Independent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has repeatedly called on the Victorian Government to allow the opposition to introduce bills, motions and other business for debate in parliament.

Speaking in parliament on several occasions since May 4, Ms Sheed has asked the Victorian Government to listen to her proposal, but she has been refused the opportunity to speak about the issue.

Ms Sheed said the opposition’s right to introduce and debate bills in Victoria’s lower house was abolished in 1999 and should now be returned.

“In every other state in Australia, the opposition is allowed to introduce bills and have them debated and voted on by parliament and it is time the Victorian Government brought back this democratic right,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed said Victoria’s Legislative Assembly was the only lower house in Australia that did not have a non-government business program, which would allow this process to happen.

“At the moment, only the Labor Government can present bills to the lower house for debate,” she said.

“It is audacious of the government to believe that there are no good ideas other than their own.

“The opportunity for non-government members of parliament to introduce bills for debate is essential for democracy.

“Every member of our parliament needs to have their voices heard because they represent every community in the state.

“The parliament should be considering ideas from both sides of the house.

“The opposition’s voices are heard loud and clear in the upper house here in Victoria, and in the lower house of every other state jurisdiction in the Commonwealth. Why should we be robbed of this opportunity in Victoria?”

ENDS

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed said the Victorian State Budget was modest this year but was pleased to see funding available for mental health in schools.

Ms Sheed said the $200 million School Mental Health Fund would help Shepparton District schools to deliver programs, staff, and other support tailored to unique needs.

“This funding could fully fund programs such as the Neighbourhood Schools Project in our region if its application is successful,” Ms Sheed said.

“We welcome the $10.7 million for GOTAFE Goulburn Murray Trades Skills Centre redevelopment, which will accommodate more apprentices and students who will go on to fill skilled roles in our district.

“Along with six other regional sites, Shepparton will receive a Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership to help the professional development of our teachers, which will lead to higher educational outcomes for the district’s students.

“By ensuring we have the best-trained teachers, we will keep our young people engaged in school and improve their learning.

“The ongoing funding to help protect the Goulburn Valley’s fresh fruit production from Queensland Fruit Fly is welcome.

“A million dollars was given for a planning of a future upgrade of Verney Road School.

“I know this school is overcrowded and a redevelopment plan is long overdue.

“I was disappointed to see the Shepparton Bypass was not included in the budget, but the business case is still resting with the Federal Government.

“We are in urgent need of $6.25 million for an Early Parenting Centre at Goulburn Valley Health to offer new parents access to paediatric and mental health support, maternal and child health nurses, early parenting practitioners, family therapists, social workers and lactation consultants.

“This service was not funded in this year’s budget but I will continue to show the Victorian Government how new parents in our region are disadvantaged compared to their metropolitan counterparts and that the service needs funding as a matter of priority.

“This Shepparton-based centre would give regional families the support they need without travelling to Melbourne for services during the most crucial years of a child’s life.

“It takes time to understand the details in the budget and the way funding reaches us through the many programs that exist.”

 

Other funding supporting Shepparton residents:

$23 million (over four years) to continue existing court programs

This funding includes support for the Shepparton Drug Treatment Court, which helps parents reduce their alcohol and drug dependency so they can attempt to regain custody of their children.

$17.8 million (over four years) to support vulnerable families in Goulburn and Brimbank-Melton
Vulnerable families in Goulburn will be part of a trial where they are supported by a team of health practitioners, and justice and human service workers. This is aimed to improve their safety, health and wellbeing.

$60.6 million (over four years) to improve bus services
In this fund there is an allocation of funding for a specialist school service in Shepparton.

 

Independent Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed is calling on the Federal Government to fund the Shepparton Bypass following the delivery of the business case to the relevant ministers last month.

Ms Sheed said the Victorian Government allocated $10.2 million in the 2017-18 budget to develop a business case and conduct preparatory works on the bypass and the Federal Government offered $208 million for the project.

“The long-awaited business case is now in the hands of the relevant Federal and State ministers and the estimated cost of the bypass is under wraps, but I believe it will cost much more than the $208 million allocated,” Ms Sheed said.

“In November 2019, Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan indicated the cost of this project would be far greater than the money the Federal Government put on the table and more federal funding would be needed.

“We are relying on the extra funding from the Federal Government and the support of the Victorian Government to deliver this essential project.

“I trust Minister Allan and the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack have taken a close look at this business case and realise that funding and supporting this project is an urgent priority.

“The Shepparton bypass is an essential safety and freight project for our region, allowing for a second river crossing of the Goulburn River north of Shepparton.

“Its implementation is critical to the freight supply chain, removing heavy traffic from the central business districts of Shepparton and Mooroopna.

“Once this project begins, it will create job opportunities for our community over the next 10 years, so its implementation will have a twofold benefit.”

 

ENDS

Media contact:   Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed welcomed the Victorian Government’s investment in a new teaching and leadership excellence academy in Shepparton.

Ms Sheed said the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership would help the professional development of teachers in the region, which would lead to higher educational outcomes for the district’s students.

Ms Sheed said the government’s investment of $148.2 million in a Melbourne site, as well as seven regional academies, would see teachers across the state access high-quality professional development.

“It’s an exciting time for education in Shepparton. Along with our new Greater Shepparton Secondary College, which will boost educational outcomes for our young people, this facility will help teachers improve their professional skills,” Ms Sheed said.

“To keep our young people engaged in school and improve their learning, we need to ensure we have the very best-trained teachers.”

“Our region needs more teachers, and this will be a great opportunity for them to develop their skills. Most professionals in our region have to travel to access their continuing professional development courses and it’s great that teachers will soon be able to access so much of their  professional development locally.”

“Once teachers go through training at this academy, they will become recognised as state-wide leaders in teaching excellence.

“Such high-quality and intensive training keeps teachers engaged in their profession and their regional location. This also helps them engage more with their peers, and form networks and friendships that will help them settle into the area and make Shepparton home.”

The academy’s one-year intensive program, its Teaching Excellence Program, will cover core curriculum areas including English, Mathematics, Science and the Arts. The academy will also host other programs to support emerging leaders and those who wish to step into principal roles.

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has raised concerns about the lack of vaccinations being administered in the region’s nursing homes.

Eight weeks into the Federal Government’s vaccination plan, most of the staff and residents at not- for- profit residential aged care facility, Shepparton Villages, are yet to be vaccinated.

“It was always intended that those in aged care together with health care workers would be the first vaccinated and I urge both the Victorian and Federal governments to ensure that all steps are taken to make this happen,” Ms Sheed said.

“I am astounded to learn that eight weeks into the Federal Government’s vaccination rollout, most of the staff and residents at our region’s residential aged care facilities are yet to receive their vaccinations.

“It’s simply inexplicable that those living in aged care haven’t been made a priority in this vaccine rollout,” Ms Sheed said.

“Our vulnerable aged care residents and staff should be vaccinated before the additional categories recently announced by the Prime Minister, including those over 50 years of age.

“Victoria was by far the worst hit state by this virus, and with more than 650 deaths in aged care. The Federal Government simply must do better.

“The virus has been here in our community, and Shepparton Villages actually had cases last year with two staff and resident infected with the virus. Our local aged care facilities have worked so hard to protect our most vulnerable every step of the way, only to be let down now by the delay in the vaccine rollout.

“We have seen that regional communities are not outside the reach of the virus after the two outbreaks we had in Shepparton last year. Going into winter, it would be devastating if we had another outbreak before this vaccine rollout is finally completed.

“To hear that some residents had to ask their family members to take them out in the community to be vaccinated at a GP clinic is quite shocking.

“Our most vulnerable citizens must be our highest priority and I have written to the Victorian Acting Premier, James Merlino urging him to put this item on the agenda at the next meeting of National Cabinet.

 

ENDS

Media contact: Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au