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Because of the hard work of Victorians, today we w Because of the hard work of Victorians, today we were able to announce further easing of restrictions. This means changes to masks, private gatherings, hospitality venues, outdoor public gatherings and more. Being able to move to the Last Step reflects the enormous effort that Victorians have put in to keep our communities safe and get on top of this virus. But staying open means staying safe, so anyone who is experiencing symptoms - no matter how mild - should get tested immediately and isolate until results are received. Head to the link in stories for a full summary of the changes.
This week is Trans Awareness Week, and a chance fo This week is Trans Awareness Week, and a chance for all of us to celebrate, learn about and support trans and gender diverse communities. We know that trans and gender diverse people face discrimination in their daily lives which leads to poorer health, employment, housing and education outcomes. One important way our Government has shown our support has been making it easier for trans and gender diverse people to change the sex recorded on their birth certificate. Since this change came into effect in May this year, more than 340 people have applied to have their registration changed. That’s hundreds of Victorians who have been given a basic right – for their birth certificate to reflect who they are. We can all play a role in breaking down the discrimination, including by educating ourselves. Trans101, a crash course developed by trans and gender diverse young people (through @ygender.tgd and @minus18youth) is a great place to start. To check it out, visit www.trans101.org.au.
Today is 13 11 20 Day - a day to say a special tha Today is 13 11 20 Day - a day to say a special thanks to the compassionate and dedicated cancer nurses at the @cancervic information and support line. The impact of a cancer diagnosis is often profound and affects not only the person diagnosed, but also their families, friends and communities. The nurses at the 13 11 20 service provide advice, information and support to everyone affected by cancer. Throughout the pandemic, they’ve played a crucial role in answering questions, relaying information and providing compassion and understanding to the Victorians who turn to them for support. Thank you to all of our cancer nurses who provide this service for your invaluable support and the hard work you do every day. All Victorians affected by cancer can access this free and reliable service by calling 13 11 20.
This week is NAIDOC Week – an opportunity to cel This week is NAIDOC Week – an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Today I would like to celebrate the work of Koorie Pride Victoria, created last year to support LGBTIQ+ Aboriginal people in Victoria by facilitating connection, pride and self-determination. One of Koorie Pride Victoria’s members, Naomi Asling, is a participant in Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ Leadership Program for 2020, which builds the capacity of LGBTIQ+ leaders to be powerful changemakers across rainbow communities. Naomi has kindly shared what this week and its theme of ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ means to her, and her hopes for the future: “NAIDOC Week is about celebrating our achievements from all our Aboriginal tribal lands across the whole of Australia. For me this year’s theme of ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ describes our oldest living and continuous culture while recognising and making visible our mob having many different identities and genders. As a strong Aboriginal woman within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual, Sistergirl and Brotherboy (GLBTQIAS&B+) community in Geelong, I celebrate the diversity of our culture, our resilience and hold hope for the future for self-determination, human rights and equity for our mob. My passion is my ongoing work in strengthening social and emotional wellbeing by supporting people through creating safe spaces in cultural healing and connection. Always was, always will be!” #naidocweek
Victorians have made a huge amount of sacrifices o Victorians have made a huge amount of sacrifices over the last few months, and we’ve worked hard to drive down our cases numbers and keep our loved ones and our communities safe. Because of that hard work, we’ve been able to announce further easing of restrictions today. Swipe through to see some of the changes coming in from 11:59pm tonight, and head to the link in stories for more information. It’s more important than ever to protect what we’ve built together - we all need to continue to get tested even at the slightest signs of illness. Staying open means keeping up the hard work and staying safe.
Thanks to the hard work of every single Victorian, Thanks to the hard work of every single Victorian, we have been able to achieve these amazing results to defeat the second wave. But while we’ve made progress, we still have a long way to go in our fight against this virus. Staying open means staying safe.
Today – Intersex Awareness Day – is an opportu Today – Intersex Awareness Day – is an opportunity to show our support for people with an intersex variation, by being informed and inclusive. People with intersex variations are born with natural variations to sex characteristics, which can be physical, hormonal, or genetic. There are many kinds of intersex variations. Unfortunately, people with intersex variations still face ignorance and discrimination. We can each play our part in addressing this by educating ourselves and being more inclusive of all our rainbow communities. That is why I supported Victoria’s Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality Ro Allen to change their title to Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities last month. The new title clearly includes people with an intersex variation, along with better reflecting the diversity of Victoria’s rainbow communities. People with an intersex variation deserve to be supported and celebrated and we can all help lead change to ensure that is the case. You can find out more about being an ally at www.ihra.org.au/allies/.
NORTHERN METRO COMMUNITY OUTBREAK: Students and NORTHERN METRO COMMUNITY OUTBREAK: Students and families of East Preston Islamic College and Croxton School are asked to get tested immediately, even if you do not have any symptoms. The coronavirus (COVID-19) test is free to everyone. You do not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. If you cannot leave your home to get tested, free testing at home is also available. Call the 1800 675 398 to find out if you are eligible for this service. Financial support is available to help you stay at home if you need to miss work. Head to stories for links to further information.
From Oct 12 all Victorians must wear a fitted face From Oct 12 all Victorians must wear a fitted face mask that covers nose & mouth when you leave home. Face shields, bandanas, or scarves on their own are no longer sufficient. As restrictions ease and movement increases, the effectiveness of a face mask is even more important.
Our hardworking paramedics do an incredible job ge Our hardworking paramedics do an incredible job getting to the scene of emergencies fast - thanks to their dedication and backed by massive investments by our government. But we know when it comes to cardiac arrest every minute counts and most happen inside the home, which is why it's so important that more of us are learning CPR and know where our closest AED is and how to use it. It could mean saving the life of someone you love. Everyday about 18 Victorians will have a cardiac arrest with only 1 in 10 surviving, and we know bystander intervention has the greatest impact on improving that survival rate.
It’s great to see the result of our $6 million u It’s great to see the result of our $6 million upgrade to the Orygen Youth Health intensive care unit - giving young people experiencing acute mental illness access to the best and safest clinical care. The new building receives an abundance of natural light, and includes four new inpatient beds, expanded and enhanced living and treatment spaces, and features for privacy, safety and amenity. Upgrades like this one reduce the risk of harm, and create a safe and comfortable environment for people accessing treatment.
This has been a difficult year, and it hasn't alwa This has been a difficult year, and it hasn't always been easy for Victorians to stay on top of their mental health. That's why we've funded a new service called Partners in Wellbeing, offering free one-on-one counselling to Victorians who are feeling overwhelmed and are struggling to cope, as part of over $200m we've provided in mental health support. The service provides ongoing wellbeing coaching and emotional support to help people work through how they're feeling and get back in control of their mental health - and unlike many other helplines, Victorians who use the service will get regular call-backs to ensure consistent, ongoing support. The service will be delivered in partnership with Neami National, EACH and ACSO. For more information get in touch with one of these organisations or call 1300 375 330, and don't forget you can also reach out to one of the below services if you need urgent support: Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Lifeline: 13 11 14 SuicideLine: 1300 651 251 Kids Helpline Official: 1800 551 800 Switchboard Victoria: 1800 184 527
Our live music venues, businesses, musicians and o Our live music venues, businesses, musicians and other industry workers were some of the first to feel the full impact of this pandemic - and we know they'll be among the last to get back up and running. Today we announced our latest round of initiatives to support our live music industry, including grants of more than $13 million that will prepare our venues for a vibrant, COVID Normal future. These grants will also assist venues in reopening, providing employment for artists and industry workers, and will help offset the costs involved in patron caps. On top of this, the Victorian Music Industry Recovery Program will offer grants to support our artists, managers, promoters, and other workers to keep creating music, undertake training and develop COVID safe ways of working. Our music scene is much loved across the state and envied the world over. This support will protect our grassroots venues, save jobs and music businesses, and keep local music playing well beyond this pandemic.
Shanah Tovah Umetukah Rosh Hashanah – Jewish Ne Shanah Tovah Umetukah Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year – is a celebration of reflection, renewal and hope. This year, this is as significant as ever. I extend my warmest wishes to those celebrating with loved ones at home or virtually. May you have a good and sweet year.
Wonderful to see ‘It’s Ok to Feel the Way You Wonderful to see ‘It’s Ok to Feel the Way You Do’ by @joshlangleyauthor featured in @storyboxlibrary and very proud to be invited to read it. Josh’s books are a great resource for families to support the good mental health of our kids and remind us all to celebrate who we are.
Thanks to the community's efforts in following res Thanks to the community's efforts in following restrictions and helping drive down case numbers, we will take the first of our cautious and careful steps towards a COVID normal tonight. From 11.59pm Melbourne moves to the First Step of the roadmap for reopening, with modest changes including more social interaction and more time outside. Social bubbles begin, allowing those living alone or single parents to have one other person in their home. Exercise is extended to two hours split over a maximum of two sessions, and you will be able to use that time outside for social interaction with one other person or the members of your household. Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment reopen, libraries will be able to open for contactless click and collect and the curfew will move to 9pm as Melbourne moves into warmer months. The numbers are falling but we need to keep it that way – ensuring we can continue to open up safely and sustainably – based on the data, the science and expert public health advice.
Today on @ruokday we're reminded to check in on ou Today on @ruokday we're reminded to check in on our loved ones and see how they're doing. This year, Australians are being encouraged to not only ask their loved ones if they're ok, but also listen with an open mind if they say they're not, encourage action - like calling one of the above numbers to chat to a professional - and check in with them again later on down the track. A lot of us are having a rough time at the moment, so knowing what to do when someone says that they're not okay can make a world of difference - even if it's just being there to provide support in these challenging times.
We know that lockdown has been particularly diffic We know that lockdown has been particularly difficult for Victorians who live alone and single parents, so from 11:59pm on Sunday 13th September those people will be able to nominate a friend or family member to form a "social bubble" with. These bubbles will make sure that we're continuing to stay one step ahead of this virus, while also recognising that having face-to-face interaction with a loved one will make a world of difference for many people struggling with their mental health right now. If you or someone you know is struggling and needs professional support, you can reach out to: @beyondblueofficial: 1300 22 4636 @lifelineaustralia: 13 11 14 @kidshelplineau: 1800 55 1800 @switchboard_victoria: 1800 184 527 Victorians dealing with the challenges of running a small business during this time can access mental health support by calling the Partners in Wellbeing hotline at 1300 375 330 or heading to https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/mental-health-in-business.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day - a Today is International Overdose Awareness Day - a day where we remember all the lives tragically lost to overdose. Today also serves as a reminder that every death due to overdose is a preventable one. That's why we've extended our Supervised Injecting Room trial in North Richmond, and why we're opening another facility in Melbourne. Our North Richmond facility has saved at least 21 lives and safely managed more than 3,200 overdoses since it opened. But these aren't just numbers - they're people in our community, and they deserve to have the resources and support they need to stay safe and stay alive. Even though we're all staying safe at home, our city landmarks are lit up purple tonight in memory of every life lost, and in recognition of the grief of those left behind #IOAD2020
Today is a very different Wear it Purple day to th Today is a very different Wear it Purple day to those that have come before, but the aim of the day – to tell LGBTIQ young people that they are accepted, supported, and loved – is as important as ever. Pop on a splash of purple today in your Zoom meetings or online catch-ups - and to all of the young LGBTIQ people out there, know that even though we can't be together right now, we're still proudly standing alongside you and celebrating you today and every other day.
Federation Square is the cultural and civic heart Federation Square is the cultural and civic heart of Melbourne – it brings us together and showcases our creativity, diversity and culture. The independent review of Fed Square overwhelmingly found that our community value it as a place to experience arts and culture and come together to celebrate. That’s why it makes sense for Fed Square to have a home in the Creative Industries portfolio - and I look forward to working with Fed Square, our cultural institutions, and our First Peoples to see it move into this new era.
I understand the impact the pandemic is having on I understand the impact the pandemic is having on tenants and landlords. Right now people need support, security and certainty that they won’t lose their home or workplace during the pandemic. That's why the Victorian Government has announced an extension on the ban on evictions and rental increases for both residential and commercial tenancies until the end of the year. This means that more residential tenants and landlords who might be struggling to reach agreement will be supported. Tenants and landlords will also be able to take advantage of further land tax reductions and more grant funding including an increased land tax discount – now up to 50 per cent – doubled from the earlier 25 per cent. A new $600,000 package will ensure advocacy groups can continue to be a voice for vulnerable tenants throughout this pandemic. It will also ensure information is reaching Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. To get through this, Victorians have to work together, and that partnership needs to continue – with tenants, landlords, banks and government all working together to keep people in their homes and businesses.
We've made huge strides towards equality in Victor We've made huge strides towards equality in Victoria in recent years, and we can't afford to let any of this progress be lost in the face of the challenges posed by this pandemic. Yesterday I met with representatives from LGBTIQ organisations and individuals from the community to discuss the ways we can continue to support LGBTIQ Victorians who are particularly at risk during this pandemic, and more likely to face poorer financial and mental health outcomes. Our rainbow communities have shown incredible strength throughout these challenging times, and we'll continue to work together to provide the support they need to stay safe and well.
Coronavirus is affecting everyone differently - bu Coronavirus is affecting everyone differently - but some much more than others. Today we announced a funding boost of nearly $60 million to our mental health system to make sure more Victorians can get the support they need, when they need it. This funding will strengthen our clinical and community mental health services so that they can cope with additional presentations and reduce pressure on our hospitals - ensuring Victorians can access the care they need even as demand for services spikes. We were already well on our way to implementing some of the key recommendations from our Royal Commission and this massive funding boost will fast-track this work to ensure we have the infrastructure and support systems in place as demand on our mental health system increases, fast-tracking the delivery of more new public acute mental health beds and accelerating the state-wide rollout of the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program to seven new sites. Opening hours in community mental health clinics will be extended, and more mental health staff will be embedded in Ambulance Victoria's RefCom service. We're also making sure that our hard working ambos, nurses, and police get the mental health and wellbeing support they need during this challenging time. This package builds on the almost $135 million we've already invested in mental health throughout this pandemic, and will make sure that Victorians from all walks of life can access the mental health support they need during this unprecedented period of uncertainty and isolation.
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Martin Foley MP 2020, Australia

Electorate Office

46 Rouse St
Port Melbourne 3207
03 9646 7173
martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au

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Level 22/50 Lonsdale St
Melbourne 3000
03 9096 8561
minister.health@dhhs.vic.gov.au

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Authorised by Martin Foley. 46 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne 3207.

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Martin Foley MP acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.

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