Train station tour confirms election promises broken
Greens MP for the Western Suburbs Colleen Hartland completed her Western Suburbs train station blitz this morning at Ascot Vale train station with Denis Napthine (cardboard cut-out) under her arm.
"People have enjoyed seeing the cut out of Denis because they figure it's going to be the only time they will see him using public transport" said Colleen Hartland.
"The bad news is that in concluding this tour I can confirm that both Coalition election promises to ‘fix public transport’ and ‘not neglect the West’ have been abandoned."
'Journey to Recognition' comes to Footscray
It’s time to Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s Constitution.
On the 15th anniversary of Sorry Day, Recognise will launch an epic relay across the country. Inspired by Michael Long’s ‘The Long Walk’, the “Journey to Recognition” will be partnering with the Long Walk Foundation.
The "Journey to Recognition" will be meeting communities and gathering support across our country to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution. AFL legend Michael Long will take the first steps of the Journey, leading Australians onto the road to recognition.
When: 1:30pm for 2pm arrival, Sunday 26th May.
Where: Nicholson Street Mall, Northern end near Barkly Street, Footscray
Who: 'Journey to Recognition' walkers, former Senator Aden Ridgeway, Gathering Place CEO Colleen Marion, and Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
Government drags their feet on new ambulance station at Wallan
Colleen Hartland questions the Minister in parliament
My question today is for the Minister for Health. In June 2010 the Liberal-Nationals coalition announced that if elected, it would build a 24-hour ambulance station at Wallan, in north-east Victoria, and that it would be operational by the end of the first term of government. It is 18 months out from this deadline, and I do not believe the government has selected a site for the new station, and there appears to be no funding for it in the recently announced budget.
There are currently 10 Ambulance Victoria staff that service the Wallan community who are forced to operate out of a cramped temporary facility located at Kilmore ambulance station, which is some 12 minutes drive away from the Wallan. My question for the minister is: when does he expect the site to be purchased, building to commence and the new station to be operational?
Animal Studies - another victum of TAFE cuts in the West
Colleen Hartland - Speech in Parlaiment
My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Higher Education and Skills, the Honourable Peter Hall. Animal studies TAFE courses provide the skills and knowledge to care for and manage the daily needs of a range of animal species. These courses provide skills for potential careers in pet grooming and veterinary nursing, and for shelter workers, kennel or cattery attendants, animal attendants, pet shop workers, community animal-care workers and farm workers.
Thanks to the government’s TAFE funding cuts Victoria University has been forced to discontinue providing an animal studies TAFE course. There is now no institution offering an animal studies course in the western region of Melbourne.
