Friday, 28 August 2026

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (15:59): A number of members have raised a number of matters. Before I turn to those, two matters were raised for my attention. Firstly, Ms Ermacora raised a matter in relation to toy libraries, and she asked how many families access toy libraries and about the benefit of toy libraries. I would refer Ms Ermacora to my ministers statement from earlier today, which was an update from the house on the latest round of $360,000 for toy libraries across Victoria, including supporting 46 toy libraries with up to $10,000 to buy new toys and attract new members, as well as setting up two new toy libraries. I would say that toy libraries across the state benefit more than 56,000 people, as measured, although I am sure indirectly it is many, many more. That is about 16,000 families. In particular, in relation to the district that Ms Ermacora represents, I know that – again, I referred to the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative in the house earlier today – there is a new toy library being set up in her district. Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative will set up a new toy library. Additionally, Mpower, Surf Coast Toy Library, Platypus Toy Library, Grovedale Toy Library, Geelong West Toy Library and Ocean Grove Toy Library are all existing services that will receive $6000 each. I thank Ms Ermacora for her interest and her support for her local organisations and the broader work of toy libraries across the state.

Ms Gray-Barberio also raised a matter for me. I would note that, while I am here to answer her question, Ms Gray-Barberio did not stay to hear the answer. I can advise that the Victorian government tabled its response to the Yoorrook for Justice report on 3 April 2024, that work is progressing against recommendations 11 and 12 and that Djirra are, importantly, a part of the working group working with the department in relation to those recommendations and ensuring that work continues in relation to the issues that Ms Gray-Barberio seemed to be raising; although she is not here to hear the response.

Mr Luu raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services. Mr Berger raised a matter for the Minister for Veterans. Mr McGowan raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services. Ms Purcell raised a matter for the Minister for Environment. Ms Terpstra raised a matter for the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts and Minister for Homelessness. Ms Lovell also raised a matter for the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts and Minister for Homelessness; although I note that she said that she advocated in February 2023 to Minister Wynne. Minister Wynne retired from the ministry in 2022, so I was a bit perplexed by that, but I will pass her advocacy on this occasion onwards. Mr Ettershank raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Mr Welch raised a matter for the Attorney-General. Mr Davis raised a matter for the Premier. Mr Mulholland raised a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Ms Crozier raised a matter for the Minister for Health. I will refer them accordingly.

House adjourned 4:03 pm.