The West Gate Tunnel is open and our No Truck Zones have been gazetted.
Our new Ambulance Station in Maidstone has officially opened! The new purpose-built 24-hour branch is home to more than 30 paramedics and features modern, safe and fit-for-purpose facilities. I joined Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas, and a few local paramedics for a tour of their new digs.
The West Gate Tunnel is opening on Sunday, and our 24/7 Truck Bans will go live. 🚫 Francis Street 🚫 Moore Street 🚫 Somerville Road 🚫 Buckley Street 🚫 Williamstown Road, a night and weekend No Truck Zone will apply. This will be transformative for our community, if you would like a 'this is a now a No Truck Zone' sign, visit my website via the 🔗 in my bio.
To the class of 2025: congratulations. Today is the start of a new chapter of your life…one of many! Today is a day to be proud of your achievements. For the @footscray_high_school students graduating class here's a photo of us all the way back in year 7!
Neighbourhood houses like @wfnhouse, @anglissnhouse, @braybrookandmaidstonenh and @yarravillecommunitycentre are free, vital resources for everyone in our community. From occasional care, language lessons, food, cooking and connection – they provide a home away from home. I was pleased to meet with volunteers and workers from our Neighbourhood Houses #KeepOurDoorsOpen campaign this week. Thanks to the wonderful staff for bringing this important issue to my office.
This morning in Parliament the Premier @jacintaallanmp said sorry. For the many wrongs of the past. For the massacres, the dispossession, the laws that enabled children to be taken from their families. For the missions, the destruction of culture. In doing so, we walk together for a brighter future. Where the truth is acknowledged and where our First Nations people have a say in the policies that impact them. It was lovely to see my friend, @mrdjames, after the apology. Many of you would have read his magnificent journalism, heard him on @3rrrfm as host of The Mission, or seen him at the West Footscray Writers Festival. He tells me his book about his relative - the magnificent William Cooper will be out next year. It begins at William Cooper’s house on Southampton Street. As a government we have finally started delivering the change - truth, justice and Treaty, that William Cooper fought so hard for.
VELO-DAY has arrived! Clear your afternoon, our new 2.5 km of dedicated cycling track from Footscray into the city is opening at midday! Named the Dixon Veloway, after the late and great Iris Dixon, who was a cycling pioneer and an Australian Cycling Hall of Fame inductee. From today we will have 2.5 km of dedicated cycling track, creating safer and quicker journeys for cyclists getting to and from the city. I’m thrilled that the students of Footscray City Primary were the first to ride it this morning alongside Cadel Evans! It’s a magnificent piece of cycling infrastructure for the inner west. Part of 14 kilometres of new paths as part of the @westgatetunnelproject.
As Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries, I’m always inspired by our creative communities. There’s no other creative state like Victoria. No other place like Melbourne, and the @ngvmelbourne. Thanks to Matt from @thefactory3013 for helping me scrub up for the NGV Gala. ❤️
For the residents of Williamstown Road: I have good news! When the West Gate Tunnel opens, there will be a truck curfew at nighttime and on weekends, enforced by national-first data cameras. If you would like one of my signs, visit my website via the link in my bio
When the Victorian Government held a Royal Commission into mental health, the report concluded that our system was overwhelmed. One of the key recommendations was the creation of mental health and wellbeing locals across the state. We now have one of these locals in the Maribyrnong local government area. It is available to adults, 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘, Just call on 03 9448 5522 to speak with the qualified staff. For more information about the service, visit the Better Health Victoria website.