Media Centre

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Bill 2021 – Second Reading Debate

I am very pleased to rise to speak in support of the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Bill 2021, which provides both commercial tenants and commercial landlords with protection and support in navigating the continued impact of COVID-19. It is always a pleasure to follow in the footsteps of the member for St Albans. I often stop in Sunshine for some great Vietnamese but I am yet to venture into St Albans on my way home, but now if it is good enough for Postcards, I will very much forward to it. When you think that St Albans has been described as having good people, good food and good experiences, of course they would have a very good MP. What a great contribution you have made.

Wendouree Electorate – Constituency Question

My question is for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, regarding the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League matches to be held at the magnificent Eastern Oval on 13 and 14 November. I am so excited about welcoming some of the world’s best cricketers to Ballarat and seeing the next generation be inspired by our Renegades stars, like Jess Duffin. Will the minister please provide an overview of how these four WBBL matches will benefit the Ballarat community and our local economy?

Central Highlands Orange Door – Ministerial Response

I would like to thank the Member for Wendouree for her question, and also take this opportunity to thank The Orange Door team in Central Highlands for their work, commitment and dedication in commencing a new Orange Door service in October 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Switching On for Safer Travel along Sturt Street

New pedestrian-operated traffic lights at a busy Ballarat intersection have been switched on, keeping hundreds of school students safe on their journey to and from school. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the new lights at the intersection of Sturt, Russell and Morrison streets are part of a broader $4.8 million investment by the Andrews Labor Government in boosting safety along the western end of Sturt Street.

Funding for Commerce Ballarat

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting regional Victoria’s recovery from the COVID pandemic by investing in local jobs and stimulating the regional economy. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today announced $300,000 for a Resilience and Innovation Program for small businesses across Ballarat and the Grampians to be run by Commerce Ballarat.

More Car Parks On the Way for Ballarat CBD

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to create 1,000 free car parks for Ballarat locals, with works set to begin on three sites across the city. Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today visited Market Street, which is one of the three sites to undergo construction of new car parks, expected to be complete by mid next year.

Keeping Ballarat Moving

For more information, head to the Regional Roads Victoria website.   Watch more videos here, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Ballarat Icon Preserved

Works have been completed on the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute’s basement to ensure it is preserved and protected thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government. The Ballaarat Mechanics Institute received $175,000 from round four of the Living Heritage Program for works to the basement of the iconic building, which was built in 1869 as an addition to the original 1860 building. 

Homes for People Living with Mental Illness in Ballarat

The Andrews Labor Government is investing $49.2 million to build 162 new supported independent living homes, ensuring Victorians living with mental illness have the security and stability of a home. This includes a project in Ballarat West, delivering 16 new supported independent living homes in Redan for people living with mental illness, as part of the nation-leading Big Housing Build.

GWS And Gold Coast Suns Headed For Ballarat

The Andrews Labor Government is bringing more AFL games to regional Victoria with Greater Western Sydney set to take on the Gold Coast Suns at Mars Stadium in Ballarat this Sunday 11 July.With support from the Regional Events Fund, the match marks the first home game of an interstate team to be played at Mars Stadium and adds to the suite of home-and-away matches played by the Western Bulldogs at the venue. 

Sovereign Hill Blazes Trail For Regional Recovery

The Andrews Labor Government is accelerating regional Victoria’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by investing in dozens of projects that create jobs, encourage visitors and support local communities.Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today announced support of $500,000 for acclaimed tourist attraction Sovereign Hill in Ballarat – to back its Winter Wonderlights campaign to encourage more visitors.

Nation’s First Wind Turbine Training Tower In Ballarat

Federation University will build the nation’s first wind turbine training tower to prepare Victorian students for jobs in the booming renewable energy sector.Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney and Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today turned the first sod at the Mount Helen campus, the gateway to wind farms across Western Victoria.

Boosting Learning And Research At ACU

The Andrews Labor Government has invested $8.7 million into a raft of initiatives at Australian Catholic University to expand courses, improve the student experience and to spearhead health research projects.Headlining the funding package is the $1.9 million construction of a new nurse training ward and the refurbishment of existing facilities at the Ballarat campus. It will double the capacity of nursing simulation beds and accommodate hands-on training to help students be job-ready for the health sector.

New Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub for Ballarat

A new and expanded mental health and well-being support hub has opened in Ballarat, giving locals the care and support they need on their doorstep, thanks to the Victorian Government.Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health Steve Dimopoulos today opened the new Cooinda Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, which will provide an array of health and social services including children’s assessments, counselling, and family violence support.