Recently a Somerville resident was robbed, with their money being snatched from their hands shortly after they left one of our local banks. I am told that this local community member has been so traumatised and terrified by this experience that they are too scared to leave their home. This sort of frightening criminal activity is now also happening in the middle of the day in local streets, and it must stop. My community has the right to be and feel safe. This is unfortunately no longer a given under the Andrews Labor government.

During debate on the Labour Hire Licensing Bill 2017 yesterday in this house the member for Mordialloc through interjection exposed the depth of the disdain with which the Andrews Labor government holds Victorian small businesses by claiming that they want to pay their employees just 10 cents an hour. This member is an absolute disgrace, as is this government.

My question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. I am seeking information on behalf of the Western Port community regarding the bike, walking and running path between Golf Links Road, the Peninsula Link trail and the Somerville railway station. There is currently a gap in this otherwise comprehensive bike path network.

 On 20 April I was pleased to attend a luncheon hosted by the Somerville Football and Netball Club and to listen to their guest speaker, Dylan Alcott, OAM. Dylan’s amazing achievements include being an Australian wheelchair basketballer, wheelchair tennis player, gold medal Paralympian, radio host and motivational speaker. He is an amazing young man, a dynamic speaker and very funny. I encourage all members to take the opportunity to hear him speak.

On 5 May it was a pleasure to be invited to speak at the Somerville Community House open day. Throughout the day there were demonstrations of yoga, tai chi and rock’n’roll, and there was painting for the kids and plant stalls, a barbecue, refreshments and the opportunity to inspect their outstanding new garden. There were opportunities for all.

I was pleased to assist the Baxter Residents and Traders Progress Action Committee (BRATPAC) at its sausage sizzle on 5 May at the Baxter shopping centre as part of Baxter’s centenary celebrations the following day. Congratulations to the wonderful Baxter community on their township’s centenary and to those who serve Baxter residents as part of BRATPAC. A big thanks to all those local businesses whose generous donations made the barbecue possible.

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Employment Partners

Mr BURGESS — On 4 May I was pleased to attend the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Employment Partners (ATEP) community awards night at the Frankston RSL. In operation since 1987, ATEP is a not‑for‑profit, community‑based organisation employing around 200 apprentices and trainees and offering innovative career pathways to young people on the Mornington Peninsula and in the south‑eastern suburbs.

Anzac Day

Mr BURGESS — For Anzac Day services this year I was privileged to lay wreaths at Langwarrin, Pearcedale and Crib Point, joining many hundreds of members of my community, young and old, to commemorate the Anzac tradition and recognise those who served our great country and its people. World War I was a state and nation‑shaping event, and 100 years on the sense of nationhood and identity amongst our people continues to grow.

Mr BURGESS — On another important matter, I would like to put on record my change of mind on the government’s exclusion zone laws. At the time the bill was debated I found the argument for keeping people with different views on such an emotional topic separate compelling, but my training as an officer of the court has prevailed in circumstances where my conscience should have. After discussing these laws with a range of people, including Kathy Clubb, it has become apparent to me just how damaging these laws are.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (09:39:23) — Unsurprisingly, the Labor member for Carrum has again been caught out in Parliament for misleading the Carrum community, this time about the Andrews government’s plans to build train stabling in the backyards of Kananook residents. Is there no limit to what this member will allow her government to do to Carrum residents? Carrum residents must be wondering where the person they elected to represent them has gone, why she is allowing the Premier to force the Eel Race Road closed, and why another Labor MP was able to say no to the Premier’s sky rail and get it underground instead, but she has just stepped out of the way and let him introduce it.