BACK TO PARLIAMENT

Welcome Back

The start of 2020 has been a tough one for many communities. Last week was the first Parliamentary sitting week of the year and a major focus was the Victorian bush fires, including Condolence Motions in both houses for the lives lost, as well as debate and discussions about fire preparedness and response.

I continue to be amazed by the courage and commitment of firefighters, volunteers and emergency service workers and the wonderful response from communities across the state (and indeed around the world) with donations and assistance. In travelling to fire affected areas in the past weeks, people spoke time and again of the positive impact of the incredible generosity of individuals, community groups and businesses in supporting them in their time of need.

In Parliament, I spoke on a variety of issues, including those relating to emergency service notifications, CFA resourcing and funding. Questions about preparedness and responses to bushfires and the support for communities as they recover will continue.

On the 'justice' front, I was ecstatic that the Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund Register was established following months of lobbying the government for victims. More detail on the Register below.

This week, among other things, I'll be hosting a community forum in Seymour to talk about ambulance resources and will be attending the Seymour Farm Expo.

- Tania

Link to speech

Establishment of the Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund Register

A WIN FOR VICTIMS!
Following months of advocating to the Government for improved access to information on prisoner compensation for victims, I am ecstatic that the Minister has acted on my concerns and established the Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund Register. If a prisoner receives compensation of more than $10,000 while incarcerated, victims can make a claim on some or all of this payment. This Register will enable victims to opt-in to information on any compensation claims made by prisoners related to their specific cases. Information on the Register and application form are available from the web link below.

Link to website

Link to speech

Bushfires Condolence Motion

To the families of David Moresi, Bill Slade, Mat Kavanagh, Mick Roberts and Fred Becker, I send my deepest condolences. These fires have had a devastating impact on regions, on communities, townships, wildlife and businesses. We are so grateful for the courage and commitment of our emergency services in protecting us, the generosity and kindness of communities and individuals and their willingness to help during the bushfires, and those that continue to assist in the recovery effort.

Katamatite CFA

The Katamatite CFA experienced a cruel break-in over Christmas and theft of emergency equipment. Given the severity of the fire season, this burglary was particularly gut-wrenching for the local community and a blatant case of criminal opportunism. I caught up with some of the crew at the Katamatite CFA and made a personal donation toward replacement of these goods.

Community Forum

Paramedics in regional areas do an incredible job and often cover enormous distances. Current resourcing can leave our paramedics stretched too thin and towns left vulnerable. Join me on 13 Feb in Seymour with resident Tony Hubbard to discuss your service and the improvements he is fighting for.

SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT

CFA fundraising

CFA brigades continue to be forced to individually fundraise for their own equipment. The Government, in answering my question, conceded they will need to look at how equipment and resources will be applied in the future to ensure the CFA is viable.

Link to speech

CFA resourcing

Our CFA brigades are very experienced and their local knowledge and expertise can be undermined by bureaucracy, including limitations on what trucks can be deployed and what equipment they can use. I'm concerned about the consultation process with our CFA brigades and want to make sure that their views, their needs and their experience is heard.

Link to speech

Emergency Notifications

Internet access in regional areas can be unreliable at the best of times, let alone in emergency situations where power and phone coverage is compromised. The emergency system sends a text message giving details of a fire, with a link to a website, but if you're in an area without coverage, you can't access the link. I'd like more information included in the original text, making it simpler for people to know where the danger is.

Link to speech

Cause of bushfires

I asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services what information the Government has about the actual ignition sources of each of the recent bushfires. I asked the Minister if she could state how many separate bushfires began in Northern Victoria Region and in what cases has the ignition source been identified.

Link to speech

Moira Shire Council Australia Day Awards

Congratulations Michael Coates (Citizen of the Year), Dylan Sidebottom (Young Citizen of the Year), Boomerang Bags Cobram Barooga (Organisation of the Year and Project of the Year) and Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club- Easter Tournament (Event of the Year).

Rural City of Wangaratta Australia Day Awards

Congratulations to all nominees who contribute to our communities year after year. A special congratulations to Citizen of the year Dr A. Warren Garrett, Youth Citizen of the year Haydon Sampson and Oxley Bush Market for Event Program of the Year.

BILLS DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

-MELBOURNE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT (ENVIRONMENT MITIGATION LEVY) BILL 2019