Last night in parliament, Greens MLC Colleen Hartland slammed the government's decision to close the Family Violence Unit (FVU), a vital service in the City of Brimbank.

"Family violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44.   Brimbank has one of the highest rates of reported family violence incidents in Victoria," said Ms Hartland

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has described the government's response in parliament to her question on the Westgate Bike Punt as "bizarre".

"My question* set out the increase in commuter cycling and the success of running the Punt on of Ride To Work Day, and asked him to consider funding a commuter Punt service for a year, as it would be very cost-effective."

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has released a report by her Parliamentary Intern, Ashleigh Kemp, that examines the benefits of a 10c deposit on bottles, cans and cartons.*

"The report analyses the current system, including the state's failure to meet its own Towards Zero Waste targets.  It then takes two case studies, Brimbank Council and Surf Coast Shire, and shows how a deposit system would work with and improve their existing recycling system," said Colleen Hartland.