Constituency questions
Northern Victoria Region
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (14:02): My constituency question is for the Minister for Environment. In 2021 the government, following the recommendation delivered two years prior, promised to legislate the creation of the central west national parks, which include Wombat–Lerderderg National Park in my electorate. These parks are vital for protecting biodiversity and addressing the climate emergency. Greater gliders, brush-tailed phascogales and rare orchids, like the striped greenhood, are at heightened risk due to delays in protection. The long-promised parks will safeguard them while also boosting nature-based tourism and economic opportunities in Northern Victoria. The government has confirmed in letters to my constituents and publicly that it intends to introduce the legislation before the end of this year. However, as I stand here on the last sitting day, there has been no action. My constituents want to know when the minister will commit to introducing this crucial legislation.