Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Budget 2022–23

Mr MEDDICK (Western Victoria) (09:46): After what is clearly the most animal friendly budget in Victoria’s history, it was a pleasure to visit some of my successful bids to announce important funding. Earlier last week I visited Cherished Pets in Ocean Grove along with the Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister Lisa Neville, the member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, and the member for South Barwon, Darren Cheeseman, to announce the $465 000 they will use to continue their renowned social work and veterinary program and to provide emergency assistance for women with animals fleeing family violence.

I also visited Ballarat Animal Shelter with Minister Thomas, mayor Daniel Moloney, CEO Evan King, the member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, and the member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, to announce the $11.5 million for their new purpose-built shelter, which will service not just Ballarat but six surrounding local government areas. This shelter is a project I have advocated for in this chamber from when I was first elected and was a priority for the council.

I was also chuffed to visit the Horsham incubation hub with Minister Thomas to announce the almost $13 million for a state-of-the-art glasshouse and incubation hub, supporting grain crop industries to diversify into the plant-based protein market. We have worked hard to show the government the opportunities for the state in alternative proteins, and now they have started to deliver.

This budget is a huge win for local jobs, the climate and, importantly, animals. With a federal election underway it proves why representatives for animals in Parliament are so important.