Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Pascoe Vale electorate

Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:59): (1073) My constituency question is for the Minister for Emergency Services. What is the Victorian government doing to encourage, support and sustain more women to join the state’s incredible emergency service organisations? On 8 March it was an absolute pleasure to celebrate International Women’s Day here in Parliament by inviting our local first-responder women for a well-deserved luncheon and celebration, including Acting Senior Sergeant Jessica Kelly from Merri-bek and Moonee Valley police area command; local team manager and paramedic Sarah Taylor and founding virtual emergency department paramedic Amanda Thornton, both of whom work across the Oak Park and Preston ambulance stations; leading firefighters Katherine Dunnell and Cara Barker, keeping us safe across the north-west; and SES Fawkner unit controller Goldie Pergl and deputy unit controller Mandy Opie. The day was a wonderful chance to celebrate the amazing contributions local women make 24/7, 365 days per year, keeping our community safe across Merri-bek. It was a great event joined by the member for Preston and the member for Broadmeadows, and we had an excellent discussion around the issues facing women in emergency services, including shiftwork, rostering and access to child care and many other issues.