This is an important moment in the history of early childhood education and care in Victoria: one that means better educational outcomes for children, including those in Wendouree.

More students will be able to catch a school bus next year as the Andrews Labor Government rolls out the first in a suite of additional school bus services across the state, including Ballarat. A new school bus service being introduced in 2023 will link Cardigan Village and Lucas with Lucas Primary School and Ballarat High School for the first-time making access to school easier for primary and secondary-aged students in these growing areas.

The Andrews Labor Government is looking at more ways to boost employment opportunities in the Central Highlands, bringing together businesses, employers and community leaders. A forum held in Ballarat today and hosted by Jobs Victoria examined ways the Labor Government, local businesses and communities can work together to identify opportunities and develop new approaches to address workforce challenges.

Early works are now underway to build an Intermodal Freight Hub at the Ballarat West Employment Zone (BWEZ). The works will see five serviced lots built at the site – in preparation for major construction to take place on the freight hub next year.

For patients, robot-assisted surgery can lead to a faster recovery from surgery, shorter hospital stay and the opportunity to return to pre surgery activities more quickly. It will provide world class technology to patients in the Grampians region.

My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek is for him to update me on how significant investment made by the Andrews Labor government in Ballarat between 2018 and 2022 has created jobs and supported the local economy.

My question is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Minister for Creative Industries. Will the minister please advise how the Andrews Labor government is continuing to support tourism for Ballarat?

I am very pleased to stand today to speak about the Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s report on the inquiry into Victorian universities’ investment in skills, which was tabled on 1 September by the chair, the member for Lara.

I too rise to speak in support of the Disability Amendment Bill 2022, which will improve services, safeguards and protections for people with disability and will further acquit this government’s commitment to reviewing and reforming the Disability Act 2006.

Grampians Health Ballarat is driving environmental awareness in regional Victoria by taking delivery of two State Government fleet battery electric vehicles. The zero-emission Hyundai Kona Electric cars will cover a lot of ground across the Ballarat region, supporting the Government’s charge towards a state-wide net zero emissions target by 2050.

Victoria 2026 will present a critical opportunity to invest in community infrastructure in regional Victoria, including housing and world-class sporting facilities. The Games will provide a huge boost to tourism and local businesses in regional Victoria, bringing visitors from more than 70 Commonwealth nations and territories.

Highly-skilled teachers and school leaders in Ballarat are another step closer to accessing world-class professional learning opportunities, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today announced the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (the Academy) will be built on Camp Street in the Ballarat Regional Centre.

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting social and affordable housing in Ballarat, ramping up its landmark Big Housing Build to provide homes to those who need it most, where they need it. Minister for Housing Danny Pearson today visited a soon to be finished home in Ballarat - one of 216 now underway as part of the unprecedented $5.3 billion Big Housing Build and other social and affordable housing programs.

City of Ballarat Council will receive a valuable investment in the future of its local libraries, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s Public Libraries Funding Program. $731,084 is being invested into City of Ballarat’s three public libraries in Wendouree, Ballarat Central and Sebastopol.  

Will the Minister for Health please advise how making university and specialist training free for thousands of nurses and midwives will benefit future nursing and midwife students, Grampians Health and patients in Ballarat?