It was an eventful week that included constituent meetings, discussions with organisations and events:

• attended the Character Parade at Sirius College for Book  Week- great costumes.
• Spoke to teachers at St. Mel’s on “The Challenge to Lead” followed by good discussion.
• attended a fundraiser for GV Health sponsored by Nixon & Maude.   Jo and Alex showed off their spring/summer range with all proceeds donated directly to the hospital.   Many local businesses donated equipment, food and products to this event.  It is so wonderful to see the community and local businesses get together to fundraise for the hospital.

• I met with reps of the Fairley Leadership program to discuss ideas around the leadership needs of the region.       If you are interested in applying for the Fairley Leadership program, applications are open and can be found here: http://www.fairleyleadership.com.au/
• Had a tour of The Bridge facility.  The day started with morning tea that included a round table discussion with the staff and then ended with a visit to the pregnant/parent program.  To find out more about The Bridge and their programs, you can visit their website here:  http://www.thebridge.org.au/ or call 5831 2390.
• I attended the Shepparton Festival’s Winter Event and AGM at the GV Hotel.   We were given a sneak preview of the events planned for the 20^th Shepparton Festival in 2016. 
• On Friday, I attended “Shaping the future of the Loddon Mallee Region for the 21^st Century- Prosperity Conference” hosted by the Murray River Group of Councils of which Moira Shire Council is a member.   Parts of Moira are in my electorate and I felt it was important that I attend the conference.
• Attended the Winter Festival in the mall on Saturday and a presentation of the GV Concert Orchestra’s Chamber Series on Sunday. 
• Throughout the week I met with constituents as well as with Goulburn Murray Water, Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner Management Board, Kaiela Institute, AFL Goulburn Murray, Shepparton Junior Soccer Association, Tatura Fire Brigade, Researchers from LaTrobe University and the Committee for Greater Shepparton.
• Also busy reviewing the Report from Commission for Children and Young People being an inquiry into the adequacy of the provision of residential care services to Victorian children and young people who have been subject to sexual abuse or sexual exploitation whilst residing in residential care.
• Some of the significant issues arising this week were water trading, Numurkah Flood Study, presumptive legislation for firefighters and future business investments and opportunities to create employment in the region.

  I hope you all have a great week! It’s back to Parliament for me this week.  

Suzanna.

It was another busy week in parliament.
Members statement’s give me an opportunity to highlight the fantastic events, organisations and individuals of the Shepparton District.
This week I paid tribute to the people behind the Unity Cup at Rumbalara.
You can read my full speech here http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/isysquery/67c329a1-1f07-45f5-9655-4ea180a3244e/5/doc/
I also told MPs about my recent visit to Horses for Hope and thanked Kildonan Uniting Care for their innovative work with troubles horses and people.

On Monday I attended the Family and Community Development Committee meeting.
We delivered our interim report on the inquiry into abuse in disability services last week, and I had the opportunity to speak about it in parliament on Wednesday.
The report recommends that Victoria advise the Disability Reform Council of eight recommendations based on the work undertaken by the committee in stage 1 of its inquiry.
Two recommendations I highlighted were:
• Victoria recommends that a single, independent oversight body with powers and responsibility for handling complaints and managing and investigating reportable serious incidents, as well as oversight of restricted practices and other regulatory matters, be established.
• A national quality assurance agency with responsibility for screening and clearance checks, administering a working with vulnerable persons check, provider registration and individual registration of disability workers be created.
You can read my full speech here http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/isysquery/67c329a1-1f07-45f5-9655-4ea180a3244e/2/doc/
During the week I met with Police Association secretary Ron Iddles and Deputy Sec Bruce McKenzie to hear about issues in the police force and particularly in our region.
I also met with crossbenchers, ministerial and departmental staff for briefings on infrastructure and water. My office heard from constituents on a wide range of issues including respite services, problems with The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target rebates, concerns around unpaved roads in Bearii, travel industry deregulation in Victoria and poor facilities on V/Line services.
We’re following up these problems, and if you want us to help you with any state government responsibilities please get in touch.
I hope you enjoyed your weekend, it was glorious to see the sun again!
Suzanna.

After a bumper week in parliament it was fantastic to get out in the electorate and attend the Unity Cup at Rumbalara on Saturday.
The Unity Cup aims to promote social inclusion and celebrates women’s role in creating strong communities.
This was a wonderful event with the Governor, aboriginal elders and many women walking across the oval with the men forming a guard of honour.
In parliament I had the opportunity to raise several matters of concern for Goulburn Valley residents.
I used my question without notice to ask the Minister for Water to protect northern Victorian irrigators from untargeted water buybacks by the federal government.
Our region has sacrificed over one third of its water from productive use because of the Basin Plan, with further uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth’s commitment to providing an additional 450 GL of water for the
environment.

This could further reduce irrigation deliveries in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District by, in the order of, 200 GL.
This would be a major blow for the regions jobs and productivity.
I’ve asked the state government to commission an independent study into the socio-economic impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan to date.
I also raised an issue that’s close to my heart, the lack of autism services in our region.
I am told that many children in our region are not receiving enough specialised care whilst at school, resulting in them missing out or falling behind.
I have asked the Minister to investigate what is being done to address this dearth in services.
The Road Safety Amendment Bill 2015 was introduced this week.
I spoke in support of the bill, which will allow Victoria Police to require a blood test from a driver or other person in charge of a motor vehicle where the vehicle is involved in a fatality or serious injury collision, to enable that blood test to be analysed for the presence of drugs.
You can read my speech here http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/isysquery/2eda220f-ccfb-4183-ab8e-180e9ce9f1d4/1/doc/
During the sitting week I also caught up with crossbenchers, had briefings on parliamentary procedures and upcoming bills.
This week I will be out and about in the electorate, please come and say hi if we cross paths.
Suzanna.