This morning I attended the Regional Development Network Plan stakeholder meeting in Shepparton.
The Minister for Public Transport was present and outlined the fact that although metropolitan areas have had network plans developed for them regional Victoria has not.
She sees this as an important step in determining the future public transport needs of regional Victoria.
Ms Allan welcomed everyone to the session which was then facilitated by a professional facilitator and PTV.
The model of the facilitation was stakeholders at round tables first of all identifying the principal issues and later developing ideas of how those issues could be addressed.

The main issues emerging from my point of view were:

• the need for faster, more frequent rail services with better timetabling between Shepparton and Melbourne
• much better connectivity between all other towns in the region to the rail hubs in particular Shepparton
• the need to address the importance of east-west connectivity particularly between Shepparton and Bendigo as there are strong connections particularly for education and health reasons between the two towns

In looking at possible solutions there was emphasis on the government being able to address on a short term basis:

• increased timetabling
• infrastructure spend into the rail link between Shepparton and Seymour including a passing track and upgrades particularly at Shepparton station to enable an additional train to be stabled overnight in Shepparton

In terms of connectivity in the region there are many bus services that are underutilised and could provide more services.  There was discussion about the use of school buses which are so often left empty all day and the fact that for instance a school bus cannot pick up a young apprentice who might need to go into town for work even though he might have been a student on the bus the year before.

I was pleased with the attendance of the broad range of stakeholders at the meeting and the outcomes.  While the points raised were generally predicable it was informative to hear the strong emphasis on the connectivity within the region that was raised by stakeholders in addition to the need for better train services between Shepparton and Melbourne.

Your chance to contribute comes tonight, with an open community consultation session from 6pm at the Shepparton RSL.

Last week was a very interesting one!
I had the opportunity to catch up with Russell Savage, the independent member for Mildura in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for three terms.
It was interesting to hear of his experiences and get some advice.
In Brisbane I met with the chief executive of the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association, who arranged tours for me of the Brisbane Markets and the Port of Brisbane.
I found the information gathered all very useful given the proposed privatisation of the Port of Melbourne and the imminent relocation of the Footscray Market to its new location.
The drive home from Brisbane along the Newell Highway was magnificent and those Jerilderie plains were looking good with dark clouds hovering and some decent rainfall.

I have a big week coming up with our rail consultation sessions and visits from state government ministers.
I hope to see as many of you that can possibly make it to the Public Transport Victoria consultation on Thursday.
This is our chance to really have our say and put the case for better train services.
One of the jobs of a parliamentarian is to join a committee and where appropriate engage in parliamentary inquiries.
I am a member of the Family and Community Development Committee which is currently looking into how Victoria will deal with issues of abuse in disability services when the NDIS comes into operation.
The committee will be making recommendations soon.
You can find out more about the committee and this inquiry on the Parliament of Victoria website.
In other news I was disappointed with the food labelling proposals from the Federal Government, released last week.
As someone who goes to the supermarket about three times a week and regularly looks at food labels I do not think that the government’s response addresses the needs of the consumers.
I would be happy to hear the views of those of you who take an interest in this issue.

I was so pleased to spend time in several communities on ANZAC Day.

Barmah’s service was a particular highlight.

I also attended the very moving dawn service at Shepparton, dropped into the Picola Pub and attended the Nathalia service.

Thank you to everyone behind the scenes of these ANZAC Day services, you make them the great successes they are.

While in Barmah we also attended the Barmah Muster and the ANZAC ceremony at the Barmah Muster yards.

On Monday I was in Melbourne to meet with Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Creative Industries to discuss the investment in a new SAM and funding arrangements with Regional Development Victoria.

It was then onto the Minister for Roads and Transport to lobby for investment in the Shepparton Bypass.

We need $20 million for the first stage and I am confident Minister Donnellan sees the merit in the project.

I was back in the electorate on Tuesday for a visit to the GrainCorp Oilseeds plant at Numurkah, followed by a visit to Pactum Dairy on Wednesday.

It was great to see some of you at the All Aboard Shepparton launch yesterday.

It’s so important to me that we tell the Minister for Public Transport why we need an improved rail service.

You can do that by sharing your story on the All Aboard Shepparton Facebook page and on Twitter.

And of course please join us on the 6.31am service to Melbourne on May 28, it’s so important we get a big group to show just how passionate we are about improving the rail service.

We’ll gather on the steps of parliament house before a group of representatives meet with the Minister for Public Transport.

Today I’ve been in Mansfield visiting the Mansfield Campus School run by Mansfield Autism Statewide Services.

It was wonderful to meet Dr Joan Curtis, the founder of this service.

It was of particular interest to me as there is also a campus of the school located at Dookie, currently servicing approximately 14 adolescents from my electorate.

There is a critical shortage of services for children and adults with autism in regional Victoria.

 And we ended the day with a visit to the Snobs Creek hatchery to view their operation.

Fisheries Victoria uses stock from this hatchery to re-stock our waterways.

I’m back in parliament next week, you can follow me on Twitter for rolling updates on what I’m up to there.

Suzanna.

It was great to welcome the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, to the district on Friday.

During his first visit to the Shepparton District since his election Premier Andrews officially opened the high speed snack line at SPC.

The Victorian Government contributed $22 million to the modernisation and renewal project, which was a co-investment with SPC’s parent company, Coca-Cola Amatil.

The project safeguards jobs at SPC and enables SPC to increase its range of consumer-ready products.

Increased demand for SPC products across the globe is good news for everyone in this region, including the Goulburn Valley producers who supply them.
We then met with Greater Shepparton City Council before a quick lunch at Teller with community stakeholders.

Earlier in the week I attended a briefing on the budget and new legislation to be brought before parliament this week.
I also attended my first meeting as a member of the Family and Community Development Committee.

On Wednesday I was pleased to open the Water Technology Cluster Irrigation and Energy Expo, a fantastic event showcasing new innovations to improve water efficiency.

And during the past few days I’ve also met with the Committee for Greater Shepparton, GV Health to work on their redevelopment master plan and the Clontarf Foundation.

My office heard from constituents on issues including banning smoking at bus stops, Lyme Disease, Greyhound racing, bus route access for the elderly, chemical drift from agriculture spraying and mental illness.

On Thursday the All Aboard Shepparton campaign will take its demands to Spring Street, I hope to see lots of you on board the 6.30am train to Melbourne!

Suzanna.

This week was the final sitting week in parliament before winter break; it’s been a huge learning curve but a very interesting journey so far.
I was pleased to get the opportunity to speak on the Victorian 2015-16 budget.
I highlighted the great inequity in spending on health, education, roads and training in the Shepparton electorate when compared to other marginal seats.
You can read my full speech at http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/isysquery/23b5068c-3c1c-40c6-85e8-1cf9d73edd53/1/doc/
Earlier in the week I attended the Family and Community Development committee public hearings and the State Parliament Ramadan Iftar Dinner.
The annual dinner, co-hosted by the major parties and the Australian Intercultural Society, aims to enhance the relationships between Australian Muslims and members of the wider community.
It was great to see Imran Syed from the Sadaat Foundation and Goulburn Valley Police Region Superintendent Mick Sayer there.

On Wednesday I used my Members Statement to highlight the Numurkah community’s great work following the opening of their new hospital. You can read the full statement at http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/isysquery/899c6832-2dd3-4002-bb31-ef2e9bd9e870/1/doc/ Thursday morning got off to a great start with the Puppies and Pancakes event, hosted by Guide Dogs Victoria. These cute puppies, like 10-week-old Aysha, will grow up to be the eyes for vision impaired people throughout the state. The demand for services is constantly rising. In the last two years Guide Dogs Victoria has had to increase programs by 60 per cent to meet demand. Their Kew campus also needs modernisation and as a non-profit organisation they need help from the government and the community. For more information or to donate visit www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au On Thursday afternoon I met with Odyssey House to talk about their alcohol and drug support services, the impact of ice and the services they provide across the state. Throughout the sitting week I also met with crossbenchers, had procedural briefings and briefings on upcoming legislation. My office also heard from constituents regarding the sale of exotic birds, alternative heating during power outages, the shortage of mental health resources in Shepparton and grants for local sporting clubs. Last night I was pleased to attend the Rotary Club of Shepparton changeover dinner, congratulations to all new and retiring members.

Suzanna.