WELCOMEBelow is an update of my work in Parliament for the last week. The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020 was a major focus of the parliamentary program, with the debate lasting for almost 11 hours. I voted against the Bill, but it passed with the support of other crossbenchers. I spoke in Parliament about the need for primary prevention and early intervention in child protection to reduce the number of children entering out-of-home care. I raised concern
about the deactivation of the GoodSAM app, the continued impact of restrictions on hospitality businesses in regional Victoria, and demand for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. I commended the Kilmore and Shepparton communities for their response to reports of coronavirus cases in these communities, with people responding in great numbers to get tested and self-isolate as needed. The quick and considered response has so far contained a further spread of cases. I also congratulated the VEX Robotics team from Galen College in Wangaratta, who represented Australia in an exciting challenge on the International Space Station! An interesting weekend coming up in my household, with my beloved Geelong Cats coming up against my husband’s and daughter's Richmond
Tigers! Until next time, take care. - Tania
Deactivation of
GoodSAM appThe GoodSAM app, which alerts registered bystanders to a cardiac event so they can respond and administer CPR until an ambulance arrives, was de-activated in March due to COVID-19 concerns. In my meetings with both Ambulance Victoria and the former Minister for Ambulance Services, the GoodSAM app was identified as an important component of efforts to save lives in regional areas where there are typically far-slower ambulance response times. I raised this in Question Time and I am pleased that the GoodSAM app was reinstated at the end of last week.
Hospitality Industry supportRecent exemptions that allow for limited outdoor service aren't enough to offset the employment impact and financial losses that hospitality businesses in Northern Victoria are continuing to incur. There are also many businesses in the sector for which even the prospect of opening at all under the current restrictions remains unviable or unsustainable. I asked the Government if it will provide further support or changes for the hospitality sector in Northern Victoria.
Galen College VEX teamThe VEX team, from Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta, represented Australia in the inaugural Kibo Robotic Programming Challenge. The team’s winning code was sent to the International Space Station to program NASA’s Astrobee robot through a series of challenges. Congratulations to the team on this remarkable achievement! I also acknowledge the wonderful work of Maree Timms, e-learning Coordinator at Galen, and her colleague, Brett Webber, in helping the students with this project.
Kilmore COVID responseThe response of the Kilmore community to recent coronavirus cases is a demonstration of how a targeted, local, and proportionate response to containing cases is indeed possible. Residents came forward to get tested and complied with reasonable requests to self-isolate. I commend the Kilmore community and their targeted and proportional actions that have, so far, prevented a case from becoming a serious outbreak.
26,000 children in
out-of-home care by 2026Two reports released by SVA Consulting - commissioned by Berry Street, the Centre for Excellence in Child Welfare and other leading child and family service agencies - have consolidated the economic case for far greater early intervention in child protection. I continue my support for a shift in focus to programs that will address the root cause of neglect and abuse, in order to reduce the number of children entering out-of-home care, which is projected to reach 26,000 children by 2026.
Shepparton COVID supportGoulburn Valley Health and surrounding health services quickly mobilised to respond to coronavirus cases in the Shepparton region. Getting outbreaks under control quickly is highly dependent on ensuring rapid deployment of response teams and flexible and mobile testing provisions.
Drug and rehab facilities Drug rehabilitation services are urgently required for regional areas battling high levels of supply and consumption. I asked the Government to outline its plans for establishing and/or providing additional funding for more drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities and services, including in a number of areas in Northern Victoria. The demand is demonstrated by the long average waitlist times and repeated offending linked to drug use and dependency. Rehabilitation services are a key to breaking the cycle between drugs and crime.
Mental Health Services in Mitchell ShireThere are particularly worrying challenges for residents across Mitchell Shire in accessing mental health services. With far higher rates of family violence and mental health needs compared to the state average, it is important that residents are able to access services at a local level. I asked the Government to detail its plans to address mental health services for the Shire.
Sporting Clubs during COVIDRegional Sport Victoria is calling for changes to the Government’s roadmap to allow a return to community sport, including separating regional Victoria from metropolitan Melbourne in the triggers to take regional Victoria to the Last Step of the roadmap. Sport is integral to social connection and physical and mental wellbeing, especially in regional and rural areas.
Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre issuesIn the previous parliamentary sitting week, I revealed that high-speed internet access had become frequently and widely available to detainees in the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre. This access has allowed dozens of detainees to regularly download and view pornographic material, including on their expensive, personal, taxpayer-funded laptops. I asked the Minister for Corrections last week what specific actions have subsequently been taken, and when, in response to these revelations.
Legislation Debated in the Legislative CouncilCOVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020 - passed National Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 - passed Project Development and Construction Management Amendment Bill 2020 - passed Police and Emergency Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 - passed
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