I consider it an honour to contribute to the debate on this significant bill, a bill which represents real transformational change in its own right but also represents a process of truth, investment and reform which will improve the lives of countless Victorians.

Recently I was immensely proud to welcome the Premier to the electorate of Northcote, where we announced a once-in-a-generation reform to Victoria’s kinder and childcare system.

I know that as I rise today to speak in support of the Victorian Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022 my wonderful, diverse community stand with me.

My question is to the Minister for Local Government. What is the latest information on the work of the local government culture project?

The boom gates at Bell Street are gone, along with three more at Cramer Street, Murray Road and Oakover Road.

My adjournment is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. The action I seek is a review of the Victorian energy upgrades (VEU) program to better incentivise an uptake of electric systems and new technologies to support more Victorians to make the choice to reduce their gas usage.

I would like to begin my contribution today with a story. It is a true story, a story about my father-in-law. His name was Joel Margolis, and he was born in 1920 in Białystok, Poland. Joel was 19 years old when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. He was living in Warsaw with his mother, Anja, father, Myrim, and younger brother, George.

We are truly living in the Education State, and my electorate of Northcote is at the very centre of it. Across our suburbs we have now secured over $80 million for upgrades and improvements at every single local school.

My question is to the Minister for Women, and I ask: what does the 2022 state Labor budget deliver for the women of Northcote?

Here in Victoria we have a different approach. Labor is working to give our young people opportunity, stability, equality and hope. With huge reforms in youth mental health, more social and affordable housing, better protections for renters and real action on climate change, we are changing the future for our young Victorians.

Victoria is a powerhouse when it comes to agriculture, and we continue to punch well about our weight. Despite our small size, Victoria is the nation’s largest agriculture exporter, accounting for a massive 27 per cent of national food and fibre exports.

My adjournment is to the Minister for Education, and it concerns Westgarth Primary School in my electorate of Northcote. The action I seek is that the minister support the school’s submission for the upcoming state budget, seeking funding for much-needed capital works at Westgarth Primary.

My community needs more mental health services, and ever since I was elected in 2018 it is something I have been raising consistently in Parliament and in government and with our departments.

Northcote is a cultural and creative hub. As we look to ways to stimulate our economy in some of our hardest-hit precincts, I am looking forward to hearing more about how we can make the most of our strengths in the inner north.

Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy. Every life lost leaves behind a family, children, parents, partners and workmates whose lives will forever be impacted by grief.

I am delighted to join the debate in support of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Fines Reform and Other Matters) Bill 2022, which will continue our efforts to make Victoria’s infringement system fairer, more efficient and more transparent.

This is a very significant inquiry. Over several months our committee have examined the adequacy of commonwealth support for Victoria, specifically the commonwealth government’s distribution of GST revenue in Victoria. What we found was shocking.

The inner north is filled with talented, hardworking and inspiring women. A few weeks back I had the chance to honour them at an International Women’s Day morning tea.

There are currently two Homes Victoria projects underway in my electorate of Northcote, delivering more and improved social housing in Northcote and Preston. I ask: what are the next steps that my community can expect in the delivery of these two critical projects?

I ask the minister to join me in Northcote to meet some of our casual and contract workers to talk about our new sick pay guarantee.