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Media Statements

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer - Peak bodies confirm Labor is damaging our economy

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer – Peak bodies confirm Labor is damaging our economy James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer Two of Victoria’s pre-eminent peak bodies, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Master Builders Victoria, have released budget submissions, calling on the Allan Labor Government to commit to significant economic reform, given the detrimental impact […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Joint Statement - Labor’s tax-and-spend approach chaos hits business confidence

Joint Statement – Labor’s tax-and-spend approach chaos hits business confidence Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer Confidence in the Allan Labor Government’s ability to manage Victoria’s economy has plunged to a record low, with new data from the Property Council confirming what every business owner, builder and investor already […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer - Allan Government crushing Victorian businesses

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer – Allan Government crushing Victorian businesses James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The latest insolvency figures released by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) confirms the ongoing trend in Victoria’s troubled economy, with an increasing number of business insolvencies. During the March quarter alone, Victorian insolvencies reached 843 cases – a […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

Constituency Question - Jet Ski Safety

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘JET SKI SAFETY’. Thursday, 3 April 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:46): My question is for the Premier, and I ask: When will the Premier extend the exclusion zones around Port Phillip Bay beaches and do something about the safety risks associated with jet skis? Elwood resident Ernest recently contacted me about the lack […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 7 April 2025

Bill Debate: Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion): Council Amendments

BILL DEBATE ‘JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ANTI-VILIFICATION AND SOCIAL COHESION) COUNCIL AMENDMENTS’. Wednesday 2 April 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:31): I rise to speak on the Amendments to the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024. What Victorians know is that over the time of this Premier social cohesion in this State has broken, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rotary Classic Car Show

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ROTARY CLASSIC CAR SHOW’. Wednesday, 2 April 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:55): One of the newer major events in Bayside, led by the Rotary Club of Brighton, is the Brighton Classic Car Show. Returning for its fourth year, the recent show was incredibly successful. It saw over 120 cars turn out and thousands […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Helen Paul Kindergarten

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HELEN PAUL KINDERGARTEN’. Wednesday, 2 April 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:54): In the baby boom following the Second World War Helen Paul Kindergarten was established, in 1952. With support from the department’s supervisor, who took an interest in its establishment, the new Hampton kindergarten took her name. As a nature-based kindergarten with bush […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Peter Lanigan

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PETER LANIGAN’. Wednesday, 2 April 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:53): Peter Lanigan has made a profound impact on the service community and was recently awarded Life Membership of the Returned Services League. He is a cornerstone of the Hampton Sub-Branch, and the award befits a man who has contributed for so long. Peter […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 4 April 2025

Joint Statement - Labor must bin its great big new dog of a tax

Joint Statement – Labor must bin its great big new dog of a tax Danny O’Brien, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Allan Labor Government must immediately take a reality check and end its callous and relentless push to introduce an Emergency Services Tax. Labor’s latest tax grab was snubbed in […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 3 April 2025

Joint Statement - D-Day for Labor’s Emergency Services Tax

Joint Statement – D-Day for Labor’s Emergency Services Tax Danny O’Brien, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Liberals and Nationals urge the Upper House to today kill off the Allan Labor Government’s latest massive tax grab. Labor is attempting to ram the new emergency services tax through Parliament, but common sense […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer Victoria is in crisis under Jacinta Allan and her two closely watching colleagues, Ben Carroll and Gabrielle Williams. Our streets are not safe, economic vandalism is rampant, and Labor’s decision to proceed with the Suburban Rail Loop will cause generational damage to our State. For the […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Joint Statement - Federal Labor hits final nail into Suburban Rail Loop coffin

Joint Statement – Federal Labor hits final nail into Suburban Rail Loop coffin Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Major Projects James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer Victorian Shadow Treasurer, James Newbury, has declared that the Albanese Government’s Federal Budget has sealed the fate of the Suburban Rail Loop. Mr Newbury said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had “put […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 24 March 2025

Motion: Education Policy

MOTION ‘EDUCATION POLICY’. Thursday, 20 March 2025 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (23:07): At the core of this motion the Government is seeking to congratulate itself for the provision of services to schools, no matter their circumstances. I start by saying that the Minister for Education has not yet spoken, but he is here in the Chamber. […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate: Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025

BILL DEBATE ‘FIRE SERVICES PROPERTY AMENDMENT (EMERGENCY SERVICES AND VOLUNTEERS FUND) BILL 2025’. Thursday 20 March 2025. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:09): I rise to speak on the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025. It is important to start on this Bill with what the Government intends to do by introducing […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate: Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025

BILL DEBATE ‘BAIL AMENDMENT (TOUGH BAIL) BILL 2025’. Tuesday 18 March 2025. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:53): I rise to speak on the Bail Amendment – so-called – (Tough Bail) Bill 2025. The test for any government is whether they keep their community safe. The core of this bill is whether or not it does anything […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate: Help to Buy (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2025

BILL DEBATE ‘HELP TO BUY (COMMONWEALTH POWERS) BILL 2025’. Wednesday 5 March 2025. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:44): I rise to speak on the Help to Buy (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2025. If you look at the Bill on its own, just the wording of the Bill, it is a very simple Bill in that it is […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 21 March 2025

Motion: Session Orders Amendment

MOTION SESSION ORDERS AMENDMENT’. Thursday, 20 March 2025 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:05): I can understand why the Government has moved this motion at 6 o’clock at the end of a sitting week when no-one, they think, is watching. But I do want to add to the debate in a number of ways, firstly by saying […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Homes Victoria New Street Site

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘HOMES VICTORIA NEW STREET SITE’. Thursday, 20 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: When will the Premier ensure that Community Housing Limited (CHL), the site managers of the Homes Victoria New Street housing site in Brighton, cooperate with police investigations? Premier, the Homes Victoria […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate: Machete Ban: Council Amendments

BILL DEBATE ‘MACHETE BAN: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS’. Thursday 19 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:53): I rise to speak on the Amendments that have been moved today, and I do seek to circulate Amendments which have just come in on behalf of the Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections, if they can be circulated in my […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PROPERTY TAX’. Tuesday, 18 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:45): I rise to oppose the Government Business Program. I do note there has been some debate today about the Bail Bill, which is on the Program; the associated briefing which led to that Bill and the lateness of that briefing; and when the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Property Tax

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PROPERTY TAX’. Tuesday, 18 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:04): The State Labor Government’s property taxes are the biggest imposition on housing cost. Last week, the Centre for International Economics’ Taxation of the Housing Sector found that regulatory costs, statutory charges and infrastructure charges in Melbourne make up 43 per cent of housing […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary - Kitchen Garden Program

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY – KITCHEN GARDEN PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 18 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:05): The Rotary Club of Brighton, formed in 1973, has had a profound impact on Bayside. The Club has raised at least $7 million since formation. The Hampton Primary School community have been overjoyed to learn that Brighton Rotary will […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Family Life

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘FAMILY LIFE’. Tuesday, 18 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:04): Family Life has provided support to vulnerable children, families and communities since it was first established in 1970. The organisation has a big footprint. Last year 12,343 community members were supported by Family Life services and 399 people volunteered 45,533 hours of service. […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Energy and Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Bill 2025

BILL ‘ENERGY AND LAND LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ENERGY SAFETY) BILL 2025 ‘. Tuesday, 18 March 2025. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:53): I rise to speak on the Bail Amendment – so-called – (Tough Bail) Bill 2025. The test for any government is whether they keep their community safe. The core of this bill is whether or not […]

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Media Statements

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer

Statement – Treasurer should be forced to apologise for attacking Victorians James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Premier must demand that her Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, apologise for attacking hardworking Victorians after claiming that rental providers “can afford to pay more” in tax. Recent Australian Tax Office data shows that 403,000 of Victoria’s 561,600 property investors only […]

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In the Media

Friday, 14 March 2025

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer

Statement – GST carve up review confirms Victoria falling behind Australian States  James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Commonwealth Grants Commission’s 2025 Methodology Review into Goods and Services Tax (GST) distribution has confirmed that Victoria is no longer an economic leader, but a national tax taker, as the Allan Labor Government’s reckless financial mismanagement continues to […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 13 March 2025

Joint Statement - Labor’s machete ban: 471 days too late

Joint Statement – Labor’s machete ban: 471 days too late David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Police James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Allan Labor Government has finally announced a machete ban – 471 days after the Liberals and Nationals first pushed for it. Instead of acting when it mattered, Labor has only moved now because Premier […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 12 March 2025

Members Statement - Brighton Secondary College

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON SECONDARY COLLEGE’. Thursday, 6 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): With 1000 students, Brighton Secondary College is a significant school in Bayside. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the school has also welcomed its new Principal, Peter Langham. As Peter said: In 2025 our College is looking to the future and reimagining […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 6 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): The Grade 6 children from Hampton Primary School were bursting with questions on a recent visit. After a recent visit to Parliament the children were ready to talk through everything they had seen and especially to ask why the Speaker had recently […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Kindergarten Funding

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘KINDERGARTEN FUNDING ‘. Thursday, 6 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:51): With a genesis in Bayside kindergartens facing an uncertain future, our community kindergartens now meet at a community kindergarten summit. The summit is an opportunity for kindergartens, local Members of Parliament and council to discuss challenges and opportunities the sector faces. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Grammar School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL’. Thursday, 6 March 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:51): Built to provide cutting-edge learning spaces for science, creativity and entrepreneurship, Brighton Grammar School recently opened their new Duigan Centre. The Centre is a collaboration between the school, St Andrews parish and the Archdiocese and is named after old boy John Robertson […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Bayside Kindergartens

ADJOURNMENT ‘BAYSIDE KINDERGARTENS’. Wednesday, 5 March 2025. My Adjournment matter is for the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to step in and ensure the ongoing viability of kindergartens in Bayside, because the State Labor Government’s kindergarten policy is having a detrimental effect upon them. The first years of life are […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Bill 2025

BILL ‘ENERGY AND LAND LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ENERGY SAFETY) BILL 2025 ‘. Wednesday, 19 February 2025. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:42): I rise to speak on the Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Bill 2025. This Bill, like a number of Bills that we have spoken about in this place, seemingly does some good things. It […]

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In Parliament

Motion: 'Electoral Matters Committee Referral'

MOTION ‘ELECTORAL MATTERS COMMITTEE REFERRAL’. Thursday, 20 February 2025 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:03): I will start by agreeing with the previous speaker and reiterate that the Coalition will be supporting the motion that the Government has moved in relation to the inquiry into the two by-elections. It is important to make sure that, as we […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer

Statement – Land Tax Statement from the Shadow Treasurer  James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer “It is now clear that there has been a systemic breakdown in the land tax regime in this state. These flaws span the State Revenue Office, the Valuer-General’s Office, and the unfair overarching land tax system.” “Victorians are facing ongoing faults and […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 7 March 2025

Joint Statement - Labor’s Mid-Year Budget Update – more debt, more taxes, no plan

Joint Statement – Labor’s Mid-Year Budget Update – more debt, more taxes, no plan Bridget Vallence, Shadow Minister for Finance James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Allan Labor Government’s Mid-Year Financial Report confirms that Victoria’s budget is spiralling further into crisis, with debt surging, interest payments ballooning, and reckless spending damaging the State. Shadow Treasurer James […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 6 March 2025

Joint Statement - Labor's great big new fire tax increase

Joint Statement – Labor’s great big new fire tax increase Danny O’Brien, Leader of The Nationals James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Allan Labor Government’s tabling of the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025 (Bill) has confirmed it is a great big new tax, that will hit Victorians harder than expected. […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

Joint Statement - Labor's property tax hike: secret cost increase on homes

Joint Statement – Labor’s property tax hike: secret cost increase on homes. Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Planning James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Allan Labor Government has been caught out lying to Victorians and the development industry, secretly increasing its developer bond scheme from a promised 2 per cent to 3 per cent in legislation […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Devil in detail as councils join Victorians in turning on new Labor tax.

Joint Statement – Devil in detail as councils join Victorians in turning on new Labor tax. Danny O’Brien, Leader of the Nationals James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The looming new emergency services tax is an obvious blow to all Victorians, yet the devil in the detail exposes even more pain. The new Emergency Services and Volunteers […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Members Statement - Brighton Lifesaving Club - Pink Day.

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON LIFESAVING CLUB – PINK DAY’. Wednesday, 19 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:48): The Brighton Life Saving Club are wonderful community leaders. Recently the club held their second annual pink patrol breakfast. The day was established to celebrate the amazing role women and girls have played in making the club and the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Against Crime Rally.

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE AGAINST CRIME RALLY’. Wednesday, 19 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:48): Hundreds of Bayside residents rallied at a community walk along Hampton Street in Hampton, calling for action to make our streets safe again. Bayside knows that the State Labor Government has ignored the crime crisis and refused to act. Residents at […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton East Public Housing Resident Pool Decision.

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON EAST PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENT POOL DECISION’. Wednesday, 19 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:47): Thirty years ago, a public housing resident in my community went into her Brighton East home and the department approved her setting up an above-ground pool. Twenty-seven years later the Department has ordered that the pool be removed […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Constituency Question - Brighton Station Tower Works

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON STATION TOWER WORKS’. Tuesday, 18 February 2025.  Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:56): My question is to the Premier. Why has the State Labor Government started work on the Premier’s plan for highrise apartment towers in Brighton despite her commitment to consult with the community first? In October the Premier snuck into my community […]

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In the Media

Statement - Minister's attacks on independent agency are alarming

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer Instead of accepting the findings of the independent Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, the Minister for Public and Active Transport has wildly attacked the Auditor.   The Auditor-General’s office has exposed an additional almost $15 billion blowout in major project costs. Damningly, it has also been found that […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 17 February 2025

Constituency Question - Homes Victoria New Street Site

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘HOMES VICTORIA NEW STREET SITE’. Thursday, 6 February 2025.  Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:52): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor Government consider the ongoing concerns of tenants and surrounding residents about the Homes Victoria New Street housing site? North Brighton is being overwhelmed by escalating crime, […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 10 February 2025

Members Statement - Brighton Bathing Box Classic

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON BATHING BOX CLASSIC’. Thursday, 6 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:12): Hundreds of swimmers hit Brighton Beach on Sunday to take part in the iconic Bathing Box Classic. Congratulations to Brighton Life Saving Club on the event and to Club President Sam Dimopoulos on his leadership.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Merilyn Johnson

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MERILYN JOHNSON’. Thursday, 6 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:12): Five months after losing my grandfather, my broken-hearted grandmother passed recently to join with him. Merlyn ‘Merl’ Johnson was my grandfather’s second wife. Their marriage, when he was 74 and she 72, caused quite a commotion. Her family found out about the relationship […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Nepean Highway Noise Barriers

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NEPEAN HIGHWAY NOISE BARRIERS.’. Thursday, 6 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:11): The Brighton East community continue to have their needs ignored. Despite abutting the Nepean Highway, the aged noise barrier fence is collapsing, and the Labor government will not replace it. Residents in Roseberry Avenue have spent months being given the runaround. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Orchard Street Crimes

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ORCHARD STREET CRIMES’. Thursday, 6 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:11): With Victoria Police confirming that the youth crime crisis first started in Bayside, my community has been hit by escalating home invasions and aggravated burglaries for almost three years. In recent weeks Orchard Street in Brighton was attacked four nights out of […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024

BILL ‘JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ANTI-VILIFICATION AND SOCIAL COHESION) BILL 2024 ‘. Wednesday, 5 February 2025. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:23): I rise to speak on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024. This Bill is one that, for context, will not be considered at the end of the week by this Government for […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Statement - Why doesn’t the buck stop with the Treasurer?

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer New Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, has taken the extraordinary step of disassociating herself from her portfolio responsibilities.  As Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, has legislative authority over our state’s finances. It is a responsibility that is key to the future prosperity of our state and it is a role […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Statement - International Credit Ratings Agency issues dire warning on Labor’s financial mismanagement

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer In an unprecedented move, global credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has issued a stark warning about the Allan Labor Government’s financial mismanagement, cautioning that further credit rating downgrades could be imminent. In its latest report, Australia State Ratings At Risk As Fiscal Discipline Wanes, the […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 2 February 2025

Statement - Labor’s Friday cover-up: State Budget delayed to hide financial mess

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer In a last-minute, late-Friday announcement, the Allan Labor Government has underhandedly delayed the release of the Victorian State Budget by two weeks, raising serious concerns about what they are trying to hide. With Victoria already drowning in debt and taxes at record highs, Labor’s decision to […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 16 January 2025

Joint Statement - Victorian unemployment rate evidence of Labor failure

Joint Statement – Victorian unemployment rate evidence of Labor failure Brad Battin, Leader of the Opposition  James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer The Australian Bureau of Statistics unemployment data confirms a long-term trend in Victoria’s economic underperformance and the State Labor Government’s failure in managing our economy. Victoria’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent, is […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 2 December 2024

Motion: 'Debate be Adjourned: Berwick Sledge Motion ~ Two.'

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: BERWICK SLEDGE MOTION ~ TWO’. Thursday, 28 November 2024 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:42): This is an outrageous abuse of the Parliament’s time. While the Premier is sitting in this Chamber, I can say the Premier is taking this Parliament into the gutter and knowingly misusing this Parliament’s time to take it […]

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In Parliament

Motion: 'Debate be Adjourned: Berwick Sledge Motion ~ One.'

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: BERWICK SLEDGE MOTION ~ ONE’. Thursday, 28 November 2024 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:11): The Government is about to misuse this Parliament again. What an outrageous abuse from those Labor Members to use the Parliament’s time again to sledge. That is what this Government wants to do again, to spend another 2 […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 26 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:22): I rise to speak on the Government Business Program, and in doing so if I may just take a moment to acknowledge that it is the last sitting week before Christmas, and this Parliament operates because of wonderful people around the building who […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement: 'Brighton Community Walk'

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON COMMUNITY WALK’ Thursday, 28 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:15): Thousands of people joined a community walk which filled Church Street recently. People from Bayside, Boroondara, Moonee Valley, Stonnington and Whitehorse joined the walk to push back strongly against the Premier’s plan to stuff 20-storey high rise towers into our community. The […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Attempt to Introduce: Corrections Amendment (Assisted Reproductive Treatment) Bill 2024

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE: CORRECTIONS AMENDMENT (ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TREATMENT) BILL 2024.’ Thursday 28, November 2024  Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:18): I rise in support of the Member for Berwick’s move on the Corrections Amendment (Assisted Reproductive Treatment) Bill 2024 and its introduction. The debate now and the debate earlier are about the moral compass of this […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Homes Victoria New Street Site

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘HOMES VICTORIA NEW STREET SITE’. Wednesday, 27 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:01): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the Premier review the ongoing safety concerns at the Homes Victoria New Street housing site? Victoria Police now visit the site most days. Once inside the building’s garage there […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Gwladys and Robert Jeavons

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GWLADYS AND ROBERT JEAVONS’. Thursday, 28 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:14): I want to acknowledge the passing of Gwladys and Robert Jeavons. Gwlad and Bob are well-known members of the Brighton community who both sadly passed aged 96 and 97. Gwlad is from the Hollow family, who were renowned builders across Melbourne, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Mary's Pre-School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST MARY’S PRE-SCHOOL’. Thursday, 28 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:14): This year St Mary’s Pre-School community kindergarten celebrates its 65th anniversary. Based in Brighton East, the kindergarten provides high-quality kinder education to local Bayside three- and four-year-old children. Local families enjoyed a wonderful celebration for the anniversary recently. Thank you to the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Shule

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD SHULE’. Thursday, 28 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:14): With their foundation stone laid in February 1956 and the building opened in September the next year, the Elwood Shule has been an ark of faith and sanctuary in my community. The Shule recently congregated to celebrate the induction of Rabbi Gavriel Fogelgarn. […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 29 November 2024

Statement from the Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Statement from the Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change The chaos surrounding Parks Victoria under the Allan Labor Government continues. In 2023-24, the Allan Labor Government cut $95 million from Parks Victoria and slashed staff numbers. Following this cut, Labor has now admitted Parks Victoria’s “current […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 22 November 2024

Statement - Labor’s high-density plan for suburbs set to displace hundreds of thousands of families

Statement – Labor’s high-density plan for suburbs set to displace hundreds of thousands of families James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Charter 29’s Plan for Victoria and the Planning System Reforms report warns of the Allan Labor Government’s “radical” attack on Melbourne’s suburbs and character. The report suggests that up to 400,000 families will be […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Constituency Question - Brighton Community Walk

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON COMMUNITY WALK’. Tuesday, 12 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:52): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: will the Premier’s consultation with Bayside about her intention to allow 20-storey high-rise towers include the planned community walk this Sunday in Church Street, Brighton? The Bayside community has been left reeling after […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Housing Policy

MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE ‘HOUSING POLICY’. Wednesday, 13 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:16): The Government has brought a Matter of Public Importance to this House today on perhaps their biggest policy failure as a Government, other than of course their perhaps criminal economic vandalism through the life of their Government. But it is in the […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 12 November 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:54): As I look at the Government Business Program that the Leader of the House has just moved and the one listed on the daily program produced by the Parliament, they are different. What a mess. This Government has proven time and time again […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Statement - Allan Labor Government admits housing failure

Statement – Allan Labor Government admits housing failure James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning The Allan Labor Government has today admitted failure on its signature policy promise of delivering 80,000 homes each year for the next 10 years. Under questioning from the Victorian Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC), Deputy Secretary for Housing Implementation, […]

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In the Media

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Opinion Piece - Allan's towers will wreck communities

Opinion Piece – Allan’s towers will wreck communities THE AGE 2 November 2024 James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning From her home in Bendigo, 150 kilometres away, Jacinta Allan has announced that as Victoria’s population massively grows, she has a plan to sacrifice the liveability of our city and grow Melbourne into a mega-city. It’s […]

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In Parliament

Sunday, 3 November 2024

Constituency Question - Brighton Planning Consultation

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON PLANNING CONSULTATION’. Thursday, 31 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:48): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the Premier consult with Bayside about her intention to allow 20-storey high-rise towers in my community? Without showing any community respect, the Premier recently snuck into a locked Brighton building to […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Dissent in Speaker: Question Answers

MOTION ‘DISSENT IN SPEAKER: QUESTION ANSWERS’. Thursday 31 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:38): I move, by leave: That this house dissents from the Speaker’s ruling of 30 October 2024 which ruled that once the Premier had immediately responded to a question she was exempt from Standing Orders and Rulings from the Chair and then […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Dissent in Speaker: Attack Opposition

MOTION ‘DISSENT IN SPEAKER: ATTACK OPPOSITION’. Thursday 31 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:38): I move, by leave: That this house dissents from the Speaker’s ruling of 30 October 2024 which allowed the Labor Government to attack the Opposition so long as it is not current, overturning decades of rulings.

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM.’ Tuesday 29 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:17): Deputy Speaker, in relation to the Government Business Program, when we got version 1 of the Government Business Program – because we are now on the second motion; that has not yet been reflected in the Parliament’s printing because of the changes today […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Joint Statement - Victorians failed by Labor's broken building watchdog

Joint Statement – Victorians pay the price for Labor’s housing failures Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Victorians have suffered ‘‘severe financial, emotional and physical distress’’ due to failings of the Allan Labor Government’s building watchdog, a new report has revealed. For a decade, Labor’s […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor's growth corridor plan scam

Joint Statement – Labor’s growth corridor plan scam John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Today’s announcement that the Allan Labor Government has unlocked housing in Melbourne’s growth corridors is yet another sham that will do nothing to address Victoria’s housing crisis. The announcement centred on Labor releasing its 10-Year […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Bill Debate: Building Legislation Amendment and Other Matters Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE ‘BUILDING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT AND OTHER MATTERS BILL 2024’. Thursday 17 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): I rise to speak on the Building Legislation Amendment and Other Matters Bill 2024. I think it needs to be put on the record at the very outset that the Parliament will only be allowed an opportunity […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Move to Building Bill

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: MOVE TO BUILDING BILL’. Thursday 17 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:42): On the procedural motion, I stand to speak very strongly in support of the Leader of the Nationals’ procedural motion to move away from this current Bill. For the background of the House and those watching, each week there […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - 7 James Street, Brighton

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘7 JAMES STREET, BRIGHTON’. Thursday, 17 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:54): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the Premier address safety concerns of residents at 7 James Street, Brighton? The residents of James Street are living in fear. Many of the residents are elderly, and as one […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE ‘OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE AMENDMENT BILL 2024’. Tuesday, 15 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:59): I rise to speak on the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2024, and I start my contribution by saying that the Coalitionsupports the measures in this Bill. It is not a big Bill. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Coffee Cup Challenge

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST LEONARD’S COFFEE CUP CHALLENGE’. Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): Over the last seven years St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton has raised almost $120,000 to combat homelessness. A significant portion of their fundraising has been directed towards the Ruffy Swag project. The project produces swags that are distributed to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Nepean Highway Noise Barriers

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NEPEAN HIGHWAY NOISE BARRIERS’. Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): The State Labor Government refuses to install proper noise mitigation barriers along the Brighton side of Nepean Highway. For three years the residents of Primrose Crescent have advocated for their broken fencing to be repaired. Recently the fence blew over. As […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - New Street Railway Gates

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NEW STREET RAILWAY GATES’. Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): The New Street railway gates and gatekeepers’ cabin are listed on Victoria’s heritage register. The infrastructure was first built when the line was duplicated in around 1900. There are few gates and cabins left. Despite the historical significance of the site, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayley House - Football Day

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYLEY HOUSE – FOOTBALL DAY’. Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): Kitted in their colours, the clients of Bayley House recently broke through the footy banner onto Wilson Street Reserve to celebrate football day. Bayley House is a wonderful not-for-profit Brighton-based organisation that provides exceptional support for people with an intellectual […]

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In Parliament

Motion: 'Debate Be Adjourned: 7 October Motion'

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: 7 OCTOBER MOTION’. Tuesday 15 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:20): I rise in support of allowing an opportunity for this Parliament to debate this important commemoration of the atrocities of 7 October. That is what the vote that will shortly take place is – allowing this Parliament an opportunity to […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Constitution Amendment (Sec) Bill 2023: Council Amendment

BILL DEBATE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT (SEC) BILL 2023: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS. Tuesday, 15 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:30): I will start where the Minister left off in relation to the Amendments to the Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023. The Minister said a number of times that there would be more to say when it comes to […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 21 October 2024

Bill Debate - Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE DRUGS, POISONS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AMENDMENT (PILL TESTING) BILL 2024. Tuesday, 15 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:02): I rise to speak on the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) Bill 2024. I am glad to follow the Premier and her contribution and do intend to make a few brief comments. […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM.’ Tuesday 15 October 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:18): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. We are deeply concerned. A number of times over this term the Coalition has sought to take Bills into Consideration in Detail. We made a request to the Government on its pill testing Bill […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Victorians pay the price for Labor’s housing failures

Joint Statement – Victorians pay the price for Labor’s housing failures John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Victoria’s housing affordability crisis continues to worsen under the Allan Labor Government. More than a year since Labor’s “Housing Statement” was announced and key housing delivery and affordability outcomes continue to deteriorate, […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Joint Statement - Labor partners up to crush community consultation

Joint Statement – Labor partners up to crush community consultation David Davis, Southern Metropolitan Region James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Following the win to force the Allan Labor Government to release its secret housing documents, Labor has teamed up with the crossbench to crush community consultation. A motion debated in the Victorian Upper House, […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Legislative Council orders release of Labor’s secret housing documents

Joint Statement – Legislative Council orders release of Labor’s secret housing documents David Davis, Southern Metropolitan Region James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning The Legislative Council has ordered the release of key documents relied upon by the Allan Labor Government in announcing housing and population targets. These documents include all assessments, briefs, and modelling used […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 10 October 2024

Joint Statement - Labor plots new property tax for Melbourne's suburbs

Joint Statement – Labor plots new property tax for Melbourne’s suburbs Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Victorians continues to pay the price for Labor’s financial mismanagement as the Allan Labor Government is set to introduce yet another property tax. Under the Allan Labor Government, Victoria already has the highest property […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Local community say no to Labor's planning takeover

Joint Statement – Local community say no to Labor’s planning takeover John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning More than 400 people from across Camberwell, Hawthorn and Kew met on Sunday afternoon to say no to the Allan Labor Government’s takeover of local planning powers. This comes after Minister for […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's big housing build broken promise

Joint Statement – Labor’s big housing build broken promise Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning The Allan Labor Government is putting the $216 billion Suburban Rail Loop ahead of young Victorians and families in growing suburbs in desperate need of a home. On the eve […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 16 September 2024

Members Statement - Elwood Park Pavilion

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD PARK PAVILION.’ Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:15): In 2009, when the Elwood Park Pavilion was built, 21 sporting teams with 880members used the site. There were no girls’ teams; now there are 10. Seventy-two teams with 4120 members now use it. The pavilion is not girl friendly. The Liberal […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - School Sustainability Festival

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SCHOOL SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL.’ Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): Each year Bayside schools come together to celebrate and acknowledge their environmental and student leadership achievements. Elwood Primary School proudly showed me their wonderful project about Elster Creek. This year 25 schools participated in the festival. Thank you to the Port Phillip […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - 1st Elwood Scout Group

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘1st ELWOOD SCOUT GROUP.’ Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): The 1st Elwood Scout Group is an important part of the Elwood community. The growing group recently set up a fun activity day at the Elwood Community Market, and before long it was packed. With Parliament sitting this week, I practiced […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Probus Club of Bayside

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PROBUS CLUB OF BAYSIDE.’ Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): In August 1994, 30 years ago, the Probus Club of Bayside was formed. Today it remains one of the outstanding Probus Clubs in Bayside. It has a strong membership of over 100 members who uphold the values of friendship, fellowship and […]

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In Parliament

Motion: 'Debate be Adjourned: Protests and Greens Behaviour.'

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: PROTESTS AND GREENS BEHAVIOUR’. Thursday 12 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:56): We must urgently debate the motion and also the matters raised by the Leader of the Opposition. For months and months and months we have seen in this place, out on the steps of this place and in the […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - State Civil Liability (Police Informants) Bill 2024: Council Amendments

STATE CIVIL LIABILTY (POLICE INFORMANTS) BILL 2024: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS. Tuesday, 12 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:46): The Amendments that have been moved are deeply concerning. The Bill and the proposal that was put initially to this House has concerned the Coalition, and the Coalition has spoken about those great concerns. The reason we have […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Thomas: Gagging Backbench

MOTION ‘THOMAS: GAGGING BACKBENCH.’ Thursday 12 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): I move, by leave: That this House condemns the Leader of the House for gagging their own Members and the Labor Party for being scared to debate their own motions. Leave refused.

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In Parliament

Motion: Allan: State Forest Access

MOTION ‘ALLAN: STATE FOREST ACCESS.’ Tuesday 10 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): I move, by leave: That this House condemns the Premier for saying only 15 days ago, ‘I will neverput a padlock on our public forests,’ but saying the opposite yesterday by admitting the Government was looking at the land that used to […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Kilkenny: Planning and Third Party Rights

MOTION ‘KILKENNY: PLANNING AND THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.’ Tuesday 10 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): I move, by leave: That this House notes the Minister for Planning spoke out of both sides of her mouth when she previously said developers are motivated by one thing and one thing only – that is, profit – and […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Hampton Drain

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘HAMPTON DRAIN’ Thursday, 10 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:44): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor Government address the collapsed drain on Hampton beach? The Bayside community is fortunate to be custodians of a unique natural environment, including roughly 7 kilometres of Port Phillip Bay […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM.’ Tuesday 10 September 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:29): I will start on the Government Business Program by letting the House know that we will be opposing the Government Business Program this week. On the Short Stay Levy Bill 2024, the Coalition again went to the Government and said we would like […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Youth Justice Bill 2024: Council Amendments

YOUTH JUSTICE BILL 2024: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS. Tuesday, 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): What we are considering today is Amendments to law which will go only half of the way, or part of the way, to trying to fix the mistakes that this current Government made – that this current Government made. This Government […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM.’ Tuesday 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. I will tell you why. The Government Business Program has become a joke. It has become an absolute joke. Whatever is written on the Program will bear no resemblance to what the Government actually […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Church Street Crime

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CHURCH STREET CRIME.’ Tuesday, 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:54): Ram raids, swarm shoplifting and knife fights are happening every week in Church Street, Brighton. Last week just after school pick-up a knife fight started. Signage was being usedas shields, chairs were thrown and glass bottles were being used as projectiles. Church […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - William Almeida

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘WILLIAM ALMEIDA.’ Tuesday, 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:54): This year will mark the centenary of the death of Orlando Street commercial bank teller William Charles Almeida. The 22-year-old was killed by two of Squizzy Taylor’s gang when they robbed the bank. Despite being shot, William held one of the robbers, Francis […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Hebrew Congregation

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON HEBREW CONGREGATION.’ Tuesday, 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:54): The Brighton Hebrew congregation welcomed me for Shabbat recently. Together we spoke about the deep antisemitism that exists and the need for Western countries like Australia to stop extremists from coming to our shores. Only hours after my visit, Hezbollah terrorists were […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Toy Library

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD TOY LIBRARY.’ Tuesday, 27 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:53): The Elwood Toy Library makes a big impact on our community. Last year they joined 264 families as members, facilitated 15,160 hours of play and saved the average family $1914 on toys. Thank you to the families who contributed 800 volunteer hours […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 30 August 2024

Constituency Question - Bayside Kindergartens

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BAYSIDE KINDERGARTENS’. Thursday, 29 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor government accept that its kindergarten policy is having a detrimental effect on providers based in metropolitan Melbourne? We know that the first years of life are the most important […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 29 August 2024

Statement - Labor Minister caught talking out both sides of her mouth

Statement – Labor Minister caught talking out both sides of her mouth James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Thursday 29 August 2024. The Allan Labor Government’s Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has been caught twice in the same week talking out both sides of her mouth. Minister Kilkenny recently announced fast-track approvals for towers up […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 23 August 2024

Statement - Local councils condemn Labor's alarming planning overreach

Statement – Local councils condemn Labor’s alarming planning overreach James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Friday 23 August 2024. Councils have condemned the Allan Labor Government’s push to override community input in local planning decisions, which will fast-track approvals for towers up to 20 storeys in their communities. The changes are set to fundamentally change […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 22 August 2024

Statement - Labor to override community input into suburban towers

Statement – Labor to override community input into suburban towers James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Thursday 22 August 2024. Ten communities in Melbourne will be the first impacted by the Allan Labor Government as it moves to override community input into suburban tower development.   The communities in Broadmeadows, Camberwell, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 19 August 2024

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Wrong Priorities

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: WRONG PRIORITIES’. Thursday, 15 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:22): I move: That the debate be adjourned. What the Government is doing in this Chamber this week is an abuse of this Parliament. We saw only 10 minutes ago the Minister for Transport Infrastructure come in and spend 10 minutes joking […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate be Adjourned: Greens on Middle East

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: GREENS ON MIDDLE EAST’. Thursday, 15 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:01): The Greens have attempted to move today from the business of the House to debating the conflict in the Middle East, and it is a matter that they have sought to debate repeatedly in this place, not in a […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Glen Huntly Road Pedestrian Crossing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘GLEN HUNTLY ROAD PEDESTRIAN CROSSING’. Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:50): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor Government live up to its ironclad commitment to replace the existing school crossing on Glen Huntly Road with a proper pedestrian-operated crossing? The Labor Government has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Vale Benjamin Johnson

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘VALE BENJAMIN JOHNSON.’ Thursday, 15 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:10): My grandfather Benjamin Arthur Johnson lived a full 100 years and 86 days. After an incredible life our Bim, a devoted family man and a gentleman, peacefully passed away. His life was full of love for family, and we feel honoured to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Daisy and Animal Welfare

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘DAISY AND ANIMAL WELFARE.’ Thursday, 15 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:09): One of the big-hearted schoolchildren in my community, Daisy, shared her strong care for animal welfare with me. Daisy is concerned about sports involving horses and Australians spending too much on gambling. Daisy is heartbroken to know that horses are injured […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Andrew Lawrence

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ANDREW LAWRENCE.’ Thursday, 15 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:09): The Hampton Life Saving Club is a hub of Hampton. Each year the Club trains hundreds of children and ensures the safety of thousands of beachgoers, and it has helped countless people over its long history. After ten years on the Board, with […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Sessional Orders: Question Time

MOTION ‘SESSIONAL ORDERS: QUESTION TIME’. Tuesday, 13 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:47): I move, by leave: That this House agrees to the following change to the Sessional Orders to come into effect on the next sitting day: Omit sessional order 11 and insert: 11 Content of answers (1)Standing Order 58(1)(a) is suspended and all […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 13 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:57): I rise to speak on the Government Business Program, deeply concerned and alarmed at the design of the program this week. For those watching, what the Government is trying to do this week is to split the program into two parts and deal […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 15 August 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's taxes to blame for Victoria's housing crisis

Joint Statement – Labor’s taxes to blame for Victoria’s housing crisis Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Evan Mulhollan, Shadow Minister for Housing Affordability and Home Ownership A new report commissioned by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has reiterated the harm that Labor’s excessive taxes have on Victoria’s property […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Joint Statement - Labor treats Victorians with contempt as it blocks greater scrutiny

Joint Statement – Labor treats Victorians with contempt as it blocks greater scrutiny John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning The Allan Labor Government has blocked commonsense changes to the way Question Time operates as it continues to avoid scrutiny and refuses to properly answer questions. Today the Victorian Liberals […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 12 August 2024

Joint Statement - New measures to clean up Question Time

Joint Statement – New measures to clean up Question Time John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will seek to amend the rules of the Legislative Assembly to require Premier Jacinta Allan and her Cabinet Ministers to stop abusing Question Time. Under Labor, Question Time […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 7 August 2024

Motion: Attempt To Introduce: Bail Amendment (Strengthening Conduct Conditions) Bill 2024

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE: BAIL AMENDMENT (STRENGTHENING CONDUCT CONDITIONS) BILL 2024’. Thursday, 1 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:44): I strongly support the Member for Malvern’s introduction of the Bail Amendment (Strengthening Conduct Conditions) Bill 2024. Victorians want bail laws strengthened. The victims of crime want bail laws strengthened. The police want bail laws strengthened. […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 30 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:55): I will start on a positive note and thank the Leader of the House in relation to facilitating the State Sporting Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 being debated today. The fact that the Coalition is opposed to the Government Business Program is in no […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Box Break-ins

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON BATHING BOX BREAK-INS.’ Thursday, 1 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:51): Last week, 20 of the Brighton Beach bathing boxes were broken into over three nights. The break-ins caused extensive damage and property was stolen. For background, the boxes are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Bayside Council are custodians of the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - David Macca McCarthy

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘DAVID MACCA MCCARTHY.’ Thursday, 1 August 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:50): He will be very unhappy with his biggest secret being debunked, but David ‘Macca’ McCarthy’s bark is a lot worse than his bite. This month he steps down as President of JOY after serving seven years as President. His significant contribution as […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Greens Attempt To Introduce: Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission Amendment (Ending Political Corruption) Bill 2024

MOTION ‘GREENS ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE: INDEPENDENT BROAD-BASED ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION AMENDMENT (ENDING POLITICAL CORRUPTION) BILL 2024’. Wednesday, 31 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): The Coalition will be supporting the Member for Brunswick’s attempt to introduce the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Amendment (Ending Political Corruption) Bill 2024. I will make a couple of comments both on […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Dissent In Speaker: Unheard Offence

MOTION ‘DISSENT IN SPEAKER – UNHEARD OFFENCE’. Wednesday, 31 July 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:18): I move, by leave: That this house dissents from the Speaker’s ruling of 30 July 2024 in relation to an unheard offence raised by a Labor Member, noting the contradictory ruling of 28 May 2024 where it was ruled that […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Dissent In Speaker: Green's Behaviour

MOTION ‘DISSENT IN SPEAKER – GREEN’S BEHAVIOUR’. Thursday, 8 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:37): I move, by leave: That this House dissents from the Speaker’s ruling of 8 February 2024 in relation to the Greens’ recent behaviour in the Parliament.

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Statement - Labor walks out on industry experts amid housing crisis

Statement – Labor walks out on industry experts amid housing crisis James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Tuesday 6 August 2024. In a way that only the Allan Labor Government could, Jacinta Allan convened a stakeholder forum to hear from the property sector, but Labor Ministers walked out before the sector had even spoken. The […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 28 July 2024

Joint Statement - Cutting red tape to get more homes built sooner

Joint Statement – Cutting red tape to get more homes built sooner John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Today, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals announced a new plan to get more homes built sooner by cutting red tape from Victoria’s planning system. Under the Allan Labor Government, delays and […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 24 July 2024

Labor Planning Minister must be compelled to give evidence on CFMEU misconduct

Statement – Labor Planning Minister must be compelled to give evidence on CFMEU misconduct James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 23 July 2024. Senior Allan Labor Government Minister, Sonya Kilkenny, has confirmed she was aware of allegations of improper behaviour within the construction division of the CFMEU as early as at least last year. Stunningly, […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 18 July 2024

Statement - Labor housing promise in tatters as new builds trend down

Statement – Labor housing promises in tatters as new builds trend down James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 18 July 2024. The Allan Labor Government’s housing promise is in tatters as new data reveals new builds have fallen, continuing a trend in the wrong direction. Despite repeatedly promising – and then backing away from – […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 4 July 2024

Joint Statement - Councils call out Suburban Rail Loop secrecy

Joint Statement – Councils call out Suburban Rail Loop secrecy David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Monash, Whitehorse, and Kingston Councils have condemned the Allan Labor Government for its failure to provide any meaningful detail in its latest Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Key Directions Paper. Despite plans to […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor's property taxes plunge construction sector into crisis

Joint Statement – Labor’s property taxes plunge construction sector into crisis Jess Wilson, Shadow Minister for Finance James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Thursday 4 July 2024 A new industry survey has revealed the Allan Labor Government’s nation-high property taxes have sapped confidence in Victoria’s construction sector to a low last reached during COVID-19 pandemic. […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 28 June 2024

Joint Statement - Mornington Peninsula tourism and hospitality businesses meet as regional operators face state of crisis

Joint Statement – Mornington Peninsula tourism and hospitality businesses meet as regional operators face state of crisis James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Sam Groth, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events Friday 28 June 2024 Today, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals joined the Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism board’s urgent meeting with industry stakeholders as […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 24 June 2024

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Crime Crisis

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: CRIME CRISIS’. Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:22): I move: That debate be adjourned. I move that debate be adjourned because this is just another attempt by this Government to deflect away from the important issue of the day. That is what we on this side of the House […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Crime Crisis

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: CRIME CRISIS’. Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:59): Speaker, we must urgently debate the crime crisis in Victoria, and that is why the Member has moved to adjourn debate – because we must do it now; we must do it urgently. The time for action is now. The Government […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor communities to pay for Labor's $20 billion SRL funding shortfall

Joint Statement – Labor communities to pay for Labor’s $20 billion SRL funding shortfall James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure Monday 24 June 2024 Victorian communities continue to pay the price for Labor’s financial mismanagement as precincts along the Suburban Rail Loop East (SRL East) corridor face up […]

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In Parliament

Sunday, 23 June 2024

Bill Debate - Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE. ‘PARLIAMENTARY WORKPLACE STANDARDS AND INTEGRITY BILL 2024’. Tuesday, 18 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:28): I rise to speak on the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Bill 2024. I do only intend to make a number of comments. The community have and should have an expectation that their Members of Parliament behave appropriately […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Liberals and Nationals secure partial backflip on Labor's harmful Wonthaggi planning overlay but other left in limbo

Statement – Liberals and Nationals secure partial backflip on Labor’s harmful Wonthaggi planning overlay but other left in limbo James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 21 June 2024. After hurting hundreds of hardworking families in Wonthaggi for months, the Allan Labor Government has partially backflipped on their own earlier decision and removed a mistaken Environmental […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 21 June 2024

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 18 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:52): I will start on a positive note by just letting Members know that this is an important week. Around the building there has been an important show of bipartisanship in relation to Footy for Climate being in the building. The Minister for Environment […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Anti-Semitism

MOTION ‘ANTI-SEMITISM’. Tuesday, 18 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:41): I move, by leave: That this house requires the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by 31 December 2024, on the impact of social cohesion of deep antisemitism that exists in Victoria. Particularly the committee should consider: […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Attempt to Introduce Payroll Tax Amendment (Schools) Bill 2024

MOTION ‘PAYROLL TAX AMENDMENT (SCHOOLS) BILL 2024’. Wednesday, 19 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:47): I rise in strong support of the Member for Kew’s move to introduce the Payroll Tax Amendment (Schools) Bill 2024. This Bill must be debated urgently. This is an issue that is a moral line in the sand. The State […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayspeak

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSPEAK.’ Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): This week the finalists of the Bayspeak competition held their finals in Parliament House. Bayspeak is a Rotary-led youth public speaking competition for Bayside secondary school students. Speakers chose issues like mental health, the importance of connecting with our heritage and where all our […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Pantry

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PANTRY.’ Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): The Pantry cafe has been at the heart of Church Street for 30 years. This week the Pantry team, hundreds of people who have been given their first job over the years and the broader Brighton community celebrated the 30th milestone. The owners do […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Local Grocer Crimes

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LOCAL GROCER CRIMES.’ Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): On Saturday afternoon four southern local grocers, including Dockendorff’s in Cochrane Street, Brighton, were violently robbed. The criminals attacked violently and monstered young workers. Only one of the suspected four offenders has been arrested. Lincoln Wymer, Chief Operating Officer of the Reddrop […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Hampton East School Crossing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘HAMPTON EAST SCHOOL CROSSING’. Thursday, 20 June 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:48): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask how my local community can ensure the State Labor Government funds a much-needed pedestrian crossing in Dane Road. The crossing will service the students from Hampton East School, a school that […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Statement - Labor must support inquiry into antisemitism in Victoria

Statement – Labor must explain abandoned 80,000 new homes a year promise James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Equality 19 May 2024. The Liberals and Nationals will seek to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the increasing level of antisemitism in Victoria. Antisemitism has reached a point where the time for listening is over and the time […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 31 May 2024

Bill Debate - Sustainable Forests (Timber) Repeal Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE. ‘SUSTAINABLE FORESTS (TIMBER) REPEAL BILL 2024’. Wednesday, 29 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:48): When I grew up, the Labor Party stood for something. When I got involved in politics, as much as it pains me to say it, the Labor Party actually stood for something – The ACTING SPEAKER (Alison Marchant): Can […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Caitlin Houston

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘CAITLIN HOUSTON’. Wednesday, 29 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:46): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: how can my constituent Caitlin Houston access the support she deserves? At 5:20 on 18 September 2023 Caitlin disembarked at tram stop 41 along route 67 onto an unparallel pavement which exceeded the allowable […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Thursday, 30 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:15): It is clear that this motion is just another one of the Government’s sledge motions, a break-glass attempt by the Government to divert from their own problems, and I move: That all the words after ‘That’ be omitted and replaced with the words […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - School Funding Broken Promises

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SCHOOL FUNDING BROKEN PROMISES.’ Thursday, 30 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): Before the last election the Labor Party promised two schools in my community funding upgrades. These promises of $9.8 million for Hampton Primary School and $11.7 million for Gardenvale Primary School were ironclad commitments matched by the Liberal Party. Yet after […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elsternwick Primary Fundraising

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELSTERNWICK PRIMARY FUNDRAISING.’ Thursday, 30 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): There are four very special leaders in my community – Max, Alby, Charlie and Oscar. These four young people from Elsternwick Primary School have made a real difference and shown how one selfless act can make change. The four students recently shaved […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary Policy Ideas

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY POLICY IDEAS.’ Thursday, 30 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): Grade 6 students from Hampton Primary have shared with me a number of proactive initiatives for the Parliament to consider. Concerned that less than 20 per cent people are properly hydrated, Mark and Tasman propose increasing water station infrastructure, which they […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 28 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:20): The coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program – the Leader of the House will have to wait for another week. The Leader of the House has gone through a number of Bills that the government is proposing to consider this week. […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 27 May 2024

Joint Statement - Labor must stop plan to lock Victorians out of parks

Joint Statement – Labor must stop plan to lock Victorians out of parks James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition Wayne Farnham, Member for Narracan Monday 27 May 2024 The Victorian Liberals and Nationals call on the Allan Labor Government to reject a proposal to lock Victorians out of public […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Future Pesutto Government will rip up Labor's Wonthaggi overlay

Joint Statement – Future Pesutto Government will rip up Labor’s Wonthaggi overlay James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition Sunday 26 May 2024 An elected Pesutto Government will rip up the planning amendment that Labor has imposed over hundreds of Wonthaggi homes. In January, the Allan Labor Government approved Amendment […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 23 May 2024

Joint Statement - Planning Minister’s planning amendment destroys value of Wonthaggi homes

Joint Statement – Planning Minister’s planning amendment destroys value of Wonthaggi homes James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Renee Heath, Member for Eastern Victoria Thursday 23 May 2024 Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, has confirmed the Allan Labor Government has no intention of helping hundreds of Wonthaggi residents after she approved a retrospective environmental overlay […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 17 May 2024

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): The coalition will be opposing the government business program, and I move: That the Government Business Program proposed by the Leader of the House be amended by omitting the order of the day, Government business, relating to the State Taxation Amendment Bill 2024. […]

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In Parliament

Motion: 1 Day Adjournment: State Tax

MOTION ‘1 DAY ADJOURNMENT: STATE TAX’. Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:23): I am absolutely outraged that the Treasurer would walk into this Chamber, introduce a Bill that increases tax – two new taxes, I understand, there could be more; we have only just been handed the Bill – and they have done […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Appropriation (2024-2025) Bill 2024

BILL DEBATE. ‘APPROPRIATION (2024-2025) BILL 2024’. Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:41): I rise to speak on the State Government’s 2024–25 Budget and the associated Appropriation Bills. A Budget should set out the vision for this State; that is the purpose of a Budget. What we saw this year was a new Premier, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Ken Hawkins

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘KEN HAWKINS.’ Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:39): Kenneth Francis Hawkins was a good man. He was a gentleman. That is why he stood out. He was sparing with his words, but what set him apart was that he found wisdom in every word that he spared. Ken was a devoted […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Benjamin Johnson

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BENJAMIN JOHNSON.’ Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:39): My grandfather Benjamin Arthur Johnson was born 100 years ago with dough under his fingernails. His grandfather Benjamin Easter was a longstanding Councillor and Mayor in Northcote. He launched BE Johnson Bakery. He also developed property and ran a nationally successful cake manufacturing […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor must explain abandoned 80,000 new homes a year promise

Statement – Labor must explain abandoned 80,000 new homes a year promise James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 17 May 2024. Yesterday, Premier Jacinta Allan and the State Labor Government abandoned their promise to deliver 80,000 new homes every year, over the next 10 years. In a Parliamentary Committee hearing yesterday, with Premier Allan by […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor abandons 80,000 new homes a year target

Statement – Labor abandons 80,000 new homes a year target James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 16 May 2024. The Allan Labor Government’s signature housing policy is in disarray as Premier Jacinta Allan abandons her government’s promise to build 80,000 new homes each year, over ten years. Speaking before a Parliamentary Committee today, Deputy Secretary […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 13 May 2024

Members Statement - Elster Creek Canal

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELSTER CREEK CANAL.’ Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:55): My Constituency Question is to the Minister for Water in the other place. When will the State Labor Government meet with Elwood community leaders to commit to addressing the environmental issues in the Elster Creek canal and catchment? My community cares deeply […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lilly The Fairy

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LILLY THE FAIRY.’ Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:34): We are fortunate to have mythical creature Lilly the fairy living in Brighton East. Her home is in a tree in Cluden Street. Children leave little letters for Lilly, which she diligently responds to. Sadly, the Bayside Council ogre threatened to evict […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Antonio Cipriano

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ANTONIO CIPRIANO.’ Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:34): Antonio Cipriano is an outstanding contributor to Bayside through his leadership with the 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts. The group is a powerhouse in Australia. Tony was recently awarded Bayside Citizen of the Year for his contribution to the club and for providing leadership, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Sailing Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD SAILING CLUB.’ Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:33): On 20 May 1924 Elwood Sailing Club was formed as the Elwood Sea Canoe Club. In the late 1920s members started fitting sails to their canoes. The first sailing canoe inspired the Seahorse-class yacht, hence the genesis of the seahorse Club logo. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Soccer Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON SOCCER CLUB.’ Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:33): The Brighton Soccer Club celebrates its 100th year this year, and the Club recently unveiled a new kit, which has been redesigned to build connection with Indigenous peoples. The Dendy Park based Club are the largest soccer club in Victoria. This year […]

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In Parliament

Bill - National Energy Retail Law (Victoria) Bill 2024

BILL ‘NATIONAL ENERGY RETAIL LAW (VICTORIA) BILL 2024.’ Tuesday, 30 March 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:10): I rise to speak on the National Energy Retail Law (Victoria) Bill 2024. This Bill is about ensuring that Victorians have an energy provider if their provider goes under – ensuring that there will be an automatic transfer of […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Members Be Heard

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: MEMBERS BE HEARD’. Tuesday, 30 April 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:38): I move: That the debate be adjourned. I am moving that the debate be adjourned because what we have seen today is an outrageous abuse of this place whereby the Government did not provide an opportunity for Members to be […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 30 April 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:35): On the Government Business Program, what we are seeing in the Parliament today is the most shameful display, the most shameful abuse of this place, that I have seen in my time in this place – in my time around Parliament and involved […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 10 May 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's $21.5 billion in taxes crippling the property sector

Joint Statement – Labor’s $21.5 billion in taxes crippling the property sector James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer  Wednesday 8 May 2024 The Victorian State Budget has reinforced the ongoing vandalism the Labor Government is committing to our state’s property sector and its impact on housing affordability. As the Property Council of […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Joint Statement - Liberals and Nationals to restore democracy to renewable project approvals

Joint Statement – Liberals and Nationals to restore democracy to renewable project approvals Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security, David Davis Shadow Minister for Planning, James Newbury 01 May 2024. Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has given herself full power for approvals for renewable energy projects, stripping local communities of their right to be […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Joint Statement - Victorian households to pay Labor's new Home Owner Tax

Joint Statement – Victorian households to pay Labor’s new Home Owner Tax Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell Shadow Minister for Planning, James Newbury 30 April 2024. Victoria’s housing affordability crisis is set to worsen as the Allan Labor Government plans to introduce a new Home Owner Tax on all properties across Victoria. New reports today have […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 29 April 2024

Joint Statement - Labor set to impose 40-storey towers to fill rail loop black hole

Joint Statement – Labor set to impose 40-storey towers to fill rail loop black hole David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 28 April 2024. Following a flawed public consultation process, the Allan Labor Government has released development maps for areas surrounding Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) stations. With approval […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 17 April 2024

Statement - Liberals and Nationals secure taskforce to audit dangerous asbestos

Statement – Liberals and Nationals secure taskforce to audit dangerous asbestos James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 18 April 2024. Over a week and a half after refusing calls from the Liberals and Nationals to establish a broad audit of dangerous materials on State land, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor removes community voice for renewable energy projects

Joint Statement – Labor removes community voice for renewable energy projects David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 17 April 2024. The Allan Labor Government is silencing the voice of local communities from energy project planning decisions by bringing into effect extraordinary new rules that leave it […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Joint Statement - Liberals and Nationals secure expanded support for homebuilder collapse victims

Joint Statement – Liberals and Nationals secure expanded support for homebuilder collapse victims James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability 16 April 2024. Victims of homebuilder collapses will receive the support they deserve following quiet confirmation the Liquidated Builders Customer Support Payment Scheme has been further […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Statement - Minister needs to cut holiday short and agree to audit of public land

Statement – Minister needs to cut holiday short and agree to audit of public land James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 11 April 2024. The Allan Labor Government must act responsibly and agree to a broad audit of dangerous materials on State land.   Over Easter, a father who was at a […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 8 April 2024

Statement - Urgent audit into asbestos on public land needed

Statement – Urgent audit into asbestos on public land needed James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 8 April 2024. The Liberals and Nationals are calling on the Allan Labor Government to urgently undertake a full and proper audit into asbestos on public land in Victoria. Last Wednesday, a resident, who was at […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 4 April 2024

Statement - New data shows Labor misses housing promise again

Statement – New data shows Labor misses housing promise again James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 4 April 2024. Latest building approval data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirms Labor has again failed to meet its own housing promise. On a trend basis, the data confirms a monthly decrease of -1.6 per […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 1 April 2024

Statement - Local communities to pay the price of Labor’s planning mismanagement

Statement – Local communities to pay the price of Labor’s planning mismanagement James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 29 March 2024. On the eve of the Easter long weekend, the Allan Labor Government sneakily released growth activity centre mapping for so-called public consultation. Hidden on the Victorian Planning Authority website, avoiding proper transparency, the Government […]

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In the Media

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Opinion Piece - Victoria - Our People and Our Places

‘VICTORIA – OUR PEOPLE AND OUR PLACES.’ Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association (VPELA) Revue, Autumn Edition, 2024. 27 March 2024. JAMES NEWBURY Our great State is made up of interconnected cities and communities. Our communities are a patchwork of interwoven suburbs and townships. In many ways, our interconnected communities are as diverse as the […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Homebuyers failed as Labor's building regulator chaos continues

Joint Statement – Homebuyers failed as Labor’s building regulator chaos continues James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability 28 March 2024. Victorian homebuyers continue to pay the price of Labor’s mismanagement as the remaining board members of Victoria’s troubled building regulator, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), […]

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In the Media

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Interview - 3AW Radio (26 March 2024)

Interview – 3AW Radio (26 March 2024) James spoke to Jacqui Felgate on 3AW about the 43 percent increase in aggravated burglary in the Bayside community, and the State Labor Government’s lack of action to protect Victorians from serious crime. You can listen to the interview here: James Newbury Soundcloud

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In Parliament

Monday, 25 March 2024

Bill - Energy and Public Land Legislation Amendment (Enabling Offshore Wind Energy) Bill 2024

BILL ‘ENERGY AND PUBLIC LAND LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ENABLING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY) BILL 2024.’ Wednesday, 20 March 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:46): I rise to speak on the Energy and Public Land Legislation Amendment (Enabling Offshore Wind Energy) Bill 2024. Victorians and Australians want to see energy that is reliable, secure, affordable and clean. That is […]

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In Parliament

Bill - National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid) Bill 2024

BILL ‘NATIONAL ELECTRICITY (VICTORIA) AMENDMENT (VICGRID) BILL 2024.’ Thursday, 21 March 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:20): I rise to speak on the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid) Bill 2024. Before I mention what this Bill does do, it would be remiss of me not to say what this Government has not done and what this […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary School - Grade Six Visit

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL – GRADE SIX VISIT.’ Thursday, 21 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:49): The students at Hampton Primary School always ask a lot of terrific questions, and it was no exception when I recently visited the grade 6 students. The students wanted to understand Parliament and government better, but it was […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton North Rotary - International Women's Day

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON NORTH ROTARY – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.’ Thursday, 21 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:48): Brighton North Rotary recently celebrated International Women’s Day with a sold-out dinner that heard from a panel of inspiring women. The incredible speakers included Chloe Chang and Rebecca Leith, who led the Monash Uni lunar rover team. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton North Rotary - Recycle Regatta

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON NORTH ROTARY – RECYCLE REGATTA.’ Thursday, 21 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:49): The Brighton community headed down to Middle Brighton Pier on Sunday for the second annual Recycle Regatta, a Brighton North Rotary event that encourages participants to build floatable recycled boats for mental health. With thirty boats crafted and a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Cricket Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD CRICKET CLUB.’ Thursday, 21 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:49): Finally, the Elwood Cricket Club has had an incredible season, bringing home two premierships. The Club won the F-grade flag, captained by Andrew Byrns, and under-16 flag, captained by Wilson Crawford. The Club has a proud history, having been formed in 1972. […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Elster Creek Canal Petition

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ELSTER CREEK CANAL PETITION Thursday 21 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:48): My constituency question is to the Premier: when will the State Labor Government start to genuinely address the environmental issues in the Elster Creek canal and catchment area in my community? The Elster Creek canal and catchment run like an artery […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 15 March 2024

Statement - Labor’s secret agenda to strip away third-party rights a danger to local communities

Statement – Labor’s secret agenda to strip away third-party rights a danger to local communities James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 15 March 2024. Victorians should be disturbed by the ongoing centralisation of planning power by the Allan Labor Government, with third-party rights being stripped away from many parts of the State. Yesterday, we saw […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 14 March 2024

Joint Statement - Labor abandons 80,000 new homes a year pledge

Joint Statement – Labor abandons 80,000 new homes a year pledge Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Housing James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 14 March 2024. Just six months after committing to build 80,000 new homes a year for the next decade, the Allan Labor Government is crab-walking away from this key commitment. Speaking this […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor’s financial mismanagement threatens world heritage site

Statement – Labor’s financial mismanagement threatens world heritage site James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 14 March 2024. Melbourne’s only world heritage listed site is at risk directly because of the financial mismanagement of the Allan Labor Government. Recent reports have highlighted the dire state of the Royal Exhibition Building, with cracking and flaking walls […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Bill - Private Security and County Court Amendment Bill 2024

BILL ‘PRIVATE SECURITY AND COUNTY COURT AMENDMENT BILL 2024’. Thursday, 7 March 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:15): I rise to speak on the Private Security and County Court Amendment Bill 2024. This Bill is an important Bill, in that it helps enhance arrangements that ensure we have a stronger and safer community, and that is […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Uniting Church - Coffee Cup Challenge

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MONTCLAIRE AGED CARE – DAIRY AUSTRALIA VISIT’. Wednesday, 6 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:43): The congregation of St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton have turned their innate spark of giving into Statewide leadership through their Coffee Cup Challenge. The Challenge asked parishioners to set aside the cost of cups of coffee in […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Montclaire Aged Care - Dairy Australia Visit

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MONTCLAIRE AGED CARE – DAIRY AUSTRALIA VISIT’. Wednesday, 6 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:44): The residents of Montclaire Aged Care in Brighton recently had a special visitor: Buttercup the cow. The visit certainly sparked the memories of many residents who as children had milked for fresh milk. Resident Hadyn, who grew up […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 5 March 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:23): The Coalition will be wholeheartedly opposing the Government Business Program. How outrageous it was to hear the Leader of the House get up and say that 2 hours into debate on the cognate SEC Bills the Government will be guillotining one of the […]

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In Parliament

Bill - SEC Cognate Debate

BILL ‘SEC COGNATE DEBATE’. Tuesday, 5 March 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:30): I rise to speak on the Constitution Amendment (SEC) Bill 2023 and State Electricity Commission Amendment Bill 2023 as a cognate debate. Before speaking about the matters of the Bills it is important to talk about how we got here and the background […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Firearms and Control of Weapons (Machetes) Amendment Bill 2024

BILL ‘FIREARMS AND CONTROL OF WEAPONS (MACHETES) AMENDMENT BILL 2024’. Thursday, 22 February 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:35): I rise to speak on the Firearms and Control of Weapons (Machetes) Amendment Bill 2024. This debate is a difficult debate. It is a difficult debate about issues that I know all of us in this Chamber […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Adjournment - Crime in Bayside

ADJOURNMENT ‘CRIME IN BAYSIDE’. Wednesday, 6 March 2024 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:09): My adjournment is directed to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to issue a public apology to my community for ignoring the invasive crime increase in Bayside, following confirmation from Victoria Police that the wave first […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Homebuilder support expanded following Liberals and Nationals advocacy

Joint Statement – Housing approvals plummet proving Labor’s target is a con Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 6 March 2024. Nearly two months after the collapse of Montego Homes left over fifty Victorian homebuyers stranded, the Allan Labor Government has finally expanded its support […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 4 March 2024

Joint Statement - Housing approvals plummet proving Labor’s target is a con

Joint Statement – Housing approvals plummet proving Labor’s target is a con Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 5 March 2024. The Allan Labor Government’s housing targets have been proven a con as new figures reveal Victoria has suffered the largest drop in housing approvals […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 26 February 2024

Bill - Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Bill 2023

BILL ‘BUILDING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DOMESTIC BUILDING INSURANCE NEW OFFENCES) BILL 2023’. Tuesday, 20 February 2024. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:55): I rise to speak on the Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Bill 2023. I start by saying that the Coalition will not be opposing this Bill that we are considering […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate Be Adjourned: Greens Palestine

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: GREENS PALESTINE’. Thursday, 22 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:15): It concerns me that – Tim Read: On a point of order, Speaker, the member for Melbourne was clearly on her feet well ahead of the Member for Brighton. Members interjecting. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Without assistance. Proportionality in the Chamber – […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:43): Hampton Primary School deserves the capital funding Labor promised them during the state election would be committed in the Budget. The school has finalised a game-changing plan. With Hampton growing and the school being a community hub, the school deserves the money […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elster Creek Canal Petition

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELSTER CREEK CANAL PETITION’. Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:44): The Elster Creek canal runs through my community like an artery. It deserves to be protected from plastic litter and toxins. The growing volume of plastic and polystyrene litter is causing harm to wildlife and humans. Residents have started a strong […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hoon Driving

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HOON DRIVING’. Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:44): Brighton residents are regularly reporting that unsafe drag racing is taking place at night along major roads in our community. The noise and behaviour are dangerous, and it is scaring residents. As Errol recently said to me, ‘At night it is a drag […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Attempt To Introduce Bail Amendment (Indictable Offences Whilst On Bail) Bill

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE BAIL AMENDMENT (INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHILST ON BAIL) BILL’. Tuesday, 20 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:18): I strongly support the member for Malvern’s attempt to introduce the Bail Amendment (Indictable Offences Whilst on Bail) Bill 2024, and I support the urgency that it needs to be introduced with. I advise the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rusden Street Bus Stop

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘RUSDEN STREET BUS STOP’. Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:44): The Labor Government promised to temporarily relocate the bus stop at 23 Rusden Street, Brighton, during the works at the nearby public housing redevelopment. The Minister said in 2021 that “the existing bus stop would be temporarily relocated during construction works […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Bayley Birds

ADJOURNMENT ‘BAYLEY BIRDS’. Tuesday, 20 February 2024 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:07): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is to call on the Premier to join me in offering words of support and congratulation in celebrating the work of the Bayley House auxiliary club, the Bayley Birds. Bayley House is a […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 20 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:53): The opposition will be opposing the Government Business Program, primarily because again the Coalition went to the Government and asked if we could consider in detail one of the Bills that is being proposed for the House to consider this week, and the […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 22 February 2024

Statement - Ministerial diaries expose Labor’s lazy Ministers

Statement – Opposition moves dissent motion in Speaker over Greens conduct James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 2 February 2024. The Allan Government has tried to hide the fact that its Ministry is a conga line of bone-idle Ministers, by publicly releasing Ministerial diaries for December 2023, late on Friday afternoon. The diaries expose a […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Joint Statement - Labor late to act weeks after Montego Homes collapse

Joint Statement – Labor late to act weeks after Montego Homes collapse Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 19 February 2024. Weeks after the collapse of Montego Homes left over fifty Victorian homebuyers stranded, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has finally suspended the registration of […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

Bill - Building Legislation Amendment (Domestic Building Insurance New Offences) Bill 2023

BILL ‘BUILDING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DOMESTIC BUILDING INSURANCE NEW OFFENCES) BILL 2023’. Tuesday, 6 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:23): I do rise to speak on the Building Legislation Amendment (Domestic Building Insurance New Offences) Bill 2023, and at the outset I do want to note how difficult this debate is for so many people. This […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 12 February 2024

Joint Statement - Jacinta Allan picks Weimar to do another dud job

Joint Statement – Jacinta Allan picks Weimar to do another dud job  Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 11 February 2024. Premier Jacinta Allan has turned to the bureaucrat who helped oversee the world’s longest lockdowns and the $600 million Commonwealth Games debacle to deliver […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 11 February 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's energy upgrades program in chaos

Joint Statement – Labor’s energy upgrades program in chaos David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 1 February 2024. Labor’s energy upgrades program is in disarray with complaints about poor quality and potentially unsafe installations. The high cost of carbon credit certifications and lack […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 9 February 2024

Members Statement - Great Bayside Swim

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GREAT BAYSIDE SWIM’. Wednesday, 7 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:47): Crowds of thousands descended onto Brighton foreshore on Australia Day to see 1000 registered swimmers participate in this year’s Great Bayside Swim. Organised by the Rotary Club of Brighton, the event is a cornerstone sporting occasion that also raises funds for those […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Debate Be Adjourned: Greens Apology

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED – GREENS APOLOGY’. Thursday, 8 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:19): I move: That debate be adjourned. I move that the debate be adjourned because it is important that this House immediately debate the behaviour of the Greens, the pattern of behaviour of the Greens, and that a number of members […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton Primary School

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 8 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): My constituency question is to the Premier. When will the State Labor Government stop ignoring the genuine investment needs of Brighton Primary School? In April next year Brighton Primary will celebrate 150 years of educating the young children of Brighton. It is […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lions Club of Brighton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LIONS CLUB OF BRIGHTON’. Wednesday, 7 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:47): The Lions Club of Brighton work tirelessly to raise funds for those in need. Over the weekend I joined Club members as we ran a sausage sizzle in Church Street. Hundreds of sausages were sold to raise funds for important causes. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Central Combined Probus Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON CENTRAL COMBINED PROBUS CLUB’. Wednesday, 7 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:47): Probus is a powerhouse in Brighton. There are 10 local clubs, six of which meet in my electorate. I recently caught up with 100 local members of Brighton Central Combined Probus Club for their first meeting of the year. We […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayley House Christmas Concert

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYLEY HOUSE CHRISTMAS CONCERT’. Wednesday, 7 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:48): The best event in Brighton each year is the annual Bayley House Christmas concert. Brighton is abuzz in the lead-up and following. Many local traders take all of their staff to what is always an incredible night of laughs, tears, dancing […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 6 February 2024. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:27): The Opposition will not be opposing the Government Business Program. We will not be opposing the Government Business Program. Wasn’t it wonderful to start the year coming back into this place knowing that we had the opportunity to represent our communities, to speak […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor wastes money on SEC branded yoyos and mugs as power bills soar

Joint Statement – Labor wastes money on SEC branded yoyos and mugs as power bills soar David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 9 February 2024. As Victorians struggle to pay record power bills, the Allan Government has wasted nearly $400,000 on SEC branded merchandise including yoyos […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 8 February 2024

Statement - Opposition moves dissent motion in Speaker over Greens conduct

Statement – Opposition moves dissent motion in Speaker over Greens conduct James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 8 February 2024. The State Opposition has moved a dissent motion in the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly following her failure to require each Greens MP to apologise for their behaviour in Parliament yesterday. Yesterday during Question Time, […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Homebuyers left high and dry as Labor ghosts them

Joint Statement – Homebuyers left high and dry as Labor ghosts them Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 7 February 2024. Victorian homebuyers who have been left without the protection of compulsory domestic building insurance (DBI) following the collapse of Montego Homes have today gathered […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 2 February 2024

Joint Statement - Labor fails Victorian homebuyers again

Joint Statement – Labor fails Victorian homebuyers again Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 2 February 2024. Victorian homebuyers continue to be let down by the Allan Government with revelations dozens of clients of the recently collapsed Montego Homes have been left stranded without compulsory […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 1 February 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's energy upgrades program in chaos

Joint Statement – Labor’s energy upgrades program in chaos David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 1 February 2024. Labor’s energy upgrades program is in disarray with complaints about poor quality and potentially unsafe installations. The high cost of carbon credit certificates and lack […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 18 January 2024

Joint Statement - Victorians to pay for chaos in wind energy sector

Joint Statement – Victorians to pay for chaos in wind energy sector David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 18 January 2024. The exclusion of a respected wind energy provider from the Federal Government’s offshore wind development in Victoria has further highlighted the chaos […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's offshore wind failure continues

Joint Statement – Labor’s offshore wind failure continues James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security Roma Britnell, Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight 17 January 2024. The chaos surrounding Labor’s offshore wind failure worsens as new reports reveal Labor ignored warnings from Victoria’s lead infrastructure […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

Statement - Jacinta Allan breaks asbestos removal promise as Labor runs out of money

Statement – Jacinta Allan breaks asbestos removal promise as Labor runs out of money James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment 17 January 2024. The Allan Government has broken another promise by refusing to fund the delivery of planned asbestos disposal safe sites across Victoria. To date, just three of a planned eight pilot sites have […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 14 January 2024

Joint Statement - Hastings wind project collapse exposes conga line of incompetence

Joint Statement – Hastings wind project collapse exposes conga line of incompetence James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security Roma Britnell, Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight 12 January 2024. This week the Premier, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 10 January 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's offshore wind plan in tatters

Joint Statement – Allan Government in disarray over offshore wind terminal David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 11 January 2024. Federal Minister for Energy, Chris Bowen, has exposed the Victorian Labor Government’s renewable wind strategy as having collapsed, with generation targets for 2032 […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor’s housing target in doubt as new home approvals drop

Joint Statement – Allan Government in disarray over offshore wind terminal Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 10 January 2024. The Allan Government’s promise to deliver 80,000 homes a year, over ten years, is in doubt only months after the promise was made. Australian Bureau […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Allan Government in disarray over offshore wind terminal

Joint Statement – Allan Government in disarray over offshore wind terminal James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security 10 January 2024. Jacinta Allan has exposed herself as being a danger to the environment, a risk to industry, overseeing a collapse in the State Government’s self-lauded renewable wind […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 7 January 2024

Joint Statement - Labor's planning delays hit renewable energy projects

Joint Statement – Labor’s planning delays hit renewable energy projects John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 7 January 2024. New analysis of Victorian planning documents shows that the Minister for planning has delayed almost a dozen renewable energy projects, which are gathering dust in the Minister’s office. A total […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor's planning takeover to swing wrecking ball through suburbs

Joint Statement – Labor’s planning takeover to swing wrecking ball through suburbs David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 27 December 2023. Under the cover of Christmas, the Allan Labor Government has pushed ahead with its Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) planning power takeover which strips away the rights of […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor's big housing build is a big con

Joint Statement – Labor’s big housing build is a big con Bridget Vallence, Shadow Minister for Skills and Training James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 21 December 2023. The Allan Government’s promise to build 800,000 homes over the next 10 years while continuing their so-called ‘Big Build’ has been further exposed as a con by […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 14 December 2023

Joint Statement - Labor imposes rail loop local planning takeover

Joint Statement – Labor imposes rail loop local planning takeover David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 14 December 2023. Under the cover of Christmas, the State Labor Government has gazetted declaration of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) planning areas. The declarations give the Suburban Rail Loop Authority planning […]

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In Parliament

Sunday, 10 December 2023

Bill - State Taxation Bill: Council Amendments

BILL ‘STATE TAXATION BILL: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS’. Thursday, 30 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:08): I rise to speak on the State Taxation Acts and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2023 amendments immediately. These Amendments and this Bill are based on a con, because what the government is saying is ‘We have a plan to increase housing […]

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In Parliament

Motion: SEC Concurrent Debate

MOTION ‘SEC CONCURRENT DEBATE.’ Thursday, 30 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:18): I move: That the words ‘, and that general business, notice of motion 79,’ be inserted after the words ‘State Electricity Commission Amendment Bill 2023’. Before I speak to the Amendment, I note that the Government has been so excited and so ready […]

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In Parliament

Point of Order - Green Behaviour

POINT OF ORDER: ‘GREEN BEHAVIOUR’. Thursday, 30 November 2023. Gabrielle DE VIETRI (Richmond) (09:39): I desire to move, by leave: That this house calls for: (a) an end to the indiscriminate bombing of Palestinian people; (b) an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine; and (c) the Victorian government to end military, economic, political and diplomatic […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Community revolt over planning takeover

Statement – Community revolt over planning takeover James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 9 December 2023. The peak body representing Victorian councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria, is the latest community representative body to voice its opposition to Labor’s proposed government takeover of our planning system. Calling out the two key issues of taking away […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Health Payroll Tax

ADJOURNMENT ‘HEALTH PAYROLL TAX’. Thursday, 30 November 2023 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:17): My adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the State Labor government to reverse their nasty new health tax, which undermines the services that doctors can provide and increases the costs of medical care for all Victorians. Medical […]

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In Parliament

Friday, 8 December 2023

Motion: Sessional Orders

MOTION ‘SESSIONAL ORDERS.’ Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:41): Deputy Speaker, I too thank you for your role in the work that we are considering now and also the other Members of the Committee and the Clerks, who did an incredible job. Reforming the Standing Orders is a hard job. It is a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Mental Health & Suicide

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE’. Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:53): As the experts predicted, the sting would be in the mental health tail after Victoria’s COVID lockdowns. The Coroner’s Annual report shows 10.5 per cent of deaths last year were caused by suicide: 784 deaths, up from 701 previously and 672 […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Attempt to Introduce Control of Weapons (Machete) Bill

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE CONTROL OF WEAPONS (MACHETE) BILL.’ Tuesday, 28 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:21): I rise in support of the Member for Berwick’s introduction of the Control of Weapons Amendment (Machetes) Bill 2023. I strongly support the Member in his introduction and urge that the House consider that both today and on […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 28 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:03): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. Before going into further debate on the Program I do think is important to note a couple of things. As the Leader of the House rightly said, this is the last Parliamentary sitting week […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Land (Revocation of Reservations) Bill 2023

BILL ‘LAND (REVOCATION OF RESERVATIONS) BILL 2023’. Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:51): I rise to speak on the Land (Revocation of Reservations) Bill 2023. When one looks at a Bill of this nature, a Bill that effectively changes the status of pieces of land around Victoria, you could mistakenly think that these […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Art Show

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE ART SHOW’. Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:52): This year Bayside celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Bayside Art Show. This show was first held in 1971 in support of the Brighton Recreational Centre, and other than during COVID it has been held since. Over 1100 artworks form part of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Holloway Bend Scout Group

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HOLLOWAY BEND SCOUT GROUP’. Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:52): Bayside is a powerhouse for scouting, with eight local groups, including the 1st/14th Brighton, Hampton and 1st Elwood. The scouting family is getting bigger with the formation of a new group at Holloway Bend in Brighton. The formation was announced by […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Columba's Primary Exhibition

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY EXHIBITION’. Wednesday, 29 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:52): St Columba’s Primary School Year 6 students recently showcased their Sharing the Planet Exhibition, a culmination of the Primary International Baccalaureate program. The projects explored topics of personal importance. Congratulations to Antonino, Bette, Botao, Clementine, Elle, Eloise, Harry, Immy, Juno, Kaede, […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 27 November 2023

Joint Statement - Jacinta Allan’s Parliamentary agenda collapses

Joint Statement – Jacinta Allan’s Parliamentary agenda collapses David Davis, Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 27 November 2023. Jacinta Allan’s legislative agenda is in chaos on the eve of the final sitting week of the Victorian Parliament this year. The Allan Government has withdrawn its two SEC […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 24 November 2023

Statement - Planning Minister put Victoria's economic growth at risk

Statement – Planning Minister put Victoria’s economic growth at risk James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 24 November 2023. The planning industry has taken the unprecedented step of confirming that Victoria’s economic growth is being obstructed by the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny. Peak industry organisations, the Planning Institute of Australia and the Property Council, […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 22 November 2023

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 14 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:26): The Coalition will be supporting the Government Business Program this week. As the Leader of the House said, there are a number of Bills and a number of broader issues that the House will be speaking about this week that are such important […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Hebrew Congregation

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON HEBREW CONGREGATION’. Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:47): The Brighton Shule was established over 60 years ago to serve the Jewish community in Bayside. The congregation moved into their Marriage Road premises in 1967. Thank you to Rabbi Alexander Tsykin and President David Wittenberg for your kind invitation for me […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Yalukit William Nature Reserve

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘YALUKIT WILLIAM NATURE RESERVE’. Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:47): The conversion of Elsternwick Park North in Brighton into an environmental reserve not only is a project of state or national significance but has also been recognised by CNN internationally. The media outlet recently included it as one of the six […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton RSL

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON RSL’. Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:47): The Hampton RSL Sub-Branch was officially formed in 1945 and in 1952 move to Holyrood Street, where it is still based. The Club is a hub for significant commemorations and community events. Thousands attend events like the dawn service. Thank you to Club […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - We Pray for Peace Concert

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘WE PRAY FOR PEACE CONCERT’. Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:46): On Sunday the Brighton community welcomed hundreds of people to the Brighton Town Hall for a ‘We pray for peace in Israel’ special concert event. The concert, which heard from musicians performing songs in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and English, raised […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Adjournment - Brighton Police Station

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON POLICE STATION’. Thursday, 16 November 2023 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:18): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to commit to delivering a much-needed Brighton police station. The State Labor Government have got it wrong community safety, and they got it completely wrong on crime in […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 20 November 2023

Matter of Public Importance - Caulfield and Move On Laws

MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE ‘CAULFIELD & MOVE ON LAWS’. Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:30) I rise to speak on the member for Malvern’s Matter of Public Importance: That this house reaffirms that no Victorian should face harassment on account of their faith, and therefore: (1) Condemns the intimidatory protest held in close proximity […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 17 November 2023

Joint Statement - Boroondara calls our Allan Government's planning takeover

Joint Statement – Boroondara calls our Allan Government’s planning takeover John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Hawthron James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 15 November 2023. The City of Boroondara is the first council to stand against the Allan Government’s planning takeover, which will rip away the rights of communities to have a […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 6 November 2023

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 17 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:03): I rise to speak on the Government Business Program. The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program, unfortunately. We will get to the substance of the motion, but the Coalition proposed to the Government that the Coalition was so interested in debating […]

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In Parliament

Indulgence - Brighton Police Incident

INDULGENCE ‘BRIGHTON POLICE INCIDENT’. Tuesday, 2 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:11): While I have the Minister for Police in the Chamber, may I just have indulgence for one moment in thanking Victoria Police for their professionalism following an incident that has just occurred in Brighton in relation to two police cars being rammed and […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Environment Legislation Amendment (Circular Economy and Other Matters) Bill 2023

BILL ‘ENVIRONMENT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL 2023’. Thursday, 2 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:11): I rise to speak on the Environment Legislation Amendment (Circular Economy and Other Matters) Bill 2023. I stand here today having expected to be speaking on this Bill yesterday, being the first day of the container […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Uniting Church

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON UNITING CHURCH’. Wednesday, 1 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:55): On a hot February day in 1853 congregants of what has become Trinity Uniting, first worshipped together in a tent in Carpenter Street, Brighton. This year the church celebrates its 170th anniversary. From a tent, then to a wooden chapel in Male […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton Primary School

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 2 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:35): My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education. When will the Government provide much-needed funding to Brighton Primary School? Brighton Primary School is an incredible school in my community and is soon to turn 150 years old. It has […]

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In Parliament

Sunday, 5 November 2023

Members Statement - Brighton Bathing Box Association

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON BATHING BOX ASSOCIATION’. Wednesday, 1 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:56): The Brighton bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach must be one of the most iconic attractions in Victoria. First formed in 1935, the Brighton Bathing Box Association represents 88 box owners and eight boatsheds – that is 90 per cent of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bottarga Restaurant

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BOTTARGA RESTAURANT’. Wednesday, 1 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:56): A big congratulations to Fredi, Somi and the Bottarga team in Martin Street, Brighton, who were recently awarded a hat by TheAgeGood Food Guide. The team work hard and the whole community is thrilled with their achievement.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Xavier College Site

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘XAVIER COLLEGE SITE’. Wednesday, 1 November 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:56): The Brighton community is deeply concerned about Labor’s government-led approach to planning that strips away the rights of the community to have a say. The community around the former Xavier school Kostka site on South Road in Brighton are concerned about their […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Victorian Liberals to get Vietnamese Museum back on track

Joint Statement – Victorian Liberals to get Vietnamese Museum back on track John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Trung Luu, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs 3 November 2023. Victoria’s Vietnamese community has been let down by the Allan Labor Government as poor planning threatens the future of the […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 1 November 2023

Joint Statement - New Premier, same old Labor financial mismanagement

Joint Statement – New Premier, same old Labor financial mismanagement John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 1 November 2023. The release of nearly 230 annual reports in the Victorian Parliament today has laid bare the dire state of Victoria’s finances under the Allan Labor Government. The reports highlight financial […]

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Media Statements

Tuesday, 31 October 2023

Statement - Labor's container deposit scheme starts in disarray

Statement – Labor’s container deposit scheme starts in disarray James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment 01 November 2023. The Labor Government’s Container Deposit Scheme starts today amid ongoing disarray and with advocates calling for it to be delayed. Acknowledging the chaos, environmental advocates, including the Boomerang Alliance, have called for a delay in the scheme’s […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 30 October 2023

Joint Statement - Labor’s housing target another con job

Joint Statement – Labor’s housing target another con job James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability 28 October 2023. New figures have confirmed that the Labor Government’s target to build 800,000 new Victorian homes, over the next decade, will never be achieved. The number of new […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor backflips on Frankston planning promise

Statement – Labor backflips on Frankston planning promise James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 27 October 2023. The State Labor Government has backtracked on its commitment to the community of Frankston, after Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny reversed her ruling to prevent high-rise development on the Frankston foreshore. 114 days ago, the Planning Minister promised to […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor’s container deposit scheme in disarray

Statement – Labor’s container deposit scheme in disarray James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 27 October 2023. Despite Victoria’s recycling chain collapsing five years ago, the State Labor Government’s proposed container deposit scheme is in disarray. With Victoria years behind other states, the Labor Government belatedly committed to introduce a container deposit […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 23 October 2023

Statement - Labor's tree canopy policy is a sapling not an oak

Statement – Labor’s tree canopy policy is a sapling not an oak James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 23 October 2023. New Minister for the Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, has confirmed that Labor has failed to deliver on its promise to plant 500,000 new trees in Melbourne’s west and intends to slow down […]

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In Parliament

Bill - State Taxation Acts and Other Acts Amendment Bill

BILL ‘STATE TAXATION ACTS AND OTHER AMENDMENT BILL’. Thursday, 19 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:18): I rise to speak on the State Taxation Acts and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2023. This Bill is an important Bill because it tells us so much about this new Government, this new Jacinta Allan Labor Government, because these […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Debate be Adjourned: State Tax Bill

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED: STATE TAX BILL’. Thursday, 19 September 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:46): I move: That the debate be adjourned. The reason I am moving that the debate be adjourned is that the Government, despite their protestations yesterday, are using this place, this Chamber, in a way to stifle debate on important issues. […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 17 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:03): I rise to speak on the Government Business Program for the week, which does propose three Nills, and in doing so I do feel that it is important to acknowledge the time the House spent this afternoon speaking to the matter of the […]

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In Parliament

Bill - Bail Amendment Bill: Council Amendments

BILL ‘BAIL AMENDMENT BILL: COUNCIL AMENDMENTS’. Tuesday, 17 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:45): I just intend to make a few brief comments on the Amendments. But first I acknowledge the work of the Shadow Attorney-General who, throughout this process with the Bill, has led and has proposed a number of Amendments to the government […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Middle East Conflict

MOTION ‘MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT’. Tuesday, 17 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:05): Almost 100 years ago an Israeli poet immortalised two words: never again. The phrase was a call cry to Israelis at the fall of the ancient kingdom of Masada. The poem and those words commemorated the Jewish struggle against the darkest adversity. Only […]

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In Parliament

Motion: Compel Premier to Appear Before Committee

MOTION ‘COMPEL PREMIER TO APPEAR BEFORE COMMITTEE’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:10): I rise to speak on this motion and speak with deep concern that the Government would be using its numbers to block what should be an opportunity for the Premier to come clean, attend the Council committee hearing and speak […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Children

MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE ‘CHILDREN’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:52): It is astonishing to think that the government has brought in a matter of public importance today and has not filled their own speakers list when talking about schools. The SPEAKER: Order! I believe the member for Bentleigh was about to stand and […]

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In Parliament

Motion - 13 Day Adjournment: Transport Legislation

MOTION ‘13 DAY ADJOURNMENT: TRANSPORT LEGISLATION’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Melissa HORNE (Williamstown – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety) (10:39): I move: That the debate be adjourned for 13 days. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:39): Can you believe, because […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Yacht Club Opening Day

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘YACHT CLUB OPENING DAY’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:46): With the firing of a shotgun, the 149th season of the Royal Brighton Yacht Club was declared open as the Club is on the cusp of celebrating its 150th anniversary. As the story goes, the Club was set up following a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Bayside Bowls Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON BAYSIDE BOWLS CLUB’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:46): Hampton is still smiling about our bowls club being saved from closure following an enormous community campaign to save it. Over the weekend the newly renamed Hampton Bayside Bowls Club came together for its first special meeting in a celebration of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - The Shane Warne Oval

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘THE SHANE WARNE OVAL’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:45): Shane Warne grew up as and remained a Bayside local. As a boy he first started to kick the ball on RG Chisholm Reserve in Sandringham. Last weekend the Bayside community Mayor Hanna El Mouallem and the Warne family celebrated the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Celeste Manno

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Celeste Manno’. Wednesday, 18 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:45): Celeste Manno was a bright, shining light taken from the world too soon. The tragedy has been compounded by the way her alleged murderer, an obsessed co-worker, has behaved throughout the plea-hearing process in court. Tonight, the community will hold a candlelight vigil […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 20 October 2023

Joint Statement - Infrastructure Victoria calls out big taxing Labor for failing our suburbs

Joint Statement – Infrastructure Victoria calls out big taxing Labor for failing our suburbs James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning Evan Mulholland, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability and Shadow Minister for Outer Suburban Growth 20 October 2023. Infrastructure Victoria has called out the Allan Labor Government for attempting to fix the housing […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Statement - VicRoads continues to charge Electric Vehicle motorists despite High Court decision

Statement – VicRoads continues to charge Electric Vehicle motorists despite High Court decision 19 October 2023. Yesterday, the High Court humiliated the Victorian Government by determining that its Electric Vehicle Tax is unconstitutional. The decision left the State Government in disarray, with the Premier and Treasurer unable to confirm whether Victorians who had paid the […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - High Court slaps down Labor’s desperate Electric Vehicle Tax

Joint Statement – High Court slaps down Labor’s desperate Electric Vehicle Tax Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 18 October 2023. In a humiliation for the Allan Government, the High Court has today riled Labor’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax unlawful. First announced in 2021, Labor’s EV Tax sought […]

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In Parliament

Thursday, 12 October 2023

Members Statement - St Leonard's Uniting Church Coffee Cup Challenge

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST LEONARD’S UNITING CHURCH COFFEE CUP CHALLENGE’. Thursday, 5 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton have shown the power of their kindness. The congregation have launched their annual Coffee Cup Challenge, which raises money to combat homelessness. Since its inception the Brighton community has raised over $85,000. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rotary Club of Brighton 50th Anniversary

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ROTARY CLUB OF BRIGHTON 50TH ANNIVERSARY’. Thursday, 5 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): There are few community organisations that have had as strong an impact on Bayside as has the Rotary Club of Brighton. The Club recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, an incredible testament to their longstanding achievement. In just the last […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayley House Art Hub

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYLEY HOUSE ART HUB’. Thursday, 5 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): Bayley House is a not-for-profit organisation in my community that provides exceptional support for people with an intellectual disability. They recently opened their new Art Hub, which, as Bayley House says, will offer opportunities for artists of all abilities to create […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonards Panel

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST LEONARDS PANEL’. Thursday, 5 October 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Students at St Leonard’s College in Brighton recently took the initiative and organised a panel to discuss the topic ‘Politics – why bother?’ The event culminated in a night where hundreds of people from the community attended the school event. I hope […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor Government to spy on holiday home usage

Joint Statement – Labor Government to spy on holiday home usage Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 11 October 2023. Without any consultation with Victorians, the Labor Government has announced its intention to impose a new vacant property tax on holiday homes. Under the new measures, holiday home owners will need […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Statement - Housing Partnership not worth the paper it is written on

Statement – Housing Partnership not worth the paper it is written on 5 October 2023. Only two weeks after Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Tim Pallas signed their Affordability Housing Partnership with industry, the new Labor Government has effectively set the agreement on fire. In an unprecedented response, industry leaders have publicly called out the […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Joint Statement - Jacinta Allan torches property industry with new taxes

Joint Statement – Jacinta Allan torches property industry with new taxes Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning 4 October 2023. Less than a week after being installed as Premier, Jacinta Allan has already torched Victoria’s property industry by secretly introducing more new taxes. A furious property industry turned on the Labor […]

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In the Media

Thursday, 7 September 2023

Interview - 3AW Radio (5 September 2023)

Interview – 3AW Radio (5 September 2023) James spoke to Jacqui Felgate on 3AW about concerning shops popping up in the community, advertising and selling vapes. You can listen to the interview here: James Newbury Soundcloud

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In Parliament

Monday, 4 September 2023

Members Statement - South Road Bus Terminus

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SOUTH ROAD BUS TERMINUS’. Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:51): State Labor has converted the Brighton end of South Road into a Public Transport Victoria bus terminus. As Magda recently pleaded with me: The local community is emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted from buses running constantly, 20 hours a day, seven […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Health Payroll Tax

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HEALTH PAYROLL TAX’. Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): The State Labor Government’s new health tax will cripple health services, drive up out-of-pocket expenses and make it harder for Victorians to see a doctor. As one Brighton practice recently confirmed to me: The tax will lead to decreased rates of bulk-billing […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Bowls Club Success

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON BOWLS CLUB SUCCESS’. Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): The Hampton community has saved the Hampton Bowls Club. Hoping to raise $150,000 to keep the club viable, the community has raised $180,000. The fundraising effort ended with a community day on Sunday at the Hampton RSL, where over 400 people […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Energy Upgrade Program Nuisance Calls

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ENERGY UPGRADE PROGRAM NUISANCE CALLS’. Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): Elderly people are being harassed by private operators touting the State Labor Government’s Energy Upgrades Program. With the Program moving to exhaust fans and door seals, many are receiving up to 10 calls a day. As Diane recently wrote to […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Bail Amendment Bill 2023

BILL DEBATE. ‘BAIL AMENDMENT BILL 2023’. Wednesday, 30 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:39): I rise to speak on the Bail Amendment Bill 2023. This is an important Bill in that it makes changes to an important part of our justice system, and it is a part of our justice system that the Parliament and […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 29 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:29): I thank the Leader of the House – the widely liked Leader of the House. I have been reading the internal assessments of each of the Deputy Premier candidates to be – the widely liked Leader of the House. In relation to the […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 25 August 2023

Statement - Minister must rein in energy program nuisance callers

Statement – Minister must rein in energy program nuisance callers 23 August 2023. Many Victorians are reporting being harassed by private operators, touting the Andrews Government’s Energy Upgrades Program. The Andrews Government operates a program that partners with private operators, who receive financial incentives, to upgrade household appliances and infrastructure. The program has previously been […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 21 August 2023

Motion - Debate be Adjourned: Anti-Semitism

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED – ANTI-SEMITISM’. Thursday, 17 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:16): Today is an important, necessary, timely and urgent opportunity to debate an issue that needs to be debated today. The House does need to adjourn debate on the Bill that it has been debating yesterday afternoon and this morning – we […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Columba's Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 17 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): St Columba’s Primary School are a little school with a big heart on Glen Huntly Road in Elwood. They are in the process of developing a plan for refurbishing their sports courts. The school are interested in making these courts available […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Star of the Sea Sisters

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘STAR OF THE SEA SISTERS’. Thursday, 17 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): The Star of the Sea aged care residence, based next to Star of the Sea College, is home to sisters who have retired. The sisters were kind enough to host a morning tea to celebrate Aged Care Employee Day. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Model United Nations Assembly

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MODEL UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY’. Thursday, 17 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): A huge congratulations to Brighton Grammar students Jenson Galvin and Erik Kyparisis on winning the 2023 Model United Nations Assembly National Championship. The Championship is an international youth program that simulates the workings of the United Nations Assembly by having two […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Bowls Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON BOWLS CLUB’. Thursday, 17 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): Help save the bowlo – the much-loved Hampton Bowls Club has gone into voluntary administration. A new not-for-profit bowls and community Club without pokies is being established. To support this the Club needs to raise $150,000 by next Wednesday 23 August. The […]

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In Parliament

Motion - 13 Day Adjournment Justice Legislation

MOTION ‘13 DAY ADJOURNMENT JUSTICE LEGISLATION’. Wednesday, 15 August 2023. Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (10:40): I move: That the debate be adjourned for 13 days. James NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:40): I am absolutely outraged. I am outraged. I am shocked. I am absolutely outraged. We have […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - E-Cigarettes and Vaping

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘E-Cigarettes and Vaping’. Wednesday, 16 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:40): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor Government stop turning a blind eye to the sale of illegal nicotine-based vapes and e-cigarettes? Actions speak louder than words. Despite supposed legal protections, the Brighton community […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 15 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:23): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. What concerns the Coalition is that the very first item the Government has listed for debate this week is another motion. The Government has provided advice to the community, to Parliament and to the […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 9 August 2023

Members Statement - Mayflower Brighton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MAYFLOWER BRIGHTON’. Thursday, 3 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): How better to spend an evening than at a soiree at Mayflower, a Brighton-based residential aged care home with 150 beds and additional independent living units. Bayside Mayor Hanna El Mouallem – another genuine community representative – and I recently joined 100 residents […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood College Musical

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD COLLEGE MUSICAL’. Thursday, 3 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Elwood College recently went on an incredible magical journey presenting Seussical the Musical, a musical extravaganza based on the work of Dr Seuss. The students played the characters of Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, JoJo the thinker, Gertrude McFuzz […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Primary School Petition

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL PETITION’. Thursday, 3 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): The Brighton community has spoken strongly in support of Brighton Primary School getting its fair share of school funding. My community knows that 93 per cent of school funding is allocated to Labor seats. A new petition for the school has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Art Society

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON ART SOCIETY’. Thursday, 3 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): The Brighton Art Society recently filled Bayside’s 26 Advantage Gallery for their first annual art exhibition since COVID. The Society is a hub that has nurtured budding and talented artists in our community since 1978. One day I will pluck up the […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Defibrillators on Public Transport

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘DEFIBRILLATORS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT’. Thursday, 3 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): My Constituency Question is to the Premier, and I ask: will the State Labor Government confirm an intention to roll out defibrillators on Victoria’s public transport system? A Brighton constituent recently went through the worst day of her life when her […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 1 August 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:03): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. The Government, each week prior to a sitting, publicly announce what they intend to debate in the Chamber. They make that available to the broader community and stakeholders and other members of this place […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 6 July 2023

Statement - Bayside City Council Meeting Appearance

Statement – Bayside City Council Meeting Appearance 27 June 2023. Mr Mayor, Councillors, staff, and members of the wonderful community we represent. As elected representatives, we are obliged to be both a strong voice for those we represent and have a deep respect for any taxes raised and the way they are spent. For me, […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Port Phillip Council Meeting Appearance

Statement – Port Phillip Council Meeting Appearance 5 July 2023. Good evening Councillors, My apologies for not appearing in person, but I have just welcomed hundreds of new citizens at a Bayside Citizenship Ceremony. I speak tonight, opposed to the installation of the proposed public toilets next to St Kilda Park Primary School (on Fitzroy […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Students deserve their voices heard too

Statement – Students deserve their voices heard too 5 July 2023. With the City of Port Phillip proposing to build a new public toilet block near to the entrance of St Kilda Park Primary School, local families and students deserve to have their voices heard. Following concern about ongoing safety issues in St Kilda, including […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 5 July 2023

Statement - Camping chaos amid school holiday surge

Statement – Camping chaos amid school holiday surge 5 July 2023. Victorians wanting to take a school holiday camping trip have hit a roadblock, with Parks Victoria’s online booking system crashing. With much fanfare, the Andrews Government announced that Parks Victoria’s online booking system had been upgraded, removing the traditional ballot system. Under the new […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Motion - Amendment to FOI Committee Inquiry

MOTION ‘AMENDMENT TO FOI COMMITTEE INQUIRY’. Tuesday, 20 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:44): The Coalition will not be opposing the Motion. However, I will move an amendment, and that is: That after subparagraph (8) the following words be inserted: ‘(9) the long times taken to process FOI requests, including the deterioration of performance exposed […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 20 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:28): The Coalition will oppose the Government Business Program, and I will explain why in a moment. Can I start by picking up where the Leader of the House ended, and that was on values. What the House did just prior to this debate […]

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Media Statements

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

Joint Statement - Proposed closure of Brighton hospital a major blow for the community

Joint Statement – Proposed closure of Brighton hospital a major blow for the community James Newbury, Member for Brighton Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister for Health 28 June 2023. Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private hospital group, Epworth, has announced it is considering closing its Brighton hospital site, a centre point for rehabilitation services in the Southern region […]

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In Parliament

Thursday, 22 June 2023

Bill Debate - Appropriation (2023-2024) Bill 2023

BILL DEBATE. ‘APPROPRIATION (2023-2024) BILL 2023’. Thursday, 22 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:02): I rise to speak on the take-note motion on the 2023–24 Budget Papers. It is an opportunity for Members to speak to the government’s financial management of the state and the allocation of funding. This most recent Budget was tagged by […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Moorabbin Kangaroos Football Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MOORABBIN KANGAROOS FOOTBALL CLUB’. Thursday, 22 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:23): I am not sure if I will ever run out onto the football field in my own right, but the Moorabbin Kangaroos Football Club recently invited my daughter and me to join them as they ran out onto the field. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Community Drum Circle

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE’. Thursday, 22 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:23): Most politicians march to the beat of their own drum, but I recently joined the Bayside Community Drum Circle and we drummed a beat together. The Circle is run by talented musician Peter Vadiveloo, a 30-year performer. The drum circle was […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St James Catholic Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST JAMES CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 22 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:22): Brighton has welcomed Carmelina Corio to her new role as Principal of St James Catholic Primary School. Carmelina leads a wonderful team that care for 165 treasured students. Together the school and I have been working on a number of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - The Brighton Lunch

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘THE BRIGHTON LUNCH’. Thursday, 22 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:22): The Brighton Lunch organised by Brighton Rotary has become a key annual Melbourne charity event. The recent lunch shone light on those who have experienced domestic violence. Speakers like Rosie Batty shared their stories. The lunch raised $176,500. This remarkable achievement was […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Adjournment - Brighton Primary School.

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Wednesday, 21 June 2023 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:06): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to provide fair investment to Brighton Primary School and stop forcing one of Melbourne’s four specialist hearing units for deaf children to learn in demountables next to a […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Attempt to Introduce Transition Away from Coal

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE TRANSITION AWAY FROM COAL’. Wednesday, 21 June 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): At the outset I would say that the Coalition does not support the substance of this Bill. However, we do support the right of non-Government Members to have their voices heard in this place. The Member for Barwon South […]

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Media Statements

Friday, 9 June 2023

Statement - Victoria in the national electric vehicle slow lane

Statement – Victoria in the national electric vehicle slow lane 8 June 2023. Minister for Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, has confirmed that the Labor Government will be unable to achieve its commitment of at least 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales to be electric, by 2030. In May 2021, Labor announced its […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 8 June 2023

Joint Statement - Victoria Police confirm Bayside aggravated crime spike

Joint Statement – Victoria Police confirm Bayside aggravated crime spike James Newbury, Member for Brighton Brad Rowswell, Member for Sandringham 8 June 2023. Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Shane Patton, has confirmed there is an aggravated burglary problem in Victoria, with Bayside being a repeated victim.  Appearing on radio today, Commissioner Patton agreed there has […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 4 June 2023

Joint Statement - Andrews Government to ram Budget through Parliament

Joint Statement – Andrews Government to ram Budget through Parliament Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 29 May 2023. The Andrews Government has confirmed their intention to ram the State Budget through the Parliament in one day, and deny Victorians the opportunity to properly scrutinise the impact on the broader community. […]

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In Parliament

Thursday, 1 June 2023

Motion - Debate Be Adjourned

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED’. Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:46): I move: That debate be adjourned. Never in 160 years in this place has the Opposition been denied an opportunity for a Budget in Reply. In 160 years, the Opposition has never been denied the opportunity for a Budget in Reply. The Government […]

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In Parliament

Motion - 1 Day Adjournment: Future Fund

MOTION ‘1 DAY ADJOURNMENT: FUTURE FUND’. Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:22): This is a dark day for democracy – a dark day for democracy. I am sure that no Victorian could have believed that the Government and the Treasurer would try and ram through a second Bill on the same day and […]

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In Parliament

Motion - 1 Day Adjournment: State Tax

MOTION ‘1 DAY ADJOURNMENT: STATE TAX’. Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:49): This is outrageous. It is outrageous that the Treasurer would bring a tax Bill into this Chamber that no Victorian has seen – this Bill is also hot because it has just come off the photocopier – and move that the […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:12): I move: That the government business program proposed by the Leader of the House be amended by – omitting the words ‘7.00 pm on 30 May’ in paragraph (1) and replacing them with ‘5.00 pm on 31 May’; and omitting paragraph (2). Victoria […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Attempt to Introduce Short-Stay Accommodation

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE SHORT-STAY ACCOMMODATION’. Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:51): Contrary to what the previous Member said, this is actually the people’s Chamber, and the Debate this morning is about whether or not the non-government Members of this place have a right to introduce matters into this Chamber – and they […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Debate Be Adjourned

MOTION ‘DEBATE BE ADJOURNED’. Wednesday, 31 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:12): I move: That debate be adjourned. The Government yesterday introduced state taxes that the Victorian public has not seen and committed to giving Victorians one day to consider them. They have not even kept their commitment – the Government have not kept their […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Births, Deaths and Marriages

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES’. Wednesday, 31 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:51): For too long the Labor Government has failed to provide an acceptable births, deaths and marriages service. Victorians often report the service and for years have reported the service being closed and with no response from the call centre at all. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Newbay Medical Clinic

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NEWBAY MEDICAL CLINIC’. Wednesday, 31 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:51): Newbay Medical Centre recently celebrated their first-year anniversary in Brighton. Practice manager Maxine Mollaei put on an incredible community day. The clinic was established by a group of young doctors who have served the community in a dedicated way and organised several […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Church Street Over-Development

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CHURCH STREET OVER-DEVELOPMENT’. Wednesday, 31 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:51): Brighton residents around the Church Street major activity centre have been swamped by overdevelopment. Their amenity is being affected and their right to a quiet street is being trampled on because of the never-ending barrage of construction. The State Labor government has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD ST KILDA NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE’. Wednesday, 31 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): The Elwood St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre is an important hub based at a former mayor of St Kilda’s home in Tennyson Street, Elwood. The Centre describes itself as a base for volunteers and staff aiming to help the […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 28 May 2023

Joint Statement - Labor’s tax hikes hidden from Victorians

Joint Statement – Labor’s tax hikes hidden from Victorians Brad Rowswell, Shadow Treasurer James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 28 May 2023. The Andrews Labor Government has confirmed that details of its schools, rent and jobs taxes will be kept secret and not provided to Victorians ahead of debate in State Parliament this week. Proposed […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Members Statement - Budget Attack on Schools

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BUDGET ATTACK ON SCHOOLS’. Tuesday, 23 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:22): This budget has unveiled a secret attack on our schools – a secret attack, a hit on 110 schools. What the Members of this Parliament have not seen is that there is a $400 million rip-out of funding for 110 schools. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Mary's Pre-School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST MARY’S PRE-SCHOOL’. Tuesday, 23 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:21): St Mary’s is a community-run kindergarten in Brighton East that has been offering wonderful preschool education to our community since 1958. The kinder is treasured and much loved. The preschool recently unveiled a new Indigenous artwork crafted by Kellie Congues, a locally […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 23 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:42): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. The Minister spoke to the Budget that was just delivered and the opportunity for Members to go to their community and talk about the Budget, and that is certainly the case – that Members […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - New Street Public Housing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘NEW STREET PUBLIC HOUSING’. Tuesday, 23 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:42): My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Labor Government respond to allegations by neighbours of Homes Victoria’s New Street redevelopment in Brighton that workers on site have behaved inappropriately towards young women? It has been […]

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In Parliament

Thursday, 18 May 2023

Motion - Education

MOTION ‘EDUCATION’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:29): I rise to speak on the Minister for Education’s motion and go specifically to its elements regarding school upgrades and school infrastructure. I would like to start by putting that into some recent context. The last Budget stated that of the 13 new metro school […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Parliament Debating Motions

MOTION ‘EXFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL BUS CRASH’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:05): I move: That ‘later this day’ be omitted and replaced with ‘after consideration of general business, notice of motion 16’. This week the Opposition has made it clear that it wants to work with the Government in making sure the Parliament […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Joan of Arc Tennis Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST JOAN OF ARC TENNIS CLUB’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): St Joan of Arc Tennis Club has been a cornerstone club in Brighton since its formation in 1921. The Club’s women’s weekly night competition has a cherished history, and they are working on a plan to reinstate the weekly […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Flowers by Varu

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘FLOWERS BY VARU’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Flowers by Varu are a self-described small but mighty Brighton-based ensemble of florists, wedding planners and events stylists who bring dream days to life through floristry. The team recently brought me in to roll up my sleeves and learn the floristry craft […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Parklets

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD PARKLETS’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Elwood is a village that we need to protect. Although parklets have been a positive addition to Ormond Road, their insertion needs to be balanced against the rights of neighbouring traders. Unfortunately, Port Phillip Council wants to reduce parking further and increase parklet […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 16 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:37): We have seen today proof positive that the Government Business Program is nothing more than high farce. For the fourth week in a row, the Government has been exposed as having no business and no legislative program and is having to effectively filibuster […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Attempt to Introduce Racial Vilification Amendment

MOTION ‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE RACIAL VILIFICATION AMENDMENT’. Tuesday, 16 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): I rise to speak on the Greens’ proposal to introduce a bill to expand antivilification laws to protect people on the basis of gender, sexuality, HIV status and disability. Many times in this Chamber, in both this term and previous […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Crime

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON CRIME’. Thursday, 18 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Last night a recently widowed Brighton resident was home invaded for a second time in six months. On the first occasion a gang broke in while she was in bed, only weeks after her husband passed away. There has been a 578 per […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Motion - 6 Day Adjournment

MOTION 6 DAY ADJOURNMENT’. Wednesday, 17 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:56): The SPEAKER: The question is: That the debate be adjourned for six days. James NEWBURY: The Minister has just moved that a Bill be adjourned for six days. This is absolutely outrageous. In the last sitting week, we saw the Government ram through […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Exford Primary School Bus Crash

MOTION ‘EXFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL BUS CRASH’. Wesnesday, 17 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:45): I am sure that the house would agree that any tragic incident that occurs is one that we all feel profoundly and touches us all. There are incidents, though, that touch us deeply, and I would say that this is one […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Statement from the Shadow Minister for Equality

Statement – Statement from the Shadow Minister for Equality 17 May 2023. The Parliament is the people’s place and every Victorian should be made welcome. Unlike every other event in Parliament, today the Andrews Government chose not to invite members of the Opposition to a Parliamentary event in celebration of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Motion - 13 Day Adjournment

MOTION ‘13 DAY ADJOURNMENT’. Wednesday, 3 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:37): The Minister has just sought to adjourn the debate on the new tax that the Government intends to bring into this place for 13 days. What a surprise, and what a concerning step the Government has taken that every Victorian should be worried […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Members Statement - Jack Levy Pavilion

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘JACK LEVY PAVILION’. Tuesday, 2 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:44): Hampton East deserves its fair share, yet sadly the Jack Levy Pavilion at Moorabbin West Reserve is run down and well known in the sporting community as being a problem for women and girls. The site is home to Moorabbin West Cricket […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Prader-Willi Syndrome

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME’. Tuesday, 2 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:43): Prader-Willi syndrome is a randomly occurring disorder where some of the genes in chromosome 15 are inactive or missing. The syndrome affects development and growth. Many of Melbourne’s Prader-Willi families recently met in Hampton to walk and raise awareness for the syndrome. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Rovers ANZAC Event

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON ROVERS ANZAC EVENT’. Tuesday, 2 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:43): The Hampton Rovers Football Club Anzac Day match is a touching commemorative event each year. Thank you to Club President Gary Nash for hosting the event. It was particularly memorable to have Bill Mirabito from the Hampton RSL conduct the ceremony. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Post Office

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON POST OFFICE’. Tuesday, 2 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:43): The Hampton community was outraged when Australia Post announced its intention to close the Hampton post office in late April. As we know, Australia Post is a federal government owned entity that makes a financial windfall. Therefore, the decision is ultimately within […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 2 May 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:08): I would like to start my contribution on a positive note and say that the coalition will not be opposing the government business program, but the positive contribution unfortunately will end there while I make a number of other broad comments. What we […]

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In the Media

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

Opinion Piece - For chastened Liberals, path to recovery is clear.

FOR CHASTENED LIBERALS, PATH TO RECOVERY IS CLEAR HERALD SUN 7 April 2023 JAMES NEWBURY Voters have sent a loud message via the ballot box at consecutive federal and state elections and again at the Aston by-election last weekend. Put simply, the message delivered was that a majority of the community does not think the […]

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In Parliament

Monday, 27 March 2023

Point Of Order - Committee Membership: Splitting the Question

POINT OF ORDER: ‘COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: SPLITTING THE QUESTION’. Thursday, 23 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:07): In speaking to that Motion and Amendment, my view and the Coalition’s view is that when it comes to Committees and procedural matters in this House we should work outside this Chamber to come into this Chamber in a […]

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In Parliament

Sunday, 26 March 2023

Constituency Question - Berendale Specialist School

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BERENDALE SPECIALIST SCHOOL’. Thursday, 23 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:33): My question is to the Minister for Education, and I ask: when will the Government provide Berendale Specialist School in Hampton East the support they need? Berendale Specialist School in Hampton East is a wonderful school for my community, and it is […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:18): The Coalition will be opposing the Government Business Program. Those that were watching the debate on the Government Business Program in the last sitting week will note that part of the debate was about the government moving a Government Business Program forward that […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Recycle Regatta

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘RECYCLE REGATTA’. Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:01): What an incredible sight it was to see hundreds of local residents on Brighton Beach yesterday for the inaugural Recycle Regatta. The event encouraged participants to build a floatable recycled boat. Over 130 participants registered, 40 boats were built and almost $10,000 was […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Montclaire Aged Care

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MONTCLAIRE AGED CARE’. Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:01): Our aged-care facilities are wonderful organisations that support the aged in our community to live comfortable lives. Montclaire Aged Care in Brighton support their residents with fun programs. Residents put me on the chopping block on my recent visit with insightful questions […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Community Centre

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON COMMUNITY CENTRE’. Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:00): Hampton Community Centre is a big-hearted hub for the Hampton community. Each week the centre offers Nourish Lunch for over 60 people from Bayley House and Castlefield Community Centre. Last year over 2500 meals were served to those in need. I thank […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Little Athletics

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON LITTLE ATHLETICS’. Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:01): Hundreds of Brighton children run out onto Dendy Park field in Brighton East over the weekend as members of Brighton Little Athletics Club. Over the weekend the club, more affectionately known as BLAC in the community, awarded kids for their achievements and, […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 14 March 2023

Members Statement - Brighton Cricket Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON CRICKET CLUB’. Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:04): The Brighton Cricket Club, one of Australia’s oldest cricket clubs, has celebrated their 180th birthday, the November anniversary marking their first match against Melbourne Cricket Club in 1842, a time when Brighton only had 300 residents. In 1887 the Club moved to […]

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In Parliament

Point Of Order - Seeking Leave

POINT OF ORDER: ‘SEEKING LEAVE’. Wednesday, 8 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:06): On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, I raise a point of order in relation to a matter that occurred just before Member Statements, and I raise it now so as to not interrupt Members as they made their statements earlier. The […]

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In Parliament

Motion - International Women's Day

MOTION ‘INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY’. Wednesday, 8 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:54): Today the Parliament rises, as it should, to acknowledge and celebrate International Women’s Day. It is a day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. As we think through the importance of the last 100 years and the importance […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:27): It was a great shock when we received the Government Business Program this week, when it was sent out to the opposition and crossbench parties on Thursday afternoon, as is the normal way. In addition to the bills described by the minister – […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Coffee Cup Challenge

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST LEONARD’S COFFEE CUP CHALLENGE’. Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:04): On Sunday St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton met to celebrate the culmination of their annual Coffee Cup Challenge, an initiative that raises funds for the homeless. Over five years the local congregation has raised $65,000. This year the church […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Elwood Primary School

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘ELWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Wednesday, 8 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: can the Premier confirm when the State Government will ensure that all students at Elwood Primary School have equal opportunities and access to school? Young children should not be treated differently because […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - 3186 Beach Patrol

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘3186 BRIGHTON PATROL’. Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:05): The Brighton community is big-hearted. Last year local mother Sarah and her 12-year-old daughter Milla formed the 3186 Beach Patrol. The patrol meets each month to clean Brighton Beach. On Sunday I joined a small army of volunteers and helped collect 30 […]

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Media Statements

Monday, 6 March 2023

Statement - Brighton crime spike confirmed by Victoria Police

Statement – Brighton crime spike confirmed by Victoria Police James Newbury, Member for Brighton 5 March 2023. New police data confirms there has been a dramatic increase in aggravated burglaries in Brighton. Over the five years between 2017 and 2022, the number of aggravated burglaries increased from 15 to 51. The confirmation comes less than […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Motion - Parliamentary Committees

MOTION ‘PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES’. Thursday, 23 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:36): I wish to move an amendment. I move: That after the word ‘Committee’ in paragraph (6) the following words be inserted: ‘and the House requests the Committee elect a non-government member as its Chair’. It is a dark week in Victoria, and we move […]

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In Parliament

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16): I rise to speak on the Government Business Program, and I start by saying the Opposition will be opposing the Government Business Program this week. A member: Why? James NEWBURY: Calm down. We will get to it. But before I do get to […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Constituency Question - School Camps

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘SCHOOL CAMPS’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:27): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the Premier personally intervene on the decision by many state schools, including in my community, to permanently cut school camps because of a lack of Government funding? The start of the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Wishart Reserve, Hampton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘WISHART RESERVE, HAMPTON’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:59): With increased demand on open space, government must be more mindful of the need to share space. Bayside Council’s proposal to enhance Wishart Reserve dog park in Hampton East is causing concern for local residents because of both the increase in usage […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lions Club of Brighton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LIONS CLUB OF BRIGHTON’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:58): The Lions Club of Brighton are dedicated volunteers in our community. They recently teamed up with skin experts to run a skin cancer screening program on Brighton Beach. 105 people were tested and 30 referred for medical follow-up, and 22 met […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Great Australia Day Swim

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GREAT AUSTRALIA DAY SWIM’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:58): The Rotary Club of Brighton recently hosted their 13th Great Australia Day Swim at Middle Brighton Pier. This year saw 900 swimmers register. Thank you to the 75 Rotarians, family members and friends and 70 lifesavers from the Brighton Life Saving […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Life Saving Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON LIFE SAVING CLUB’. Tuesday, 21 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:59): Hampton Life Saving Club recently held its first Pride Patrol, an opportunity for Victorian lifesaving clubs to let the community know that everyone is welcome. This builds on recent green and pink patrols on behalf of the environment and to celebrate […]

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Media Statements

Thursday, 23 February 2023

Joint Statement - Labor ignores Corruption Commission's key recommendation

Joint Statement – Labor ignores Corruption Commission’s key recommendation James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business Michael O’Brien, Shadow Attorney-General 23 February 2023. Daniel Andrews has ignored a recommendation by former Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption (IBAC) Commissioner Robert Redlich that the Parliament’s Integrity and Oversight Committee (IOC) have a non-Government Chair. By dismissing the Liberals and Nationals’ […]

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In Parliament

Thursday, 9 February 2023

Constituency Question - Brighton Crime

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON CRIME’. Thursday, 9 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:45): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the Premier admit he got it wrong about crime in my community and permanently commit to increasing local police services? Victoria Police has confirmed the depth of the crime problem, recently […]

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In Parliament

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Motion - Address-In-Reply

MOTION ‘ADDRESS-IN-REPLY’. Wednesday, 8 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:54): It is a great honour, an incredible honour in fact, to rise again on the Address-In-Reply. It reminds me of standing here in this place just over four years ago in the very back corner and saying strongly to my community, in the first words […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Roger Newbury

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ROGER NEWBURY’. Wednesday, 8 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:34): It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that I rise today to record the passing of my father Roger Kingsley Newbury. Father to me, Charles and Stephanie and grandfather to six, Roger was 75 years old when he passed. He had […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Regional Victorians given Labor’s cold shoulder with familiar snub

Regional Victorians given Labor’s cold shoulder with familiar snub James Newbury, Manager of Opposition Business 8 February 2023. The Andrews Labor Government has voted down a motion that would have brought both houses of Parliament back regional Victoria for the first time in more than a decade. Holding regular sittings away from Spring Street provides […]

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In Parliament

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Motion - Government Business Program

MOTION: ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM’. Tuesday, 7 February 2023. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:25): I would like to start on a point of unity and concur with the comments from the Leader of the House. It is so incredibly awing as you walk into this place, as you walk into the building and the surrounds, and you […]

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Media Statements

Sunday, 18 December 2022

Joint Statement - Funding to modernise the historical buildings at Gardenvale Primary School

Joint Statement – Funding to modernise the historical buildings at Gardenvale Primary School David Southwick, Member for Caulfield James Newbury, Member for Brighton 16 November 2022. Students at Gardenvale Primary School will have access to upgraded and modernised facilities across their historic campus. The school’s main building was opened in 1922, and now hosts more […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Real Solutions to support Victorian charities

Joint Statement – Real Solutions to support Victorian charities Matt Guy, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 18 November 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will ensure Victorian charities are protected from the financial hit of the Andrews Labor Government’s landfill levy. This will save Victorian […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Putting an end to Labor's destructive toxic soil dumping

Statement – Putting an end to Labor’s destructive toxic soil dumping James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 9 November 2022. A Liberals and Nationals Government will reverse Labor’s policy of dumping of toxic soil on the neighbourhoods of Melbourne’s west. The Andrews Labor Government has shown reckless disregard for hundreds of thousands […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Supporting the future of Brighton Secondary College

Joint Statement – Supporting the future of Brighton Secondary College James Newbury, Member for Brighton Debbie Taylor-Haynes, Liberal Candidate for Bentleigh 7 November 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will commit over $5 million towards Brighton Secondary College’s plan for the future. The commitment will fund the first step in their vision to […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Preserving the character and liveability of Bayside and Kingston

Joint Statement – Preserving the character and liveability of Bayside and Kingston Ryan Smith, Shadow Minister for Planning and Heritage James Newbury, Member for Brighton Brad Rowswell, Member for Sandringham 26 October 2022. Residents in the electorates of Brighton and Sandringham will have greater certainty that the unique character of their neighbourhoods will be protected […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Bigger and better upgrades for grassroots sport in Brighton

Joint Statement – Bigger and better upgrades for grassroots sport in Brighton Cindy McLeish, Shadow Minister for Sport James Newbury, Member for Brighton 25 October 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will commit $2 million towards the redevelopment of the pavilion and change rooms at Brighton Beach Oval. Brighton Beach Oval Pavilion is […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Real solutions for cheaper, greener transport for Victorian families

Joint Statement – Real solutions for cheaper, greener transport for Victorian families  Matt Guy, Leader of the Opposition David Southwick, Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 24 October 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will pause the Electric Vehicle Tax and establish 600 new […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Liberals supporting Elwood Primary School

Joint Statement – Liberals supporting Elwood Primary School David Hodgett, Shadow Minister for Education James Newbury, Member for Brighton 21 October 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will commit a much needed $250,000 towards Elwood Primary School to upgrade the junior outdoor play areas of the school. Elwood Primary School, currently home to […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Keeping Mordialloc Creek clean and healthy

Joint Statement – Keeping Mordialloc Creek clean and healthy James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change Phillip Pease, Liberal Candidate for Mordialloc 5 October 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will invest $10 million towards the dredging of Mordialloc Creek and cleaning up Port Phillip Bay. The health of the creek […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Gardenvale Primary School to be bigger and better under Liberals

Joint Statement – Gardenvale Primary School to be bigger and better under Liberals David Hodgett, Shadow Minister for Education James Newbury, Member for Brighton 3 October 2022. Gardenvale Primary School is much more than a place to learn, it is a community. Due to a lack of State Labor Government funding, the local community has […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Saving Mount Eliza's reservoir as a public wetlands

Joint Statement – Saving Mount Eliza’s reservoir as a public wetlands James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change Chris Crewther, Liberal Candidate for Mornington 3 October 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will save the decommissioned Kunyung Road reservoir in Mount Eliza, keeping it in public hands and turning it into […]

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In Parliament

Condolence Motion - The Queen

CONDOLENCE MOTION ‘THE QUEEN’. Tuesday, 13 September 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:57): To our new King and his family, it is with a heavy heart that this Parliament and we Members, the voices of our communities, mourn the passing of our great Sovereign and Head of State. We feel the loss of Her Majesty Queen […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Caught in a snag: Labor’s plan to ban walking, fishing and swimming across Victoria

Joint Statement – Caught in a snag: Labor’s plan to ban walking, fishing and swimming across Victoria James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change Bill Tilley, Shadow Minister for Fishing and Boating 19 September 2022. Victorians walking their dog, taking a swim or wetting their line will be slapped with fines of up […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Liberals will deliver an upgrade to Wattie Watson Pavilion

Joint Statement – Liberals will deliver an upgrade to Wattie Watson Pavilion James Newbury,  Member for Brighton Lauren Sherson, Liberal Candidate for Albert Park 20 September 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will commit $2.5 million towards upgrading the Wattie Watson Pavilion. The Wattie Watson Oval and Pavilion in Elwood is home to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Car Break-Ins

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON CAR  BREAK-INS’. Tuesday, 2 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:22): The streets across Brighton, Elwood and Hampton are regularly targeted by thieves who break into cars. Over the weekend a Brighton family was hit not just on Saturday, but thieves returned on Sunday and broke into a second car owned by the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Wattie Watson Oval Pavilion

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Wattie Watson Oval Pavilion’. Thursday, 1 September 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:44): My Constituency Question is to the Minister for Community Sport, and I ask: is the state Labor government considering committing financial support towards the upgrade of the pavilion facilities at Wattie Watson Oval in Elwood? The oval is heavily utilised but […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Dendy Street Pedestrian Rail Crossing

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Dendy Street Pedestrian Rail Crossing’. Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): Together with the Brighton community we have spent years calling for the upgrade of the pedestrian rail crossing at the New and Dendy streets roundabout because of a lack of funding in our community and ongoing neglect. The Labor Government […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Elwood College's vision for Phoenix Centre to come to life

Joint Statement – Elwood College’s vision for Phoenix Centre to come to life James Newbury, Member for Brighton Lauren Sherson, Liberal Candidate for Albert Park 13 September 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver $7.1 million for Elwood College to commence Stage One of their vision to rebuild their existing theatre and […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Neglected Flinders Pier to undergo major restoration

Joint Statement – Neglected Flinders Pier to undergo major restoration James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change Sam Groth, Liberal Candidate for Nepean 7 September 2022. Flinders Pier, which has been left to rot due to years of neglect, will be brought back to life under the Liberals and Nationals’ plan to restore […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): An elected Liberal Government will provide Brighton Primary School with $9 million to begin transformational improvements to the school. The $9 million commitment will ensure that students and teachers will be able to enjoy a multipurpose library, STEM, an arts facility and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Bowls Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON BOWLS CLUB’. Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): Despite having a competitive streak, my form certainly was not up to that of Claire Smyth, the Club Champion at Hampton Bowls Club. On Sunday we both bowled the first jack to declare the greens open for the grand season opening day. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Community Emergency Relief

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF’. Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): A big thankyou goes to Bayside Community Emergency Relief and especially their President, Deb Brook, for spearheading a recent food drive, which will support those in need. The food donated by Haileybury families was recently delivered to Bayside Community Information and […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Bill 2022

BILL DEBATE. ‘JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SEXUAL OFFENCES AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL 2022’. Thursday, 18 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:04): Today is a watershed moment in Victoria. Today this Parliament is seeing legislation that will set a new community standard—a new community standard that will change cultural norms in the ways we can act to […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Post-War Modern Heritage Study

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘POST-WAR MODERN HERITAGE STUDY’. Tuesday, 16 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): My Constituency Question is for the Minister for Planning, and I ask: can the minister advise whether the government intends to reject a recent heritage overlay application from Bayside City Council? For background, Bayside Council recently completed a post-war modern residential […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Rovers Women's Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON ROVERS WOMEN’S CLUB’. Wednesday, 17 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:41): Congratulations to the Hampton Rovers football club’s senior women’s team on their historic win. The team recently won the club’s first senior women’s premiership, an incredible achievement for the club but also the broader Hampton family. The win of two points […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Yalukit William Nature Reserve

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘YALUKIT WILLIAM NATURE RESERVE’. Wednesday, 17 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:41): After a journey of over five years, the community was heart warmed to attend the official opening of the Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve. The 13-hectare environmental space, which includes a chain of ponds, has been converted from a golf course. At […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sacred Heart Mission

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SACRED HEART MISSION’. Wednesday, 17 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:40): Sacred Heart Mission recently reopened their breakfast service, where I rolled up my sleeves to help. The mission, who are at the heart of the community, already serve meals to over 300 people each day. Chief executive Cathy Humphrey is retiring after […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Starfish Nippers Award

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘STARFISH NIPPERS AWARD’. Wednesday, 17 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:40): Every summer something magical happens when the Starfish Nippers members arrive on Hampton beach. Congratulations to Zoe Murdoch and the Hampton Life Saving Club on winning Life Saving Victoria’s inaugural inclusion award for the Nippers program. The inclusive program is designed for […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Energy and Environment Policy

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY’. Thursday, 4 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:42): My Constituency Question is for the Minister for Energy and Minister for Environment and Climate Action, and I ask: will Labor match the Liberal Party’s energy and environment plans for our state’s future? My constituents want to see this plan for […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bluff Road, Hampton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BLUFF ROAD, HAMPTON’. Tuesday, 2 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:22): The Hampton community is deeply concerned about the safety of children. Following a serious incident, parents and educators at the Bambini childcare centre on Bluff Road have put together a petition to voice their safety concerns. The petition has already gained almost […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Port Phillip Childcare Centres

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PORT PHILLIP CHILDCARE CENTRES’. Tuesday, 2 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:21): Investing in our kids sets them up for life. An elected Liberal Government will provide $5 million to three Port Phillip childcare centres that need refurbishment. Council is being forced to close three centres, including one in my Elwood community. The […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Tuesday, 2 August 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:21): It is time to put children first and invest fairly. An elected Liberal government will provide $7.7 million to Hampton Primary School to develop a master plan and build brand new multipurpose facilities. The facilities will include an indoor sports area with […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - A win for brumbies, the environment and Australia’s heritage

Joint Statement – A win for brumbies, the environment and Australia’s heritage Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 19 August 2022. Today is an important day for animal welfare in Victoria as the Parliament has ordered that Labor stop their extermination of Victoria’s brumby population. A […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Protecting Port Phillip Bay’s natural amenity

Statement – Protecting Port Phillip Bay’s natural amenity 22 August 2022. A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will provide $10 million for the development of a comprehensive erosion plan for Port Phillip Bay. As part of the plan, funding will be provided to undertake studies at locations around Port Phillip Bay where erosion is […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Liberals protecting the residents of Brighton

Joint Statement – Liberals protecting the residents of Brighton Brad Battin, Shadow Minister for Police James Newbury, Member for Brighton 24 August 2022. Every Victorian has a right to be safe in their home and a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver that for the Brighton community. The Liberals and Nationals will deliver […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Delivering modern facilities to give Brighton students the very best start

Joint Statement – Delivering modern facilities to give Brighton students the very best start David Hodgett, Shadow Minister for Education James Newbury, Member for Brighton 19 August 2022. Students at Brighton Primary School will finally be able to learn and grow in modern classrooms under the Liberals and Nationals’ plan for a better education in […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Childcare outcome a win for locals

Joint Statement – Childcare outcome a win for locals David Southwick, Member for Caulfield James Newbury, Member for Brighton 18 August 2022. The Liberals and Nationals welcome the City of Port Philip’s decision not sell three community-run childcare centres. This decision is an acknowledgement of the overwhelming opposition to sale in the local community. The three centres and […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Investing in our childrens’ future at Hampton Primary School

Joint Statement – Investing in our childrens’ future at Hampton Primary School Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Member for Brighton 19 July 2022. A Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will provide Hampton Primary School with $7.7 million to develop a masterplan and build a brand new multipurpose facility. Students and teachers […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Boosting Melbourne's tree canopy - real solutions for greener suburbs

Joint Statement – Boosting Melbourne’s tree canopy – real solutions for greener suburbs Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 17 July 2022. Local communities across Melbourne will receive a boost to their environmental liveability under a new commitment announced today by the Victorian Liberals and Nationals. […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Real solutions to lock in climate action and build Victoria's energy system of the future

Joint Statement – Real solutions to lock in climate action and build Victoria’s energy system of the future Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition Craig Ondarchie, Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 17 July 2022. Victoria’s pathway to a net-zero emissions future will be guaranteed under […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Power to the People - Real Solutions for Energy and Emissions

Joint Statement – Power to the People- Real Solutions for Energy and Emissions Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition Craig Ondarchie, Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change 16 July 2022. Victorian households and renters will benefit from cheaper energy bills and lower emissions under the Victorian […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Backing the voice of Joy

Statement – Backing the voice of Joy 2 July 2022. A Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will commit $250,000 a year, over the next four years, to the community radio station Joy 94.9. Joy burst onto the airwaves, as a community radio station in 1993. Since then it has cemented itself as the leading […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Major upgrades to save childcare centres from shutting doors

Joint Statement – Major upgrades to save childcare centres from shutting doors David Southwick, Member for Caulfield James Newbury, Member for Brighton 25 June 2022. Childcare centres in Melbourne’s inner south-east won’t be forced to shut their doors, should the Liberals and Nationals be elected in November. While the Andrews Labor Government ignores the concerns […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor fridges farce cost taxpayers and hurts emissions

Statement – Labor fridges farce cost taxpayers and hurts emissions 24 June 2022. Instead of acting on our environment, the State Labor Government’s Victorian Energy Upgrades program has been exposed as an expensive farce that is costing the environment and the hip-pocket of every Victorian. In the name of reducing emissions, businesses are reportedly applying […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Police Station

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE POLICE STATION’. Wednesday, 22 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): On Saturday night the 24-hour Bayside police station was closed. No services were available to my community despite the latest crime data showing an increase in aggravated burglary in Brighton. My community knows that the Bracks Labor government’s closure of the Brighton […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Crime in Brighton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CRIME IN BRIGHTON’. Wednesday, 22 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:49): Victoria Police’s deputy commissioner Rick Nugent confirmed an increase in aggravated burglaries in my community, saying, ‘We have seen an increase in Brighton’. In the reporting period to March there were six aggravated burglaries compared to none in the year prior. Since […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Crime in Hampton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CRIME IN HAMPTON’. Wednesday, 22 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): Residents of Hampton are concerned about local crime. Last week alone a car was stolen in Ludstone Street after the offender broke into a home to steal the keys and a family in Barnett Street had their car broken into. As a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘MENTAL HEALTH’. Wednesday, 22 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:49): The Australian Patients Association’s Australian Healthcare Index, released this week, confirms a lot more needs to be done to support the mental health of our community. The index shows one in four people say their mental health has declined in the last six […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Eating Disorder Services

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘EATING DISORDER SERVICES’. Thursday, 23 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:45): My Constituency Question is for the Minister for Mental Health, and I ask: can the Minister advise me as to what the Labor Government is doing to improve early intervention in specialist care services for young sufferers of an eating disorder? The […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Liberals and Nationals' plan to stop Labor's extermination of Victoria's iconic brumbies

Joint Statement – Liberals and Nationals’ plan to stop Labor’s extermination of Victoria’s iconic brumbies Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals James Newbury, Member for Brighton 8 June 2022. A Matthew Guy-led Liberals and Nationals Government will stop Labor’s extermination of Victoria’s brumby population. The new plan, announced today, will see a shift in focus […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Symbol Prohibition) Bill 2022

BILL DEBATE. ‘SUMMARY OFFENCES AMENDMENT (NAZI SYMBOL PROHIBITION) BILL 2022’. Tuesday, 7 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:12): I rise to speak on the Summary Offences Amendment (Nazi Symbol Prohibition) Bill 2022. Victoria knows that the Nazi swastika represents racial supremacy and is in reality a symbol of mass genocide. The symbol incites hatred and […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Brighton Police Station

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON POLICE STATION’. Tuesday, 8 June 2022 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:20): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Labor Government to commit to opening a new Brighton police station. Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in their homes, yet we know that many […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Glen Huntly Road Crossing Location

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘GLEN HUNTLY ROAD CROSSING LOCATION’. Tuesday, 9 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and I ask: when will the Minister commit to moving the proposed signal pedestrian crossing in Elwood to where the safety issue actually exists? The Elwood community has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Thorne Harbour Health Report

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH REPORT’. Thursday, 9 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): Thorne Harbour Health’s new report, The Cost of Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in the LGBTIQ+ Victorian Adult Population, estimates that poor mental health in the rainbow community, who represent up to 10 per cent of Victoria’s population, costs $3 billion. It […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Firbank Arts Precinct

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘FIRBANK ARTS PRECINCT’. Thursday, 9 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:43): Firbank Grammar School has unveiled its new, inspiring, world-class $5.5 million arts precinct. The precinct has been designed with specialist spaces for all forms of creativity and will promote women’s participation in art. My warmest congratulations to Principal Jenny Williams, the school […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - TACTYCS Program

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘TACTYCS PROGRAM’. Thursday, 9 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): Up to 500 at-risk young people between 12 and 24 will be helped by getting them into team sport. The Rotary Club of Brighton and Team Sports 4 All have been successful in a joint Federal Government grant of $350 000, which has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayspeak

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSPEAK’. Thursday, 9 June 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42): Bayspeak is a public speaking competition for secondary school students in Bayside organised by Bayside Rotary Clubs and Toastmasters. Congratulations to the 13 schools and over 50 students who took part. The 16 junior and senior category student finalists delivered a range of thought […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Appropriation (2022-2023) Bill 2022

BILL DEBATE ‘APPROPRIATION (2022-2023) BILL 2022’. Thursday, 26 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:14): I rise to speak on the Appropriation (2022–2023) Bill 2022. This is an opportunity for me to speak to my community of Brighton, Brighton East, Elwood and Hampton and on behalf of that community. Disappointingly the State Budget papers did not […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton School Funding

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON SCHOOL FUNDING’. Tuesday, 24 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): My constituency question is to the Minister for Education, and I ask: has the Minister reviewed why the State Labor Government is awarding schools in non- Labor metropolitan electorates substantially less school funding than those in Labor electorates? The Budget overview openly […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Home Invasions

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON HOME INVASIONS’. Thursday, 26 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:47): Enough is enough. My community not only deserve to feel safe in their homes, they deserve to be safe in their homes. Brighton has been victim to repeated terrorising home invasions this year. Earlier this week a gang of seven invaded a […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Labor must commit to new Brighton Police Station

Statement – Labor must commit to new Brighton Police Station 28 May 2022. Last night, Victoria Police reportedly shot at a car after a home invasion in Cochrane Street, Brighton. The group of offenders stole two cars, before making a getaway. Following a police interception, the offenders drove one of the cars at a police […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Labor admits it intends to eradicate wild brumbies

Joint Statement – Labor admits it intends to eradicate wild brumbies Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria James Newbury, Member for Brighton 26 May 2022. The Victorian Government has confirmed that it plans to eradicate hundreds of wild brumbies in the Alpine National Park and Barmah Forest. In Budget Estimates testimony at the Public Accounts […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Electric vehicle sales need a supercharge

Statement – Electric vehicles need a supercharge 19 May 2022. Despite talking a big game, the Andrews Labor Government has confirmed that it is nowhere near achieving its electric vehicle target. In May 2021, Labor announced its Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap, which included a target of achieving at least 50 per cent of all new […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Railway Line Noise

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘RAILWAY LINE NOISE’. Wednesday, 11 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): The State Labor Government refuses to invest a cent in my community. Despite investment along other train lines, the State Government has treated the Sandringham line like a leper. One of the troubling issues for residents living nearby to the line is […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Rovers Anzac Day Game

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON ROVERS ANZAC DAY GAME’. Tuesday, 3 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:03): Thank you to the Hampton Rovers Football Club and president Gary Nash for hosting their annual Anzac game. Our community appreciated Hampton RSL executive members Bill Mirabito, Corey Denning, and Arron Scott performing part of the Anzac ceremony before the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Croquet Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD CROQUET CLUB’. Tuesday, 3 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:03): Elwood Croquet Club and its 60 members recently celebrated its 95th birthday. The event was an opportunity to acknowledge the club’s founding women and the hurdles they overcame, Mrs Robinson, a former St Kilda mayor, and the way she fought for its […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Baptist Church

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON BAPTIST CHURCH’. Tuesday, 3 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:04): The Baptist community has been worshipping in Bay Street, Brighton, for 171 years. On Sunday the newly renovated church reopened its doors. Hundreds of local residents visited to see the new site, which now operates in partnership with Crossway. Best wishes to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - North Brighton Railway Noise

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NORTH BRIGHTON RAILWAY NOISE’. Tuesday, 3 May 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:04): Residents who live near North Brighton railway station are concerned about increased train noise. It is affecting their amenity significantly. Sixty neighbours to the train line, led by Julian and Maria Fraraccio, have petitioned the State Government saying the noise is […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2021

BILL DEBATE ‘SERVICES VICTORIA AMENDMENT BILL 2021’. Wednesday, 1 December 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:42): I rise to speak as the lead speaker on the Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2021. I will start by saying, with the Minister sitting opposite me, that the Opposition will not oppose the Bill. It is a good thing to […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Esplanade Pedestrian Crossing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘ESPLANADE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING’. Thursday, 7 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:51): My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and I ask: will the State Labor Government consider installing a pedestrian-operated signal crossing across The Esplanade near Were Street in Brighton? Green Point in Brighton is as iconic as […]

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In Parliament

Condolence Motion - Shane Warne

CONDOLENCE MOTION ‘SHANE WARNE’. Thursday, 7 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:28): Shane Keith Warne, what a bloody legend! When Shane Warne passed it felt like Australia had collectively skipped a beat. Though we miss and mourn those who pass, there are some who touch us so deeply that we hold our collective breath when […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Port Phillip Childcare Petition

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PORT PHILLIP CHILDCARE PETITION’. Thursday, 7 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:55): My community has spoken out loudly and said that it supports community-run childcare in the Port Phillip municipality. Disturbingly, three centres in Port Phillip are under threat of closure, the Eildon Road Children’s Centre in St Kilda, Elwood Children’s Centre in […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Crime

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Brighton Crime’. Thursday, 7 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:54): Victorians have a right to feel safe in their homes. Disturbingly, there has been a frightening increase in the number of home invasions in Brighton. As a recent victim said to me: it is extremely disconcerting how brazen these criminals are. There are […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Inclusive Sports Day

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE INCLUSIVE SPORTS DAY’. Thursday, 7 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:54): Congratulations to Bayside sporting clubs who recently hosted the second Bayside Inclusive Community Sports Day. This year the sporting clubs partnered with Blind Sports Australia to expand into becoming an all-inclusive event. The event featured modified versions of sports to enable […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Women and Mentoring

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Women and Mentoring’. Tuesday, 5 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:55): Women and Mentoring, known as WAM, is an early intervention program that supports women charged with a criminal offence by matching them with one of the organisation’s 60 mentors. The organisation helps 45 women per year, and their client recidivism rate sits […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Railway Crescent, Hampton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Railway Crescent, Hampton’. Tuesday, 5 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:56): Local residents are right to be concerned about light pollution in the extended car park on Railway Crescent in Hampton. State Labor has already forced a cruise ship-sized development into the Hampton village, and residents are being told to simply put up […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Gary Nash

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Gary Nash’. Tuesday, 5 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:55): Congratulations to Hampton Rovers President Gary Nash, who was recently awarded a Victorian Amateur Football Association Certificate of Merit. The award recognised Gary’s significant contribution to the Hampton Rovers Football Club. His contribution includes playing 193 games, being a former Senior Captain, and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Secondary Employment Interviews

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Brighton Secondary Employment Interviews’. Tuesday, 5 April 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:56): Each year Rotary Club of Brighton volunteers conduct mock employment interviews with year 10 students from Brighton Secondary College. The interviews are an opportunity for the students to present a résumé, hone their presentation and receive constructive feedback. The interviews are […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Mary's Primary School, Hampton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, HAMPTON’. Thursday, 24 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:36): St Mary’s Primary is a remarkable school in Hampton. The school will soon celebrate its centenary and it currently teaches almost 290 students. The school has a vision to invest in a $3 million extension of their junior school block […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Kilda Street, Brighton

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST KILDA STREET, BRIGHTON’. Thursday, 24 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:35): The Bayside residents near St Kilda Street have had enough of unlawful traffic, associated noise and a lack of action from the Labor Government. As Paul said, these hoons seem to think they can treat this as a speedway. This is […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Lifesaving Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON LIFESAVING CLUB’. Thursday, 24 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:35): Hampton Life Saving Club is a wonderful organisation. On top of teaching young people important skills, they are advocates for all abilities, including girls participation, environmental protection and mental wellness. A Guy Liberal government will deliver $125 000 to support the redevelopment […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Foreshore Redevelopment

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD FORESHORE REDEVLOPMENT’. Thursday, 24 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:35): Port Phillip council is proposing to redevelop the Elwood foreshore and shift almost 300 car parks into and around Head Street in Brighton. Head Street is a municipal boundary, and many residents believe the move is cynically designed to shift the problem […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Anniversary

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ANNIVERSARY’. Thursday, 24 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:36): On indulgence, all my love to my wife, Suzanne, as we celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary today.

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton Home Invasions

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON HOME INVASIONS’. Wednesday, 23 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:40): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: how many homes need to be invaded in Brighton before the State Labor Government stops ignoring the safety of my community? Victorians have a right to be safe in their homes, yet […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Shane Warne

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SHANE WARNE’. Wednesday, 9 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): Shane Warne was one of the greatest cricketers that ever lived. When he bowled he delivered magic, and he was an icon whose story and achievements will live through the ages, but that was not the Shane Warne we saw in Brighton. You […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton Savoy Rehabilitation

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘BRIGHTON SAVOY REHABILITATION’. Tuesday, 8 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:41): My Constituency Question is to the Minister for Health, and I ask: what are the requirements for operating a rehabilitation program for alcohol and drug addiction treatment? Minister, for background, over the last three months the Brighton Savoy, a family-owned hotel, accommodation […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Conservation, Forests and Lands Amendment Bill 2022

BILL DEBATE. ‘CONSERVATION, FORESTS AND LANDS AMENDMENT BILL 2022’. Wednesday, 9 March 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:49): It is a pleasure to rise on my first bill as Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change on the Conservation, Forests and Lands Amendment Bill 2022, but I rise on this particular Bill with a heavy heart […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Port Phillip Childcare Centres

ADJOURNMENT ‘PORT PHILLIP CHILDCARE CENTRES’. Thursday, 24 February 2022 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:13): My Adjournment is directed to the Premier, and the action that I seek is for the Premier to personally intervene and provide financial government support which would stop the closure of three childcare centres before they are forced to close. Port Phillip […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Peter's Kindergarten

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST PETER’S KINDERGARTEN’. Thursday, 24 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:40): Brighton’s St Peter’s Kindergarten recently held a welcome to country and smoking ceremony for their young children. The children loved the experience, with four-year-old Fiona saying, ‘This land belongs to the Aboriginal people. They have been here for a really long time, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton RSL School Program

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON RSL SCHOOL PROGRAM’. Thursday, 24 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:40): Hampton RSL have shown incredible community leadership in the way they pass on history to the next generation through their Gallipoli Memorial Garden school program. I recently joined Hampton Primary School to visit the garden to learn about the 92 Bayside […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Road Safety

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON ROAD SAFETY’. Thursday, 24 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:41): Brighton’s road safety is ignored by Labor. Horrified residents often witness dangers at the intersection of Dendy and Hampton streets. VicRoads has advised residents that an upgrade is unlikely to be implemented. The intersection is near to the notorious Dendy village, where […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes’. Thursday, 24 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:41): The iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes are under threat. Several of the boxes at the South end of the beach are under threat of tide and erosion. Brighton Harbour was recently dredged to remove built-up sand. Instead of sending the dredged sand […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Delivering for the Hampton Life Savings Club community to recover and rebuild

Joint Statement – Delivering for the Hampton Life Savings Club community to recover and rebuild Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition James Newbury, Member for Brighton 19 February 2022. A Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver $125,000 to support the redevelopment of Hampton Life Saving Club (HLSC). The funding will allow for urgent […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Port Phillip Childcare Centres

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘PORT PHILLIP CHILDCARE CENTRES’. Thursday, 10 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:50): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: is the State Labor Government considering committing financial support towards the upgrade of three childcare centres in my region before they are forced to close? Port Philip Council is being forced […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2022

BILL DEBATE. ‘REGULATORY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (REFORM) BILL 2022’. Thursday, 10 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:07): I rise to speak on the Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021. This is an Omnibus Bill. It covers a variety of issues that are loosely held together under the umbrella of streamlining regulation. Though some of the proposed […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Starfish Nippers

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘STARFISH NIPPERS’. Wednesday, 9 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): As Hampton Life Saving Club says, every summer something magical happens when the Starfish Nippers members arrive on Hampton beach. Starfish Nippers is a modified program designed for young people of all abilities. Starfish includes kids with autism, attention deficit, global development delay, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Home Invasions

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HOME INVASIONS’. Wednesday, 9 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): People deserve to be safe in their homes. Last week a family in Elwood Street, Brighton, was left terrified by a group of three thieves who had broken into their family home and confronted them. There have been similar home invasions around Albert […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Clean Up Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CLEAN UP CLUB’. Wednesday, 9 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): Elwood Primary School has a big heart for the community and the environment. It was heart-warming to hear that three young students have taken on leadership roles and created a school Clean-up Club because, in their words,  ‘We need to keep our […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Australia Day Swim

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GREAT AUSTRALIA DAY SWIM’. Wednesday, 9 February 2022. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): The Rotary Club of Brighton is part of the fabric of Bayside. This year the Club again delivered their iconic Great Australia Day Swim. The swim was first started by Stuart McIntyre and Peter Sherman in 2010. Many thanks to the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Pandemic Laws Survey

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘PANDEMIC LAWS SURVEY’. Thursday, 28 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50): Victorians are speaking out strongly in Opposition to the Premier’s pandemic management. They know that Labor has mismanaged the State. They also know that the Premier’s decisions have been punitive, and his restrictions have hurt people. Labor cannot be trusted with increased […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sandy All-Abilities Program

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SANDY ALL-ABILITIES PROGRAM’. Thursday, 14 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Bayside-based netball association Sandringham and District Netball Association delivers an award-winning program and inspires young people of all abilities. The association founded the Sandy all-abilities program in 2018. The program is led by Emily Higgins and Kris Pierce, two community advocates who have […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Gardenvale Primary School

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GARDENVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 14 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Gardenvale Primary School, in Brighton East, is an outstanding school that has been teaching our local children since 1922. Gardenvale Primary is a split-school learning environment with a junior campus and senior campus and a growing enrolment of almost 630 students. We are […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Small Business Support Delays

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT DELAYS’. Thursday, 14 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Labor’s attitude towards small business throughout the pandemic has been shameful. This week the Government admitted their disinterest in supporting the 660,000 Victorian small businesses. At anti-corruption hearings this week a government witness admitted: ‘The small business portfolio was so small, there […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Brighton Secondary College

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON SECONDARY COLLEGE’. Wednesday, 13 October 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is to the Minister for Education and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to commit to funding a purpose-built performing arts and culture centre at Brighton Secondary College, in Brighton East. Brighton Secondary has served the Bayside community […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Aged Care Restrictions

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘AGED CARE RESTRICTIONS’. Thursday, 7 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My constituency question is directed to the Premier, and I ask it on behalf of aged-care residents and providers in my community. On what date will the State Government allow them the quality of life they deserve? For many in aged-care homes, it […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Beach Safety

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELWOOD BEACH SAFETY’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Melbourne’s beachside communities deserve to be safe when taking advantage of our special coastline. Elwood residents need to know they are safe when taking a swim. Sadly, personal watercraft and the zoning of boating and swimming near Elwood, in Port Phillip Bay, remains […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Delayed Health Care

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘DELAYED HEALTH CARE’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Current restrictions are deterring people from accessing the health services they need. That delay is causing ongoing health issues, and for many, leading to ongoing agonising pain. A mother recently contacted me, desperate, because her daughter hasn’t been able to receive myotherapy. Her […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - LGBTIQ+ Business Support

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LGBTIQ+ BUSINESS SUPPORT’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Despite hollow words, this Labor Government has let the LGBTIQ+ community down. There has been a 24.9 per cent cut to LGBTIQ+ and equality programs in the budget. The cuts mean a change from $7.6 million last financial year to just $5.7 million […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Health System in Crisis

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HEALTH SYSTEM IN CRISIS’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): With over 18 months to prepare for the pandemic it is more than just outrageous that Labor has not prepared our health system. The system is now in crisis. We know that the Premier promised to deliver 4,000 ICU beds in April […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bastion Insights Survey

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BASTION INSIGHTS SURVEY’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Is there any wonder that Victorians think the economic cost of lockdowns outweighs the risks of the coronavirus? A recent Bastion Insights survey has shown that 49 per cent of Victorians believe the cost outweighs risk, 21 per cent were undecided and only […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Small Business Support

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT’. Wednesday, 6 October 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): At a time when Victorian businesses are doing it incredibly tough, the Labor Government is cutting financial support for hard-done small businesses. It is outrageous. Numerous businesses have contacted me, concerned about Round 5 of the Business Costs Assistance Program. They advise that […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - COVID Policy Hurting Kids

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘COVID POLICY HURTING KIDS’. Wednesday, 15 September 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The State Labor Government has justified every decision it has made during the pandemic by saying that the imposition of punitive policy has been based on expert health advice. Within days, these decisions will have led to Melbourne becoming the most locked […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Brighton Neglected in School Funding

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON NEGLECTED IN SCHOOL FUNDING’. Thursday, 16 August 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is directed to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the Minister to stop politicking with Brighton kids and direct funding to needy schools in my community. The Victorian School Building Authority provides a particularly helpful […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Children's Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH’. Wednesday, 8 September 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Parents know that the shattered mental health of our kids is the biggest threat facing our State. They know there is a mental health shadow pandemic in Victoria, despite the State Labor Government trying to deny it and seeking to cover it up. […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - New Street Public Housing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘NEW STREET PUBLIC HOUSING’. Tuesday, 7 September 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My constituency question is to the Minister for Housing, and it relates to the New Street public housing site in Brighton, which is one of the public housing sites to be renewed as part of the State Government’s Public Housing Renewal Program. […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Brighton Primary School

ADJOURNMENT ‘BRIGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Thursday, 5 August 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:05): My adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the Minister to step in and invest real funding into the future of Brighton Primary School. The historic Brighton Primary sits on the corner of Wilson and Male […]

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In the Media

Opinion Piece - Parents Can See The Harm.

PARENTS CAN SEE THE HARM HERALD SUN 30 August 2021 JAMES NEWBURY TWO big things are happening among parents. There is a silent revolution brewing. Over the past 18 months, we have proved we will accept the loss of almost any freedom, so long as it’s for our better health. We won’t even bat an […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Elster Canal Crimes

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘ELSTER CREEK CRIMES’. Tuesday, 3 August 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:44): The children in my community deserve to be safe—safe to take an afternoon walk and safe to enjoy our parks. On Saturday afternoon two 13-year-old girls were chased along the Elster Canal Path in Brighton by teens carrying a knife. The incident […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Landcox Park Shelter

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LANDCOX PARK SHELTER’. Wednesday, 4 August 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:04): In September, my community will welcome a new shelter at Landcox Park in Brighton East. Landcox Park is a wonderful park. Many say it is a much-loved secret that we are lucky to enjoy. The shelter came about after hundreds of local […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Rotary Changeover

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON ROTARY CHANGEOVER’. Wednesday, 4 August 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:04): Brighton Rotary Club recently welcomed the inauguration of Julie Avery as President of the Club. Julie is a 26-year Rotarian, having been a charter member of Brighton Beach before moving to Brighton in 2018. Julie will be Brighton Rotary’s first female President […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Crime

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON CRIME’. Wednesday, 4 August 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:03): In mid-July two offenders broke into a home in Albert Street, Brighton. The homeowners, who were at home asleep, immediately called police. As our community knows, certain streets in Brighton and Brighton East have been repeatedly targeted by criminals. My community has a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - North Brighton Rotary Suicide Awareness

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘NORTH BRIGHTON ROTARY SUICIDE AWARENESS’. Wednesday, 4 August 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:03): Twenty-five years ago, the North Brighton Rotary Club established a youth suicide awareness project. The project started after Michael Carr-Gregg, then Director of the Education and Training Unit Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, presented to the […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Elwood College

ADJOURNMENT ‘ELWOOD COLLEGE’. Wednesday, 23 June 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:14): My Adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to step in and invest real funding into the future of Elwood College in Elwood. Elwood College and its neighbouring primary school are the heart of Elwood. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayley House Art Appeal

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYLEY HOUSE ART APPEAL’. Tuesday, 24 June 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:55): Bayley House is a special organisation in my community. They offer support to the intellectually disabled by actively engaging them through a program of exceptional services. Up to 180 clients take part each day. Part of their service includes a rich […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Small Business Devastated

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘SMALL BUSINESS IS DEVASTATED’. Wednesday, 9 June 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:42): Small businesses across my community are crying out ‘Enough is enough’. They are the human face of our economy. They are the mums and dads of our communities. They are our neighbours who have taken a risk to realise a dream. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Children's Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH’. Wednesday, 9 June 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:03): Mental health issues have swept across Victoria like a tidal wave. Labor has sacrificed our children’s mental health. Children have been locked out of our schools for 114 days. A secret report from the Victorian Agency for Health Information has revealed that […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Supervised Injecting Rooms

MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE. ‘SUPERVISED INJECTING ROOMS’ Wednesday, 26 May 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:58): I am pleased to rise on the Matter of Public Importance. Public policy is about balance. On this issue, on the supervised medical injecting room, the Government has got the balance wrong—wrong in Richmond and wrong in their proposed CBD […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - State Taxation and Mental Health Acts Amendment Bill 2021

BILL DEBATE. ‘STATE TAXATION AND MENTAL HEALTH ACTS AMENDMENT BILL 2021’. Wednesday, 26 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:55): I rise to speak on the State Taxation and Mental Health Acts Amendment Bill 2021. The Labor Party should be ashamed of itself. As we have a debate in this Chamber about Labor’s new tax attack, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Respectful Relationships Forum

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS FORUM’. Tuesday, 25 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:06): Whether change is big or small, we all have the power and responsibility to use our voices to bring about positive change. These are some of the issues that I spoke about with Haileybury students as part of their Respectful Relationships Forum. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton RSL Gallipoli Garden

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘HAMPTON RSL GALLIPOLI GARDEN’. Tuesday, 25 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:06): Hampton RSL recently unveiled a Gallipoli Memorial Garden. The garden includes the names of the 92 Bayside diggers who fell, etched on steel plaques on top of ten rocks, representing the sites in Gallipoli where they were buried. Congratulations to Hampton […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Budget Tax Attack

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BUDGET TAX ATTACK’. Tuesday, 25 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:07): The budget is a tax attack. It is a budget of envy that attacks tall poppies. The State Labor Government has run out of money, so they are digging their grubby hands further into Victorians’ pockets. My community knows that Labor hates […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Violent Crimes

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE VIOLENT CRIMES’. Tuesday, 25 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:06): How many crimes need to be committed in my community before Labor wakes up? We have seen a string of crimes in Bayside parks, sexual and violent assaults committed on local teenagers. On Saturday night a 17-year-old Elwood boy was stabbed by […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Budget & Taxes

ADJOURNMENT ‘BUDGET & TAXES.’ Thursday, 20 May 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:04): My Adjournment is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek is for the Labor government to scrap the envy-based tax attack at the core of its punitive State Budget. This Budget is a tax attack, a Budget that hates entrepreneurs and job […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Dendy Street Pedestrian Crossing

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION DENDY STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. Wednesday, 5 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:45): My constituency question is to the Minister for Public Transport, and I ask: can the Minister release all advice on the safety of the Dendy Street pedestrian rail crossing in Brighton? The Dendy Street pedestrian rail crossing at the New Street […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sexual Assault

MEMBERS STATEMENT SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES. Wednesday, 5 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:01): Young women are calling for modernisation of the sexual assault reporting system. We should not be proud that Victoria is the only jurisdiction in Australia without a structured informal reporting system. Brave women from my community, like sexual assault survivor […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Veterans Support

MEMBERS STATEMENT VETERANS SUPPORT. Wednesday, 5 May 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:01): The Rotary Club of Brighton recently welcomed retired special forces major Heston Russell to their annual Anzac dinner. Heston has championed supporting returned servicemen by founding Voice of a Veteran, an organisation whose originating purpose acknowledges that more than 700 veterans have been […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Floral Art Group

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BRIGHTON FLORAL ART GROUP’. Wednesday, 17 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:53): Sadly, the Brighton Floral Art Group has wound up. Formed in 1978 by Merle Barton, the group has been active in fundraising for local charities as well as bringing the pleasure of floral art to the Bayside community for decades. Thank […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Soroptimist International

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL’. Wednesday, 17 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): Soroptimist International are celebrating their 100th year as a volunteer service organisation for women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities. The Brighton Branch is the biggest in Australia. They have been contributing to my community for […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Kylie Moore-Gilbert

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘KYLIE MOORE-GILBERT’. Wednesday, 17 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): Kylie Moore-Gilbert has shown profound bravery, both as a prisoner for 804 days and more recently in her personal life. Kylie’s strength of character and her daily mantra in prison, ‘I am free; no matter what you do to me, I am still […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Consent Petition

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘CONSENT PETITION.’ Wednesday, 17 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:52): The petition for consent to be included in school education early is not just an issue for New South Wales. Chanel Contos started a petition to give voices to girls who have experienced sexual abuse. The voices in the petition from across Australia […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Crime in Dendy Park

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘CRIME IN DENDY PARK’ Tuesday, 16 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:44): My constituency question is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and I ask: what has the State Labor Government done to enhance safety in my community after a young girl was sexually assaulted at Dendy Park in Brighton East? […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Elwood Primary School

ADJOURNMENT ‘ELWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL.’ Thursday, 4 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:26): My adjournment is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to commit funding to assist Elwood Primary School realise their vision of refurbishing their outdoor environment through their landscape master plan. Elwood Primary School […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elsternwick Park North

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ELSTERNWICK PARK NORTH’. Wednesday, 3 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:58): There has been a lot of activity at Elsternwick Park north. Excavators are shaping a new chain of ponds which will help mitigate flooding and enhance the environmental space. I recently met with new Elsternwick Park Association presidents Natalie Davey and Julie […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lion's Youth of the Year

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR’. Wednesday, 3 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:57): This year five Bayside Lions clubs have hosted a Youth of the Year Award event. The award is aimed at helping young people develop worthwhile skills. Congratulations to Shaelea Hilliard, who was declared Brighton Lions Club Youth of the Year, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - TaskForce Youth Hub

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘TASKFORCE YOUTH HUB’. Wednesday, 3 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:57): Each year TaskForce Youth Hub in Station Street, Moorabbin, helps 1000 young people access drug and alcohol addiction support services. Part of that service includes Reset Life, a free and intensive outpatient program where participants receive wraparound rehabilitation. The hub provides a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Coffee Cup Challenge

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ST LEONARD’S COFFEE CUP CHALLENGE’. Wednesday, 3 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:57): St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton has ignited the spark of compassion. To raise money for the homeless, parishioners put aside $4 each week as part of the coffee cup challenge. This year the Brighton congregation raised $10,000. The spark […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Aged Care Exemptions

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘AGED CARE EXEMPTIONS’. Thursday, 4 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:40): My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning, and I ask: can the Minister inform me whether the government has reviewed whether residential aged-care facilities are misusing the wider scope they have afforded to them under the Victorian planning laws? Residential […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Planning and Environment Amendment Bill 2021

BILL DEBATE. ‘Planning and Environment Amendment Bill 2021’. Wednesday, 2 March 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (18:12): I rise to speak on the Planning and Environment Amendment Bill 2021. Your home is your castle, and your suburb is your village. Like a village, every suburb is unique—unique because of the way it has developed its own […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Hampton Overdevelopment

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION HAMPTON OVERDEVELOPMENT. Friday, 19 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:52): My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning, and I ask: can the Minister inform me whether the State Labor Government has developed any specific planning measures to protect Hampton from overdevelopment? The State Labor Government has targeted Hampton as a hotspot […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - COVID & Children's Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘COVID & CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH’. Thursday, 18 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:01): Mental health issues have swept across our community like a tidal wave. On Saturday Lifeline received 3,306 calls in one day, the third-highest number in Lifeline’s 60-year history. I spoke about the effect of online learning on my daughter. Thank […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - COVID & Small Business

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘COVID & SMALL BUSINESS’. Thursday, 18 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:00): Hampton favourite cafe Larsen and Co. is permanently closing. Labor has crushed small business, and the Premier’s decisions have sent many broke. We know that only one in five small businesses received any support from Labor during the pandemic. We also […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Street2Bay

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘STREET2BAY’. Thursday, 18 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:00): Scouts Victoria recently completed their innovative Street2Bay project, a project that sought to combat microplastic pollution and protect our beaches. Congratulations to project leader Tracey Steeves, who was honoured with an award by Rod Byrnes, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria. Over 500 scouts and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Dog Park, Elwood

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘DOG PARK, ELWOOD’. Thursday, 18 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:00): Elwood has been heard. We have been calling for a dog agility park for years. My community survey of almost 500 people found that almost 80 per cent supported a dog park. After years of advocacy $275,000 will now be invested in […]

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In Parliament

Speech - Government Business Program Motion

SPEECH ‘GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM MOTION’ Wednesday, 17 February 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:13): This debate is so very important. This Government Business Program is something that every Victorian should know about. Every Victorian should be listening today to know that this Government Business Program is the scheduling of the extension of the state-of-emergency powers — […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Spent Convictions Bill 2020

BILL DEBATE. ‘SPENT CONVICTIONS BILL 2020’. Wednesday, 17 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:37): I rise to make a brief contribution on the Spent Convictions Bill 2020. Our justice system is designed to deliver the law righteously. It is a system that has been codified in black letter law but is underpinned in morality and […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Gardenvale Primary School

ADJOURNMENT ‘GARDENVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL.’ Wednesday, 17 February 2021 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is to the Minister for Education and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to commit funding to address structural issues at the historic Gardenvale Primary School, in Brighton East. Gardenvale Primary School is much more than a place […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Appropriation (2020-2021) Bill 2020

BILL DEBATE. ‘APPROPRIATION (2020–2021) BILL 2020’. Thursday, 4 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:38): That this House takes note of the 2020–21 Budget Papers. This Budget is a road to nowhere. It has cut community confidence off at the knees. The Government is claiming this Budget is putting people first. What a con. Labor has […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Dendy Street, Brighton, Pedestrian Rail Crossing

ADJOURNMENT ‘DENDY STREET, BRIGHTON, PEDESTRIAN RAIL CROSSING’. Tuesday, 2 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:18): My Adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport. The action I seek is for the Minister to immediately invest in the Dendy Street pedestrian rail crossing in Brighton and enhance safety at the site. Many pedestrian crossings are […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Investment in Hampton Primary School

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION ‘INVESTMENT IN HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL’. Wednesday, 3 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:47): My constituency question is to the Minister for Education, and I ask: can the Minister advise me what investment the Andrews Labor government has ever committed for major capital works at Hampton Primary School in Hampton? Hampton Primary School is […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Community Sports Day

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘BAYSIDE COMMUNITY SPORTS DAY’. Wednesday, 3 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:58): And thank you to all of the sports clubs involved in hosting the recent Bayside Community Sports Day. Hundreds of children had a terrific day. Thank you to Bayside Hockey Club, Black Rock Sports Club, Sandringham Life Saving Club and East […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rotary Club of Brighton and Brighton North

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘ROTARY CLUBS OF BRIGHTON AND BRIGHTON NORTH’. Wednesday, 3 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:58): Rotary has an incredibly positive impact on our community and is part of the fabric of Bayside. To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia, members of the Brighton and Brighton North clubs held a free sausage sizzle […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Grenville Street, Hampton, Pedestrian Crossing

MEMBERS STATEMENT ‘GRENVILLE STREET, HAMPTON, PEDESTRIAN CROSSING’. Wednesday, 3 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:57): The safety-enhanced Grenville Street pedestrian rail crossing in Hampton is now open. Our collective voices were heard. Every petition signature, every minute spent at a community meeting and every ounce of support all mattered. Stuart Worn, who has been a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sam Higgins

MEMBERS STATEMENT SAM HIGGINS Wednesday, 3 February 2021. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:57): Sam Higgins might have been born profoundly deaf and with cerebral palsy, but he is an incredible young man who was recently awarded Bayside Young Citizen of the Year. With his mother, volunteers and the support of Firbank Grammar School, they run Allstars, […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020

SECOND READING SPEECH. Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020. Thursday, 10 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:20): I rise to make a brief contribution on the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020. I want to start by saying directly to my community that I will stand up for your equality, even […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Stop Inappropriate Development

ADJOURNMENT. Stop Inappropriate Development. Thursday, 10 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:33): My Adjournment is to the Minister for Planning, and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to stop encouraging inappropriate development and to start protecting the amenity of our unique community. Our home is our castle, and our suburbs are […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Crime in Brighton

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION. Crime in Brighton. Wednesday, 9 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:46): My constituency question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and I ask: can the Minister advise me what this Labor Government is doing to stop home invasions and other serious crimes in Brighton? Enough is enough. We all have […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Christmas Message

MEMBERS STATEMENT. Christmas Message. Tuesday, 8 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:59): I wish my community of Brighton, Brighton East, Elwood and Hampton a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would also like to thank my staff — Jade Smith-Love, Grace Sutcliffe and Angie Gledhill — for their hard work. Thank you […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside U3A

MEMBERS STATEMENT. Bayside U3A. Tuesday, 8 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:58): Bayside U3A is a powerhouse in my community. U3A offers short courses for people active in retirement. The group recently invited comedian Denise Scott to celebrate the end of year. We heard how her doctor claims Denise is her favourite comedian but has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Community Choir

MEMBERS STATEMENT. Elwood Community Choir. Tuesday, 8 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:58): The Elwood Community Choir recently met online for their end-of-year Christmas concert. Fortunately for all I left my microphone on mute and joined in to sing along with the group as they ended their year. Congratulations to Jeannie Marsh and the wonderful […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Street2Bay Project

MEMBERS STATEMENT. Street2Bay Project. Tuesday, 8 December 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:58): The 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts know how to make a difference. Their Street2Bay Project, which seeks to combat microplastic pollution and protect our beaches and wildlife, has become a state-wide initiative. Five hundred Scouts and Leaders have spent over 3,300 volunteer hours in […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - City of Melbourne

ADJOURNMENT. CITY OF MELBOURNE. Thursday, 26 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:18): My adjournment is for the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to kickstart our city, the heart of Victoria. The city of Melbourne is the heart of our State. The city delivers a quarter of the state’s economic turnover, […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Outdoor Permits

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION. OUTDOOR PERMITS. Thursday, 25 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:48): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: can the Premier advise me how the Government intends to balance the new outdoor dining permit system with any effects it may have on residential amenity or the potential to reduce trade to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Celeste Manno

MEMBERS STATEMENT CELESTE MANNO Tuesday, 24 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:19): Another young woman has been wrongly taken from our community. The murder of Celeste Manno is nothing short of heartbreaking. I want her family to know that this Parliament acknowledges their tragic loss.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Royal Brighton Yacht Club

MEMBERS STATEMENT  ROYAL BRIGHTON YACHT CLUB Tuesday, 24 November 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:19): The baton has been passed at Royal Brighton Yacht Club. The Club has welcomed new commodore Peter Strain. I commend past Commodore Paul Pascoe on the Club’s recent achievements, which include the title of Victorian Yacht Club of the Year and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rotary Club of Brighton North

MEMBERS STATEMENT ROTARY CLUB OF BRIGHTON NORTH. Tuesday, 24 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:18): Brighton North Rotary Club have had another success, this time hosting a virtual Larry’s lunch to commemorate International Men’s Day and raise funds for youth suicide awareness. The event featured special guest Shane Jacobson, who spoke about the joy of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Melbourne Montessori School

MEMBERS STATEMENT MELBOURNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL. Tuesday, 24 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:18): What is better than winning the Educator’s Innovative Schools Award? Winning it two years in a row, as Melbourne Montessori’s senior school has. The Award recognises schools that are making innovative changes to the education sector. Congratulations to Principal Gay Wales and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Eco-Centre School Sustainability Awards

MEMBERS STATEMENT ECO-CENTRE SCHOOL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS. Tuesday, 24 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:18): The Port Phillip Eco-Centre’s annual School Sustainability Festival was again a success. St Columba’s Primary showcased their talent, Gardenvale Primary their compost making, St James Primary their kitchen and sensory garden and Firbank Grammar their advocacy. I congratulate their environmental leadership.

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In Parliament

Grievance Debate - COVD-19 & Mismanagement

GRIEVANCE DEBATE – COVID-19 & MISMANAGEMENT. Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:31): I rise to grieve for the people of Victoria because Labor has crippled our great State. Throughout the pandemic their decision-making has lurched between paralysed and frenetic. It led to directions that were contradictory. It also led to hundreds of thousands […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Bell Station, Preston

ADJOURNMENT – BELL STATION, PRESTON. Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:39): My Adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to listen to the Preston community over their design concerns with the Preston level crossing removal project in relation to […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Overseas Travel

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION – OVERSEAS TRAVEL. Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:42): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the State Government allow overseas Victorians, including many of my constituents, their right to return home? Thousands of Victorians are stuck overseas. Their lives are in limbo. In fact, more […]

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In Parliament

Speech - Government Business Program Motion

SPEECH – GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PROGRAM MOTION. Tuesday, 10 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:28): I am very pleased to rise for the first time to speak on the government business program. Parliamentary procedure is something that has interested me for a long time. In fact, in a past life I for a number of years […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Development.

MEMBERS STATEMENT – HAMPTON DEVELOPMENT. Tuesday, 10 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13.46): Hampton is under attack from the State Government. Labor’s planning scheme encourages inappropriate development in my community. It also allows heritage homes to be ripped down. The Government does not care about protecting heritage or that developers are building towering apartment blocks […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Parent Mental Health.

MEMBERS STATEMENT – PARENT MENTAL HEALTH. Tuesday, 10 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13.46): Parents are doing it tough. A Melbourne Institute and University of Melbourne study found that Victorian parents have suffered a spike in mental and financial stress. Mental distress has exploded, rising from 7 per cent to almost one in five, 18 […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Student Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT – STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH. Tuesday, 10 November 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13.45): Saving minds is just as important as saving lives. Beyond Blue has found that one in five children between 11 and 17 are experiencing high or very high levels of psychological stress. A Victorian Student Representative Council Congress report has found […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Glen Huntly Crossing, Elwood

ADJOURNMENT – GLEN HUNTLY CROSSING, ELWOOD. Thursday, 29 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:50): My Adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action I seek is for the State Labor Government to commit budget funding to install a proper pedestrian crossing on Glen Huntly Road in Elwood. The Elwood […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Adverse Possession

CONSTITUENCY QUESTION – ADVERSE POSSESSION. Wednesday, 28 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:46): My Constituency Question is to the Minister for Planning, and I ask: can the Minister inform me what protections this Government has in place to stop fake and costly adverse possession claims being used as a device to oppose residential development? Elwood […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Upstanders Project

MEMBERS STATEMENT – BAYSIDE UPSTANDERS PROJECT. Thursday, 29 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09.41): Each year five Bayside schools work together on the Upstanders project, which teaches children the importance of being an upstander, not a bystander, to bullying. The project is an initiative of Brighton Beach Primary. This year’s focus is on digital safety. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Vale Ron Best

MEMBERS STATEMENT – VALE RON BEST. Thursday, 29 October 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09.42): Ron Best had a kind heart as big as his smile. He was a big personality, and it was so tragic that he was taken away, because he and Louise Asher, the former member for Brighton, had planned decades of future […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Nepean Highway Noise Barriers

MEMBERS STATEMENT – NEPEAN HIGHWAY NOISE BARRIERS. Thursday, 29 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09.42): This Government ignores my community. We deserve our fair share. The only noise protection for residents of Brighton along Nepean Highway is an old, falling-down wooden fence. The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates a steel barrier fix along the stretch would […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Children & Mental Health

MEMBERS STATEMENT – CHILDREN & MENTAL HEALTH. Thursday, 29 October 2020. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09.41): A young person’s world has become quite narrow’, the National Mental Health Commissioner recently said. Alarmingly there are three times as many Victorians seeking help for mental health as those in the rest of the community. There has been a […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Koolkuna Lane, Hampton

KOOLKUNA LANE, HAMPTON Thursday, 15 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:45): My constituency question is to the Minister for Housing, and I ask: as the local community has been ignored, can the Minister provide me with an update on the proposed redevelopment works at the public housing site in Koolkuna Lane in Hampton? As the […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - World Game Facilities Fund

WORLD GAME FACILITES FUND Wednesday, 14 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:37): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to immediately instigate an independent investigation by the Department of Premier and Cabinet into the state government’s World Game Facilities Fund. The World Game Facilities Fund is a […]

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In Parliament

Parliament Speech - No Confidence Motion

NO CONFIDENCE MOTION Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): (19:19) Daniel Andrews is the worst Premier that Victoria has ever had—the worst Premier that Victoria has ever had—and this No-Confidence Motion is an opportunity to fix that, to hold the Premier to account. This Parliament must sack Dan. They must give him the boot. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Pharmacies & The Business Support Fund

PHARMACIES & THE BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): This Government has yet again let the private sector down. Pharmacies are not eligible for the third round of the government’s Business Support Fund, yet brothels and prostitution services are. As Stephen has said: My business has been decimated … I’m currently […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - City of Port Phillip Rates

CITY OF PORT PHILLIP RATES Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): So many across Elwood are doing it tough. The decision by the City of Port Phillip to slug residents with a 2 per cent rate increase has-king hit Elwood ratepayers. As Julie has said: … these rates are a considerable amount and the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - School Music Ban

BAN OF SCHOOL MUSIC Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The Government has banned choirs and woodwind and brass instruments in schools. As the President of the Association of Directors of Music in Independent Schools, Elizabeth Furman, has written to the Premier: Medical research investigating music and COVID-19 indicates that musical activities can be […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Learners Permit Testing

LEARNERS PERMIT TESTING. Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): This Government has turned its back on young people. The suspension of Learners Permit testing and the stupidity of driving practice rules are hurting— and few have faith in the government delivering any utopian online system. As Maxine said: Can anything be done about this? […]

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In the Media

Interview - ABC Radio National (7 August 2020)

Interview – ABC Radio National. Monday 7 August, 2020. James spoke on ABC Radio National about the Victorian lockdown and the Premier’s attempt to shut down State and Federal electorate offices. You can listen to full the interview here.

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In the Media

Interview - Sky News Australia (19 August 2020)

Sky News Australia. Peter Gleeson program. Wednesday 19 August, 2020. “Daniel Andrews wants to scrap his six-month limit on power. I mean we haven’t seen anything like this since President Putin gave himself Presidency for life. And that’s what Daniel Andrews is trying to do – to scrap this total power limit of six months […]

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In the Media

Interview - Sky News Australia (2 September 2020)

Sky News Australia. Peter Gleeson program. Wednesday 02 September, 2020. Victorian Liberal MP James Newbury says Victoria has become a surveillance state following the six-month extension of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ state of emergency powers. You can watch the full interview here.

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In the Media

Interview - Sky News Australia (25 June 2020)

Sky News Australia. Peter Gleeson program. Thursday 25 June, 2020. Victorian Liberal MP James Newbury says Daniel Andrews has “absolutely shown that he’s a rogue premier and Australians need to worry”. You can watch the full interview here.

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In the Media

Interview - Sky News Australia (21 July 2020)

Sky News Australia. Peter Gleeson program. Tuesday 21 July, 2020. Reports of retailers price gouging on face masks is yet another example of “Dan not having a plan” according to Victorian Liberal MP James Newbury. You can watch the full interview here.

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In the Media

Interview - Sky News Australia (28 September 2020)

Sky News Australia. Peter Gleeson program. Monday 28 September, 2020. James was on Sky News Australia to talk about how Daniel Andrews is a “backstabbing bully and Victorians can all see it for themselves.” You can watch the full interview here.

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Damage of Rental Moratoriums

DAMAGE OF RENTAL MORATORIUMS Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is to the Treasurer and the action I seek is for the Treasurer to outline to landlords, property investors and the real estate industry in my community what support is available to them following the State Government’s extension of rental protections through […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Impact on Children

IMPACT ON CHILDREN Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Young Victorian children are hurting, and many are being left behind. The damage caused to our young children by the State Government’s restrictions is unconscionable and unforgivable. As Julie recently wrote: ‘we really need to know what the plan is for children … This would […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sole Traders

SOLE TRADERS ARE HURTING Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The lack of support for sole traders in Victoria is wrong and unjust. The measly sole-trader support package announced by the State Government has missed the mark. Only 33,000 of Victoria’s 412,000 sole traders are eligible. A staggering 92 per cent of the state’s […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Democracy & Institutions

DEMOCRACY AND INSTITUTIONS Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): This government is systematically dismantling Victorian democracy and its institutions. Parliament has become occasional, cabinet has been forgotten, and Labor’s own caucus has been cast aside. And dangerously, the Premier is selectively choosing which laws apply to him, saying recently that human rights laws are […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - So Called Roadmap

SO CALLED ROADMAP Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The State Government’s so called ‘Coronavirus roadmap to reopening’ signs the death warrant for thousands of Victorian businesses and jobs. And it is a sledgehammer to our sanity. Small businesses are being destroyed because the Premier has implemented policy that cuts the private sector off […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Overseas Victorians

OVERSEAS VICTORIANS Thursday, 17 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The State Government’s inability to manage hotel quarantine has not only caused the second coronavirus wave and the avoidable deaths of more than 700 Victorians but is also a major roadblock to overseas citizens returning home. Victorians have a right to return. As John has written: […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020

‘COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020’ Friday, 18 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): This government has a simple message to 5 million Melburnians: Labor is holding you hostage in your homes, they are stunting your children’s development and they are destroying private sector businesses and jobs because of 300 active coronavirus […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment

PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING AMENDMENT (STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENSION AND OTHER MATTERS) BILL 2020 Friday, 4 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The Premier is taking our State down a dangerous path. This Bill gives him that power. When the pandemic hit, Victorians gave the Premier their trust on the condition that we defeated the Coronavirus, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton East Development

BRIGHTON EAST DEVELOPMENT Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Many residents have written to me with concerns about the proposed development at 97–103 Thomas Street, Brighton East—the former Lees nursery site. As David wrote to me: ‘Developers are cashing in and targeting Bayside and neighbouring suburbs due to the demand for housing’. Maree has […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Roads

HAMPTON ROADS Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Congratulations to the Hampton community. We have had a huge community win and the Beach Road bottleneck near Small Street in Hampton will be fixed; 1200 Bayside residents signed a petition calling for a fix after identifying that the bottleneck was causing unnecessary delays and havoc […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - New Street Brighton Development

NEW STREET, BRIGHTON, DEVELOPMENT Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Brighton residents are angry about the New Street redevelopment demolition commencing during the harshest pandemic restrictions. As local resident Alec has written to me: ‘Beyond purely physical health, the mental hardship this will put us through as this demolition slowly grinds along day after […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Nepean Highway Noise Barriers

NEPEAN HIGHWAY NOISE BARRIERS Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Despite constituents calling on the State Government to install proper noise mitigation barriers along the Brighton side of Nepean Highway, the Government has refused initial requests to fund and install these barriers. As Robyn recently wrote to me: ‘The old wooden fencing is inadequate […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Business Support Fund

BUSINESS SUPPORT FUND Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Business is crippled. Livelihoods have been destroyed and jobs permanently lost. Whilst the Premier falsely promises that he supports small business, the State Labor Government has refused to help many businesses who have applied to the Business Support Fund. Business owners who question the policy, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Electorate Volunteers

BRIGHTON ELECTORATE VOLUNTEERS Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The Rotary Club of Brighton, in partnership with the Brighton Covenant of Christian Churches and Brighton Primary School football club, have come together to support the staff at the Alfred Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Over 1000 gratitude packs have been packed and prepared […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - COVID-19 Data

COVID-19 DATA Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Victorians are being kept in the dark because the Premier refuses to release up-to-date data identifying where the Coronavirus is occurring. The community should know if there is an outbreak in their own locality. There is no doubt that the community is being kept in the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Dendy Street Pedestrian Safety

DENDY STREET PEDESTRIAN SAFETY Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): With two primary schools nearby, St Joan of Arc School and Brighton Beach Primary School, the pedestrian railway crossing at the Dendy Street and New Street roundabout in Brighton needs an urgent upgrade. Currently, there are no barriers to stop pedestrians from walking onto […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton North Gas Supply

BRIGHTON NORTH GAS SUPPLY Thursday, 3 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): After dragging their feet Multinet Gas have begun work to repair infrastructure that will provide 60 Brighton North residents with gas when it rains. For the last year the infrastructure has degraded to the point of stopping delivery after every downpour. Victoria is suffering […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Kingston Action Team

KINGSTON ACTION TEAM Friday, 4 September 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is to the Premier, and the action I seek is for the Premier to request that his departmental secretary investigate the involvement of former Premier Steve Bracks, who continues to receive departmental funding as a former Premier, in the registered association Kingston Action […]

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Media Statements

Joint Statement - Reports of Anti-Semitic Bullying at Brighton Secondary College

Joint Statement – Anti-Semitic Bullying 09 July 2020. Reports today in the Australian Jewish News of multiple incidents of anti-Semitic bullying at a State Secondary College once again highlight the systemic failures of the Victorian Department of Education under the Andrews Labor Government. Over a period of five years, two Jewish students at this school […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - New Street Public Housing Re-development

NEW STREET PUBLIC HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT Wednesday, 17 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:39): My constituency question is to the Premier, and I ask: can the Premier confirm that his government has appointed a Caulfield resident to chair the Brighton community consultative committee for the New Street public housing redevelopment? Brighton residents are angry about the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Family Home Tax

FAMILY HOME TAX Wednesday, 17 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Every Victorian is under threat of a new tax on the family home, with the Treasurer considering replacing stamp duty with an annual tax of at least $4000 per house. One Minister has described Labor’s plan as ‘bigger than the GST’. Labor should come clean […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood & COVID-19

ELWOOD & COVID-19 Wednesday, 17 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The recent COVID-19 financial impact index compiled by analytics and actuarial consulting firm Taylor Fry shows that Elwood has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. With many in Elwood experiencing unemployment and underemployment, this has led to significant losses of income and difficulty […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Dance Studios & Theatre De La Danse

DANCE STUDIOS & THEATRE DE LA DANSE Wednesday, 17 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Community-based dance studios are struggling. One hundred and seventy Victorian dance studios recently wrote to the Premier saying: Many of our businesses are on a knife’s edge … A June survey of 140 studios shows an estimated $700,000 loss in revenue […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Savoy

BRIGHTON SAVOY Wednesday, 17 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Thousands of people are waiting to get married, but the state government’s refusal to provide a road map for the easing of restrictions blocks them. The iconic Brighton Savoy has been based in Brighton for over 50 years. Managing Director Michael Lee has said: ENOUGH IS […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - Wage Theft Bill 2020

WAGE THEFT BILL 2020 Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:05): This is a very important issue, wage theft. It is something that I know we all collectively feel very strongly about. Throughout the debate I have been listening very closely to the issue, the principles and the many examples, and I draw the […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Planning

PLANNING Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:52): My constituency question is to the Minister for Planning, and I ask: can the minister inform me whether State Government intends to introduce mandatory height limits in any of the major activity centres in the Brighton electorate? Mandatory height limits ensure that the community, council and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Scouting

SCOUTING Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): We know there are many benefits to Scouting; new empirical evidence through the recent Scouts Australia resilience survey proves it. Some of the results include that scouts have a healthier mental state than non-scouts by 13 per cent, are almost 12 per cent more likely to feel […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Community Sport

COMMUNITY SPORT Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Community sports are much loved in my community. Parents and young people are itching to get back onto the field. Clubs have been working with local council and their peak bodies on ways to start training safely. This week a number of clubs across my community […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Yacht Club

BRIGHTON YACHT CLUB Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The Royal Brighton Yacht Club has a history going back to 1875. Last year it was awarded Victorian Yacht Club of the Year. Despite its strengths, the government’s closure of Middle Brighton Pier has put jobs at the club at risk. Funding safety upgrades to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Recession

RECESSION Thursday, 4 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Victoria is in recession, and we are headed in the wrong direction. Yesterday’s National Accounts saw State Final Demand had shrunk by 0.1 per cent in the March quarter, after shrinking 0.2 per cent in the December quarter. Our State has been heavy-handed in dealing with the […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Middle Brighton Pier

MIDDLE BRIGHTON PIER Wednesday, 3 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:21): My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Ports and Freight, and the action I seek is for the Minister to commit funding to the long-overdue safety upgrades at the historic Middle Brighton pier. Middle Brighton pier is a unique feature of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Dendy Street Pedestrian Crossing

DENDY STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Tuesday, 2 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Dendy Street pedestrian rail crossing is a busy thoroughfare with two primary schools nearby—St Joan of Arc and Brighton Beach primary schools. The crossing is constantly used by young children. Currently there are no safety features at the crossing. One local resident has written […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Electorate Crime

BRIGHTON ELECTORATE CRIME Tuesday, 2 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Numerous residents of Brighton, including in Albert, William and York streets, have reported increased crime. Residents have written: “I have a young child and fear for her …” And: “We … are being subject to car break-ins, private property walk-ins looking for opportunistic theft …” […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Beach Road, Brighton

BEACH ROAD, BRIGHTON Tuesday, 2 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Over 1,200 Brighton residents have petitioned the state government to fix the Beach Road bottleneck near Small Street in Hampton. It is causing unnecessary delays and havoc in surrounding streets. A number of home owners have contacted me distressed, with one saying: “… our amenity […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Small Business

SMALL BUSINESS Tuesday, 2 June 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. With economic data pointing to a deeper recession in Victoria than in other states, these businesses need support. There are still businesses that have waited up to two months to be processed for a state government Business Support […]

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In the Media

Interview - ABC Melbourne Radio (27 July 2019)

Interview – ABC Melbourne Radio (27 July 2019) James was interviewed by Jon Faine at ABC Melbourne Radio, talking about the latest events and topics occurring across Victoria. You can listen to the interview at this link: James Newbury Soundcloud

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In the Media

Interview - 3AW Radio (5 May 2020)

Interview – 3AW Radio (5 May 2020) James spoke to Neil Mitchell on 3AW to say that Victorians shouldn’t be paying for public servants to be part-time left-wing political activists. You can listen to the interview here: James Newbury Soundcloud

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Media Statements

Statement - Brighton Declaration

Statement – Brighton Declaration. 5 December 2018. Thank you to Brighton, Brighton East, Elwood, and Hampton for electing me to be your voice in the Victorian Parliament. Brighton is the only 1856 electorate that has not been held by the Australian Labor Party. On Election Day, you delivered the strongest possible message. You will not […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Post Election

Statement – Post Election. 26 November 2018. The Liberal Party is currently 1582 votes ahead in the Brighton electorate. One third of the votes cast in Brighton are yet to be counted. My community has never sent a stronger message. They want my Party to reset and rebuild. They want a modern Liberal Party. It […]

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Media Statements

Statement - Louise Asher's Intention To Retire

Statement – Louise Asher’s Intention To Retire. 11 August 2016. Our local Member of Parliament and friend, Louise Asher, has announced that she intends to retire from Parliament at the 2018 State Election, having then served for twenty six years. On announcing her intention, Louise said that it is time for generational change and to […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - COVID-19 Appropriation Bill

‘Appropriation (Interim) Bill 2020, Appropriation (Parliament Interim) Bill 2020, and State Tax (Interim) Bill 2020 Package’ Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Borrowing money is not an economic plan. History shows that aimless borrowing always leads to aimless spending. The State deserves more than a clumsy Treasurer asking for a big blank cheque. This […]

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In Parliament

Second Reading Speech - COVID-19 Omnibus Bill

‘COVID-19 OMNIBUS (EMERGENCY MEASURES) BILL 2020’ Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): The effect of the coronavirus health pandemic hit our local communities and suburbs dramatically. By the third week of March people were unable to buy essentials. Shop shelves were empty, and the elderly were forced to wait in queues before dawn in […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Port Phillip City Council

PORT PHILLIP CITY COUNCIL Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My adjournment is for the Minister for Local Government, and the action I seek is for the minister to investigate whether there are systemic issues of entitlement misuse by Greens councillors at the City of Port Phillip. Almost 50 days ago I raised with […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Home Schooling

HOME SCHOOLING Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): With other major States developing plans to encourage young students back to school parents have begun to ask whether the Victorian Term 2 home schooling policy is practical. Parents find juggling home, work and their children a full-time job at the best of times, let alone […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - COVID-19

COVID-19 Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Many businesses impacted by the coronavirus health pandemic have raised their concerns about the Victorian government’s business support measures. I have already raised concerns with the Premier about the Business Support Fund’s criteria, and notably he has expanded the eligibility. But there is more to be done. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Social Distancing

SOCIAL DISTANCING Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): Our community supports current preventative health measures. We care about our neighbours and their health. But our community has begun to question inconsistent social distancing restrictions where they lack common sense, especially when the rules restrict freedoms more so here than in neighbouring states. Restrictions should […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Economy

ECONOMY Thursday, 23 April 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): With a 14 per cent collapse in gross state product in the first six months of the year, hundreds of thousands in our community will be left without jobs, and projections of tougher economic conditions in the second half of the year mean our state may face […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Coronavirus and Economic Stimulus

CORONAVIRUS AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS Thursday, 19 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton): My Adjournment is to the Premier and the action I seek is for the Victorian Government to urgently announce a stimulus package that supports business and protects jobs. We represent Victoria. We are their voices. Over recent days, Members from all sides of the […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Port Phillip Council

PORT PHILLIP COUNCIL Wednesday, 5 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:32): My adjournment this evening is for the Minister for Local Government, and the action I seek is for the Minister to ensure the investigation of alleged entitlement misuse at the City of Port Phillip council. The council’s 2018–19 annual report shows that sitting Greens […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Stimulus Package

STIMULUS PACKAGE Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): Victoria’s almost one million businesses that employ millions of workers are reporting a freefall in earnings. The government must announce a stimulus package to support business and protect jobs. The New South Wales government has announced a $2.3 billion package that waives payroll tax, Queensland […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Learners Permit Test Delays

LEARNERS PERMIT TEST DELAYS Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): Young people in my community are waiting for at least 12 weeks to schedule a learners permit test appointment at VicRoads. Young Elena contacted me worried about the delays, and Brighton East mother Maxine said it is impossible to get her son an […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Uniting Church, Brighton

ST LEONARD’S UNITING CHURCH, BRIGHTON Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:48): The Federal Assistant Minister for Homelessness, Luke Howarth, recently visited Brighton to hear from St Leonard’s Uniting Church about the coffee cup challenge. The challenge encourages people to put aside $4 each week in aid of homelessness. The Uniting Church is looking […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Somerside

SOMERSIDE Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:49): SomerSide produces lifestyle towels which are made from 85 per cent recycled plastic bottles. Each towel contains up to 14 bottles. After taking up surfing 25-year-old Gabby Samkova from Brighton East noticed how polluted the water was with plastic. She created the company SomerSide as a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Melbourne Montessori School

MELBOURNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Tuesday, 3 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:41): There has been action aplenty at the Brighton campus of the Melbourne Montessori School. Last year, the school was named an Innovative Schools 2019 Award winner. Last week, I visited the school to lay a brick in the new school fence. You might be […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Uniting Church

ST LEONARD’S UNITING CHURCH Tuesday, 3 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40): Last year St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton launched a coffee cup challenge that encouraged putting aside $4 each week to raise funds for those suffering homelessness. On Sunday the community collected donations and celebrated the last day before Lent. Over $10 000 […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lions Youth of the Year

LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR Tuesday, 3 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40): The Lions Youth of the Year Award is aimed at helping young people. I recently sat on the judging panel for the Brighton Lions Award. Congratulations to Olivia McGarry from Star of the Sea College who was awarded Youth of the Year […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Gardenvale Primary School

GARDENVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL Tuesday, 3 March 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40): You do not have to wear a badge to be a leader. That is what the students of Gardenvale Primary School reminded me on leadership day. Instead, the students spoke about learning first aid to help friends, emu-bobbing yard rubbish or helping students that […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Beach Rd and Orlando St, Hampton

BEACH ROAD AND ORLANDO STREET, HAMPTON Thursday, 20 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:49): Speaker, my constituency question is to the Minister for Roads, and I ask: can the minister inform me as to when government intends to fix the Beach Road bottleneck near Small Street in Hampton, which is causing unnecessary delays and havoc […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Give A Care Foundation

GIVE A CARE FOUNDATION Wednesday, 19 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:58): In 2019 Jeff Shaw launched Bayside-based Give a Care Foundation. The organisation is designed to combat the social isolation of disabled people by offering a range of free social and recreational activities. The foundation now assists 550 people. Jeff has an incredible story. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood College

ELWOOD COLLEGE Wednesday, 19 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:59): Congratulations to Elwood College, who will take part in a pilot Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden program. The program will allow students to grow produce and make meals. I recently visited the school to encourage students to have a voice and to congratulate this year’s school […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Cricket Club

BRIGHTON CRICKET CLUB Wednesday, 19 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:58): Brighton Cricket Club recently held their fifth annual Pink Lunch in aid of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The club raised over $5500. Club President Bernie Mutimer and his family did an incredible job organising the event. And good luck to club captain, Ricky […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bathing Box Classic

BATHING BOX CLASSIC Wednesday, 19 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:58): Five hundred swimmers hit Brighton Beach recently for the Brighton Life Saving Club’s third Bathing Box Classic. The classic is an ocean swim, with races of 1.2 and 2.5 kilometres. There was a lot of excitement as the 2.5-kilometre men’s race came down to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Little Athletics Club

BRIGHTON LITTLE ATHLETICS CLUB Thursday, 6 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): Brighton Little Athletics Club—or BLAC, as they are known in my community— recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. The club is a powerhouse in Brighton, and over 300 members and 500 parents are actively involved. Led by President Mark Barling, the club has gone […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Sea Scouts

1ST/14TH BRIGHTON SEA SCOUTS Thursday, 6 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): The 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts recently hosted internationally visiting scouts who had been forced to evacuate Canberra during the summer bushfires. Despite the travel changes, scouts from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland— who were desperate for me to try on a kilt—and the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Operation Angel

OPERATION ANGEL Thursday, 6 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:49): Operation Angel is a niche humanitarian relief and disaster assistance organisation that was set up over summer in Brighton to prepare humanitarian packs for firefighters and evacuees. Over 15 000 packs were prepared. Thank you to the organisation’s chief executive officer, Jacqueline Pascarl, and the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Baptist Church

BRIGHTON BAPTIST CHURCH Thursday, 6 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:49): The Baptist church in Brighton showed immediate leadership in Bayside during the summer fires, becoming a hub for the collection of donated items for fireaffected communities. Led by Pastor Sean, many community groups, like Brighton Primary footy dads and Cluden Cricket Club, worked tirelessly. […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Dendy Village Crossing

DENDY VILLAGE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING Wednesday, 5 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (16:39): My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads, and I ask: can the minister inform me when the government intends to install a pedestrian crossing at the Dendy shopping village? Dendy village is a hub of activity. It is a bustling local […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Duck Hunting Season

DUCK HUNTING SEASON  Wednesday, 5 February 2020 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:12): My adjournment matter this evening is to the Minister for Agriculture, and the action I seek is for the Minister to confirm the arrangements for this year’s duck hunting season. Many in my community mark January in their diaries as it is the month […]

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In the Media

Opinion Piece - Anti-Vilification Law

ANTI-VILIFICATION LAWS. Sunday 2 February, 2020. THE AGE High time Victoria stepped up against hate. The state’s 20-year-old anti-vilification laws must be revamped, write James Newbury and David Southwick.   Like many places around the world, Victoria has laws designed to stop the provocation of racial or religious based hatred or violence. Our community is proudly […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Grenville Crossing

GRENVILLE STREET CROSSING, HAMPTON Thursday, 28 November 2019 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:44): My adjournment this evening is to the Minister for Public Transport, and the action I seek is for the minister to immediately reopen the Grenville Street pedestrian rail crossing in Hampton and enhance safety at the site. Earlier this week almost 200 people […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Energy Security

ENERGY SECURITY Wednesday, 27 November 2019 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:32): Under Labor, Victoria’s energy system is on life support. And this summer the danger is that our lack of preparedness will see systemic collapse. One point three million homes—3 million Victorians—are at risk of blackout. The way we produce energy is changing, which requires infrastructure […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve

ELSTERNWICK PARK NATURE RESERVE Tuesday, 26 November 2019 Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:49): My constituency question is to the Minister for Water, and I ask: can the minister advise me as to what investment the state government has made towards the redevelopment of the Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve? After the 12-hectare golf course at Elsternwick Park […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayley House

BAYLEY HOUSE Wednesday, 27 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:56): Bayley House is a special organisation that offers support to the intellectually disabled. The organisation has operated for seven decades, and their Christmas concert is a much-loved calendar feature. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Board Chair Rhonda Whitfield and Chief Executive Officer Warwick […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Christmas

CHRISTMAS Wednesday, 27 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:57): With the House rising for the year, I wish my community of Brighton, Brighton East, Elwood and Hampton a happy festive season and a safe and prosperous new year. I also want to take the opportunity to thank my staff, Jade Smith-Love, Grace Sutcliffe, Angie Gledhill […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Rhonda Holt

RHONDA HOLT Wednesday, 27 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:57): After 10 years as Principal of Elwood College and seven years as Principal of Elwood Primary School, Rhonda Holt is moving into the Department. Rhonda is the backbone of education in Elwood and will be sorely missed. We wish Rhonda well.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sue Knight

SUE KNIGHT Wednesday, 27 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:56): Sue Knight has led Hampton Primary School as Principal for 10 years. Sue is a wonderful community leader who encourages children to be enthusiastic, curious learners. Thank you for your leadership, Sue.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Upstanders Project

BAYSIDE UPSTANDERS PROJECT. Wednesday, 27 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:55): Each year 100 children from five Bayside primary schools, including Brighton Beach Primary School and Hampton Primary School, work together on the Upstanders project. The project teaches children not to be bystanders to bullying. The project began under the leadership of Brighton Beach Principal […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - VISY

VISY PAPER RECYCLING. Thursday, 14 November 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:25): My adjournment matter this evening is to the Premier, and the action I seek is an update on whether the government intends to support Visy’s proposal to expand their capacity to enable them to manage all of Victoria’s mixed paper recyclables. Victorians are sustainably […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Mental Health

MENTAL HEALTH. Wednesday 30 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:42): Our mental health is as important as our physical health, yet our focus is often on our physical health. So too has been the historic focus of government, the development of policy and the investment of public funding. This may be partly because, as the […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Elwood College Hockey

ELWOOD COLLEGE HOCKEY. Thursday 17 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:40): My constituency question is to the Minister for Education and I ask: what date this year did the government first inform my community that it entered into a joint-use agreement last year to allow the construction of a new floodlit hockey pitch on the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's College

ST LEONARD’S COLLEGE. Thursday 17 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:59): I recently took part in a panel discussion hosted by the student-led sustainability council and youth action groups from St Leonard’s College in Brighton. The panel focused on student-raised environmental issues. Students from across all year levels took part and asked questions which proved […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)

VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. Thursday 17 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:00): The Victorian Amateur Football Association, which is based in my electorate, is the largest community amateur sporting organisation. Though certain core facilities at Elsternwick Park have been updated, other associated infrastructure critically requires improvement. For example, there is currently no spectator seating, there […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Cabrini Brighton

CABRINI, BRIGHTON. Thursday 17 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:59): We have all been touched by a friend, relative or love one who has had dementia. Cabrini Brighton recently launched a joint partnership project with Dementia Australia aimed at creating a purpose-designed dementia-friendly rehabilitation environment in a hospital setting. The initiative is an Australian first […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Leonard's Uniting Church

ST LEONARD’S UNITING CHURCH, BRIGHTON. Thursday 17 October, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:59): St Leonard’s Uniting Church in Brighton has launched a special coffee mug challenge that encourages each of us to put aside $4 each week. The funds raised will be directed entirely towards those suffering homelessness. Congratulations to Minister Kim Cain and Barry […]

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In Parliament

Grievance Debate - Member Conduct

MEMBER CONDUCT. Wednesday 11 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:32): I rise today on the grievance debate to grieve for the Labor Party and the government. I intend to set out a number of ways that the Labor Party has condoned unacceptable behaviour and failed to show adequate leadership, and I will start with reference […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Honk & Go Policy

HONK AND GO POLICY. Tuesday 10 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:51): My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Road Safety and the TAC. My constituents have asked me to raise the issue that the Minister consider a honk-and-go policy that encourages drivers to honk their horn before leaving their […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Men's Shed

BRIGHTON MEN’S SHED. Tuesday 10 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:39): Men’s Shed has opened a new site in Dendy Street, Brighton. The shed is an updated version of the backyard shed, an iconic part of our culture. The community-based organisation provides men with the opportunity to come together to exchange ideas, learn new skills, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Scout Group

ELWOOD SCOUT GROUP. Tuesday 10 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:38): The 1st Elwood Scouts Group is an institution in my community. I recently celebrated the year with the group and congratulated three Scouts who were awarded the Australian Scout Medallion. I also recognised Group President Mark Richardson for 10 years of volunteerism. I congratulate […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - BayCISS

BAYCISS. Tuesday 10 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:38): The Bayside Community Information & Support Services is a not-for-profit charity that provides a range of much-needed services to my community. I recently met with Manager Karyn Doyle and the team to talk about the incredible work they provide, including up to a dozen food and […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Bowls Club

ELWOOD BOWLS CLUB. Tuesday 10 September, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:38): Elwood Bowls Club is a community hub with a terrific age mix of members. Part of that success is the club’s close relationship with Elwood College. Another reason is that the club provides a great opportunity for locals to get together, meet new people […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Government Agenda

GOVERNMENT AGENDA. Wednesday 28 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:22): It would be remiss of me not to start by remarking on the quality, or lack thereof, of this matter of public importance. I heard the member for Essendon waste parliamentary time earlier today droning on about being an avid fan of the Comic Sans […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Brighton Bathing Boxes

BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES. Wednesday 28 August. 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:50): My question is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. With the public consultation process for the Draft Marine and Coastal Policy recently closing, I ask the Minister whether the government will immediately confirm that it has amended its policy, which called […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Croquet Club

BRIGHTON CROQUET CLUB. Tuesday 27 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:41): Brighton Croquet Club will soon celebrate its 110th birthday. The club is an institution, as too is its hearty mushroom soup. The club is concerned about over-development in every one of its neighbouring streets. I recently hit the first hoop of the season. I […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Bowls Club

HAMPTON BOWLS CLUB. Tuesday 27 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40):Tuesday 27 August, 2019. The Hampton Bowls Club will soon celebrate its 70th birthday. Hampton Bowls is a hub for my local community. In the last year alone social activity has doubled and many community groups call the club’s facilities home. I recently bowled the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Sandringham Athletics Club

SANDRINGHAM ATHLETICS CLUB. Tuesday 27 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40): Sandringham Athletic Club, which is based in my electorate, is almost 90 years old. The membership is strong. The Stawell Gift winner and Tamsin Lewis are members, and Cathy Freeman is a club mentor. The club’s track in Hampton was last upgraded in 1999. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Grosvenor Street, Brighton

GROSVENOR STREET BRIGHTON. Tuesday 27 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:40): Faced with the wrecking ball, this government has failed to protect the historic Tudor-style home at 38 Grosvenor Street, Brighton. The house was designed by Home Beautiful journalist Esmé Johnston in 1930. Almost 1000 people called for action but their calls have fallen on […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Church Street Traders

CHURCH STREET TRADERS. Thursday 15 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:51): My constituency question is to the Minister for Police, and I ask the Minister: what law enforcement measures are in place to protect Church Street Traders in Brighton from swarming? The Church Street Traders, ably led by President Keiran Cromie, have raised with me […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Homelessness

HOMELESSNESS. Wednesday 14 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:13): This is a difficult issue, because in our hearts we want all Victorians to have a roof over their heads, and yet too many do not. We know that over 24,000 of our fellow Victorians will be homeless tonight, and almost 40 per cent of those […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Golf Club

BRIGHTON GOLF CLUB. Tuesday 13 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:25): Each year the Brighton Golf Club ladies hold a charity day. This year the ladies raised almost $7500 for Sacred Heart Mission. I recently volunteered for lunch service at the mission. They serve lunch for up to 400 people each day. The Brighton Golf […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Wilson Street Kindergarten

WILSON STREET KINDERGARTEN. Tuesday 13 August, 2019.  Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:25): One day each week Wilson Street Kindergarten runs Bush Kindergarten. Bush kinder is preschool education for children held exclusively outdoors and encourages children to play, explore and learn in the natural environment. I recently joined the group as they built, climbed, and had a […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Solar Homes Package

SOLAR HOMES PACKAGE. Tuesday 14 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:25): The solar industry small businesses in my community are hurting. Elwood resident David Tolliday, a senior solar TAFE instructor and small businessman, told me: “The Solar Victoria program is a disaster and causing untold damage in solar businesses in Victoria. People are losing their […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Royal Brighton Yacht Club

ROYAL BRIGHTON YACHT CLUB. Tuesday 13 August, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:26): Congratulations to Royal Brighton Yacht Club, which has been awarded the title of Victorian Yacht Club of the Year. In other terrific news, the club will be hosting the 2023 Etchells World Yachting Championships. The Championship is one of the yachting world’s most […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Elwood College

ELWOOD COLLEGE.  Tuesday 19 February, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:15): My adjournment matter this evening is to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to commit to funding the proposed Phoenix Centre at Elwood College in Elwood. Elwood College has a vision to rebuild their existing theatre and gymnasium […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Hampton Primary School

HAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL. Tuesday 19 February, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:48): I rise to congratulate this year’s school leaders at Hampton Primary School. As a new Member of Parliament one of the greatest joys I have had was to meet the 30 new student leaders at Hampton Primary School as they were presented with their leadership […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Elsternwick Primary School

ELSTERNWICK PRIMARY SCHOOL. Wednesday 6 March, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:09): My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to commit funding to Elsternwick Primary School. Elsternwick Primary is located in a part of my electorate that will see significant change over coming […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Bayside Dog Alliance

BAYSIDE DOG ALLIANCE.  Thursday 7 March, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:51): I also recently met with Amanda Levi of the Bayside Dog Alliance. The Alliance recently celebrated its second anniversary, having been set up as a voice for dog owners and carers in the Bayside region. The Alliance estimates that there are between 18 000 […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Lady Forster Kindergarten

LADY FORSTER KINDERGARTEN. Thursday 7 March, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:50): Lady Forster Kindergarten is a special kindergarten located on the Elwood foreshore that celebrates its 95th anniversary this year. Lady Forster is also unique in that it is located right on the beach. Lady Forster is an integrated part of the Elwood community and […]

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In Parliament

Matter of Public Importance - Renewable Energy

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Wednesday, 20 March 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:43): I am particularly pleased to rise on this issue. At the outset I want to put my view on record. Traditional energy resources are limited. Our climate is changing. Renewable resources on the other hand are sustainable, support a balanced environment and can be naturally […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Electorate Pedestrian Crossings

BRIGHTON ELECTORATE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. Wednesday, 20 March 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:02): My community is also in desperate need of two pedestrian-operated crossings. The first is on Glen Huntly Road in Elwood, outside Elwood Primary School. VicRoads crash data reportedly shows that in the last five years there have been 17 incidents along the strip. […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Waste and Recycling Management

WASTE AND RECYCLING MANAGEMENT. Thursday, 21 March 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:11): My adjournment matter this afternoon is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and the action I seek is for the Minister to provide a written update to me on what concrete plans the state government has to deal with Victoria’s […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Elwood Sailing Club

ELWOOD SAILING CLUB. Tuesday, 30 April 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:18): Situated on the beautiful foreshore, Elwood Sailing Club is an active part of Elwood and a hub for the local community. The club membership remains strong. Amongst many events, the community joins together outside the Elwood Club each year for Anzac Day. Up to […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Gardenvale Primary School

GARDENVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL. Tuesday, 30 April 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:17): Gardenvale Primary School is a special school that is uniquely set across two campuses in the same Brighton East Street. Led by Principal Janine Hall and Assistant Principal Julie Pitts, the school represents what is best about our education system and what can be […]

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In Parliament

Grievance Debate - Economic Management

ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT. Wednesday, 1 May 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:02): A strong Australian economy ensures prosperity—prosperity for our state and for our community to reach their full potential. As a nation we have had almost 30 years of consecutive economic growth. But a strong economy should never be taken for granted. Many in our community […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Bullying

BULLYING. Thursday, 2 May 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (17:32): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to update me on what policies and programs the government has in place to assist with the complex issue of ameliorating the bullying of young people. One of […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Prader-Willi Syndrome

PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME. Monday, 27 May 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): I recently met a beautiful young girl called Chloe. Chloe has a rare genetic disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome. It is a randomly occurring disorder where some of the genes in chromosome 15 are inactive or missing. The syndrome affects development and growth. I recently joined […]

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In Parliament

Adjournment - Gardenvale Primary School

GARDENVALE PRIMARY SCHOOL. Tuesday, 28 May 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (19:06): My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to commit funding to Gardenvale Primary School. Gardenvale Primary School is a special school that is uniquely set across two campuses in the same Brighton East […]

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In Parliament

Bill Debate - Appropriation (2019-2020) BILL 2019

APPROPRIATION (2019-2020) BILL 2019. Tuesday, 28 May 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:43): The Premier claims this budget ‘strikes the right balance’, and the Treasurer claims his budget is ‘fair’. Laughably, the budget has been slapped with cheap slogan wrap claiming it delivers for all Victorians. Well, Victorians will work out the truth; they will not […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Secondary College

BRIGHTON SECONDARY COLLEGE. Wednesday, 5 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:55): Brighton Secondary College is an impressive school led by Richard Minack that prides itself on providing inclusive, comprehensive and wide-ranging educational opportunities. It is also a large school that serves 1200 students. I recently visited the school for arts and international week. For the […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - KIDS Foundation

KIDS FOUNDATION. Wednesday, 5 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (09:56): Childhood injuries are reportedly the leading cause of death and hospitalisation in Australian children aged between one and 14 years. After encountering a young girl with cigarette bums on her hands some 40 years ago, Dr Susie O’Neill has dedicated her life to children at […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - School Zone Changes

SCHOOL ZONE CHANGES. Thursday, 6 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:39): My constituency question is to the Minister for Education, and I reference my letter to him dated 15 May 2019. I ask the minister: should the government have consulted the community about changes to Victoria’s neighbourhood school zones before they were forced upon Victorian […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Supervised Injecting Room

SUPERVISED INJECTING ROOM. Tuesday, 18 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:53): My constituency question is to the Premier. I ask the Premier whether it is government policy to block Members of Parliament from joining public tours of the medically supervised injecting room at the North Richmond Community Health Centre. For some time  I  have  suspected  […]

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In Parliament

Constituency Question - Lady Forster Kindergarten

LADY FOSTER KINDERGARTEN. Wednesday 19 June, 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:33): My constituency question is for the Minister for Education, and I ask the minister whether this government has a secret plan to close Elwood-based Lady Forster Kindergarten by not renewing its lease. Lady Forster Kindergarten is a special kindergarten located on the Elwood foreshore. […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Grenville Crossing, Hampton

GRENVILLE CROSSING, HAMPTON. Wednesday, 19 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:15): Despite Public Transport Victoria previously confirming that the Grenville Street railway pedestrian crossing in Hampton is one of the worst in the state, it being the site where Hampton grandmother Gloria Holmes was tragically killed soon after Public Transport Victoria cancelled safety works there, […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Hebrew Congregation

BRIGHTON HEBREW CONGREGATION.  Wednesday, 19 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): After 30 years leading the Brighton Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Levin retired. I recently joined the congregation as Alex Tsykin was inducted as the new Rabbi. I warmly welcome Alex, his wife, Ahuva, and their four beautiful children into the Brighton community.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - 1st / 14th Brighton Sea Scouts

1st/14th BRIGHTON SEA SCOUTS. Wednesday, 19 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): I would like to pay special acknowledgement to the 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts. Two of their Venturers, Thomas Joyce and Felix Cousins, were recently presented with the Queen’s Scout Award, and group leader Janet Cardell was presented with the Wood Badge. All three […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - St Columba's Primary School

ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL. Wednesday, 19 June 2019. Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (10:14): St Columba’s Catholic Primary School is a special school in my community. The school, ably led by Daniella Maddalena, was a finalist in the ResourceSmart School of the Year Awards. In 2018 the local foreshore became the classroom for students as they transformed […]

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In the Media

Opinion Piece - Planning

PLANNING. Sunday 2 June, 2019. THE AGE It takes a village to raise a planning fuss. Your home, as they say, is your castle. That’s why for most of us, our suburb is a bit like our local village – it’s where we shop, bank, and catch up with friends for a quick coffee. Although […]

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Street2Bay Project

Some estimate that 80 per cent of the plastics in our marine environment come from our streets. It is a confronting statistic.

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In Parliament

Members Statement - Brighton Beach Primary School

Brighton Beach Primary School is a historic school in my community. It was opened in April 1878 as an orphanage.

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In the Media

Opinion Piece — Crime

Late last year, a man held scissors to the throat of a woman as she sat in my local park eating lunch. In broad daylight, the man assaulted her, and then drove off with her car. Vicious crimes are now happening in the places where we once felt safe. Is there any wonder why Victorians are living in fear?

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In Parliament

Adjournment – Staff Entitlements

My adjournment this evening is to the Minister for Industrial Relations, and the action I seek is an investigation into reported underpayment of staff entitlements.

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