Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the great institutions for young people in this country is the Australian scouting movement, with many thousands of young Scouts and Guides participating across the country each week. In my electorate of Deakin there are a number of outstanding local Scout and Guide groups, all of which are growing and seeing a renaissance. These include the 1st Croydon Hills, 3rd Croydon, 2nd Maroondah, 3rd Ringwood East, 4th Ringwood, 7th Ringwood, Croydon Central, 1st Heathmont, 3rd Heathmont, 1st Heatherdale, 1st Mitcham, 1st Nunawading, 1st Vermont, 1st Forest Hill, 1st Tunstall, 2nd Mitcham, 2nd Vermont, 1st Mooroolbark, 1st Maroondah and the Croydon West Girl Guides.

The scouting movement has done a brilliant job for many years, fundraising to upkeep its own facilities. But with ageing facilities, this government has taken a decision to assist the Guide and Scout groups, because just maintaining, let alone improving, facilities is getting harder and harder for these groups. That's why this government, as part of our support for the scouting movement, provided $80,000 towards the 3rd Croydon Scouts to upgrade their facility recently in conjunction with Maroondah City Council, $20,000 to support Croydon West Girl Guides and $10,000 to support the 1st Heatherdale Scout group. We're very grateful for the work they do and we are very keen to support them and all Scouts into the future.