Ms SPENCE (Yuroke—Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Youth) (14:31): I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s record investment in community sports infrastructure, which has now ticked over $1.1 billion since we were first elected in 2014. The Local Sports Infrastructure Fund is upgrading existing sites and building new facilities right across the state, supporting indoor stadiums, lighting projects, aquatic facilities and, significantly, more infrastructure to boost participation among women and girls. Applications for the latest $27 million round of this program closed earlier this month, and I look forward to announcing recipients soon.

Through two rounds of our landmark $178 million community sports infrastructure stimulus program we are supporting 70 shovel-ready projects to stimulate economic activity and create more than 800 local jobs. We have invested $5 million into Debneys Park in the Assistant Treasurer’s electorate, boosting participation particularly among multicultural youth. The Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers and I announced $4.5 million for upgrades to Olympic Park in Heidelberg, the first major funding injection into this facility since it was built back in 1956. Next week I am excited to visit the site of the Aboriginal women and girls sport and wellness centre in the member for Northcote’s electorate, thanks to $3.9 million through the stimulus program. The Warragul Leisure Centre in the member for Narracan’s electorate received $6 million to expand the stadium to a state-of-the-art four-court facility. In the independent member for Mildura’s electorate we are investing almost $14 million for a game-changing Mildura regional sporting precinct. Community sport is so important to the health and wellbeing of our communities, and more than that, these projects are creating jobs and fuelling our local economies.