Lauren KATHAGE (Yan Yean) (10:01):

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my caucus colleagues for so warmly welcoming me to this place, especially my neighbouring MPs: the member for Kalkallo Ros Spence, the member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio, the member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny, the member for Bundoora Colin Brooks, the member for Eltham Vicki Ward and member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes. The north is well served by hardworking MPs who know their communities inside out, who have become part of the fabric of their communities and who use each day to make life better for others, bringing fairness and opportunity to the communities they serve. I look forward to working with the member for Kalkallo on the priorities of our shared communities of Wallan and Beveridge and the shared needs and goals of those in Donnybrook and Kalkallo. One of the most important projects we will deliver is the Watson Street upgrade, which will provide additional direct access ramps to the Hume Highway for residents of Wallan and surrounds. This will mean families can get home safer and sooner.

I also thank the member for Williamstown Melissa Horne and the member for Niddrie Ben Carroll for setting a high benchmark for serving their communities. They have shown that it takes guts, it takes smarts and it takes a Labor government to deliver for communities.