As part of the Victorian Budget 2022/23, the Government invested in a new $250 Power Saving Bonus from 1 July 2022, driving down the cost of living right across the state.

I too would like to speak in support of the Early Childhood Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, which introduces stronger regulations for early childhood services and safeguards for the quality of maternal and child health services. I will be focusing on our stronger regulations for early childhood services during this debate and the importance of this bill passing in 2022.

On Saturday, 27 August, I had the great pleasure of attending the Ballarat Keralites Foundation of Australia’s annual Onam festival with Labor candidate for Ripon Martha Haylett and more than 250 members. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for making us feel so welcome and thank the BKFA for their good work in our community.

The activation of traffic lights at the newly upgraded Gillies and Gregory Street intersection marks the completion of the Andrews Labor Government’s first Keeping Ballarat Moving project.vMinister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the newly finished project will reduce the risk of crashes and providing safer turning and crossing points for pedestrians.

Regional Victorian councils, business, tourism, industry and the creative sector are coming together to support delivering the 2026 Commonwealth Games at a Partnership Forum hosted by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring public hospitals have the latest vital equipment and engineering infrastructure to continue providing world-class healthcare for all Victorians. Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced 38 health services and public health laboratories across Victoria will share in $105 million of new equipment to treat patients and save lives.

Residents in Ballarat and surrounding areas are benefiting from greater access to justice supports and services thanks to the relocation and upgrade of the Ballarat Justice Service Centre, funded by the Andrews Labor Government. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today officially opened the new Justice Service Centre in Camp Street Ballarat, which has replaced the previous Mair Street site to house the growing workforce and provide high quality critical services to those in the region.

The Andrews Labor Government will establish five new GP-led Priority Primary Care Centres to give Victorians the care they need while easing pressure on our busy emergency departments (EDs). Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that Priority Primary Care Centres will be established close to five hospitals – giving Victorians an alternative to visiting an ED.

I too am very proud to rise to speak in support of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2022, and I agree with the member for Footscray that this is a historic day for our Parliament. I am honoured to have the opportunity to speak on this, and I am honoured to follow so many incredible women who I admire so much.

My constituency question is for the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep regarding the introduction of 30 hours per week of fully funded universal pre-prep for all Victorian children from 2025. How will this transformation of Victoria’s early education system benefit parents, carers and children in Ballarat?

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy in the other place. I would like to invite the minister to visit my electorate of Wendouree and the great city of Ballarat to discuss with members of my community how we may be involved to maximise the benefits and legacy that hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring to Ballarat and regional Victoria.

Congratulations to Ballarat’s extraordinary and impressive young people who were nominated for and won awards at the City of Ballarat Youth Awards 2022. The achievements of almost 100 young people aged between 12 and 25 were recognised by the City of Ballarat through the nomination process.

The Andrews Labor Government is giving more young people in regional Victoria the chance to save money and ditch their older model cars for a safer, more modern vehicle. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll today announced the expansion of the unsafe2safe trial right across regional Victoria, with expressions of interest now open until 4 September 2022. 

My question is for the Minister for Housing, and I wish to congratulate him on the new portfolio. Will the minister please update me on the progress of the Big Housing Build and the projects currently underway in my electorate of Wendouree and explain how this investment will benefit my local community.

I am very pleased to rise in support of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment Bill 2022, which will further reinforce and improve the highly successful Victorian energy upgrades (VEU) program.