I am pleased to rise to make a contribution to the second-reading debate on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Matters) Bill 2012. We have heard some outstanding contributions today on this bill from both sides of the house. There has been an..

I am pleased to rise to make a contribution on the Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. It is clear that there is an enormous amount of passion in the house this evening as this important piece of legislation is being debated. There is..

I rise to thank members of the Brunswick community who attended the community safety forum at the Brunswick town hall on Monday, 19 November, hosted by me and the federal member for Wills, Kelvin Thomson. A minute’s silence was observed at the commencement of the..

 It gives me pleasure to rise to make a contribution on the Police Regulation Amendment Bill 2012. As we have heard from previous speakers in this house, this is an important bill. The work our police members do day in and day out is extraordinary…

I rise to make a contribution regarding the government’s interim response to the Law Reform Committee’s report on access by donor-conceived people to information about donors. As the house is aware, the committee undertook a comprehensive process and produced a comprehensive report with unanimous and..

It gives me enormous pleasure to rise and make my contribution to the Justice Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2012, a bill which, as the house has heard, makes minor amendments to five acts, which I will touch on shortly. Given that the focus of much..

I rise to congratulate our local police and community on making the Brunswick police open day held on Sunday, 21 October, such a success. Between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. at Clifton Park in Victoria Street, Brunswick, the community was able to..

I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Community Services. The action I seek is that she consider favourably a request for additional funding from Berry Street to provide respite foster care for vulnerable children in north-western Melbourne. This week..

It was a pleasure this week to accompany two of my constituents who are over 100 years old to the centenarians afternoon tea held by the government in Queen’s Hall. Thelma Barnes, who is 101 and was born on 23 June 1911, and Charles Ormsby..

It is with great sadness that I rise to take part in this debate. Today I grieve for Jill Meagher. On behalf of the Brunswick community, I extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to her husband, family and friends. I also acknowledge the extraordinary outpouring..

 It gives me great pleasure to rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2012. As can be seen from the provisions of this bill and the important manner in which they will continue to protect..

I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Community Services, and the action I seek is that she ensure that Mr Alexander Curotte, a resident of a community residential unit (CRU) in Bundoora who is currently hospitalised as a result..

On Sunday I participated in a community barbecue and rally protesting against the planned cruel axing of the Hope Street bus service. This service has been in existence for decades and is a vital lifeline for the many elderly residents who live in the area,..

 It is with pleasure that I rise to speak on the Civil Procedure Amendment Bill 2012. As has been made clear by the opposition, Labor will be opposing this bill. We will be opposing it on the very strong grounds that the provisions in this..

The following morning I was delighted to be principal for a day at Brunswick North Primary School. I spent a terrific day with the many vibrant and talented students and staff at this thriving local school, whose numbers have grown rapidly in recent years, reflecting..

Last week was an inspirational one spent visiting some of the fine schools in my electorate of Brunswick. On Tuesday evening I was pleased to be on the judging panel of the inaugural public speaking competition at Brunswick Secondary College, the aptly named Chatterbox event…

 I am pleased to rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Residential Tenancies and Other Consumer Acts Amendment Bill 2012. I am honoured to do so on behalf of the people of Brunswick. As we know, this bill has arisen out of..

I note the words of this matter of public importance (MPI): That this house strongly supports an industrial relations system operating in Victoria which provides opportunities for jobs and investment for Victorians, improves productivity and is governed by respect for the rule of law. It..