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A few changes have been announced in Victoria toda A few changes have been announced in Victoria today. 🚦Firstly, based on the Victoria Chief Health Officer’s advice, from 6pm today QLD and parts of NSW will be green zones. The Greater Sydney Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield City, Inner West, Liverpool City, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality will join the rest of Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Blue Mountains as orange zones. Cumberland LGA will remain a red zone. For more info about the zones and to apply for permits visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au 🏠 The second change is that from 11:59pm tonight (AEDT) the number of people you can have visit your home will increase to 30. This is in response to the reduced exposure risk and low community transmission we’ve seen in recent weeks.
The Andrews Labor Government promised regional Vic The Andrews Labor Government promised regional Victorians that we would continue to build a hospital system they – and their families – could rely on and we are continuing to deliver on this commitment. I was delighted to visit @gvhealth this week to officially open a new five-storey inpatient unit and emergency department at Shepparton Hospital with @suzannasheed Part of the Victorian Government’s $229.3 million redevelopment of Shepparton Hospital, the new inpatient unit includes 10 Critical Care Unit beds to treat the sickest patients, 64 inpatient beds and four new operating theatres. The new emergency department has doubled the hospital’s capacity, providing 36 treatment spaces. Expected to be completed in mid-2021, the redevelopment will also deliver a 12-bed maternity unit, 10-cot special care nursery and a 12-bed paediatric ward.
As Victorians start returning to work and social e As Victorians start returning to work and social events, it’s important to remember there are still little things we must do to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Like wearing a face mask. Face masks are mandatory in the following places: 🚃Catching public transport 🚖Riding in a taxi or ride share 🛒Supermarkets 🏢Large retails stores 🛍Shopping Centres – and the stores within them 🍏Indoor Markets 🛫On domestic flights to and from Victoria 🛬At airports 🏥When visiting hospitals and care facilities For more information on masks visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks
Today I visited the fantastic Fishermans Bend Seco Today I visited the fantastic Fishermans Bend Secondary School with Minister for Education, James Merlino MP, Member for Southern Metro, Nina Taylor and Mayor for City of Port Philip, Louise Crawford. The community’s input and vision for the school is now becoming a reality. Families in our community are a step closer to having this new school - which is due to open in 2022 and cater for up to 1,100 students. It will showcase environmentally sustainable design, housing solar panels and solar batteries, food production gardens, outdoor learning terraces, sustainable material selection. It will also have a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics and will feature high-tech amenities, including a fabrication lab and robotics workshop, along with an array of arts, food technology, sports and Learning Resource Centre spaces that can be shared with the community. Look forward to its opening next year.
Our iconic Espy Hotel was not only a recipient, bu Our iconic Espy Hotel was not only a recipient, but also the location for the announcement of $8 million in grants supporting music venues, musicians, businesses and workers to continue their road to recovery – sharing new music and live performances with audiences across the state. The announcement, made by Minister for Creative Industries @dannypearsonmp will support more than 130 Victorian music businesses, artists and venues and nearly 5,000 jobs in the industry as part of the Victorian Music Industry Recovery Program. Projects range from live events, such as indie promoter Penny Drop’s 10-day series at Malthouse Outdoor, to livestream events from the likes of DJs Vinyl Vixens – and include new work by artists including @isaiahfirebrace and @ella_hooper - who attended the announcement. Victoria is proud of our reputation as Australia’s live music capital. This funding will not only see revered venues like St Kilda’s iconic Espy become gig ready, it will also pave the way for a long list of venues, music businesses and artists to return to work in COVIDSafe way. The full list of the latest funding recipients, as well as details on the upcoming Music Works round that opens on 20 January 2021, can be found at creative.vic.gov.au
From 6pm today, people travelling to Victoria from From 6pm today, people travelling to Victoria from anywhere in Australia (including Victorians returning home) will need to follow Victoria's new traffic light permit system. The permits are based on a traffic light system which allows the Chief Health Officer to designate regions as green, orange or red, depending on the coronavirus risk in those areas. NSW border communities don’t need a permit, but will need to provide photo ID and proof of their home address, like a drivers licence. I've said it before – but until a vaccine is readily available, we'll need to continue responding to this pandemic to keep our state safe. And this new system will help us do that and give our hard working contact tracing team vital information they need to stop the spread of the virus if there is an outbreak in another State or Territory. Permit applications can be made online at service.vic.gov.au or by calling the Coronavirus hotline.
I had the pleasure of heading down to Junction Ova I had the pleasure of heading down to Junction Oval today for the Indigenous round of Victorian Premier Cricket between @stkildacc and @northcote_dragons. A great match with both teams working to see cricket as a way to unite all Australians around a love of sport and a path to reconciliation and justice.
Victoria has always been at the forefront of cutti Victoria has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge medical treatment, and the installation of our state's first Gamma Knife machine by @petermaccancercentre at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre will give even more Victorians access to world leading cancer treatments. The gamma knife is set to save the lives of patients with hard-to-reach tumours, where other treatments may not have been able to be safely carried out, and improve outcomes for many others.
We’re boosting investment in the @ballarathealth We’re boosting investment in the @ballarathealthservices redevelopment with $80M for a new central energy plant – bringing our total investment to $541.6M. This project will create thousands of local jobs and give the community the services they need.
Today is World AIDS day – a day to show support Today is World AIDS day – a day to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses. As a proud partner with HIV organisations, the Victorian Government remains committed to preventing and reducing the impact of HIV on Victorians, including stigma and discrimination. This year’s theme, ‘Now more than ever’, reminds us that support, treatment and care for people living with HIV is a priority. HIV is still here, it is treatable, and support is available for those who need it.
Families in Port Melbourne have done a phenomenal Families in Port Melbourne have done a phenomenal job in supporting students to learn from home. As kids return back to their classrooms, we want to make Port Phillip Specialist School better than before. As part of the 2020/21 Budget the Port Phillip Specialist School will receive $9.31 million to upgrade and modernise the school – and make sure the students have the fantastic new learning spaces they deserve. This investment builds on the $1.18 billion Building Works Package announced earlier this year, which is creating space for more than 21,000 extra students in Victoria’s education system and creating around 1,600 local construction jobs. Not only will this make sure our kids are getting a great education – it will also create new local jobs.
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.
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Martin Foley MP 2021, Australia

Electorate Office

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

Ministerial Office

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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