TORQUAY: SECONDARY COLLEGE

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, and it is in relation to the minister’s response to an adjournment matter I raised regarding the Torquay secondary school. As I have stated on a number of occasions in this place, in the lead-up to last year’s state election the coalition promised Torquay…

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

On another note, I also raise the issue of International Volunteer Day, which was held last Monday, and make comment about all the amazing volunteers who work so tirelessly in Western Victoria Region, and I would encourage them to also encourage young people in our electorate to take up the volunteering baton and build our…

TERANG FITNESS AND WELLBEING CENTRE: OPENING

I take this opportunity to congratulate the community of Terang and district on the official opening of the Terang Fitness and Wellbeing Centre on 4 November this year. The fitness centre has long been a dream of local residents and was made possible by a $230 000 Brumby Labor government funding arrangement, $250 000 from…

BUSES: WESTERN VICTORIA

My adjournment matter this evening is also directed to the Minister for Public Transport, and it is in relation to public transport in Hamilton and the surrounding district. It has been brought to my attention that the Department of Transport has indicated to the Southern Grampians Shire Council that the Penshurst-Hamilton and the Hamilton-Mount Gambier…

TIERNEY SUPPORTS NURSE-TO-PATIENT RATIOS

A future Labor Government has recommitted to reinstating current nurse-to-patient ratios and fixing any damage done by Premier Baillieu and the Liberal-National Coalition Government, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today. Ms Tierney joined thousands of nurses, including many from Western Victoria as they marched on Parliament this week to send a clear message…

BAILLIEU MUST ACT ON FAMILY VIOLENCE IN GEELONG

The Baillieu Government needs to start protecting vulnerable women and children in Geelong and come up with a plan to tackle an alarming rise in family violence across Victoria, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said today. Ms Tierney today called on the Geelong community to send a personal message to Premier Ted Baillieu…

TIERNEY SUPPORTS NURSE-TO-PATIENT RATIOS

A future Labor Government has recommitted to reinstating current nurse-to-patient ratios and fixing any damage done by Premier Baillieu and the Liberal-National Coalition Government, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today. Ms Tierney joined thousands of nurses, including many from Western Victoria as they marched on Parliament this week to send a clear message…

COMMUNITY SECTOR: WAGES

I rise to speak in support of the motion moved by Ms Pulford this morning. It is a timely reminder of an industrial matter that has been part of a community campaign for many years. It is a campaign for equity, and it is a campaign for justice. Equal pay has been talked about for…

CARBON TAX: MEMBERS COMMENTS

I wish to raise comments that were made in a contribution in this house in the last sitting week. They were in relation to Alcoa being a large philanthropic organisation. It was stated that Alcoa was not in a position to donate to schools programs like the KIDS Foundation in Ballarat because of the costs…

CHILDREN: TAKE A BREAK PROGRAM

To the Legislative Council of Victoria: The petition of certain citizens of the state of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that funding for the Take a Break occasional child-care program, which is provided at more than 220 neighbourhood houses and community centres across Victoria, will cease after 31 December 2011. The…

SCHOOLS: TORQUAY

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter in the early hours of this morning is directed to the Minister for Education. It is in relation to a new Torquay primary school. At present Torquay College has approximately 820 students enrolled in prep through to grade 6, making it, as I understand, the largest primary…

EAST GEELONG: MEN’S SHED

I also congratulate the East Geelong men’s shed group, which after a number of years has finally been able to get its shed organised. The shed was opened last month at the Grinter Reserve by Cr John Mitchell, the mayor of the Greater City of Geelong. Although it is still early days, the group is…

BELLARINE ART SHOW

On 28 October I had the pleasure of opening the seventh annual Bellarine Art Show at St Leonards Yacht Club. It attracted over 250 entries and was hosted by the yacht club. I would like to thank John Royle, the commodore, Dot, Dennis, Lorraine, Arthur, Karen and all the other members who worked so hard…

BUSES: BANNOCKBURN

My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder. It is in relation to transport issues and access to training in Geelong, in particular for the Perdrisat family, who live on a property near Lethbridge. The issue concerns their 16-year-old son, Nicholas, who will hopefully be a Victorian certificate of applied…

CHILDREN: TAKE A BREAK PROGRAM

Recently I received correspondence from the Deans Marsh Community Cottage raising serious concerns about its occasional child-care service, which is currently operating under the Take a Break program, as well as the job security of its two child-care workers. The Baillieu government’s decision to cut funding for this vital service will force the Deans Marsh…

GEELONG RING ROAD: SECTION 4C ALIGNMENT

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, and it is in relation to the alignment of section 4C of the Geelong Ring Road. In saying that, I stipulate to the house that this is not just any old road; this has been a burning political issue in the Geelong region for…

SURF COAST TEACHERS UNDERVALUED BY BAILLIEU

The Baillieu Government should use World Teacher’s Day to explain to Surf Coast teachers why it has broken its promise to make them the highest paid in Australia, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said today. Ms Tierney said UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated this Friday October 28 in over 100 countries,…

POLWARTH TEACHERS UNDERVALUED BY BAILLIEU

The Baillieu Government should use World Teacher’s Day to explain to Polwarth teachers why it has broken its promise to make them the highest paid in Australia, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said today. Ms Tierney said UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated this Friday October 28 in over 100 countries, and…

TORQUAY: SECONDARY COLLEGE

It has come to my attention that the Baillieu government’s promise for a new, fully operational, stand-alone secondary school in Torquay by the first day of term one in 2013 is now in tatters. With a site for the school yet to be purchased, it is now near impossible for Torquay families to send their…

BATESFORD COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND: FUNDING

My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Like Mr O’Brien, the matter I raise is centred on the Golden Plains shire but is in relation to the Batesford community playground project. I recently met with representatives from the council, including the CEO and the mayor. We dealt with a number…

POLICE: GEELONG

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — A month out from last year’s state election the Premier was quoted in the Geelong Advertiser as having said: “There’s still very much a law and order issue in Geelong and there’s a shortage of police … We need more of them in the street …” That was on 1…

TIERNEY TALKS UP EQUESTRIAN CENTRE UPGRADE

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP this week recommended State Government funding for the Golden Plains Shire’s priority sport and recreation project, the Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre Upgrade. Speaking in Parliament, Ms Tierney urged the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty to support the Shire’s application to fund this important project. “The centre…

ANGLESEA RIVER: WATER QUALITY

My adjournment matter this evening is short and sweet, although the content of it is certainly not short and sweet — in fact it is a saga. It is about fish kills in the Anglesea River. Nearly 12 months ago fish kills became evident in Anglesea, and there was a lot of reportage of them…

PLANNING: AMENDMENT VC82

I rise to support Mr Tee’s motion, and in doing so I support regional jobs, regional development, renewable energy, investment in regional Victoria and sustainable communities and families. I will start by talking about jobs. We all understand that the creation of jobs and the investment of industry and jobs in regional Victoria is often…

CHILDREN: TAKE A BREAK PROGRAM

To the Legislative Council of Victoria: The petition of certain citizens of the state of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that funding for the Take a Break occasional child-care program, which is provided at more than 220 neighbourhood houses and community centres across Victoria, will cease after 31 December 2011. The…

LESLIE FISHER

In the time that remains I would like to pay tribute to Portland’s newest centenarian, Leslie Fisher, who celebrated 100 years on 27 September. After spending decades farming in the district, Mr Fisher is happily retired and leads a busy life, playing bowls and gardening regularly. He is an inspiration to everyone.

MATTHEW RYENBAKKEN AND TYLER BOOTS

I also want to bring to the attention of the house two year 11 Portland Secondary College students, Matthew Ryenbakken and Tyler Boots. These young men are among the 19 high-performing Koori students to be awarded the Wannik education scholarship. This scholarship is a fantastic initiative that was initially introduced by the Brumby government and…

GEELONG PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE: AWARD

I also mention the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, which was awarded the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association’s 2011 Drover award for best presenter. GPAC is the cultural heart of the Geelong community. It is the premier performing arts venue in the G21 region, and this award is extremely well deserved.

SOUTH WEST TAFE: AWARD

I take this opportunity to congratulate the students and staff of South West TAFE, who recently celebrated a big win. The institute, which offers more than 400 nationally accredited qualifications, was awarded the Victorian Large Training Provider of the Year award. The award recognises the TAFE’s commitment to delivering high-quality education programs and highlights its…

SURF COAST UNPREPARED FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON

The Baillieu-Ryan Government is refusing to fund upgrades to four local CFA stations across the Surf Coast, the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danielle Green, said today. Visiting Jan Juc with Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney, Ms Green said the Government’s refusal to provide funding for local fire stations comes on top of maps…

VICTORIAN CERTIFICATE OF APPLIED LEARNING: FUNDING

In what can only be described as an act of absolute insanity, the Baillieu government has now cut funding for the coordination of the Victorian certificate of applied learning (VCAL) program, which will affect 70 per cent of government secondary schools as well as TAFEs and registered training organisations. More than 12 000 Victorian students…

COMMUNITY SECTOR: WAGES

My adjournment matter this afternoon is directed to the Premier, and it relates to equal pay for women in Victoria. Members in this place are well aware that our community service workers are an integral part of our communities. They are people who care for children, the vulnerable, the elderly and the disabled. The majority…