On another note — a sad note — I would like to mention the recent passing of Dorris Trainor at the astonishing age of 104. I recently spoke in this place about Dorris, who was a resident of the Allambi Elderly People’s Home in Dimboola, and I would like to extend my sympathy to Dorris’s…
Last Friday I had the pleasure of officially opening the improvements to Heywood’s Fitzroy River precinct, made possible with the help of $63 000 from the Small Towns Development Fund grant from the Brumby Labor government. The improvements included a new footbridge over the Fitzroy River to provide a pedestrian link between both sides of…
This evening my adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education in the other place, Bronwyn Pike. It is in relation to the Horsham Special School. I have had an opportunity to visit the school and two of the facilities and to meet staff, parents and of course students. I thank all involved in providing…
On another matter, I would like to congratulate the South West Sports Assembly which was awarded the Go for Your Life community participation award at the Brumby government’s 2008 sport and recreation awards. The South West Sports Assembly was awarded for its Up the Garden Path project, which brought together volunteers to design and build…
I rise to make mention of a Colac resident, Sue Hester, who was recently awarded the volunteer involvement award at the Brumby Labor government 2008 sport and recreation awards. After being diagnosed with a rare disability at the age of 25, Sue Hester began volunteering as a netball umpire, coach and committee member. Today Sue…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is for the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings. Can the minister inform the house of how the Brumby Labor government is helping to promote Victoria’s unique marine environment to the world? Mr JENNINGS (Minister for Environment and Climate Change) — I thank Ms Tierney for…
I 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…
On 29 September I had the pleasure of officially launching 10 new bus shelters in the Shire of Colac Otway, along with the mayor, Cr Chris Smith, and Crs Riches and Mercer. On that day we were joined by local Colac residents Roberta Hay and Peggy Hose, who said the shelters were a fantastic improvement…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is for the Treasurer. I ask him to inform the house of the effects on Victoria’s working families of the 1 per cent interest rate cut announced yesterday by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Mr LENDERS (Treasurer)— I thank Ms Tierney for her question. Mr Drum interjected. Mr…
On another matter, I would like acknowledge the Cloverdale community centre, which has created three banners in homage to the women’s suffrage movement under the Victorian Women Vote community grants program. The banners highlight the hopes and concerns of women and girls in Corio and Norlane, and we were lucky enough to have one of…
Last Sunday I had the pleasure of hosting the eighth Fanny Brownbill luncheon in Geelong, which commemorates the first woman Labor member of the Legislative Assembly in this state. It was fitting to hold such a celebration during the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Victoria. Minister Maxine Morand spoke on the fight for women’s…
I rise to speak in support of the National Parks and Crown Land (Reserves) Acts Amendment Bill 2008. In doing so, I will be speaking in opposition to the amendment proposed by Mr David Davis. In speaking to the bill, firstly, I would like to pay particular attention to the actual creation of the Cobboboonee…
As a member of Parliament there are a number of highlights that I am privileged to experience. I experienced one last Monday in Dimboola. I had the great pleasure in being able to congratulate one of the oldest women in Western Victoria Region on her birthday. Dorris Trainor turned the amazing age of 104 years;…
My adjournment matter this evening is in relation to the township of Dartmoor and is directed to the Minister for Regional Development, who is also the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation. The decision taken by Carter Holt Harvey to close the Dartmoor mill is extremely disappointing and is life-changing for a whole range of…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Jacinta Allan, in the other place and it is with respect to the Aireys Inlet hall. I have received some representations from local community members who want support for an upgrade of the hall. On Thursday I was in the area at a…
On 27 August the Premier was at the Ballarat Technology Park to announce that IBM will be opening a $10.8 million IT services centre there. This expansion is expected to create 300 jobs and contribute an additional $61 million to the region’s economy. This is a wonderful result for Ballarat and a wonderful result for…
I raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs. The matter concerns the latest round of country football and netball programs. We are all fairly familiar with this program, which assists local communities in coming together, being active and playing sport. The program provides up to $60 000…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer please update the house on any recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data that confirms that the Brumby Labor government is making the south-western region of Victoria a great place to live, work and raise a family? Mr LENDERS (Treasurer) — I…
I rise to make a statement on the Western District Health Service annual report for 2006-07. This report is co-signed by the service’s president, Richard Walter, and its chief executive officer, Jim Fletcher. It touches on many of the highlights of 2007 that the service is particularly proud of. Its major achievements include the re-accreditation…
My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Water. The action I seek is for the minister to officially launch the small towns water quality fund. The fund was announced in the 2007-08 budget and was allocated $20 million. The scheme follows on from the previous country towns water supply and sewerage program…
I rise to oppose the motion. I do not intend to take the house through the importance of manufacturing and the importance of vehicle manufacturing to this state and this country — suffice to say that the manufacturing industry is incredibly important to our economy, our exports and to maintaining a highly skilled, developed workforce.…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and it relates to the Apollo Bay P-12 College. The Apollo Bay P-12 school has 275 students, obviously ranging from those attending their very first days of school right through to those completing their Victorian certificate of education. The school offers its students a very high…
I rise to make a contribution in support of the Public Health and Wellbeing Bill 2008. It is a thorough review of the Health Act. If this bill is passed, it will replace an act that is now 50 years old. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister for Health, Daniel Andrews, and his…
I rise to support the Unclaimed Money Bill 2008. This bill is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to modernise and streamline Victorian statutes and to reduce the regulatory burden placed on business in this regard. In this case it is to do with unclaimed money. What do we mean by unclaimed money? There are…
On Tuesday, 5 August, I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Regional and Rural Development in officially announcing the Macarthur water supply project. The $557 000 project, to be partly funded under the Brumby Labor government’s Small Towns Development Fund, will allow Macarthur to meet the health criteria of the Safe Drinking Water…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister inform the house about recent action the Brumby Labor government has taken to secure water supply for the Geelong region? Hon. J. M. MADDEN (Minister for Planning) — I thank Ms Tierney for her question and her interest in…
I rise to make a statement on the Regional Development Victoria (RDV) annual report 2006-07. There are positive statistics in this reporting period. Some 2395 new jobs were created in provincial Victoria, facilitating $1.52 billion worth of new investment and $273.7 million in new exports. The commencement of all these initiatives and programs was announced…
On 20 July on a brisk and rainy Saturday morning in Port Fairy I had the pleasure of launching the second search and rescue vessel for the south-west in eight months. On this occasion it was the Captain John Mills. The Captain John Mills, named after the deceased founder of the Port Fairy marine rescue…
Recently the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Jacinta Allan, announced funding of $950 000 for major upgrades and refurbishments of the Hamilton arts precinct, bringing the total amount for the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre redevelopment to $1.7 million. The funding will result in the building of a new forecourt area; upgrades to the box…
I rise to also comment on this report. As an introductory comment, I will say that overall this report highlights a number of issues and challenges in the tourist industry. I think there is unanimous support for the contention that tourism in regional Victoria is well and truly alive and kicking. Many of the recommendations…
I rise to speak in favour of both matters: the appropriation bill itself and the acceptance of the budget papers. As a member of Parliament representing a predominantly regional electorate, it has been and continues to be an absolute pleasure to relay the fantastic news that has come out of this 2008-09 budget to individuals…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Planning. I ask the minister to update the house on any recent progress made in addressing the significant planning challenges faced in the shire of Glenelg. Hon. J. M. MADDEN (Minister for Planning) — I welcome Ms Tierney’s interest in this matter. It…
I rise to make a statement on the Deakin University annual report 2007. It is a pleasure to stand and make a contribution here on the achievements of Deakin University, as I have witnessed firsthand a number of announcements of many exciting accomplishments and future endeavours of that university. Recently I have attended two major…
On Monday of this week the Brumby Labor government announced a $500 000 contribution to the establishment of the Port Fairy Community Services Centre. This new facility will include the relocation of the Port Fairy Kindergarten with programs for up to 60 children; it will provide for an additional 30 child-care places, maternal and child…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place. It concerns two Country Action grant applications put forward by Diversitat and the Geelong Community Basketball Association. A number of Country Action grants awarded to organisations within Western Victoria Region have been instrumental in increasing the capacity of…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Water in the other place, Tim Holding. It is in regard to the Smart Water Fund, which was established in 2002 to develop innovative water resource management programs across this state. This fund supports and encourages organisations to develop new approaches to saving water through recycling, conservation…
Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful staff and students at the Apex Preschool Centre in Elliminyt to announce funding boosts to early childhood services. ‘I have happy tears rolling down my cheeks’, was the response from one kindergarten staff member when I passed on the news. Another staff member said, ‘This…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Can the minister inform the house about any green initiatives that will create investment in the local information and communications technology industry? Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Minister for Information and Communication Technology) — I thank the member for her…
I rise to make a statement on the annual report of the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development for 2006-07. During the reporting period the department was involved in a number of key initiatives. One of the ongoing initiatives was the Australian synchrotron. Another involved Invest Victoria and Tourism Victoria successfully negotiating and lobbying…
— I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Community Development in the other place, Peter Batchelor, in launching the Leaders for Geelong program on 30 May 2008. A community support grant of $180 000 was provided by the Brumby Labor government to the Committee for Geelong towards the Leaders for Geelong program, Growing…
I rise to oppose the opposition’s motion and speak on the importance of water to all Victorians. This government is about planning and securing our water. Our Water Our Future has seven major platforms. The first, of course, is the funding element and it is $4.9 billion worth of investment. It also provides for one…
I rise to congratulate Toyota, the Brumby Labor government and the Rudd Labor government and welcome the announcement by Toyota that the company will produce hybrid Camrys at the beginning of 2010. This is a great announcement. It is good for the environment, it is good for the workforce, it is good for the future…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is for the Minister for Planning. Farming families in regional and rural Victoria have been faced with various challenges over recent years, ranging from drought and climate change to increasingly competitive overseas markets. I ask the minister to inform this house how this year’s budget responds to the…
I rise to speak on the Beaufort and Skipton Health Service annual report for 2007. It is instructive to point to page 1 where the health service states that, apart from it knowing that it needs to submit an annual report for legal requirements, it is aiming to inform its local community, the recipients of…
Last Friday during Education Week I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Education in the other place, Bronwyn Pike, in officially opening the major redevelopment project and the renewable energy demonstration unit at the Port Fairy Consolidated School. The school now has a new library, refurbished art room, canteen and administration and staffroom,…
I rise to support the Uniting Church in Australia Amendment Bill. The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on 22 June 1977, amalgamating the Congregational Church, the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church. The UCA has churches in all states and territories, with a membership of approximately 300 000 nationwide, and it plays a role…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Community Development in the other place, Peter Batchelor. It relates to assisting regional and rural communities in planning for local events. Farmers markets specialising in local produce and craft, music festivals, heritage weekends and events such as the recent Booktown in Clunes attract an enormous number of…
I also rise to support the Public Sector Employment (Award Entitlements) Amendment Bill 2008. Previous speakers have taken us through what is essentially a fairly straightforward bill before us tonight. I would like to talk about some other aspects associated with the bill and draw the attention of the house to some basic information which…
On 15 May I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Community Development in the other place to officially launch new public transport services for Timboon, Cobden and Camperdown. The Brumby Labor government’s Getting There and Back program has improved the local public transport timetables in Timboon, Cobden and Camperdown which will help young…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Planning. The minister has often spoken about the increasing population of Melbourne and provincial Victoria and the Brumby Labor government’s initiatives that are managing that growth. In particular Geelong is recognised as Australia’s largest provincial municipality and is experiencing continuing population growth because…
I raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Public Transport in the other place with respect to rail freight. I ask that the minister promote the benefits of rail freight, and I will go to the specifics a little bit later. We all know that the drought has hit hard in regional…
This government has been absolutely committed to sexual assault reform, which is evident by the number of pieces of legislation that have come before this house. Indeed, quite recently in debate on the Crimes Amendment (Rape) Bill 2007 a number of members spoke about the experiences of women who had been raped and the need…
I rise to make a statement on the University of Ballarat annual report 2006. Although the institution’s heritage dates back to 1870, it was in 2006 that it completed its 13th year of operating as a university. During 2006 it achieved many goals and set many more goals for the future. To begin with, I…
I rise to mention the record $185.7 million Brumby Labor government budget boost for ambulance services, which will significantly increase access to vital services in communities across Victoria. The two new medical helicopters, a proposed single statewide ambulance service, and new or expanded ambulance services based in 59 towns and suburbs across Victoria is a…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place and it concerns drought relief for sporting grounds. All members are well aware of the impact that the drought is having, particularly in country Victoria, and how it affects farming communities for whom, by and large, a large…
I rise to make a contribution in respect of the Essential Services Commission Amendment Bill 2008, which is the government’s final response to the review of the Essential Services Commission Act 2001. The review, commonly known as the Beale review, was charged with the responsibility to determine whether the objectives of the act were being…
On that horrific weather day two weeks ago where one would be reluctant to be outside, let alone be playing tennis, I had the pleasure of being present for the announcement by the Minister for Sport and Recreation in the other place, James Merlino, of a $51 000 grant to the Aireys Inlet Tennis Club…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Water in the other place regarding the Hamilton-Grampians pipeline. Just this morning the federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, the Victorian Minister for Water in the other place, Mr Tim Holding, the federal member for Ballarat, Catherine King, and the state member for…
I raise a matter for the Minister for Regional and Rural Development in the other place with respect to an application for funding for the Bannockburn community and cultural hub. Golden Plains Shire Council has applied for funding under the Small Towns Development Fund. That fund has proved very successful in Western Victoria Region. In…
I am pleased to rise to make comment on the 2008 annual statement of government intentions delivered by the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, in February 2008. From the outset I will say that it is a new approach, and many people have asked me questions about the concept. After discussing it with people and putting…
I take this opportunity to speak on the passing of David Henshaw, MBE, who passed away on 2 April, aged 76. David Henshaw served in this chamber as the member for Geelong Province from 1982 until his retirement in 1996. David graduated with a physics degree from the University of Western Australia in 1952, and…
My question is to the Minister for Information and Communication Technology. With the recent announcement about Satyam’s Geelong software development and training centre that will add 2000 jobs in Geelong, can the minister advise the house how the Brumby Labor government is positioning Victoria as a global information technology hub? Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Minister…
My question is to the Minister for Information and Communication Technology. Can the minister inform the house of any recent announcements that will create new information and communications technology (ICT) jobs in the Geelong economy? Honourable members interjecting. The PRESIDENT — Order! I might add that the minister is the first recipient of the priority…
I rise to make comment on the Moyne Health Services annual report for 2006-07. If we were to go back 159 years, I would be making this statement on a report on a four-roomed cottage at 40 James Street, Belfast. Over the past 159 years of its existence, Moyne Health Services has grown into a…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is for the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Can the minister inform the house of how the Brumby Labor government is helping households in regional Victoria reduce greenhouse emissions? Mr JENNINGS (Minister for Environment and Climate Change) — I thank Ms Tierney for the opportunity to respond…
I move: That paragraph (1) be omitted. This is a serious issue and a serious debate. It is a serious issue for the local community of Hepburn Springs, Daylesford and the surrounding area. It has not been helpful for us to sit through a debate that has had a sprinkling of jocular comments: we have…
I rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Relationships Bill and, like many other members of the chamber, I have received many emails and pieces of correspondence from constituents and the various organisations which previous speakers have referred to. I have read all of the correspondence, and I have also met with…
On 26 March I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation in the other place to officially open Victoria’s 11th skills store in Warrnambool. The South West Skills Store is situated at the South West Institute of TAFE in Warrnambool and is one of the 13 skills stores being established…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister update the house on the Brumby Labor government’s initiatives to make the planning system more efficient for local councils, the planning community and all Victorians? Mr Finn interjected. Hon. J. M. MADDEN (Minister for Planning) — Could I take…
I rise to speak in support of the Consumer Credit (Victoria) and Other Acts Amendment Bill. As long as there has been trade, whether it has involved money or goods, there has been borrowing and there has been lending, but unfortunately, as with most systems, people have profited from other people’s misfortunes and have preyed…
On 13 December last year I had the pleasure of launching the new Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Portland flotilla search and rescue vessel. The 11.9-metre long Sabre-built vessel is the result of a $469 000 grant under the Brumby government boating safety and facilities program. Since its launch the boat has clocked up over…
I raise a matter for the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place. It is in relation to the Aireys Inlet tennis club, which has a proposal for the expansion of two bitumen tennis courts at Anderson Roadknight Reserve by installing sand-filled synthetic grass courts, and for the illumination of those…
It gives me great pleasure to rise to speak on this matter. Clearly it is a matter of housekeeping that we are removing obsolete legislation from the statute book. It is important to go through each of the acts that are being repealed, because referring to it just as housekeeping does not really identify the…
On Saturday, 1 March 2008, I had the pleasure of representing the Minister for Mental Health in the other place, Lisa Neville, at the premiere and launch of Morphed — The Dance of Life at the Warrnambool entertainment centre. It is a community arts program about the lives of women in our community. The performance…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health in the other place. I ask the minister to take action to ensure that residents in Western Victoria Region continue to have access to high-quality medical services and facilities. This government has invested $4.1 billion across Victoria into the largest capital works program in the state’s…
I rise to make a statement on the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust annual report 2006-07. It is fantastic to see the diversity of performances that have been run by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust, and as a result there has been a significant increase in the attendances, including the number of patrons attending…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place, and it relates to an application put forward by the Corangamite Shire Council for the replacement of an existing playground at Grimwade Park in Lismore with a much more modern playground. The playground area has traditionally been well…
After listening to David Davis and reading the opposition’s motion, at first glance one could be misled into believing that the Brumby government does not care and that at best the Brumby government is somewhat tardy when it comes to the most vulnerable people in the community, but I will just deal with the facts.…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Tourism and Major Events in the other place. For the last three years in May the Great Ocean Road International Marathon has been run between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The event is promoted as a festival of distance running and encompasses four events over two days for…
Last week I had the pleasure of announcing two grants under the Country Football and Netball Program. In Camperdown, $20 000 has been allocated for the extension and widening of two netball courts as well as improved and expanded change rooms and suitable shelter for players and spectators at Leura Oval.It was a delight to…
My matter is directed to the Minister for Industry and Trade. The 2008 annual statement of government intentions presented on Tuesday by the Premier reinforces the imperative for this government to have policies, programs and legislation to encourage and foster strong families, strong communities and strong economic growth. Of course jobs are central to this…
I rise to speak on the Ballarat Health Services annual report of 2006-07. This report is a remarkable achievement for Ballarat Health Services. It is particularly worth noting that the 150th anniversary of the Ballarat Base Hospital was celebrated in September. The foundation stone for the hospital was originally laid on Christmas Day one year…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport in the other place. On 30 January the minister announced the government’s Regional Bus Improvement Program. Services in Colac will be boosted from 20 to 114 services a week. The Colac bus service will now provide 21 services a day from 8.00 a.m. till 6.00…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Industry and Trade. Can the minister please outline to the house the effects of the closure of the Mitsubishi manufacturing plant in Adelaide on the Victorian automotive industry? Hon. T. C. THEOPHANOUS (Minister for Industry and Trade) — I thank the member for…
Many members of this house attended a range of Australia Day ceremonies in late January. I had the pleasure of attending functions at Portarlington, Geelong and Ballarat, but I want to mention particularly the community awards at the Ballarat ceremony and the importance of local communities recognising issues in their communities and actively working to…
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place. It relates to a grant application made by the Warrnambool City Council for the Albert Park trail network. I understand stage 1 has been submitted to the minister’s office. The proposal is to create a passive trail network…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My question is to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Can the minister outline for the house some of the ways in which the Brumby government will build on its leadership role in the effort to tackle climate change during 2008? Mr JENNINGS (Minister for Environment and Climate Change)…
I rise to also make a contribution to the debate on the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Problem Gambling and Other Measures) Bill 2007. I do not wish to spend much time on the bill due to the lack of controversy about it and the positions already put forward by other parties, but in my opening statement…
I also take this opportunity — today being 5 December, which is International Volunteer Day — to thank all volunteers for their commitment and hard work in their local communities.
On Friday, l6 November, I had the great pleasure of presenting yet another Brumby government Victorian volunteer small grant to the Camperdown community house. As I arrived the community house was full of excited volunteers overjoyed that the community house had been recognised and indeed was granted $3000 to help recruit further volunteers to the …
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport in the other place, Lynne Kosky. I ask the minister to provide me with information on any future planned level crossing upgrades in the Barwon south-west region. Two weeks ago $750 000 in upgrades were completed in the Colac Otway shire, significantly improving safety for…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— Could the Treasurer please explain how effectively Partnerships Victoria projects are being implemented and any recent improvements to the Partnerships Victoria framework? Mr LENDERS (Treasurer)— I thank Ms Tierney for her question and for her interest in the procurement of major projects in Victoria, because under the Brumby government, and the …
I raise a matter for the Minister for Education in the other place, Ms Bronwyn Pike. It is a well known fact that the no. 1 priority for this government is education. One only need look at the 2007-08 budget to have this demonstrated. We promised to rebuild or modernise every school, invest in new…
I raise a matter for the Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations in the other place. On 26 August the Deputy Premier announced the inaugural meeting of Victoria’s first Working Families Council. The council will work with industry and community groups to champion the issues of working families in their efforts to strike the…
I rise to speak in opposition to Mr Kavanagh’s private member’s bill. In my opening remarks I wish to make a couple of statements. One is the fact that 77 per cent of Victorians now live in areas that have fluoride. It has been interesting to talk to people over the last couple of weeks. …
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— Could the Treasurer please inform the house of any progress made in the final funding for the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline? Mr LENDERS (Treasurer)— I thank Ms Tierney for her question and her interest in the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline, which I have spoken about before in this house. I have spoken about it being…
Last week a number of examples were raised in the media over the alleged misuse of the federal government’s rural partnerships program. The colloquial term is ‘pork-barrelling’, but this morning I want to raise a blatant and serious misrepresentation. The current federal member for Wannon and Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Hawker, has…
I raise a matter for the Minister for Education in the other place. Shortly I will have the pleasure of presenting the Portland Special School with an award for completing the Brumby government’s rubbish-free Friday initiative. It is great to see that our local schools are winning the battle to eliminate lunchtime rubbish and food…
I rise to speak in support of the Graffiti Prevention Bill. As we have heard, there are three main objectives to the bill — that is, to reduce the financial and social costs connected to graffiti; to promote a strong deterrent to the perpetrators and promote accountability, and to reduce the incidence of graffiti.…
I am also pleased to rise and make a contribution to the debate on the Crimes Amendment (Rape) Bill 2007. As we have heard from other speakers, this is the third stage in a raft of changes arising from the Law Reform Commission’s Sexual Offences — Final Report on law and procedures. As we have …