Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (17:11): I rise to speak to the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2019 again. Certainly this bill has been with us for quite a number of years now. I have spoken to many people over those years and also in more recent times. I have been greatly assisted by some of the stakeholder meetings that we have had and the extensive correspondence that I have received on this issue both this year and in the previous Parliament. I have to say that a number of those letters, emails and phone calls...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (15:10:06): I am delighted to rise to speak to Dr Cumming’s inaugural motion to this house. Congratulations on bringing this forward. It is an important motion, and I think it is great to speak about this alongside the recycling inquiry that is being undertaken. I think it adds some greater depth to the conversations that we are having and is also beautifully timed for World Environment Day. So well done, Dr Cumming. You did that extremely well. This is an important motion. I am not going to go over what Dr Cumming and also the previous speakers have...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (10:57:03): I too would like to speak briefly on Mr Barton’s motion, which I think is a very sensible one and one which I am very pleased incorporates much of my region of Northern Metropolitan with the extension of the free tram zone around the universities. It is effectively 6 kilometres of track that would be added to the zone and affect 13 different tram routes. The overarching goal, which I think is a very good one, is to improve access to universities, hospitals, sporting precincts and of course the city. I would probably like to add that...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (15:56:00): I rise to speak on the Appropriation (2019–2020) Bill 2019 and in doing so respond to the budget as well. Probably unlike some of our previous speakers, I will give credit where credit is due. I was chastised for the way I did my grading of the budget on budget day. A number of teachers told me that the C+ that I gave the budget was possibly harsh, but listening to the contributions today I would say some people would say that was generous. I think we have a budget where we are still achieving our AAA...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (14:13:14): I move: That this house: (1) notes that:

(a) according to Victoria Police, the illegal cannabis industry in Victoria is worth an estimated $8.1 billion per annum; (b) the largest cohort of cannabis users in Victoria are young people; (c) significant police and justice resources are committed to the unlawful use and supply of cannabis every year;

(2) requires the Legal and Social Issues Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by no later than 2 March 2020, into the best means to:

(a) prevent young people and children from accessing and using cannabis in Victoria; (b) protect public health and...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (17:14:28): I would like to begin this address-in-reply by acknowledging the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, who are the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which this Parliament meets, and to whom during the 59th Parliament I hope we can pay the ultimate respect of a fair and fulsome treaty process. Congratulations to you, President. I have enjoyed working with you so far, and I am sure it is only going to get better. I am looking forward to it. I would also like to congratulate all the members of the house on...

  MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (13:17:15): I too rise to join this motion to offer my condolences, and specifically I would also like to acknowledge Dr Ratnam and Mr Ondarchie and the very deep and close connection that this has to them. Like so many across the world and in this chamber, I was appalled and so incredibly saddened upon hearing the news of the awful terror attacks in Sri Lanka. The brutal murder of so many innocent people—meeting, worshipping and celebrating in churches and hotels. The fact that this attack followed so closely on the Christchurch tragedy makes...

MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (17:51:18): I would like to briefly speak to the Transport Legislation Amendment (Better Roads Victoria and Other Amendments) Bill 2018. I note that this bill implements the Better Roads Victoria Trust Fund, which will hypothecate the traffic camera fines to suburban, rural and interface roads. I think this is very sensible, and sadly I have contributed to that fund in the past and I have no doubt I may contribute to this fund in the future. I am doing my bit to help with the funding of roads in Victoria. The bill also shifts the responsibility for...

MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (20:49:45): (By leave) Thank you, President, and I thank the house for allowing this. I think today was quite a day for us all in speaking about New Zealand and in speaking about the effects that religion can have on people in the most horrific ways, in what we saw in New Zealand. As to putting the question around removing the Lord’s Prayer today, I am still stalwart in my belief that this is a secular house, and that this house represents all 153 religions that are in Victoria and that this house should do that....

MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (15:51:00): I too rise on this motion to offer my condolences. Like so many across the world and in this chamber, on Friday I was shocked, I was appalled, I was frightened and I was so incredibly sad upon hearing the news of the awful terror attacks in Christchurch and the brutal murder of 50 people. On the weekend, like thousands of other Victorians, I visited a mosque to lay flowers and show my solidarity with our Muslim community over this horrific tragedy. In my case I went to the Albanian Mosque in Drummond Street in...