Thursday, 21 March 2024

Western Victoria Region

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:55): (778) My question is to the Minister for Local Government. The Geelong Regional Library Corporation runs one central library, 18 community libraries and three mobile libraries for the G21 region. Last year services were threatened, including with potential closures and reduced hours due to reductions in council funding. This led to huge community campaigning, including heavy criticism of councils from government MPs. Yet this year in the state budget library funding will be gutted. This is on a backdrop of steadily eroding funding from the state. The state used to split funding with councils 50–50, but state contributions have dwindled to 20 per cent and now possibly lower. My constituents will be devastated if services are once again under threat as a result of state funding cuts. Minister, will you commit to ensuring that Geelong Regional Library Corporation receives the state funding it requires?