCAL GRANT

Mortlake College is among eight schools who will receive a Lynne Kosky Memorial Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Grant. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the grants provide important financial support to the selected VCAL providers to develop outstanding learning initiatives for their students that involve strong community participation. The grants acknowledge…

INVESTING IN WATER FOR WARRNAMBOOL

The Victorian Government is investing in water projects to make our regions more liveable, our waterways healthier and help our local parks and gardens use more recycled water and stormwater. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced $350,000 to harvest roof water at Albert Park in Warrnambool. This further stage of a roof…

SAFER LOCAL ROADS IN SOUTH-WEST VICTORIA

The Andrews Labor Government is improving safety at high-risk streets in south-west Victoria as part of a new program which works with councils and communities to improve local regional roads. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the upgrades in Warrnambool, Portland and Port Fairy were part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million ‘Safe…

FUNDING BOOST FOR EMMA HOUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES TO AID CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

Emma House Domestic Violence Services is set to share in joint funding of almost $30 million from the Andrews Labor Government, and the Commonwealth, for community legal centres across the state to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19). Emma House Domestic Violence Services will receive $171,500 to support its continued delivery of frontline legal assistance services during…

FUNDS TO DELIVER STRONGER LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The southwest community has received $129,500 for three projects under the Victorian Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Program. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced funding for phase 2 of the Great South Coast Economic Migration Project, Moyne Shire Council’s Business Adaption Planning Service and Gunditjmara War Memorial Mural. The projects are among 29…

APPRENTICESHIPS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:00): I thank the member for his question. Apprenticeships are incredibly important, and we know that right across the board. This has been the case and a very proud contribution that this government has made in respect to apprenticeships, and during my time…

APPRENTICESHIPS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Can I just correct the record? The fact of the matter is that the most recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research report shows that in the year to December 2019 there was a 7.3 per cent increase in construction trade apprenticeship completions…

JUSTICE LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2019

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:45): I am pleased to provide a summation from the government’s side. This bill is about delivering access to justice for ordinary Victorians by making it easier to bring class actions for things like silicosis, wage theft, consumer harm and other forms of…

JUSTICE LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2019

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:46): I move: That the bill be now read a third time. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is: That the bill be now read a third time and do pass. House divided on question: The PRESIDENT: Pursuant to standing order 14.27, the bill will be…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: REFUGEE WEEK

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:24): This week is Refugee Week. Originally celebrated in 1986, the week coincides with World Refugee Day on 20 June each year. This year’s theme is celebrating the Year of Welcome, and I think we can all be proud in this chamber that Victoria has…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE GIPPSLAND

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:48): I rise to update the house on the critical work of the Andrews Labor government in opening a brand-new state-of-the-art campus at TAFE Gippsland’s port of Sale site. I recently unveiled the new designs for the TAFE Gippsland port of Sale campus,…

GRANTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL CREATIVE RECOVERY

Almost $85,000 in grants will support creatives in south west Victoria to rebound, recover and explore new business opportunities as part of the first wave of the Victorian Government’s Sustaining Creative Workers initiative. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the news that local creative workers and businesses would share in state-wide grants totalling…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: RAISING EXPECTATIONS PROGRAM

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:00): I am really pleased to update the house on how the Andrews Labor Government is supporting people who have been in out-of-home care to access education and training. Care leavers are significantly less likely to access university after leaving school. For too…

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:08): From what I have heard of this debate this afternoon and this evening, the opponents of this bill, rather than tackle the substance of the issues, have sought to prosecute and will prosecute an amendment that will delay the introduction of this…

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (23:08): I move: That the bill be now read a third time. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is: That the bill be now read a third time and do pass. House divided on question: The PRESIDENT: Pursuant to standing order 14.27, the bill…

BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS FOR DERRINALLUM

Students in Derrinallum will soon benefit from having maintenance works carried out at their schools thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced Derrinallum P-12 College is among 78 schools to share in $5.94 million of Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) funding to help address their maintenance needs. Derrinallum…

HELPING SOUTH WEST SPORTS CLUBS SURVIVE AND THRIVE

Local clubs including Warrnambool Wolves Football Club, Merrivale Cricket Club, Warrnambool Cycling Club and Portland’s Westerns Football Netball Club are set to benefit from a State Government grant program. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced 12 grants of $1,000 have so far been approved in Victoria’s south west from the Government’s Community…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:24): On 15 May I announced the retrenched apprentices and trainees program, a collaboration between the Victorian government and the Apprenticeship Employment Network, the peak body of group training organisations here in Victoria. History tells us that at times like these, hard economic times,…

NEW GREEN ROOF ANNOUNCED FOR LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

A new green roof for Warrnambool’s South West Victorian Livestock Exchange will save potable water and help the business attract nationwide trading, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the Government will fund nearly $430,000 towards the $969,581 project that will meet enhanced environmental and…

RETAIL LEASES AMENDMENT BILL 2019

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:02): 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: I’d like to start by taking an opportunity to thank those people,…

PETROLEUM LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:04): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: 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 to…

PETROLEUM LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:04): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: 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 to…

PETROLEUM LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:04): 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: The purpose of this Bill is to amend: 1. The Petroleum Act 1998…

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:05): I move:

That the bill be now read a first time.

Motion agreed to.

Read first time.

Ms TIERNEY: I move, by leave:

That the second reading be taken forthwith.

Motion agreed to.

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:05): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect to the…

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:05): I move, by leave: 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 will deliver on the Victorian Government’s commitment to…

COVID-19

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:40): I rise today to pay tribute to the residents of Western Victoria for managing an unprecedented time in education across both the state school system and the independent school system. This time of COVID-19 has certainly given new meaning to the concept…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: UNIVERSITY FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): The fact of the matter is that we have started traversing this. As I mentioned previously in response to a question by Mr Rich-Phillips, the Treasurer and I made an announcement on 19 May in respect of universities and assistance that will hopefully mitigate…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: TAFE FUNDING

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:56): It was just over two years ago that our government first announced the free TAFE for priority courses initiative. The initiative was rolled out for its first year in 2019. Everyone on this side of the house backed free TAFE every step…

DOUGLAS THOMPSON WALPOLE

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:38): I rise to acknowledge the passing of a former member for Melbourne Province and good friend, Doug Walpole. Doug’s contribution to working people and progressive politics is well recognised across the labour movement, initially through his time as an Electrical Trades Union…

PROTECTING APOLLO BAY’S UNIQUE COASTLINE

The Victorian Government is protecting the future of our state’s precious coastline with more than $11 million for maintenance and erosion management projects including $3 million for Apollo Bay. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the funding for Apollo Bay will go towards design and commence construction of new coastal protection structures that…

HONOURING THE LEGACY OF OUR VETERANS IN COLAC

Just in time for ANZAC Day, Victorian communities are being given more opportunities to remember and honour veterans through various projects to build and repair memorials, preserve stories and ensure their wellbeing. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the Colac RSL will receive $15,365 under the Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues…

PROGRAM FUNDING A BOOST FOR PORTLAND BAY SCHOOL

Portland Bay School will receive funding from the Accessible Buildings Program, to improve school facilities and infrastructure that supports students and staff with disabilities, thanks to the Victorian Government. Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that Portland Bay School has been allocated funding from the Accessible Buildings Program to promote inclusive learning…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS ADULT EDUCATION

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): Last week I had the opportunity to visit the new facilities of Southern Grampians Adult Education, located at the South West TAFE campus in Warrnambool. SGAE is a Learn Local provider. They deliver education and training programs for so many in the…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: GOTAFE WALLAN CAMPUS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:38): I rise to update the house on the brand-new GOTAFE Wallan campus, which I had the pleasure of opening last week. There was an absolute buzz in these new facilities, as I was joined by my parliamentary colleagues Minister Jac Symes and…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: COVID-19

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:57): I rise to update the house on the work being done in our training and skills system in response to the coronavirus. As the Premier has said, the coming weeks and months will be tough on everyone. It will be tough on…

WANNON WATER

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:31): I rise today to congratulate Wannon Water for its fantastic carbon neutrality action plan, which is delivering an Australian first in Portland. By investing $4.2 million in a 50-metre-high wind turbine that will reduce carbon emissions by an average of 2500 tonnes a year,…

NEW WIND TURBINE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

In an Australian first, Portland’s water and sewage treatment facilities have achieved net-zero-plus emissions thanks to locally generated renewable power. The achievement is a result of Wannon Water’s $4.2 million investment in a wind turbine at the energy-intensive facilities that will help reduce carbon emissions by an average of 2,500 tonnes a year. The project…

GRANT SUPPORTS CREATIVITY IN SIMPSON

Hundreds of students from schools across Victoria will work side-by-side with leading creative professionals this year, as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Creative Learning Partnerships program. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced a $10,000 grant for Simpson Primary School to partner with Natimuk artist, Hannah French to bring new learning experiences to…

IMPROVING CORANGAMITE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT OPTIONS

The Victorian Government is helping improve community transport in Corangamite Shire with a funding boost to undertake an audit of existing options. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said a $70,000 investment from the State Government’s Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program, will help identify any gaps, or opportunities for improvement, in the existing community transport…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Last week I had the pleasure of attending the first graduation of the certificate III in learning an endangered Aboriginal language. This Victorian-first course started in 2018 and continued throughout 2019. The certificate gives students the understanding, skills and resources to build up…

CREATIVE VICTORIA GRANTS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:17): I rise today to congratulate two organisations that are doing a fantastic job in extending creative opportunities in south-west Victoria. Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery at Cororooke has received $75 000 to create a space for workshops, rehearsals and performance plus a…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: WODONGA TAFE

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:45): I rise to share that Wodonga TAFE was recently awarded the Australian Defence Force driver machinery and plant training services contract at the army school of transport at Puckapunyal. This is an outstanding achievement for a TAFE. The contract spans up to…

SUPPORTING ABORIGINAL STUDENTS IN SOUTH WEST VICTORIA WITH THEIR CAREER PATHWAYS

More Victorian government Aboriginal school students in Victoria’s south west are being supported to complete Year 11 and 12, thanks to the Victorian Government’s Marrung Education Scholarships program. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today congratulated the 7 Marrung Education Scholarship recipients from south west Victoria for 2019 and 2020, who were among 40 Aboriginal…

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: SUNSHINE SKILLS HUB

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:27): Last week was an important milestone for Melbourne’s west. I had the pleasure of joining Legislative Council colleagues Ingrid Stitt and Cesar Melhem, along with the member for St Albans, Natalie Suleyman, in the other place, to officially open Victoria University Polytechnic’s Sunshine…

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS

MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:15): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to note that 28 Western Victoria constituents have been recognised with Australia Day awards. Three became AMs—members of the Order of Australia—20 were awarded Medals of the Order of Australia, two received Australian Fire…

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…

LOOKING AFTER COLAC BOTANIC GARDENS

The iconic Colac Botanic Gardens will be rejuvenated thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government. Round One of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens Grants Program will see 17 gardens across the state receive grants worth $1.4 million. Colac Botanic Gardens will receive a $95,000 grant to improve the supply of water required to irrigate…

LOOKING AFTER WARRNAMBOOL BOTANIC GARDENS

The iconic Warrnambool Botanic Gardens will be rejuvenated thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government. Round One of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens Grants Program will see 17 gardens across the state receive grants worth $1.4 million. Warrnambool Botanic Gardens will receive a $129,132 grant to repair the eastern and western paths systems, improve…

LOOKING AFTER HAMILTON BOTANICAL GARDENS

The iconic Hamilton Botanical Gardens will be rejuvenated thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government. Round One of the Growing Victoria’s Botanic Gardens Grants Program will see 17 gardens across the state receive grants worth $1.4 million. Hamilton Botanical Gardens will receive a $86,000 grant for completion of design and heritage planning for a…

FUNDING BOOST FOR WESTERN VICTORIA’S EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers in Western Victoria are receiving a welcome funding boost as part of a state-wide investment in new emergency services equipment by the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Emergency Services, Lisa Neville recently announced 294 new grants totalling more than $13.75 million as part of the 2019–20 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP). Labor Member…

START YOUR ENGINES AT SIMPSON SPEEDWAY

Enthusiasts at the Simpson Car Club near Cobden will now enjoy more accessible and safe events, thanks to upgraded lighting funded through an $88,781 investment from the Andrews Labor Government’s Pick My Project initiative. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the Simpson Speedway upgraded lighting, which had become outdated and in vital need of…

NEW MEN’S SHED SET FOR WARRNAMBOOL

More men in Warrnambool will be building new friendships, skills and community connections, thanks to a Victorian Government grant for a new men’s shed. Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the Warrnambool Men’s Shed would receive $80,000 towards their much needed new shed. The grant will build a new 32 x 12 metre…