4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria
Question: 6962 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr O'Brien (Gippsland South) to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and I ask him to advise whether he has sought funding from the federal government for the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale, and the Black Spur highway realignment in South Gippsland. As the minister would be aware, work on the Princes Highway has been going for some time; $160 million is required for the two remaining stages of the Princes Highway duplication. The minister needs to ask the federal government for a contribution, which historically has been 80 per cent of the total price. I would assume that he has done so, but I would like him to respond as to whether he has asked the federal government for that money. Also in relation to the Black Spur realignment, which is a $51 million project, I ask whether he intends to ask the commonwealth for funding for that project as well.
Answer: The Andrews Labor Government continues to liaise with the Commonwealth Government, on opportunities for increased Federal funding for nationally significant transport projects across Victoria, including the duplication of strategic regional highways.
These discussions are ongoing.
Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety
Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 27/04/2016
Question: 6963 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Bull (Sunbury) to ask the Minister for Roads and Road Safety — My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Last week the minister announced that delays can be expected on the West Gate Freeway and the Bolte Bridge due to the major construction of an extra lane off the Bolte Bridge and along the West Gate Freeway. The minister advised that the works would help to untangle a congested piece of road that has a major impact on the performance of the M1 corridor, Melbourne's economic spine. The minister has advised that the project will create 1400 jobs, improve travel times and reduce accidents by 20 per cent. Nearly three-quarters of residents in my electorate travel in their cars to and from work each day, and these works will have a significant impact on their daily commute. Can the minister provide information on these expected delays and ways in which VicRoads is working to minimise these?
Answer: Drivers who use the West Gate Bridge and the Lorimer Street off-ramp are affected by the construc on of an extra lane off the Bolte Bridge and along the West Gate Freeway. Traffic travelling down the Lorimer Street ramp no longer has a dedicated lane and needs to merge with the West Gate Freeway traffic travelling from the West Gate Bridge to the Burnley Tunnel.
VicRoads encourages drivers to plan their journey, allow extra travel me and consider other modes of transport or alterna ve routes.
Once traffic begins to se le into new pa erns, drivers travelling into the city in the morning peak should expect their trip to take up to 15 minutes longer. The evening peak period will not be affected by the construc on.
Several alterna ve routes are available to drivers heading inbound on the West Gate Bridge or the CityLink Tullamarine Freeway. From the West Gate Bridge, drivers can take the Geelong Road exit to Footscray Road, the Williamstown Road exit to Footscray Road or the Todd Road exit to Lorimer Street. From CityLink, drivers can take the Footscray Road exit to Wurundjeri Way or the Dynon Road exit to Kings Street. https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 1/6 4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria For drivers who cannot take an alterna ve route, a temporary ramp signal system will be used to regulate the volume of traffic merging from the Lorimer Street exit to the West Gate Freeway. This will assist in controlling the flow of traffic onto the West Gate Freeway and help drivers merge more easily.
New linemarkings on the freeway, concrete barriers and reduced speed limits will also be in place to keep drivers and work crews safe during construc on.
VicRoads recommends that drivers move into their preferred lane early and avoid changing lanes where possible.
The latest Bluetooth technology will provide up-to-the-minute informa on about delays and alterna ve routes, so drivers are also asked to switch on their Bluetooth before heading out.
The informa on from the Bluetooth network will help drivers stay up-to-date and plan their journey through the VicTraffic app or via citylinktullawidening.vic.gov.au. On Twi er, drivers can follow @VicRoads or @CityLinkMelb or search for #CTWidening.
VicRoads and Transurban will con nue to assess condi ons to ensure that the impacts of the works can be mi gated as much as possible.
Hon Luke Donnellan MP Minister for Roads and Road Safety Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 27/04/2016
Question: 6964 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Thompson (Sandringham) to ask the Minister for Public Transport — I refer the Minister for Public Transport to government plans for sky rail along the Frankston line, and I ask on behalf of my constituents and constituents in adjoining electorates: why were the sky rail plans not announced before the election?
Answer: The Andrews Government is removing 11 level crossings on the Frankston line. The former Liberal Government did not remove any crossings on the Frankston line.
When the Government committed to removing the level crossings before the election there were no solutions determined for any sites. The Government has established the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) to undertake the necessary investigations, engineering, design and consultation to determine the best solution for each site.
The Authority is consulting with local residents, traders and special interest groups along the Frankston line throughout this year.
The first round of community consultation is underway. Nine community drop- in sessions have been held, there have been 10 pop-ups at stations and shopping centres, traders in each area have been spoken with individually, as have special interest groups.
https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 2/6 4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria
Hon Jacinta Allan MP Member for Bendigo East Minister fort Public Transport
Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 09/05/2016
Question: 6965 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Ms Couzens to ask the Minister for Health — My constituency question is for the Minister for Health, and my question is: what is the latest information the minister can provide on the impact of the Turnbull federal government's health funding clawback as it relates to Barwon Health? I ask the minister this because there is news that Barwon Health is facing a $3.47 million cut to its bottom-line budget as a result of the latest round of savage health funding cuts from the federal Liberal government. The cut is set to hit University Hospital Geelong in March, creating a funding black hole nine months into its annual budget. Barwon Health has been hit hard by the federal Liberal government's $73 million in cuts — a direct attack on Victorian patients and their families. It is just not good enough, and the people of my electorate deserve better than this.
Answer: The 2014-15 Commonwealth Budget announced significant changes to public hospital funding arrangements under the National Health Reform Agreement, including cessation of funding guarantees, and revising indexation arrangements from 1 July 2017 (achieving savings to the Commonwealth of $1.8 billion nationally over four years from 2014-15).
On 1 April 2016, the Council of Australian Governments signed a Heads of Agreement which substantially rolls over existing National Health Reform Agreement arrangements from 2017-18 to 2019-20, and commits to deliver reforms designed to improve health outcomes for patients and decrease avoidable demand for public hospital services.
The Agreement struck was that from 2017-18 to 2019-20, Commonwealth funding growth for public hospitals is to be capped at 6.5 per cent annually and the Commonwealth contribution to efficient growth funding will remain at 45 per cent.
Modelling suggests the new agreement will provide substantially more funding for Victorian public hospital services over the life of the agreement (2017-18 to 2019-20) compared to what would have been received as a result of the 2014-15 Budget cuts.
However, the new deal does not completely reverse the 2014-15 cuts as the maximum funding Victoria could receive from the Commonwealth is still significantly less than what Victoria could have received under the original Health Reform Agreement, for the same period.
Further to these cuts, the acting Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool has advised the Commonwealth Treasurer to reduce Commonwealth funding for public hospitals in Victoria by an additional $73.2 million in 2015-16 and $36.6 million ongoing from 2016-17. This is due to the Administrator overturning a previous decision to exclude activity funded under the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services in growth calculations for Victoria. The proposed reduction will impact all Metro and Rural Health Services but not Small Rural Hospitals.
The Department of Health and Human Services is still currently working with the Commonwealth Health Department, Treasurer and the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool to resolve this issue.
Recent modelling undertaken by the Department shows that following all of the funding decisions made by the Commonwealth Liberal Government since its election in 2013, Victorian hospitals will be $15.4 billion worse off over the next 10 years. These cuts are severe and will have a huge impact on the capacity of hospitals to meet the pressing health care needs of their communities.
https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 3/6 4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria In contrast to the Liberal's cuts, the Andrews Labor Government have invested a further $1.3 billion as part of the 2016-17 Victorian budget for acute health services over the next 4 years. This funding will be distributed to health services across Victoria, including Barwon Health, to ensure service levels are maintained and improved.
Hon Jill Hennessy MP Minister for Health Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 17/05/2016
Question: 6966 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Watt to ask the Minister for Police — My question is to the Acting Minister for Police. I refer to the chief of staff of the police minister previously stating that the Ashburton area has an 80 per cent higher crime rate than the rest of Boroondara and a 26 per cent higher crime rate than the state average. The protective services officer (PSO) rollout was scheduled to be completed in 2015, and the Ashburton police station has been cut from seven days a week down to two day shifts a week. Additionally there are a number of train stations along the Alamein line that are currently without PSOs, including Alamein station, which has been boarded up. I went down there recently, and it has been boarded up. The question I ask is: when will the Alamein station get PSOs?
Answer: I refer to the matter you raised in the Legislative Assembly on 9 March 2016 regarding Protective Services Officers (PSOs). I also note that I have already responded to a similar question from you in an Adjournment Debate on 8 March 2016.
Victoria Police is continuing to recruit, train and deploy 1,036 Protective Services Officers (PSOs) to 216 rail stations across the rail network. I am advised that PSOs are currently deployed to 177 rail stations, with Victoria Police committed to deploying PSOs to the remaining stations, including Auburn, Willison, Hartwell and Alamein by June 2016.
Robin Scott MP Acting Minister for Police Attachments: Adjournment response Police Burwood 8 March.pdf Answer Published Date: 05/04/2016
Question: 6967 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Pearson to ask the Minister for Public Transport for the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade — My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade. I have a large Horn of Africa community in my electorate, many members of which are interested in starting their own small businesses, which is something to be applauded and encouraged. I think if we can get the first generation to start their own businesses and have equity in their own businesses to create real wealth, then we maximise the chances of members of the second generation getting a decent-quality education and developing their own wealth and prosperity. My question is: what is the latest information on how Small Business Victoria can help members of the Horn of Africa community start small businesses?
Answer: Small Business Victoria (SBV) delivers a range of programs and services that assist all Victorians wishing to start a business. SBV would be delighted to work with the City of Moonee Valley to arrange tailored Starting Your Business Workshops for your constituents from the Horn of Africa interested in starting a business.
Each year the Small Business Victoria Workshops program delivers more than 350 low-cost, practical workshops covering 22 topics. They are delivered in partnership with local councils.
https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 4/6 4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria The program is flexible and is often tailored to suit a variety of different cohorts, including Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Over the past year Small Business Victoria delivered 15 workshops for CALD communities, including workshops for aspiring women business owners. Over 260 people attended these workshops.
These tailored workshops have been on topics such as Starting Your Business, Business Planning Essentials, Understanding Marketing, Your Business in a Digital World, Develop Your Online Strategy, Effective Networking and Pricing for Maximum Profit.
The Starting Your Business workshop is also offered with a free individual mentoring session with an experienced business mentor provided through the Small Business Mentoring Service.
The Small Business Mentors have experience mentoring business aspirants from African communities. Workshop participants who require an interpreter can also request this service when registering for their free mentoring session.
Hon Philip Dalidakis MP Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade
Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 08/04/2016
Question: 6968 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Paynter to ask the Minister for Public Transport — My question is for the Minister for Public Transport. I am getting repeated requests from the residents of Pakenham to widen the McGregor Road railway crossing from two lanes to four lanes. This request is supported by the Cardinia Shire Council, which has identified the crossing as the biggest bottleneck for traffic in the entire shire. Will the minister look into this matter for the constituents residing in Pakenham, but also for the many users of the road from outside of town, as it provides a major thoroughfare onto the Pakenham bypass?
Answer: This question should be redirected to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Hon Luke Donnellan MP, as this matter falls within his portfolio.
Hon Jacinta Allan MP Member for Bendigo East Minister for Public Transport
Attachments: No Attachments
Answer Published Date: 08/04/2016
Question: 6969 CONSTITUENCY QUESTION — Mr Edbrooke to ask the Minister for Energy and Resources — My constituency question is to the Minister for Energy and Resources. Can the minister advise what the government is doing through the Community Renewables Solar Grants Initiative to support lifesaving clubs and help them to allocate more of their funds to day-to-day operations? Because these clubs are volunteer-based services, we need to do everything we can to lighten their load so they can concentrate on training volunteers and saving lives. Lifesaving clubs provide a critical service to Victorians, but energy costs can be significant for them. This includes the Frankston Life Saving Club, which is such an important part of my community.
Answer: https://qon.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/QoN/PROD/qonarchive.nsf/printAllQuestions.xsp 5/6 4/13/2021 Parliament of Victoria The Community Renewables Solar Grants Initiative was launched on 30 January 2016 to help Victorian lifesaving clubs save money on their electricity bills and facilitate the uptake of renewable energy by Victorian communities. Under the initiative, Victorian lifesaving clubs can apply for grants to install solar panel systems of up to 5kW, allowing clubs to reduce their energy costs and allocate more of their funds toward the critical aspects of their role, such as training and patrolling our beaches.
The Frankston Life Saving Club is the first club to receive grant funding. I visited the club in April 2016 to witness the installation of the first solar panel system under this initiative.
This is the first Life Saving Victoria club to receive grant funding. I look forward to making further announcements as solar panel systems are progressively installed at Life Saving Victoria Clubs across Victoria.
Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy and Resources
Attachments: No Attachments Answer Published Date: 13/04/2016
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