Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan):

My question is for the Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence.

Members of my community in Coburg have been blindsided by the proposal to install synthetic grass on the majority of Hosken Reserve, denying the community valuable green space.

I understand the field will be used by the local soccer teams, but the grant process was predicated on satisfactory community consultation, and I can say many people feel they were not consulted.

What prompted you to announce an...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:10): My question is for the Minister for Veterans, Minister Leane.

I actually probably would have written to you about this today, but seeing as we are here, it gave me the perfect opportunity to ask you about it. As we know, veterans face homelessness at a far greater rate than the average population.

In fact DVA, the federal veterans affairs office, said there were about 3000; we now know that there are more like 6000 veterans who are homeless in Australia, and about...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (11:39): My question is to the Minister for Higher Education, Minister Tierney. There are approximately 20 000 student accommodation placement places in greater Melbourne, and we do not expect our international students to be coming back at the fulsome numbers that we had in the past. So I am wondering if you could tell me what percentage of international students Melbourne can expect back in our schools and in that student accommodation by, say, the end of next...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (13:18): My constituency question is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio.

Matthew Jenkins from Brunswick wrote to me outlining the trouble he and his wife have had accessing the solar panel rebate scheme. Matthew and his wife own an apartment in Manallack Street in Brunswick. There are eight apartments in the building, and it is set up on an owners corporation model.

Matthew believes that he is able to persuade the other owners to agree to...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:23): My question is for the Minister for Small Business.

The government has a COVID-19 Business Support Fund for those operations impacted by stage 3 and 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell shire area. These are $10 000 grants that are available until 14 September.

I know many businesses in my area have welcomed this support during this difficult time, but I think you will all agree that businesses who have already received the support from this fund will in no...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan)

My constituency question is for the health minister, Minister Mikakos.

A constituent contacted my office seeking clarification on the stage 4 directions. The reason I want to raise it here is because we have been unable to ascertain a clear answer from DHHS.

Tylar is the executor of a deceased’s estate. He needs to clear out the property, which involves a range of activities, but it’s not clear if this task falls under either work or caregiving. The advice he has received has...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan): My constituency question is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister Allan. Several constituents of mine have contacted me to tell me about the horrendous noise created by the Level Crossing Removal Project in the early hours of the morning.

I understand the government is looking to stimulate the economy by pushing these projects 24/7 and has offered relocation housing to nearby residents. The biggest contributors to the noise are the pile drivers that operate throughout the night.

Has the government considered stopping the use of...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (13:27): My question is for the Minister for Health. According to estimates, of the 1000 or so homeless people currently in temporary housing in hotels during this crisis, at least one-third have significant issues relating to drug dependence.

These also include the long-term consequences of some of their ongoing ill health and poor health, as well as chronic hepatitis infections. As I am sure the minister is aware, there is an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in the state affecting this cohort.

In addition,...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan): My constituency question today is for the Minister for Local Government, Mr Leane, and it’s a very simple question too.

Candidates and constituents in my electorate of Northern Metro have approached me with various queries about the upcoming local council elections. The most common question is: is the government postponing council elections during the pandemic restrictions?

It’s a fair question. I mean, how can candidates campaign during a pandemic? How can they make a pitch for votes when they can’t knock on doors, meet...

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (13:10): My question was for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, but I am going to redirect it now, as there is not one, to the Minister for Health. It comes from several brothel operators in my electorate of Northern Metro.

Brothels are closed. They have been closed during the pandemic, and that is rightly so. But as other sectors are given guidelines for opening, and despite repeated attempts for clarification from both consumer affairs and the health department, guidelines for brothels remain unclear....