From the outset I also convey my condolences and sympathy for the 173 very precious lives that were lost in February 2009. Those people belonged to family and friends, and I reach out and provide my sympathy and support for those who lost people who were very close to them. It is very hard to…
DetailsThe matter I raise relates to the announcement made on 8 March by the Minister for Agriculture in the other place of $12 000 in travel bursaries for four Victorian rural women — $3000 for each — to attend the 4th World Congress of Rural Women to be held in South Africa. The conference will…
DetailsTo ask the Minister for Housing (for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs): On which dates between 2 December 2010 and 14 April 2011 did the minister visit any locality within the city of Ballarat, and on each occasion: (1) Who did the minister meet with. (2) Did the minister make any commitment of public funds;…
DetailsI take this opportunity to reflect on the official raising of the Aboriginal flag above the Victorian Parliament during the last sitting week. As it should, the Aboriginal flag is permanently flying alongside the Australian and Victorian flags above the Parliament of Victoria. This is about the recognition and acknowledgement of the traditional owners of…
DetailsMS TIERNEY (Minister for Corrections) — I rise to update the house on the Andrews government’s programs to strengthen Aboriginal prisoners’ cultural connections and reduce recidivism through grants worth almost $2.5 million. Last Thursday, 16 March, I joined the member for Geelong in the Legislative Assembly, Christine Couzens, at the Aboriginal Justice Forum in Geelong to announce the…
DetailsMS TIERNEY (Minister for Corrections) — I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s important programs that assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners, in particular Aboriginal prisoners in the corrections system. Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of launching the Koori Art Trail expansion at the beautiful Beaufort Lake, which features 12 artworks painted…
DetailsMs TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Could the minister please inform the house of the resolution of the Convincing Ground issue near Portland? Mr JENNINGS (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) — I thank Ms Tierney for her question and her concern about a very important planning matter that…
DetailsI would like to start my contribution by thanking very much the many constituents of Western Victoria Region who have contacted me in relation to this bill. We have been inundated with letters, emails and telephone calls, and that in itself is testimony to our democracy. However, the health of our democracy lies in our…
DetailsMs TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Accident Compensation Amendment (Repayments and Dividends) Bill 2012 and from the outset reaffirm Labor’s opposition to this bill. When I first heard what the Victorian government was going to do — that is, take $471.5 million out of the…
DetailsI begin my address-in-reply by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respects to their elders both past and present. I will also start by congratulating the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Bruce Atkinson, on again being elected as President of…
DetailsMs TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I would also like to contribute to the address-in-reply in this 57th Parliament. I start by thanking the good people of Western Victoria Region for again giving me the opportunity to represent them as their member in the Victorian Legislative Council. Before going any further, I take this opportunity to…
DetailsOrdered that second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard on motion of Ms TIERNEY (Minister for Training and Skills). Ms TIERNEY (Minister for Training and Skills) — I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: The bill will implement most of the outstanding recommendations from the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s 2013 Succession Laws…
DetailsI rise to speak on the Adoption Amendment (Adoption by Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2015. I am most pleased to speak on the bill because it is an election commitment that is being fulfilled. The Andrews Labor government promised to put equality back on the agenda, and prior to last year’s election we promised to abolish…
DetailsI rise to speak on the Adoption Amendment Bill 2015, which amends the Adoption Act 1984. This is a very important bill before the house this afternoon. It removes an area of discrimination from our statute and is an election commitment delivered by the Andrews Labor government. The history of adoption in this state has…
DetailsOn another note, I congratulate a number of finalists in the 2010 adult and community education (ACE) awards. They are Rachelle Collett from Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre in Corio, outstanding ACE learner; Karen Williams from the Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, outstanding ACE practitioner; Joanna Weeku from the Werribee Community and Education Centre, outstanding ACE learner; and the…
DetailsMs TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Community Services. Can the minister explain to the house how the Bracks government is supporting the health of older Victorians by providing a continuum of care and in particular what the government is doing in my electorate to focus on the high-care end…
DetailsTo ask the Minister for Ageing: On which dates between 2 December 2010 and 14 April 2011 did the minister visit any locality within the city of Ballarat, and on each occasion: (1) Who did the minister meet with. (2) Did the minister make any commitment of public funds; and if so, for each commitment…
DetailsMs TIERNEY (Western Victoria) presented report, including appendices, together with transcripts of evidence. Laid on table. Ordered that report be printed. Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I move: That the Council take note of the report. I begin by thanking the committee staff for their work. Kerryn Riseley oversaw the conduct of the inquiry. Anita Madden, the research…
DetailsTo ask the Minister for Higher Education and Skills (for the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security): In relation to the Baillieu government’s funding to investigate the existence of ‘big cats’ in Victoria: (1) How many departmental staff will be involved in the Baillieu government’s investigation. (2) What will be the total cost of this…
DetailsTo ask the Minister for Higher Education and Skills (for the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security): On which dates between 2 December 2010 and 14 April 2011 did the minister visit any locality within the city of Ballarat, and on each occasion: (1) Who did the minister meet with. (2) Did the minister make…
DetailsMS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:19): I thank members for their contributions on this bill so far, which will support Victoria’s agriculture industry and help safeguard food security, food safety and access to export markets which are vital to the state’s economy. Ms Bath discussed some questions which have…
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