Ms SPENCE (Yuroke—Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Youth) (12:29): I rise to provide an update on the continued record investment in community sport by the Andrews Labor government highlighted in the Victorian budget. This budget is all about putting people first, and people are at the heart of community sport right across Victoria. Whether it is the participants or coaches, volunteers or officials, trainers or umpires, community sport is a foundation stone of local communities right across the state, and this budget continues to invest in community sport to the tune of $164 million. This includes $110 million for another round of the community sport infrastructure stimulus program and $27 million for various local infrastructure programs, including the successful Female Friendly Facilities Fund. Together this $137 million investment takes the government’s total investment in community sport infrastructure to more than $1.05 billion since 2014.

But it does not end there. This government knows that families and sporting clubs have done it tough during the pandemic and money is tight. We do not want to see cost as a barrier to participation in local sport, something so fundamental to our way of life and so important for the health and wellbeing of our children. That is why the Andrews Labor government is investing $21 million in the Get Active kids voucher program, a first for any Victorian state government. This will see 100 000 eligible children obtain vouchers of up to $200 for membership fees and subscriptions and uniforms or equipment. And we are also investing another $6 million in the popular sporting club grants program so that sporting clubs can purchase new uniforms and equipment to ensure that they have what they need for their players so they can operate in a COVID-safe way. These investments are critically important, and they are made possible by this Andrews Labor government.