Discrimination: same sex couples
I wish to congratulate the federal government on its plan to remove discriminatory provisions from commonwealth laws in areas like superannuation, tax, health, aged care and other entitlements. These measures are long overdue and will have a positive benefit on the lives of thousands of Australians.
Victorian Academic Number: Education and Training Reform Bill
I am pleased to speak on the Education and Training Reform Amendment Bill. The purposes of the bill as outlined in the explanatory memorandum and the minister's second-reading speech provide for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority to develop policies, criteria and standards for early childhood learning and development.
Public Sector Employment (Award Entitlements) Amendment Bill
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- I am pleased to speak in support of the Public Sector Employment (Award Entitlements) Amendment Bill, which repeals part 3 of the Public Sector Employment (Award Entitlements) Act 2006, which provides for a Victorian fairness test for public sector workplace agreements.
Courts Legislation Amendment (Associate Judges) Bill
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- I will speak briefly on the Courts Legislation Amendment (Associate Judges) Bill, which basically defines the office of associate judge and repeals the former office of master in the Supreme and County courts.
Constitutional Amendment (Judicial Pensions Bill)
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- I am pleased to rise to speak on the Constitution Amendment (Judicial Pensions) Bill.
World Teachers’ Day – Quality of teaching key to high quality education
Greens MP and Education spokesperson Sue Pennicuik speaking on World Teachers Day said that the quality of teaching and teachers was the most important determinant in educational outcomes.
Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill (Sue Pennicuik)
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- It is a great privilege to stand here today and speak on the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill in particular. I will not be referring to the other two bills in my contribution because Ms Hartland has already covered those, so I will restrict my comments to the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill.
Courts Legislation Amendment (Costs Court and Other Matters) Bill
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- I just want to make some remarks in support of Mr Rich-Phillips's amendment.
Adjournment: Bail Justices: Travel and Mobile Phone Expenses
I raise a matter for the attention of the Attorney-General in the other place. Western Region Honorary Justices has written to Victorian parliamentarians seeking reimbursement of travel and mobile phone costs for bail justices. Bail justices are community volunteers who are specially trained to hear bail applications at police stations when courts are closed.
Question Without Notice: Climate change: budget forecasts
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- My question is for the Treasurer. At the budget briefing on 8 May, in answer to a question from me regarding climate change, the Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance said that the budget forecasts are based on a return to normal rainfall.
