Auditor-General: Prisoner Transportation

I rise  to  make  a  contribution  on  the Auditor-General’s report into prisoner  transportation,  which  was tabled on 11 June. Each year in Victoria a minimum of 58 000 prisoners are moved. The reasons for  their transportation include  to accommodate changes  in  a prisoner’s risk profile, to maximise prison  capacity, to attend health and welfare programs…

Health Funding

Barely a week goes by without an  article in one of the  regional  newspapers in  my  electorate of Western  Victoria  Region detailing  the  Napthine government’s complete  and utter failure  to maintain a first-class  health system  in  Victoria. Whether  it  is hospital  wait  times, failure to provide the promised 800 hospital beds, crowded emergency departments or…

Country Fire Authority Warrnambool Brigade

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister  for Emergency  Services in  the other place. It is in relation  to the Country Fire Authority  (CFA) Warrnambool brigade. A little over four  years ago the  Brumby  government  allocated  a  firefighting  pumper   to  the  specially customised Warrnambool fire  station to assist in firefighting in the south-west…

COURTS LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2014

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — In order to assist with the efficient operation of the committee today I will inform the chamber of Labor’s position in relation to all of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended substantially by Labor in the Legislative Assembly. There were substantive discussions between the shadow Attorney-General, the member for…

Universities

 In May this year, Prime Minister Abbott and the federal  coalition  government showed their  true colours to  the Australian people as they  handed down the most  unfair, damaging, misleading  and socially divisive budget this country  has seen. While Mr Abbott arrogantly continues  to tell us  this is  what we  need, leaders from across all sectors…

EMPLOYMENT

I wish  to exercise my right of  reply as the person who  moved  this very important motion on the unemployment crisis in this state in the last  parliamentary  sitting  week.  What have we learnt since that time, which was only  some  10 days ago? We have learnt  that  25 jobs have gone from the Target …

Auditor-General: Access to Legal Aid

This evening I wish to make some comments on the Auditor-General’s  report tabled on 20 August in relation to access to legal aid. While the Auditor-General is complimentary of Victoria  Legal Aid (VLA) for its  performance  in this  dire  financial environment, he  warns  that limiting eligibility criteria in order to achieve financial  sustainability  has  serious…

Youth Unemployment

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Premier, and it relates to the youth unemployment  rates  in  rural and regional Victoria. It  is no surprise that this is a major issue confronting youth  right across the  state  but particularly in  rural and regional Victoria.  Indeed the unemployment rate in the Premier’s electorate of South-West…

COURTS LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2014

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— I  rise  to  speak  on the Courts Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments  Bill  2014.  This  bill  contains  many  miscellaneous provisions and covers a number  of different aspects of the judicial system, and Labor will not be opposing it. The bill amends a number of  acts  that  currently  regulate  the  operation  of Victorian  courts…

Daffodil Day

I rise today  to  acknowledge an important date,  which  is  near  and  dear to all our hearts: Cancer Council  Australia’s annual Daffodil Day, to be held  tomorrow,  Friday,  22  August.  The  impact of cancer  within our society can only be described as widespread. Cancer does  not discriminate by age, gender  or even general  health  and…

Unemployment

My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Employment and Trade and it is in relation to  the recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) unemployment rates.  The ABS figures that  were released on 7  August demonstrate that  the  unemployment rate in Victoria rose from 6.6 per  cent to 7 …

EMPLOYMENT

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— I move:   That this house notes that — (1) when  the coalition  took office, the unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent  —        2.1 percentage points below today; and (2) under Dr Denis Napthine, MP, Victoria’s unemployment rate has rocketed  to 7        per cent, the highest it  has been  for 14 …

Auditor-General: Technical and Further Education Institutes — Results of the 2013 Audits

I rise  to make  a statement on the Victorian Auditor-General’s report of August 2014 entitled Technical and Further Education Institutes — Results  of the 2013  Audits. The Auditor-General’s report details findings  of an audit into the financials of 14 TAFE institutes and  13 entities under their control. My attention is  drawn  to significant concerns held…

Vietnam Veterans

I  acknowledge  the  Vietnam  Veterans Association  of Australia,  Geelong  and District Sub  Branch, for the  memorial service that  it  conducted in North Geelong last Sunday to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the battle  of  Long Tan. The ceremony provided a timely reminder that it is  governments, not service personnel,  which make decisions  about the deployment…

Bay West Development

I acknowledge  the media release yesterday from the mayor of the City  of Greater  Geelong, Darryn Lyons, in which he advocates for the  Bay West development, recognising that  such a development will  be great for Geelong and have a positive impact on Avalon Airport and boost jobs.

Sheepvention

I acknowledge the Hamilton Pastoral and Agricultural Society for another fabulous Sheepvention held earlier this month. It  was our ninth year of attending the event, and with record crowds, many people  once  again stopped at our  stall  to chat, raise issues, take some information and sign  petitions.  I congratulate Sheepvention president,  Nick Sutherland, and his…

CRIME STATISTICS BILL 2014

I rise to speak  on the Crime Statistics Bill 2014. There  have been a number of attempts to bring this  bill before the house and  finally it  has  arrived this  afternoon. The  purpose of  this bill  is to provide for the publication of  crime  statistics  and the employment of a chief statistician. From the outset…

PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION BILL 2014

I rise to speak to the debate on the Privacy and Data Protection  Bill  2014.  The  opposition will not be opposing the bill, which  aims to  improve  the  management  of  private  information held  by  the Victorian public sector. It follows a report by the Auditor-General tabled on 25 November 2009 entitled Maintaining the Integrity and…

Ambulance Victoria: report 2012-13

I  rise  to  make a statement on Ambulance Victoria’s  annual  report  for  2012-13.  At  the   outset  I  acknowledge  and congratulate  three   experienced  paramedics  —   Jon  Byrne  from   emergency management, Kerry Power, who is a mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic, and Tony Oxford, who is a group manager.  They  were  awarded  the Ambulance Service Medal in…

PORTLAND SECONDARY COLLEGE

My adjournment matter this  evening is also for the Minister for Education, Martin Dixon. It  relates to the continuation of the  Portland  re-engagement  program.  This  program  is  a  flexible  learning alternative currently being offered by Portland Secondary College, and it is for young people who are at risk  of  being  disengaged from education. Currently 37…

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

This morning I rise to comment on my concerns about this government’s lack of commitment to the agricultural sector. Today’s Weekly Times reports that vocational education and training courses in agricultural-based training will be cut by up to 30 per cent. Those cuts will apply not just to courses in the horticultural area but also…

VICTORIAN INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION POLICY

I rise to support Mr Somyurek’s motion and, unlike the last two government speakers, speak to the motion. I will be dealing with the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP). I will talk about Keppel Prince — a fantastic company that operates within my electorate — and I will also talk about support for local employment,…

JOBS 4 GEELONG

Last Friday I attended the Jobs4Geelong expo, held at the Deakin University waterfront campus. It was a two-day event held in a common area at Deakin, which was bustling with people eager to get information from the various stalls held by a range of local employers, recruitment agencies, training providers and other job seeker support…

MORIAC PRIMARY SCHOOL

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education and is in relation to the Moriac Primary School. By way of background, during 2008 the Labor government entered the Moriac Primary School into what was then the Building Futures program. The proposed works were significant, given that there had been no work on that school…

VEXATIOUS PROCEEDINGS BILL 2014

I rise to speak on the Vexatious Proceedings Bill 2014. The opposition will not be opposing the bill. The bill reduces the costs incurred by the court and members of the community through unnecessary and unmeritorious litigation. In 2008 the Victorian parliamentary Law Reform Committee inquired into vexatious litigants and received significant response from the community.…

GEELONG REGION POLICE RESOURCES

On Tuesday, 20 May, more than 200 off-duty police officers rallied against the ongoing and systematic funding cuts and decrease in resources for police in the Geelong region. Police Association secretary, Ron Iddles, addressed the rally, saying it was the first time he could recall a group of police rallying publically for more support. Police…

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I move: That this house notes that — (1) the Napthine government has cut Victoria’s youth employment scheme at the height of a youth unemployment crisis; (2) the Minister for Employment and Trade, the Honourable Louise Asher, MP, has admitted that the Napthine government reduced the number of traineeships in the…

SOUTH WEST INSTITUTE OF TAFE REPORT: 2013

My contribution this evening is on the South West Institute of TAFE 2013 annual report. The South West Institute of TAFE is the largest vocational training provider in the south-west of Victoria, and over the reporting period the institute delivered accredited courses to over 11 600 students with 2.89 million student contact hours. It has…

KINDERGARTEN FUNDING

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development. It is in relation to state and federal funding for Victorian kindergartens and the national agreement of 15 hours of kindergarten for every child. It really is extremely disappointing to have to raise the possible notion of the reduction of the current…

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Under the Napthine government Victoria now holds the unenviable title of the state with the highest youth unemployment rate in mainland Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Victoria’s youth unemployment is at 20 per cent, but figures are higher in some regional centres in my electorate. Sadly, these statistics do not come as…

FEDERAL BUDGET

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and the federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, have now delivered their first budget, and the people of Australia are truly gutted by what they have seen. The federal budget is an assault on the most vulnerable in our society and a betrayal by a craven government, despite the promises it made…

ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have been injured and those who have paid the highest price of all in representing Australia in areas of conflict around the world for over 100 years. It is a time for reflection and a time to think of grief-stricken families and the carers…

VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS HONOUR ROLE

I would like to acknowledge the Lovett brothers from Lake Condah, who were recently added to the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll. Alfred, Leonard, Edward, Herbert and Frederick Lovett all fought on the Western Front in World War I, and all returned home safely. It has been noted by Britain’s Imperial War Museum that no other…

OPERATION NEWSTART

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and it is in relation to Operation Newstart. Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend several graduation ceremonies at City Hall in relation to Operation Newstart, and I have had the privilege of listening to the stories and hearing about…

WORKPLACE SAFETY

My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Premier and is in relation to workplace occupational health and safety matters. I was quite horrified to learn that this government has withdrawn the right of the community to be notified of company breaches of their obligations under health and safety legislation. For those in the chamber…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH

It is fair to say that the Minister for Health and his staff have drawn the longest bow in history for the government’s latest excuse for why it will not support the health and wellbeing of Victorian farmers. In the Hamilton Spectator a member of the Minister for Health’s staff was quoted as saying: It…

GORDON TAFE ANNUAL REPORT: 2013

I rise to make a contribution in relation to the Gordon annual report 2013. This TAFE organisation is well known to a number of people in this chamber, as it is one of the oldest TAFEs in this state and has been operating for some time. It is the largest regional stand-alone TAFE in Victoria…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH FUNDING

I rise to support the motion that has been put before us today by Ms Pulford. I say from the outset that I am absolutely appalled by the fact the Liberal Party has advised the house it will be voting against this motion. I can only conclude from the remarks of Mr David O’Brien that The…

SOUTH WEST TAFE

Victoria is currently facing a youth unemployment crisis, with many of the worst-affected areas being in regional Victoria. On a number of occasions in this place I have spoken about areas in my electorate, which includes the Premier’s Assembly electorate of South-West Coast, that are experiencing significant youth unemployment rates. One does not need a…

NATIONAL RIDE2SCHOOL DAY

On Wednesday, 19 March, I was  at  Ashby Primary School in Geelong West for  National  Ride2School  Day.  I  have had the pleasure  of attending Ashby Primary School on a number of occasions,  and  each time I visit the school the staff and  students are brimming with enthusiasm and vigour. Last Wednesday  was no different. Many…

GEELONG WEST NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

I commend the  Geelong  West Neighbourhood House committee for its efforts in organising WestFEST last Sunday afternoon. It was a real local  festival celebrating local  artists,  local produce and  local activities. The festival vindicated the need for the committee, which is soundly committed  to bringing the  local  community  together,  providing  support  and fostering engagement. I…

JOB LOSSES

My adjournment matter is for the attention of the  Premier, and it is in relation to the jobs crisis in this state. I draw the attention of the Premier to an article in the Age today which says:   Victoria has  become the  hardest place  on the  mainland to find  a job.  The  latest vacancy…

WALLY CURRAN

I rise to pay tribute to Wally Curran, who passed away on 24  March. Wally  Curran was  a member  of the  Australasian Meat Industry Employees  Union for over 60 years, serving as  the Victorian assistant secretary for 16 years and as state secretary for 24 years. Wally Curran  was  a driven man who  made  sure…

EMPLOYMENT

I move:   That this house — (1)  notes that  unemployment  continues to grow,  the  current rate  being  the        highest for more than a decade; (2) expresses concern at the alarming figures for youth unemployment, identified        in the Brotherhood of St Laurence Australian  Youth Unemployment 2014 —        Snapshot, in particular the  increases  across the state…

AMBULANCE SERVICES – GEELONG

My adjournment matter  is  directed to the Minister for Health. It relates to a lack of coverage by  ambulance services  in Geelong. On Friday, 14 March, Geelong did not  have ambulance coverage, and this necessitated an ambulance being driven down  from Sebastopol, near  Ballarat, an hour  away.  On  the  following Sunday  from 9.00  p.m. onwards …

AMBULANCE SERVICES – COLAC

 At 1.00 p.m. on Saturday, 9 March, an elderly woman in  Colac had a fall, and an ambulance was called. At around the same time the ambulance service in Colac received a call for paramedics to attend a person who had collapsed and was not alert. This call  was attended by an off-duty crew from…

AUDITOR-GENERAL: APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINEESHIP COMPLETION

I  rise  to  make  a  contribution on the Auditor-General’s  report  entitled Apprenticeship and  Traineeship  Completion. Historically in this  state  we  have  always  had  a  genuine commitment to and provided support  for apprenticeships and traineeships. Young  people especially benefit from vocational  education  by obtaining qualifications, skills and work experience to reach their full potential and embark…

GEELONG REGION POLICE RESOURCES

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police  and Emergency Services. It  relates to police  resources in the Geelong, Surf Coast and  Bellarine regions. According  to statistics, in  Geelong  crimes against the person  have increased 12.6 per  cent, drug offences have  increased 16.3 per cent, assault has increased  11.1 per cent, burglary has increased…

WARRNAMBOOL SPECIAL DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL

My matter this evening is for  the  Minister for Education,  and it is  in relation to the  Warrnambool Special Developmental School. It was determined in 2012 that the school was under-established in terms of entitlement rooms. Last year it was determined that based on its then student numbers, it was  under-established by four  classrooms  —…

MENTAL HEALTH BILL 2014

I rise to make a  contribution to  the debate on the  Mental Health Bill 2014.  This bill implements recommendations  from the review of the  Mental  Health  Act  1986,  which  was  announced  by  the  Labor government in 2008,  and  the consultation report,  which was released  in  July 2009.  The opposition acknowledges the  importance of this  bill …

GEELONG HIGH SCHOOL

Last  Thursday,  20  March, the Leader of the Opposition and member  for Mulgrave in  the Assembly, Daniel  Andrews, announced that a Labor government will fund the $12 million stage 1 upgrade of the Geelong High School. The redevelopment will involve new classrooms,  upgrades  of  hospitality  and  arts facilities, toilet blocks  and administration building  upgrades. This…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH

The National  Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) has been ignored yet  again  by  a  Liberal-Nationals government, this time at a federal level. Two weeks ago the Prime Minister  announced a $320 million farmer assistance package which includes a mental health component. However, in what is becoming a general practice for Liberal-Nationals  governments in Australia, the…

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

 There are not  many  people  in  Victoria who have  not felt the wrath of the Napthine government’s actions, or lack  thereof, over the  past  three years and three months. Parents and students have suffered through education funding cuts. Public sector workers have suffered through huge funding  cuts and job  cuts  across Victoria. Manufacturing  workers continue…

VICTORIAN LEGAL AID

My adjournment matter  this afternoon is for the Attorney-General, and it is in relation to funding cuts that were introduced at  the beginning of last year. We are now seeing the impact of those cuts being played out in the court system. This  afternoon I  want to  focus on family law matters. The implications of…

CRIMES AMENDMENT (GROOMING) BILL 2013

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— I add  my voice  to those  who have  extended their thanks to the  members of the  Family and Community Development  Committee (FCDC) who were involved in the inquiry that produced  Betrayal  of Trust, which is such a significant and complex report. I  also thank  the staff and all the other people…

AUDITOR-GENERAL REPORT: IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS

I  rise  to  make  a  contribution  on the Auditor-General’s  report  entitled  Implementation  of  School   Infrastructure Programs, which was tabled in  February 2013.  I begin  by saying that under the state  Labor government I  had  the pleasure of  attending  and representing the Minister  for  Education   in   my   electorate   in   opening  numerous  school infrastructure projects. It was …

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

 I start by thanking Mr Somyurek for bringing this motion before the house. It is timely that he has done so, particularly given the recent announcement that Toyota Australia will cease manufacturing cars in this country by 2017. Manufacturing was dealt another serious blow yesterday, with Alcoa announcing that up to 1000 workers will lose…

NO TO VIOLENCE

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for  Community Services, and it is in relation  to the  No to  Violence program  that is run in the south-west of Victoria. I  have spoken in this place on numerous occasions  about the need for  appropriate funding for  programs  to tackle this extremely important issue. The…

ALCOA

This morning I joined the Leader of the Labor Opposition,  Daniel Andrews,  and  my  fellow  Labor  Geelong-based  members  of Parliament at  Alcoa  as  the  announcement was made that Alcoa Point Henry will close in August this  year. This is yet another  dark day in Geelong, with  more than 800 workers now facing unemployment in less …

MANUFACTURING POLICY

For those who missed it, Australia now has no industry  policy and  certainly  no manufacturing policy.  This is resulting  in company closures and massive job losses. Whilst Prime  Minister  Abbott and  the  federal Minister  Assisting  the  Prime Minister  for the Public  Service,  Senator Abetz,  are  making wild ideological pronouncements from  Canberra,  trying to blame  workers…

EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE: JOB LOSSES

To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for  the Minister for Employment and Trade): In  relation to the 20  job  losses due to the  redundancies made at Brockman  Engineering in Geelong, what assistance will the  Napthine  government provide these workers who have been affected by these job cuts just weeks before Christmas. ANSWER: I am informed that:…

BEAUFORT AMBULANCE STATION

My adjournment matter is for the attention of the  Minister for Health,  David  Davis, who is in  the  chamber, and it  is  in relation to  ambulance  services  in  Beaufort. In the May 2012 state budget the coalition government promised  a  new  24-hour  ambulance  station for Beaufort. However,  late  last year  an  internal  memo leaked  to …

COLAC AREA HEALTH

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health. It is  in relation to the recent funding cuts by the Napthine government that have resulted in Colac Area Health being  forced  to  halve  its  financial counselling services. It is  known that the Colac community experiences a higher rate  of financial disadvantage than  the average community …

COURT SERVICES VICTORIA BILL 2013

I  rise  to  speak on the Court Services Victoria Bill  2013, and  from the  outset  I  would  like to  restate that  the opposition will not be opposing this bill. Currently the administration of the  courts  is  managed  by  a  unit within the Department of Justice. This bill establishes Court Services Victoria, which will be known…

JOB LOSSES

It is  a  well-known fact  throughout  the Victorian  community  that  this  Liberal-Nationals  government  has  absolutely dropped the  ball in  terms of  job creation and  job retainment.  We have  seen unprecedented job losses since this government  was  elected. Not a week goes by without companies making closure announcements and more workers joining the dole queues. Victoria…

HOLDEN JOB LOSSES

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter this afternoon is for the Premier, and it relates to the 1300 jobs that will be lost as a result of Holden’s decision to cease production in 2017. With the significant job losses announced over the past 12 months in general manufacturing and vehicle manufacturing in particular, the…

HOLDEN JOB LOSSES

The federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, said his government has business credentials and operates in that way. I can tell the house that if his government was a publicly listed business, he would be charged by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and called to account for his reckless abandonment by his shareholders and constituents over…

PREMIER: GEELONG SHELL REFINERY

MS TIERNEY — To ask the Minister for Health (for the Premier): In relation to the recent announcement that the Geelong Shell refinery has been put up for sale:  (1) Were there any preliminary indications made to the government that Shell was contemplating the sale of its Geelong refinery.  (2) Were there any meetings between the Victorian…

KANE ROGERS

Ms TIERNEY — I had the opportunity to speak with staff and tour the facilities at South West Institute of TAFE’s Portland campus. During the visit I had the pleasure of meeting an impressive young man named Kane Rogers, who was recently awarded Outstanding Apprentice of the Year, Engineering, in the third year of his apprenticeship. Kane…

ROBYN BRANDENBURG

Ms TIERNEY — On another matter, I would like to congratulate Ms Robyn Brandenburg, an associate professor at Federation University Australia, who has recently received a prestigious national teaching award, the Office for Learning and Teaching Excellence Award, for her 15 years of quality teaching. Commenting on her award, Federation University Australia vice-chancellor David Battersby said: “Associate…

STACEY GLADMAN

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Stacey Gladman, a journalist at the Cobden Timboon Coast Times, who was named as the winner of the TAC Award for Local Reporting at the recent Victorian Country Press Association awards. Ms Gladman, who has written a series of articles on the Timboon P-12…

TAFE FUNDING

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — On 15 November the Napthine government made further cuts to Victoria’s TAFE system, informing registered training organisations of changes to course funding rates for all training providers. The list of courses with significant subsidy cuts includes: certificate II in tourism, which has been cut from $6.50 per student contact hour to…

EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE: MAPAL JOB LOSSES

MS TIERNEY — To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for the Minister for Employment and Trade): In relation to the seven job losses as a result of MAPAL Australia’s decision to cease production at its Ballarat factory, what assistance will the Napthine government provide workers affected by these job cuts. ANSWER: I am informed that: MAPAL Australia (MAPAL)…

GEELONG SPECIAL SCHOOLS

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — Tonight my adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education. It relates to the new special school promised for the Geelong region. On 9 November an article appeared in the Geelong Advertiser headed ‘Special school plan’. It stated that a site for a new special school was being sought in the…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I take this opportunity to congratulate the National Centre for Farmer Health, which has attracted yet another international award this month. Alison Kennedy, who is the centre’s behavioural scientist, was one of two people to receive an award from the American Association of Suicidology. She received the award for her research…

PORTLAND NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, and it is in relation to Portland North Primary School and in particular the old schoolhouse on its grounds. I understand from constituents that they have sent correspondence to the Premier on this issue but are yet to…

GEELONG REGION JOB LOSSES

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Employment and Trade, and it relates to job losses in Geelong. As the minister will be aware, last Friday, 8 November, saw yet another blow struck at Geelong as the decision by Qantas to make 300 of its employees redundant next year was…

EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE: WARRNAMBOOL JOB LOSSES

MS TIERNEY — To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for the Minister for Employment and Trade): In relation to the six job redundancies at Warrnambool’s Warehouse Sales Electrical Discounts store recently, what assistance will the Napthine government provide workers affected by these redundancies. ANSWER: I am informed that: The Warehouse Sales Electrical Discounts store in Warrnambool has recently…

EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE: BALLARAT JOB LOSSES

MS TIERNEY — To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for the Minister for Employment and Trade): In relation to the 25 job redundancies at Ballarat’s Rivers site recently, what assistance will the Napthine government provide workers affected by these job cuts. ANSWER: I am informed that: Regional Development Victoria (RDV) has liaised with Rivers Australia in relation to…

EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE: BALLARAT JOB LOSSES

MS TIERNEY — To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for the Minister for Employment and Trade): In relation to the 30 job cuts at IBM in Ballarat reported in the Ballarat Courier on 20 August 2013, what assistance will the Napthine government provide workers who have been affected by these job cuts. ANSWER: I am informed that: Assistance…

AUDITOR-GENERAL: PRISONER CAPACITY PLANNING

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I rise to make a contribution to debate on the Victorian Auditor-General’s Prison Capacity Planning report of November 2012. I will start by saying that this report mentioned a number of worrying trends when it was released 12 months ago. Since that time those trends have only increased. I will not…

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FUTURE

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I will start by making seven points directly in relation to the contribution we heard from Mr Drum. Firstly, I have made very supportive comments about various companies in Geelong, and I have specifically mentioned Cotton On. I can recall that I said that these are exactly the types of companies…

REGIONAL AND RURAL ROADS FUNDING

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — Throughout the electorate of Western Victoria Region there are many complaints about the services and funding that the Napthine government has cut from regional Victoria, yet the issue I hear about most consistently regardless of where I go is the Napthine government’s failure to fix damaged and potholed roads. Regional Victorians…

SCHOOL FUNDING

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, Martin Dixon, and is in relation to education funding. It relates to an issue that has been raised with me on many occasions. I would like to draw the minister’s attention to an article that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator…

GEELONG AMBULANCE SERVICES

Ms TIERNEY — Since the Liberal-Nationals government took office in 2010, the amount of time ambulances have been ramped at Geelong Hospital has increased by 2752 hours. That is a massive 76 per cent increase on what the figure was when the state Labor government left office. It is little wonder that Victorians are seeing stories in…

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — Yesterday was Remembrance Day, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the committed work undertaken by RSL branches in organising yesterday’s ceremonies. Ceremonies across the nation enabled communities to come together to honour those men and women who have served and paid the ultimate price in war. Lest we forget.

SOUTH WEST TAFE GLENORMISTON CAMPUS

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter this evening is for Mr Hall in his capacity as the Minister for Higher Education and Skills, and it is in relation to the Glenormiston campus of South West TAFE. The minister would be more than aware from the question I asked him yesterday that there continues to…