CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms FERNANDO (Holt) (10:05): Recently, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, visited my electorate to meet the incredible volunteers at the Cranbourne SES station. Opened in 2024, the Cranbourne SES station has made an immediate impact. In its first year of operation, the unit responded to nearly 400 calls for assistance across the Casey region.

This has included tackling building damage, clearing fallen trees from major roads and responding to flash flooding incidents. Our SES volunteers are there when people need them the most. They respond to emergencies, support communities through difficult circumstances and provide reassurance when it matters.

Their commitment, alongside their own work and family responsibilities, deserves our whole community's thanks. While in Holt, the Deputy Prime Minister also met with veterans from my community and the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL. This meeting provided an important opportunity to hear directly about their work, the concerns they are facing and the ways the government can support them.

I was grateful to hear from Minister Marles about the government's work in implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Veterans have given so much to our nation, and we have a responsibility to ensure that they can access the support they need. I want to acknowledge the Tooradin CFA brigade for its outstanding work in protecting the southern regions of my electorate.

Tooradin, along with the coastal communities of Western Port Bay, has a character and identity distinct from the suburban parts of Casey. These communities have their own strong sense of place and their own community spirit. That spirit is reflected in the station, where volunteers have come together over the years to contribute their time and skills, transforming it from a basic shed into a modern and well-equipped station.

Towns like Tooradin face unique challenges, including an increased risk of bushfires and flooding. That's why I have been proud to present the Tooradin CFA with a $20,000 grant, through the Stronger Communities Program, to upgrade its electrical circuits. This funding will support the provision of a back-up power supply, contributing to the Tooradin resilience hub.

Thank you to all the volunteers for your hard work, dedication and sacrifice in protecting our local communities.