I was very privileged to have been a member of the parliamentary committee that concluded this report, and I have to say at the outset that I believe it was one of the most challenging inquiries I have participated in, because we heard evidence from families who have faced these
difficult circumstances.
I wish to congratulate the organisers of yesterday's United Voice National Day of Action rally, which highlighted the poor working conditions of shopping centre cleaners.
Later today the Victorian Trades Hall Council will hold a rally on the steps of Parliament protesting the raid of $471.5 million of WorkCover dividends by the Baillieu government to cover up its mismanagement of the budget.
I wish to express concern that the Baillieu government is not doing enough to promote greater self-esteem
and a healthy body image amongst young people.
I rise today to highlight National Playgroup Week, which is being celebrated this week.
I am pleased to be able to make a contribution today on the Victorian budget update.
My matter is for the Minister for Community Services, although the Minister for Consumer Affairs may also wish to respond to this matter because it is to do with sex trafficking.
This morning I attended the very moving funeral of the late James 'Jim' Stynes, OAM, who, as many of us know, was well known not only for his stellar football career at the Melbourne Football Club but also for his involvement with various charities.
The opposition does not oppose this bill. I am pleased to be able to speak on it, as it is a bill that began some time ago as part of a SCAG (Standing Committee of Attorneys-General) process that was supported by the previous Labor government.
On Sunday, 4 March, I had the pleasure of once again attending, along with the member for Mill Park in the other place, Lily D'Ambrosio, the annual Florina Fasolatha, or 'bean soup' festival, organised by the Cultural Centre of Florinians 'Aristotelis'.
On 6 March I attended the 2012 Victorian Honour Roll of Women function to recognise the contributions of many women who have been pioneers in their field or made a significant contribution to society.
I also congratulate the inductees of the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll, in
particular Dr Alf Bamblett, who is a passionate and committed advocate for indigenous Australians and someone I regard as a friend.
I am pleased to speak today on the Carers Recognition Bill 2012, which is a bill that the Labor opposition does not oppose. Labor recognises the great contribution that carers make to our community each and every day.
My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Housing. I
specifically refer to the minister's deplorable comments made during Tuesday's
question time about Department of Human Services (DHS) staff.
Like Ms Pulford, I take this opportunity to remind members opposite of the existence of the government's 2011 Victorian Families Statement because it has clearly been more than a year since we have seen the much-vaunted and promised annual families statement.
Victoria is in the midst of a jobs crisis and this government is doing nothing to turn it around.
My matter is for the Minister for Community Services. I wish to express my concern about the potential loss of 500 positions as a result of the proposed organisational restructure of the Department of Human Services.
My matter is for the Premier. I am seeking clarification from the Premier in relation to his government's response to the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry report.
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