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.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (19:08:21) — (14 335) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is that he provide an urgent solution to the myriad of issues facing Cranbourne South Primary School in my electorate. I have met with the school’s very passionate principal, Monique Corcoran, and its very strong school council on a number of occasions to hear their very serious concerns about the welfare and safety of their school community and the learning of their students.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (17:24:06) — It is a pleasure to rise after the member for Yan Yean. As always, the further she goes the further she stretches it. Again today she has done exactly the same thing, talking about how the Labor Party has always been the friend of workers.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (09:47:22) — Last week the shadow Minister for Police, Edward O’Donohue in the Council, and I attended the Somerville police station to do something that should never have been necessary. We were there to make it clear that if elected in eight months time, a Guy government would open the police station that was worked for by the Somerville community, paid for and built by the Liberal Party but heartlessly denied by the Premier and the Labor Party — people who would deny a community safety just to satisfy their own political agenda.

Mr BURGESS — I had the pleasure on 9 February to present the young student leaders at Somerville Rise Primary School with leadership badges. There are many budding young leaders at this school, and I was impressed at how each one of them was able to look me in the eyes as they shook my hand. That is a great sign for the future for them. They will make outstanding ambassadors for their school. I would especially like to thank Mrs Nicky Fammartino, the principal at Somerville Rise Primary School, for her invitation.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (09:42:36) — It was an honour to attend the annual Luke Batty Memorial Shield T20 cricket match on 25 January between the Tyabb All‑Stars and the Victoria Police Cricket Club. It was wonderful to see so many participants and spectators in attendance determined that they will never forget Luke’s tragic circumstances or our community’s commitment to putting an end to the scourge of domestic violence.

Mr BURGESS — On 10 February I was pleased to join Ann‑Marie Hermans, the local Liberal champion for community needs in Cranbourne and candidate at the next election, to meet Cranbourne residents to talk about the issues they face and how their concerns have been ignored for so long by Labor. Among the many messages of support Ann‑Marie received on the day were offers of assistance for her campaign and in other ways.

Mr BURGESS — On 26 January I was pleased to be invited to the Frankston City Council to attend an Australia Day citizenship ceremony alongside Christopher Crewther, the federal member for Dunkley, at the Frankston Arts Centre. Congratulations to all new Aussies who took the pledge to become citizens of this beautiful country.

Mr BURGESS (Hastings) (11:50:20) — (14 016) My question is to the Minister for Families and Children. When will the Andrews Labor government deliver on its 2014 pre‑election commitment to increase funding for the neighbourhood houses that the community needs? Crib Point, Hastings, Somerville and Langwarrin are all community houses that are very important community assets. Constituents and patrons of these houses are concerned that their neighbourhood houses continue to face increasing needs and costs and are struggling to maintain current services. Neighbourhood houses offer a wide range of services and support, including diploma and certificate courses, computer courses, art and craft, Victorian certificate of applied learning classes, health and wellbeing programs, English as a second language, home improvement classes, playgroups, occasional child care and other facilities including hall hire. My community asks that the Labor government commits to supporting our neighbourhood houses in line with the promise it made to them.