Acting Premier

4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

Question: 12143 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Premier — With reference to the Member for Footscray's office on the 36th floor of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources and the Member's overseas travel accompanying the Premier:

(1) Who approved the office and overseas travel.

(2) What is the cost of the office and overseas travel.

(3) Under which departmental budget are the office and overseas travel paid for.

(4) Have resources been diverted from Minister Dalidakis' Ministerial Office to pay for these arrangements.

(5) What airline class has the Member for Footscray travelled in on each trip taken with the Premier.

Answer: As a former Minister for Small Business, Consumer Affairs, Information and Communication Technology as well as a former Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Trade, the Member for Footscray brings important experience and knowledge to trade missions.

The Hon James Merlino MP Acting Premier

Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 10/01/2017

Question: 12144 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Premier — With reference to the Premier's indication in Questions Without Notice on 7 December 2016 that the Member for Footscray has an office on the 36th floor (the Ministerial level) of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources and has travelled with the Premier on overseas trips because she is a former Minister:

Have the following former ministers been afforded these or similar privileges:

(1) The former Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade the Hon Adam Somyurek MLC.

(2) The former Minister for Training and Skills and former Minister for Corrections, the Hon Steve Herbert MLC.

(3) The former Minister for Emergency Services and former Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, the Hon Jane Garrett MP.

The Hon James Merlino MP Acting Premier

Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 10/01/2017

Question: 12145 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to a Victorian Labor media release on the Chandler Highway Bridge Upgrade from 16 June 2014 stating that ‘Plans drawn up by the previous Labor Government will finally be https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 1/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria realised with works to start immediately on coming to Government':

(1) When will works finally start on the Bridge Upgrade.

(2) Will there be permanent clearways on the stretch of Princess Street, Kew from Wilsmere Street to the Chandler Highway.

(3) When will a detailed traffic management plan for the construction phase of the project be released.

Answer: 1. The Chandler Highway Upgrade project is currently in the tender evaluaon phase.

2. An important step to improve traffic flow is to consider introducing clearways along Princess Street, Kew. VicRoads will conduct a formal consultaon process to understand the parking needs of businesses and residents directly impacted, as well as the different me based clearway opons.

3. VicRoads is currently assessing the proposed traffic management staging as part of the Tenders received and has informed me that the preferred construcon staging and associated traffic management plans will be confirmed following the award of the Contract.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 31/01/2017

Question: 12146 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Premier — With reference to the Member for Footscray's office on the 36th floor of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources and taxpayer-funded travel with the Premier on overseas trips:

Have the following backbench government members been afforded the same privileges:

(1) The Member for Pascoe Vale.

(2) The Member for Sunbury.

(3) The Member for Geelong.

(4) The Member for Oakleigh.

(5) The Member for Frankston.

(6) The Member for Bendigo West.

(7) The Member for Thomastown.

(8) The Member for Buninyong.

(9) The Member for Carrum.

(10) The Member for Essendon.

(11) The Member for Cranbourne.

(12) The Member for Mordialloc.

(13) The Member for Bentleigh.

(14) The Member for St Albans.

(15) The Member for Northern Metropolitan, Mr Nazih Elasmar MLC.

(16) The Member for Western Metropolitan Region, Mr Cesar Melhem MLC.

Answer: https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 2/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria As a former Minister for Small Business, Consumer Affairs, Information and Communication Technology as well as a former Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Trade, the Member for Footscray brings important experience and knowledge to trade missions.

The Hon James Merlino MP Acting Premier Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 10/01/2017

Question: 12147 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change — With reference to the Minister's response to my question in the Assembly during Consideration in Detail on the Energy Legislation Amendment (Feed-in Tariffs and Improving Safety and Markets) Bill 2016 on 24 November 2016 on the social cost of higher power prices for non-solar customers:

(1) How has the Government defined social cost.

(2) When will we know how much the social cost will be.

(3) What information has the Government used to calculate a social cost.

Answer: As the member would be aware the former Coalition Government cut the feed-in tariff, consequently cutting the amount received by Victorian families and Victorian businesses.

Following the Essential Services Commission's (ESC) Inquiry into the True Value of Distributed Generation to Victorian Consumers, the Andrews Labor Government is introducing major changes to make feed-in tariffs fairer.

Further information regarding Victoria's feed-in tariffs can be found on the ESC's website at: http://www.esc.vic.gov.au/project/energy/2134-minimum-feed-in-tariff/< /a>

Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 18/01/2017

Question: 12148 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation — With reference to the process of conveyancing and making the process of lodging section 32 disclosure statements for the sale of a property simpler and more accessible to the public, has the Government considered any amendments to the Sale of Land Act 1962 to follow the 2014 reforms of the Napthine Government.

Answer: The operation of the Sale of Land Act 1962 as a whole is currently being examined as part of the Government's ongoing Consumer Property Law Review.

Feedback from stakeholders suggests that the 2014 reforms to section 32 are largely working well; however, it has been suggested that some refinements may be necessary.

In particular, it has been suggested that there may be a need to improve vendors' disclosure of financial information in respect of property sold ‘off-the-plan', and to resolve uncertainties about the location of water infrastructure under land for sale.

Stakeholders were invited to consider and provide feedback on these, and other, issues - including the operation of the due diligence checklist, which was introduced in the 2014 reforms - in the last of the three issues papers released as part of the Review.

Consultation on the third issues paper closed in mid 2016. Stakeholder feedback on that paper is currently informing the development of options for legislative reform of the Act, with an options paper expected to be released early this year.

https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 3/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

Hon Marlene Kairouz MP Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 27/01/2017

Question: 12149 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Minister for Public Transport for the Minister for Agriculture — With reference to the English Ivy growing unchecked around Victoria, especially in the Dandenongs and in Studley Park, Kew:

(1) Will the Minister consider recommending English Ivy be declared a noxious weed under s 58 or 58A of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

(2) Will the Minister consider recommending English Ivy be declared a regionally controlled weed under s 62 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

(3) Will the Minister consider recommending English Ivy be declared a restricted weed under s 63 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

Answer: I do not intend to recommend English ivy be a controlled weed under the Catchment and Land Protecon Act 1994. Imposing the costs of control on thousands of properes across Victoria is, in my view, not jusﬁable.

It would make lile diﬀerence to the rate of spread, given that English ivy is already common on public and private land.

Hon Jaala Pulford MP Minister for Agriculture Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 16/02/2017

Question: 12150 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Smith (Kew) to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to the instances of an individual or individuals placing metal tacks on the Yarra Boulevard at Kew, putting the lives of cyclists in danger, what meetings or correspondence has the Minister had regarding this matter with:

(1) The Minister for Police.

(2) The Boroondara Police.

(3) VicRoads.

Answer: (1) VicRoads, Victoria Police and the City of Boroondara are working collaboravely to ensure a coordinated approach to resolve this issue.

Victoria Police is leading the invesgaon to apprehend the perpetrator(s) and has increased surveillance in the area. It is connually invesgang other measures to help with this maer.

(2) A community forum organised by Victoria Police in collaboraon with VicRoads and the City of Boroondara was held on 14 December 2016 at the VicRoads Kew oﬃce to provide the local community with the opportunity to discuss this maer, as well as update the community on acvies completed to date by the mulple agencies involved. The informaon gathered, which includes suggesons for improving the operaons and safety of the Yarra Boulevard is now being reviewed.

(3) Over the past two years, VicRoads has spent at least $220,000 on acvies relang to alerng the public of metal tacks via advisory signs and maintenance works to remove metal tacks from the Boulevard. VicRoads is commied to connue these acvies to ensure the safety of the public unl the perpetrator is caught by police.

https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 4/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

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Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 31/01/2017

Question: 12151 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to traffic counts conducted on the Jamieson–Licola Road conducted by VicRoads since and including 2005:

(1) How many counts have been conducted.

(2) At what specific times were those counts undertaken.

(3) What were the results of each count between Jamieson and Licola.

Answer: VicRoads conducts roune traﬃc counts on Jamieson-Licola Road at varying mes of the day to ensure the road is accessible and safe for all road users.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 20/02/2017

Question: 12152 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to traffic counts conducted on the Mansfield–Woods Point Road by VicRoads since and including 2005:

(1) How many counts have been conducted.

(2) At what specific times were those counts undertaken.

(3) What were the results of each count between: (a) Jamieson and Kevington; (b) Gaffneys Creek and Woods Point.

Answer: VicRoads undertakes roune traﬃc counts on Mansﬁeld-Woods Point Road at varying mes of the day as required to ensure the road is accessible and safe for all road users.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 20/02/2017

Question: 12153 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to traffic counts conducted on the Warburton–Woods Point Road by VicRoads since and including 2005:

(1) How many counts have been conducted. https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 5/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

(2) At what specific times were the counts undertaken.

(3) What were the results of each count between Woods Point and Matlock.

Answer: VicRoads undertakes roune traﬃc counts on Warburton-Woods Point Road as required to ensure that the road is accessible and safe for all road users.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 20/02/2017

Question: 12154 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — With reference to the Warburton–Woods Point Road and Marysville–Woods Point Road:

(1) On how many occasions has VicRoads closed the road between Marysville and Matlock in 2016 and for what purposes.

(2) On how many occasions has VicRoads closed the road between Marysville and Matlock between 2011 and 2015 inclusive and for what purposes.

Answer: The route between Maryville and Matlock uses the Warburton-Woods Point and the Marysville- Woods Point Roads which straddle both North Eastern and South Eastern Metropolitan Regions of VicRoads.

VicRoads closed the route between Marysville and Matlock in 2016 twice, once due to fallen trees blocking the Road and once due to heavy snow fall.

The route between Maryville and Matlock was closed once in 2012, once in 2013 and once in 2014 all due to heavy snow falls.

The public are kept informed of road closures via the VicRoads website and via the VicRoads app; VicTraffic. These tools have proven to be very useful in me of severe weather events such as storms, floods and through the bush fire season.

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Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 31/01/2017

Question: 12155 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Water — With reference to the water supply in Woods Point which has been declared non-potable, is the water regularly tested for the purposes of human comsumption; if so:

(1) How often is the water supply tested.

(2) When was the supply last tested.

(3) What were the results of that testing.

(4) When is the next test expected to be completed.

Answer: Please see attachment.

Attachments: LA 12155.docx https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 6/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria Answer Published Date: 10/02/2017

Question: 12156 QUESTION ON NOTICE — Mr Paynter to ask the Minister for Health — With reference to the lack of 24 hour emergency and medical care on Phillip Island:

(1) Will the Minister make available the manifest or log book for daily call outs and call outs of the existing ambulances.

(2) How long, in hours, has Phillip Island been without an ambulance physically present on the island in the 12 months to December 2016.

Answer: The Minister for Health I am informed that:

(1) Ambulance Victoria do not maintain manifests or log books.

(2) Ambulance Victoria's operations are premised on the dynamic deployment of resources, according to service demand. Ambulance teams do not work within confined geographic or logistic parameters. In an emergency, the nearest ambulance is dispatched.

Hon Jill Hennessy MP Minister for Health

Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 01/03/2017

Question: 12157 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Southwick to ask the Minister for Planning — My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister please provide clarification immediately on the definition of ‘non residential use' to prohibit such overdevelopment in my electorate of Caulfield. Under current planning height restrictions, the height limit in a residential zone is 8 metres, or 2 storeys, but this limit does not apply to non residential uses, such as aged care or independent living units. Currently there is a proposal to build a 19 storey tower overdevelopment on the Bethlehem hospital site at Kooyong Road, Caulfield South, which is completely out of character for the area. This is obviously an unwelcome Christmas present for the constituents around that area, so I ask the minister to please provide clarification of what a non residential use is to prohibit such overdevelopment as the one at Bethlehem hospital in my electorate of Caulfield.

Answer: The application at the Bethlehem Hospital Site on Kooyong Road is currently being considered by Glen Eira City Council (Council). The application proposes a variety of residential and complementary non- residential uses.

The site is located within a Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ).

While there is no definition of ‘non-residential uses' within the planning scheme, the NRZ is drafted so that only uses that are complementary to a residential area are permissible. It is therefore not necessary to define ‘non-residential uses' as most ‘non-residential uses' are prohibited in the NRZ and as such height controls for these uses are not required.

In its assessment of the proposal, Council must ensure that development is consistent with the purposes of the zone, and ‘respects the identified neighbourhood character' of the area, regardless of the proposed use of the buildings.

HON RICHARD WYNNE MP Minister for Planning Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 09/02/2017 https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 7/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

Question: 12158 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Ms Kilkenny to ask the Minister for Health — My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Minister, constituents in my electorate are concerned that the federal Liberal government is going to cut dental services, particularly urgent services. The current funding arrangement between the federal government and states and territories, which was put in place by the former federal Labor government, ends on 31 December; however, due to the Turnbull government's inaction, new arrangements have not yet been made. Minister, constituents in my electorate who rely on the public dental health system are very worried and want to know what actions you are taking to ensure the federal government continues to pay its fair share of public dental funding.

Answer: Just days before Christmas the Commonwealth Minister for Health confirmed what we feared, that the Turnbull Liberal Government was willing to use all means possible to strip away dental funding from Victoria. But not only that, they are prepared to strip away dental funding for kids, strip away dental funding for 30,000 adults and rip out $11.7 million from public dental care in our state.

This represents a 30 per cent reduction on the National Partnership Agreement funding provided previously to Victoria previously.

This decision follows the Turnbull Government's bungling of an earlier attempt to tear money away from dental services through legislation, resisted by Federal Labor and Senate crossbenchers and as a result, now junked.

This is a Government that has never cared about Victorians and this is just the latest hit they've sent our way.

When it comes to hurting Victorians, the Turnbull Liberal Government just can't stop.

The Andrews Labor Government is investing $206.2 million in the Victorian Dental Health Program in 2016-17 because good oral health is critical to health and wellbeing. I will continue to advocate for the Commonwealth to maintain its current level of investment in public dental services for Victorians.

Hon Jill Hennessy MP Minister for Health Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 31/01/2017

Question: 12159 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Bull (Gippsland East) to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. The information I seek on behalf of several constituents who have contacted my office is whether the minister is aware of the need to repair the Gelantipy Road in the vicinity of the 115 kilometre marker. My office has been contacted about this section of road by a number of constituents who are concerned about both its condition and the reduction of the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour. VicRoads has advised that the reason for the reduced speed limit is as a result of the condition of this section of the road. It also said that permanent repair at this location does not form part of the current roads program and will be considered in future programs. Local residents have found it astounding that this is an admission that speed limits are being reduced due to the condition of the roads rather than fixing them. As a result they have asked me to seek the minister's views on whether this is an acceptable situation and whether the minister intends to reinstate the cuts to road funding to address such matters.

Answer: VicRoads is monitoring the condion of Gelanpy Road.

To protect road users a speed limit of 80km/h has been imposed unl the works can be completed.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 16/01/2017

Question: 12160 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Pearson to ask the Minister for Education — https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 8/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria I direct my constituency question to the Minister for Education, and I ask: what is the latest information about the application by Ascot Vale Primary School for funding from the Inclusive Schools Fund for a sensory garden to benefit the children with special needs?

Answer: I thank you for your strong advocacy for schools in the Essendon electorate, including Ascot Vale Primary School.

The Inclusive Schools Fund is a $20 million fund designed to help make Victoria the Educaon State, providing Victorian government schools with quality new spaces and more inclusive facilies, based on best pracce research and design.

It was my pleasure to recently announce successful applicaons to round 2 of the Inclusive Schools Fund. I am delighted to advise that Ascot Vale Primary School has been allocated $180,300 to construct "play and learning spaces for everyone to thrive" under round two of the fund.

Thank you for raising this maer with me. I trust this informaon is of assistance.

The Hon James Merlino MP Deputy Premier Minister for Educaon Minister for Emergency Services Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 19/12/2016

Question: 12161 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Ms McLeish to ask the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing for the Minister for Families and Children — My question is to the Minister for Families and Children, and I raise it on behalf of Toolangi Castella District Community House. Minister, will you request the Department of Health and Human Services review the policy which requires all staff at neighbourhood community houses to have annual working with children checks even when they do not work with children? The committee sees this requirement as unnecessary and cumbersome red tape. Whilst Toolangi Castella District Community House supports child protection initiatives and good governance, they, like others, are experiencing difficulties with compliance and in particular the cost of compliance. Compliance for this small community house, which runs on a shoestring budget, equates to $592.60 after the initial set up cost of $238, and this impacts heavily on their costs and already slim operations. The additional bureaucracy gains nothing but frustrates the end users and puts pressure on the sustainability for smaller operations. It just does not seem to make sense that they need to have working with children checks when they do not work with children.

Answer: The Andrews Labor Government recognises the important role that facilities like neighbourhood houses play as places of inclusion in providing recreational activities, education and training and opportunities for volunteering in local communities. Through the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program the Government provides recurrent funding of $26.5 million per annum to over 370 neighbourhood houses, 16 neighbourhood house networks and the peak body, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria. Funding for the Toolangi Castelle District Community House is funded under the Neighborhood House Coordination Progrsm for 20 hours per week. Funding for this Community House has increased every year under the Andrews Labor Government. Safety screening plays a vital role in providing safer service delivery for children and families who receive services from organisations funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. All funded organisations and all authorised agencies that provide services to specified client categories for the Department of Health and Human Services are required to comply with the safety screening for funded organisations policy. The safety screening policy requires referee checks and police record checks to be undertaken by funded organisations where they deliver services to clients in the specified client categories detailed in the policy. Since July 2006 organisations receiving funding from the Department of Health and Human Services have been responsible for ensuring that employees or volunteers undergo a working with children check where this is required. Working with children checks are free of charge for volunteers in Victoria. The Andrews Government has also introduced compulsory minimum standards for organisations that provide services for children to help protect children from abuse. The Child Safe Standards form part of https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 9/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria our response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry. These standards have not altered any existing requirements related to working with children checks. We are currently working with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria on a number of initiatives to improve the long term sustainability of neighbourhood and community houses in Victoria.

Jenny Mikakos MP Minister for Families and Children Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 06/02/2017

Question: 12162 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Ms Ward to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — My question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Minister, what are you doing to ensure that women in the Eltham electorate are respected when travelling on our roads? In particular I refer to images and words of a sexist and misogynistic nature used by a well known registered company providing transport services. A number of women in my community have contacted me about this issue, including young women who contributed to various school forums held in my electorate this year. The Labor government in Queensland has recently put forward legislation that allows the government to rescind the registration of Wicked Campers' vans which do not comply with Advertising Standards Board decisions.

Victoria launched the state's first gender equality strategy this week. Sexist and demeaning images and words on mobile billboards displayed on transport vehicles available for hire should not be tolerated in Victoria. Women and girls in my electorate want to feel respected, and they want to be treated as equals. Minister, what will you do to keep images and words of a sexist and misogynistic nature off vehicles that are masquerading as billboards on our roads?

Answer: Thank you for your queson.

I agree that a soluon is needed to prevent and remove the intenonally disrespecul, explicit and provocave material brandished by Wicked Campers on its rental vehicles.

I understand that the Queensland Government introduced legislaon into the Queensland Parliament in November to cancel the registraon of a commercially operated vehicle, should the content of an adversement or slogan found on the vehicle be determined by the Australian Associaon of Naonal Adversers (AANA) to have breached its adversing Code of Ethics.

Preliminary advice from VicRoads is that this is a complex area, which is consistent with the advice that the Aorney General received from the Department of Jusce and Regulaon.

The purpose of the Road Safety Act 1986 is generally safe, eﬃcient and equitable road use. There is currently no power to enforce the removal of oﬀensive slogans on vehicles.

Any changes to introduce similar laws will require some level of naonal uniformity to ensure a level of compliance. Each jurisdicon has diﬀerent laws governing registraon which adds an addional level of complexity.

Consideraon is needed to determine the best and most eﬀecve legal mechanism to address this issue. Consultaon with other States and Territories on their preferred approach is also needed.

I have asked VicRoads to invesgate this proposal further and in consultaon with other jurisdicons, the Victorian Department of Jusce and Regulaon and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, to provide me with advice on what opons are available within the Victorian legislave framework to address this issue.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 31/01/2017

Question: 12163 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Hibbins to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and I ask: will the minister or representatives from his office or VicRoads meet with local residents to discuss the https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 10/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria Dandenong Road-Hornby Street crossover? The crossover was closed last year due to a number of collisions between trams and vehicles at the site over several years. The closure affected the travel movements of local residents, forcing them to make a U turn at Dandenong Road and Chapel Street - a vehicle movement that congestion can often make difficult and lengthy.

Residents feel that they were not properly consulted regarding the closure or over other potential solutions such as a controlled crossing with traffic lights. I have written to the minister's office requesting that a meeting be held with residents and am yet to receive a response. I note VicRoads, in an email to residents earlier this year, stated:

"If you have ideas on how to improve your travel experience in this area without compromising safety, we would be pleased to receive them."

Residents would greatly appreciate a chance to meet with the minister or officials to discuss the crossover, to outline their concerns, to share their ideas —

Answer: I acknowledge that addional delays caused by the U-turn closure may be frustrang to people accessing the local area. The decision to temporarily close the median was not an easy one. VicRoads considered closing the median in 2004 due to the ongoing safety concerns but compromised to a paral closure and upgrading the signage as a result of community protest to the full closure. However, since that me, crashes have connued to occur at an unacceptable rate at this locaon.

When Yarra Trams again raised serious safety concerns with the opening and further invesgaons were being undertaken, an addional crash occurred with a tram. It was then agreed to swily proceed with the trial closure while invesgaons connued. Since the closure of the U-turn, there have been no crashes, including at the relevant right turn movements at the Chapel Street and Williams Street intersecons.

VicRoads and Yarra Trams have since been working together to invesgate available opons, taking into consideraon safety, tram priority and any suggesons and comments received from the community following an earlier request for feedback.

VicRoads and Yarra Trams will soon be communicang the outcomes of these invesgaons to the local community and will oﬀer opportunies to provide further feedback. The communicaon will be delivered by email and leer ‘drop' early in 2017. VicRoads has advised that it is happy to arrange a meeng should any members of the community wish to discuss the maer further in person following this communicaon.

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 16/01/2017

Question: 12164 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Carbines to ask the Minister for Education — My question is to the Minister for Education and Deputy Premier. Can the minister advise when he will be in a position to announce the next round of funding under the inclusive schools program? I just wanted to also point out that, amongst schools in my electorate, Rosanna Golf Links Primary School, which is a regional deaf facility and was visited by the Premier just last https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 11/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria week, is undergoing a more than $6 million redevelopment for the over 500 students that attend that school. We were also able to reward them for their great work in becoming a five star ResourceSmart school just last week. In particular I would also like to mention in relation to this particular funding program Ivanhoe Primary School and the work they also do - as all schools in my electorate do - around ensuring that they provide inclusive infrastructure and support programs for students in the electorate. I look forward to hearing the minister's response to that query.

Answer: I commend your strong and connued advocacy for schools in the Ivanhoe electorate.

It was my pleasure to recently announce successful applicaons to round 2 of the Inclusive Schools Fund. I am delighted to advise that Ivanhoe Primary School has been allocated $140,100 to construct a "New Outdoor Sensory Learning Space" under round two of the fund.

Thank you for raising this maer with me. I trust this informaon is of assistance.

The Hon James Merlino MP Deputy Premier Minister for Educaon Minister for Emergency Services Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 19/12/2016

Question: 12165 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Angus to ask the Minister for Education — My constituency question is for the Minister for Education. My question is: when will the government provide funding to build a staff car park at Livingstone Primary School? Livingstone Primary School in my electorate of Forest Hill is a popular, fast growing school with increasing enrolments and consequential increases in teaching and other staff. The school has no staff car park. This provides ongoing challenges for the school community, not the least of which is that the staff have to park in nearby areas away from the restricted parking zones adjacent to the school, as well as for parents dropping off and collecting children. The main entrance to the school is located opposite a local sporting area comprising a bowling club, a tennis club, a darts club and a social club. These popular and well patronised clubs also generate large amounts of vehicular traffic and consequent parking issues. The school has land available to build an on site staff car park and has had plans drawn up for this project. My school community is very keen to know what the government is going to do to rectify this situation.

Answer: The Andrews Labor Government is invesng in educaon and school infrastructure, and this has been demonstrated through an unprecedented $1.8 billion package over the past two State Budgets to build new schools, upgrade and maintain exisng schools, and buy land to meet future demand.

Labor is invesng more to build our government schools in 2 years, than the Liberals did in 4 years. This record funding boost to school infrastructure is repairing the damage done by four years of chronic under-investment where funding fell under the Baillieu/Napthine Government to a mere $200 million a year.

Staﬀ car parking is not provided as standard for Victorian government schools, although provision can be made where site condions permit (and subject to the availability of funds). The Government's priority is to provide funding for core teaching and learning spaces; however, Livingstone Primary School may use its own (or locally raised) funds to undertake a project such as a staﬀ car park. Before embarking on such a project, the school should contact the Victorian School Building Authority to ensure that all project details and cosngs accord with Department of Educaon and Training policy.

https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 12/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria The Hon James Merlino MP Deputy Premier Minister for Educaon Minister for Emergency Services Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 19/12/2016

Question: 12166 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Ms Halfpenny to ask the Minister for Health — I have a question for the Minister for Health, and I am asking for information on the future of pathology at the Northern Hospital. The pathology department was privatised some years ago and is now owned by a company called Clinical Labs, which is actually owned by a venture capital company. I have been approached by many staff members, hospital workers and union representatives who are very concerned about the conduct of this company in operating the pathology department, where it gives preference to private patients over public patients. The staff morale is very low, and the company's industrial relations practices are appalling. I believe the Northern Hospital has a great future, but there is a lot of concern around the pathology department.

Answer: Australian Clinical Laboratories is the current provider of Pathology services at the Northern Hospital. The current contract with Australian Clinical Laboratories expires in July 2017 and Northern Health has formally advised Australian Clinical Laboratories that the contract will not be renewed. Australian Clinical Laboratories staff who currently work out of the Northern Hospital have also been advised of this. Northern Health will prioritise employment opportunities for current Australian Clinical Laboratories staff where employment contracts enable this to occur.

The Executive Management of Northern Health is currently reviewing options and will conduct an Expressions of Interest process for the future provision of pathology services at the Northern Hospital.

Hon Jill Hennessy MP Minister for Health

Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 20/01/2017

Question: 12167 ADJOURNMENT MATTER — Mr Wakeling to ask the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing — My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, and the action I seek is for the minister to intervene and work with residents of the Wantirna Park Caravan Park and Knox City Council with respect to identifying future housing opportunities for those residents.

Over 120 people live at Wantirna Park Caravan Park, which is located on Mountain Highway in Wantirna and is a privately owned facility. Many of those residents are vulnerable, some are disabled and many are elderly, with the average age being 60 and the age range going up to 92. There are currently a range of housing options on the site. Some of the units that are located on the site are owned by residents. Some are known as huts, which are in effect units that are owned by the caravan park and rented out to tenants. Then there are caravans located on the site, and these caravans are either owned by the residents or owned by the park and rented out to tenants.

It is our understanding that the facility has been sold. As the result of that sale residents have been advised that in 2018 they will be required to move from the site, and it is assumed that the closure will happen in March 2018. The concern is that many of these residents are disabled or vulnerable and there are no potential housing opportunities available to these residents. Given these concerns, I implore the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing to work with Knox City Council and affected residents to identify alternative housing opportunities for these residents. This is a difficult time in their lives. Yes, there is a period of time which they have to transition, but again many of them do not have alternative housing. Given that, I call on the minister to take action and work with those residents and Knox City Council to identify future housing for those residents.

Answer: Extract from Hansard:

I thank the honourable member for Ferntree Gully for the proposition he put to us regarding the sad outcome, at this time of the year particularly but really at any time of the year, for the residents https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 13/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria of the privately owned Wantirna Park caravan park. There is in fact a standard protocol between housing and homelessness organisations and most local governments, and I am confident, given the fine reputation that the Knox City Council has, that they will be part of this. I am not 100 per cent up with that, but I am confident they will. We will make sure that through our department we work with the honourable member's local council and his community to ensure that these residents are accommodated as far as we possibly can through the process of this protocol. Obviously the more notice the better, and I note the good-faith contribution the honourable member has made. I look forward to hopefully, at this time of the year in particular, working through that protocol with the department and the council to secure the future of those tenants.

I would like to use this opportunity to inform all members that the national partnership on homelessness, which funds many of these programs, particularly in Victoria through older homelessness groups, which is a specific element of that, is on the agenda for the Council of Australian Governments meeting tomorrow. I am hopeful I can use this opportunity to call on the Prime Minister to re-fund that program, which is due to run out at the end of this financial year.

Deputy Speaker, we thank you and all of the officials of the Parliament very much. I take this opportunity to wish everyone the compliments of the season. I look forward to working with the honourable member for Ferntree Gully to address this issue.

Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 08/12/2016

Question: 12168 ADJOURNMENT MATTER — Mr Pearson to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — I direct my adjournment matter to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. As many members would know, the widening of the Tullamarine Freeway is currently occurring. Can the minister inform the house what action the government is taking to communicate the impending closure of the Tullamarine Freeway in January as part of the widening of the freeway?

Answer: Over summer, the CityLink Tulla Widening project is taking advantage of lower traﬃc volumes to carry out upgrades to the West Gate and Tullamarine Freeways.

The Montague Street inbound exit ramp will be closed from the evening of 26 December to 13 January and the Tullamarine Freeway will be fully closed in both direcons for a connuous 60 hours, from 10 pm on Thursday 5 January to 10 am on Sunday 8 January, between the Calder Freeway and M80 Ring Road.

In addion, the English Street Bridge over the Tullamarine Freeway will be closed from 3 January to 25 January and there will be nightly lane closures on the Bolte Bridge from 3 January to 13 January.

As these works coincide with a number of other projects, including West Gate Bridge maintenance and Shepherd Bridge works on Footscray Road, a network-wide communicaons campaign has been developed to ensure drivers are aware of upcoming traﬃc impacts.

This campaign includes a front-page Herald Sun feature and extensive adversing across mainstream newspapers, news websites, radio staons, social media and petrol bowsers. Detailed informaon about these closures is also available on the CityLink Tulla Widening website, the VicRoads website and the VicTraﬃc app.

A press conference was held on Monday 12 December which received coverage across all news programs and a television commercial has also been developed.

The communicaons teams have held stakeholder brieﬁngs with Melbourne Airport, individual airlines, SkyBus, the taxi industry, hotels, local businesses and councils across the state, to encourage these groups to share this informaon with their distribuon lists.

Drivers will be encouraged to plan ahead and allow for extra travel me to make it to their desnaon.

Before geng in the car, drivers can check the latest traffic advice on the VicTraffic app, follow @VicTraffic on Twier, or visit the VicRoads website.

Once on the road, drivers can listen to radio traﬃc reports and look out for on-road signage that will provide real- me travel mes and alternave routes.

VicRoads will monitor how the detour routes are performing and will priorise and adjust traffic signals where required to improve the flow of traffic and minimise congeson.

Once complete, the CityLink Tulla Widening project will add a new lane in each direcon between the city and Melbourne Airport, increasing capacity by 30 percent and reducing peak-hour trips by up to 17 minutes. Coupled with a state-of-the-art freeway management system to manage traﬃc ﬂow and incident response, Melbourne's drivers will get home to their families safer, and sooner. https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 14/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

;

Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments

Answer Published Date: 16/01/2017

Question: 12169 ADJOURNMENT MATTER — Mr O'Brien (Gippsland South) to ask the Minister for Education for the Minister for Training and Skills — My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Training and Skills, and the action I seek is for the minister to approve funding for the relocation of Federation Training's Fulham campus to the Sale CBD. This is a matter that I have been working on and fighting for basically since I was elected. Given that the minister is new in the portfolio, I am repeating the request that I made to the previous minister, although there is an update in that I understand that Federation Training does in fact have an application before the minister for about $5 million in funding because they have identified, I believe, a site within the Sale CBD to construct the new campus.

This is important for a number of reasons. The Fulham campus is outdated and outmoded and will need significant maintenance spending in the next few years if it is to be serviceable into the future. It is also not the best place for this facility; it is a 10 to 15 minute drive out of town, which is not good for young students in particular.

The transport connections are not good. I know the Wellington Shire Council and indeed the Sale business community is very keen to have the campus in the CBD to inject some life and some activity into the Sale CBD.

The coalition government provided $40 million for the merger of Federation Training in 2014. I understand about $20 million or $21 million of that remains unspent, and this funding deserves to go to Federation Training. I know there will be all sorts of arguments that it was part of the university deal that did not go ahead, but the reality is that this was allocated to Federation Training and it should be delivered to Gippsland and Federation Training. In particular the application for the funding to build a new campus in the Sale CBD should be approved, and that is the action that I seek from the minister.

Answer: I am informed as follows:

Federaon Training is undertaking a comprehensive review of training delivery in Gippsland to ensure it meets the needs of industry and the community in an area that is experiencing signiﬁcant transion.

I share your opinion about the poor condion and locaon of the Fulham campus and I have requested my Department to work closely with Federaon Training to ﬁnalise the assessment of opons for consolidang training in Sale.

Once this has been completed, consideraon of funding support required for the recommended opon will be a high priority for the Government nong we have already announced $17 million for Federaon University to construct a Hi Tech precinct at Federaon Training's Morwell campus plus $6.4 million for a new Tech School.

The allocaon of $40 million from the previous Government referred to in the adjournment was for two speciﬁc purposes.

The ﬁrst part of this funding was for the merger of Advance TAFE and GippsTAFE which resulted in staﬀ redundancies, site closures, TAFE course cuts and the consolidaon of data systems.

The allocaon of the remaining funds was earmarked for Federaon University to acquire Federaon Training's buildings and infrastructure in a merger which did not proceed. It was not an allocaon of funding for a new campus in Sale and it did not include any addional funds for training acvity in the region. The previous Government also did not spulate that the funds would be expended on training in the Gippsland region.

In fact, the merger proposed by the previous Government would have likely seen further campus closures, further TAFE job losses, more course cuts and ulmately a further reducon in educaonal opportunies for the Gippsland community under the previous Government.

The Hon Gayle Tierney MP Minister for Training and Skills https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 15/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 08/02/2017

Question: 12170 ADJOURNMENT MATTER — Ms Green to ask the Minister for Education — I rise to express my support for improving the status of agricultural and horticultural studies in Victorian secondary schools. The action I seek is that the minister outline what actions the education department is taking or can take in the future to encourage more students to participate in agricultural and horticultural studies at a senior school level. The uptake of agricultural studies in Victorian senior schools has been in decline for some years.

DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! Honourable member for Yan Yean, which minister are you directing your matter to?

The Minister for Education. Only a few hundred students are enrolled in the subject at a senior level in the Victorian certificate of education (VCE), and this is in contrast to reports earlier this year in the Weekly Times that interest in agriculture at a tertiary level is actually on the increase.

The Andrews Labor government has identified food and fibre as a priority industry sector, and there are actually a number of unfilled vacancies in this sector. It would improve students' pride in their farming families if the standardisation of agricultural studies was looked at. It is standardised down lower than any other subject at VCE level, and I think that is really unfair and undervalues agricultural studies. I urge the minister to have the department show more support for agricultural studies in Victoria.

Answer: I am informed as follows:

Students can undertake studies in agriculture and horticulture as a VCE study or as a VET program which could be part of the VCE or VCAL.

In relation to VCE Agricultural and Horticultural Studies, while there has been a decline in enrolments since the early 2000s, I am pleased to advise of a slight increase in student enrolments from 239 enrolments in 2014 to 275 in 2015. The study will undergo a review in 2017, which includes consultation with key stakeholders and analysis of data, such as enrolment numbers including by gender. ; & nbsp; In relation to VET certificates in Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, there was also an increase in the total number of enrolments, from 1,761 in 2014 to 1,915 in 2015. The 2015 figure includes a total of 1,293 students in the VCE VET Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management programs, and 414 students undertaking Certificate III in Agriculture or Horticulture as school based apprentices or trainees.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is working closely with the State Agriculture Trainers Network to ensure the most appropriate VET qualifications and units are available for delivery to students undertaking VCE or VCAL. The Network supports teachers through the provision of training opportunities and upskilling as required through the courses being delivered.

In addition to these options in senior secondary qualifications, students have the opportunity to engage with agriculture and horticulture in the F-10 Victorian Curriculum through the Food and Fibre area of study in the Design and Technologies curriculum. From 2017, students need to be provided with the opportunity to undertake this area of study and it is a mandated part of the curriculum for Levels 3-8.

I am also pleased to advise that the Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Yarra Ranges Tech Schools have identified food and fibre as one of their focus areas. These high-tech learning environments will offer innovative education programs, linked with local industry, delivering real world learning to secondary school students in these important areas of study.

Students may also choose to undertake work experience and structured workplace learning in the agriculture and horticulture industries from Year 10 onwards. The Structured Workplace Learning portal introduced in 2016 makes accessing such opportunities much easier for students.

In relation to the concerns raised regarding standardisation of agricultural studies, the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre advises that VCE studies are not standardised, but are sca led in accordance with a process which is applied to all VCE studies. It is not the performance of the students undertaking a particular study which determines how that study is scaled; rather it is their performance on all other studies they completed. For example, if students in a particular VCE study did well in all their other studies, then that particular VCE study would be scaled up. On the other hand, if students in a particular VCE study did less well in all other studies, then that particular VCE study would be scaled down.

Most importantly, the scaling of each study (including agricultural studies) is based on the performance of the actual students who take that study; it is not determined by any policy. This process is designed to https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 16/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria ensure that each study score is representative of both the relative ability of each student in that study and the relative ability of the student across different studies.

______

The Hon James Merlino MP Deputy Premier Minister for Education Minister for Emergency Services

Date:21.12.16

Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 22/12/2016

Question: 12171 ADJOURNMENT MATTER — Mr Katos to ask the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change — My adjournment matter this afternoon is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and the action that I seek is for the minister to disband the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) and hand over their functions and responsibilities to the Surf Coast Shire Council. GORCC exists entirely within the Surf Coast shire and runs along the coast from Breamlea to Lorne. It adds a completely unnecessary level of bureaucracy and red tape to decision making in the Surf Coast shire, and its decisions often lack scrutiny and are not subject to public accountability as it is an unelected body.

It is quite an absurd situation. The Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park is managed by GORCC, and then you cross the road and the Esplanade and Bell Street are Surf Coast Shire Council. Lorne is probably the most ridiculous one: we have Mountjoy Parade, where the ocean side of Mountjoy Parade is GORCC and the land side is the Surf Coast Shire Council. You have a duplication of resources and bureaucracy and red tape.

Recently some of the decisions they have been making in relation to local businesses have been appalling. Mick and Bindy Sheehan, who run Southern Exposure, which is an adventure tourism business, have spent 20 years in Torquay. I met Mick several years ago when I was doorknocking in Torquay, and he was nice enough to ask me to come in and have a coffee with him. After 20 years they have just been told by this body that they no longer have the right to run a business in Torquay, with no proper decision making process. It is very ordinary.

Recently they just simply got rid of the managers of the Anglesea caravan park, which was run by the Moore family. It had been a family run business for 20 years. They would not accept their tender, despite a very good tender and a very good track record, and GORCC wanted to take it over themselves. In Lorne we have Sam and Angelo Gazis at the Lorne Pier Seafood Restaurant at Point Grey. That Point Grey redevelopment has been a complete disgrace and has been handled very poorly by GORCC. Again, this was a family business for over 20 years, and they will not give them a lease.

This organisation has no accountability in its decision making. I have spoken to the member for Polwarth, and he certainly supports my views on this and is asking for GORCC to be gotten rid of and its responsibilities to be given back to Surf Coast shire. I have certainly spoken to a few Surf Coast councillors who are quite receptive to this, and it would be very easy for the shire to take over the functions of GORCC. Most particularly, the more hands on staff roles would be taken up by the shire. There is a massive duplication of resources, and it needs to end. I call on the minister to disband the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

Answer: The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) was created in 2004 when 5 smaller committees of management were brought together to improve the management of the coast along the Surf Coast. GORCC's boundary aligns with the Surf Coast Shire to ensure efficiencies in events planning and management, shared contracts, emergency management and commercial use of public land.

As a Committee of Management appointed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 the responsibilities of GORCC are clearly outlined. GORCC are required to account their finances to me and their annual report can be viewed on their web page.

The work that GORCC undertakes is well reported on their web page and I direct the member there for further information.

https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 17/18 4/15/2021 Parliament of Victoria

Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change

Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 03/02/2017

https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 18/18