PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) - PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION TUESDAY, 3 AUGUST 2021 ...
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PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT
FIRST SESSION
TUESDAY, 3 AUGUST 2021
hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au
By authority of the Victorian Government PrinterThe Governor
The Honourable LINDA DESSAU, AC
The Lieutenant-Governor
The Honourable KEN LAY, AO, APM
The ministry
Premier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. DM Andrews, MP
Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health .. The Hon. JA Merlino, MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. J Symes, MLC
Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for the Suburban Rail
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. JM Allan, MP
Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education . . . . The Hon. GA Tierney, MLC
Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for
Industrial Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. TH Pallas, MP
Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads and Road Safety . The Hon. BA Carroll, MP
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for
Solar Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. L D’Ambrosio, MP
Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Disability, Ageing and
Carers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. LA Donnellan, MP
Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for
Equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. MP Foley, MP
Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming
and Liquor Regulation and Minister for Fishing and Boating . . . . . . . The Hon. MM Horne, MP
Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for
Youth Justice and Minister for Victim Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. NM Hutchins, MP
Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development and
Minister for Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. SL Leane, MLC
Minister for Water and Minister for Police and Emergency Services. . . . The Hon. LM Neville, MP
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Trade, Minister
for Business Precincts, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
and Minister for Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. MP Pakula, MP
Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for
Government Services and Minister for Creative Industries . . . . . . . . . The Hon. DJ Pearson, MP
Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research
and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business . . . . . . . . . The Hon. JL Pulford, MLC
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport and
Minister for Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. RL Spence, MP
Minister for Workplace Safety and Minister for Early Childhood . . . . . . The Hon. I Stitt, MLC
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development . . . . . . The Hon. M Thomas, MP
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women and
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. G Williams, MP
Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. RW Wynne, MP
Cabinet Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms S Kilkenny, MPLegislative Council committees
Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee
Mr Barton, Mr Erdogan, Mr Finn, Mr Gepp, Mrs McArthur, Mr Quilty and Mr Tarlamis.
Participating members: Dr Bach, Ms Bath, Dr Cumming, Mr Davis, Mr Limbrick, Ms Lovell, Mr Meddick,
Mr O’Donohue, Mr Ondarchie, Mr Rich-Phillips, Ms Shing, Ms Vaghela and Ms Watt.
Environment and Planning Standing Committee
Dr Bach, Ms Bath, Dr Cumming, Mr Grimley, Mr Hayes, Mr Meddick, Mr Melhem, Dr Ratnam, Ms Taylor and
Ms Terpstra.
Participating members: Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Dr Kieu, Mrs McArthur and Mr Quilty.
Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee
Ms Garrett, Dr Kieu, Ms Lovell, Ms Maxwell, Mr Ondarchie, Ms Patten, Dr Ratnam and Ms Vaghela.
Participating members: Dr Bach, Mr Barton, Ms Bath, Ms Crozier, Dr Cumming, Mr Erdogan, Mr Grimley,
Mr Limbrick, Mr O’Donohue, Mr Quilty, Ms Shing, Mr Tarlamis and Ms Watt.
Privileges Committee
Mr Atkinson, Mr Bourman, Mr Davis, Mr Grimley, Mr Leane, Mr Rich-Phillips, Ms Shing, Ms Symes and
Ms Tierney.
Procedure Committee
The President, the Deputy President, Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Mr Grimley, Dr Kieu, Ms Patten, Ms Pulford and
Ms Symes.
Joint committees
Dispute Resolution Committee
Council: Mr Bourman, Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Ms Symes and Ms Tierney.
Assembly: Ms Allan, Ms Hennessy, Mr Merlino, Mr Pakula, Mr R Smith, Mr Walsh and Mr Wells.
Electoral Matters Committee
Council: Mr Erdogan, Mrs McArthur, Mr Meddick, Mr Melhem, Ms Lovell, Mr Quilty and Mr Tarlamis.
Assembly: Mr Guy, Ms Hall and Dr Read.
House Committee
Council: The President (ex officio), Mr Bourman, Mr Davis, Mr Leane, Ms Lovell and Ms Stitt.
Assembly: The Speaker (ex officio), Mr T Bull, Ms Crugnale, Ms Edwards, Mr Fregon, Ms Sandell and Ms Staley.
Integrity and Oversight Committee
Council: Mr Grimley and Ms Shing.
Assembly: Mr Halse, Ms Hennessy, Mr Rowswell, Mr Taylor and Mr Wells.
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
Council: Mr Limbrick and Ms Taylor.
Assembly: Ms Blandthorn, Mr Hibbins, Mr Maas, Mr Newbury, Mr D O’Brien, Ms Richards, Mr Richardson and
Mr Riordan.
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee
Council: Mr Gepp, Ms Patten, Ms Terpstra and Ms Watt.
Assembly: Mr Burgess, Ms Connolly and Mr R Smith.
Heads of parliamentary departments
Assembly: Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Ms B Noonan
Council: Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr A Young
Parliamentary Services: Secretary: Mr P LochertMEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT—FIRST SESSION
President
The Hon. N ELASMAR (from 18 June 2020)
The Hon. SL LEANE (to 18 June 2020)
Deputy President
The Hon. WA LOVELL
Acting Presidents
Mr Bourman, Mr Gepp, Mr Melhem and Ms Patten
Leader of the Government
The Hon. J SYMES
Deputy Leader of the Government
The Hon. GA TIERNEY
Leader of the Opposition
The Hon. DM DAVIS
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Ms G CROZIER
Member Region Party Member Region Party
Atkinson, Mr Bruce Norman Eastern Metropolitan LP Maxwell, Ms Tania Maree Northern Victoria DHJP
Bach, Dr Matthew1 Eastern Metropolitan LP Meddick, Mr Andy Western Victoria AJP
Barton, Mr Rodney Brian Eastern Metropolitan TMP Melhem, Mr Cesar Western Metropolitan ALP
Bath, Ms Melina Gaye Eastern Victoria Nats Mikakos, Ms Jenny5 Northern Metropolitan ALP
Bourman, Mr Jeffrey Eastern Victoria SFFP O’Donohue, Mr Edward John Eastern Victoria LP
Crozier, Ms Georgina Mary Southern Metropolitan LP Ondarchie, Mr Craig Philip Northern Metropolitan LP
Cumming, Dr Catherine Rebecca Western Metropolitan Ind Patten, Ms Fiona Heather Northern Metropolitan FPRP
Dalidakis, Mr Philip2 Southern Metropolitan ALP Pulford, Ms Jaala Lee Western Victoria ALP
Davis, Mr David McLean Southern Metropolitan LP Quilty, Mr Timothy Northern Victoria LDP
Elasmar, Mr Nazih Northern Metropolitan ALP Ratnam, Dr Samantha Shantini Northern Metropolitan Greens
Erdogan, Mr Enver3 Southern Metropolitan ALP Rich-Phillips, Mr Gordon Kenneth South Eastern Metropolitan LP
Finn, Mr Bernard Thomas Christopher Western Metropolitan LP Shing, Ms Harriet Eastern Victoria ALP
Garrett, Ms Jane Furneaux Eastern Victoria ALP Somyurek, Mr Adem6 South Eastern Metropolitan Ind
Gepp, Mr Mark Northern Victoria ALP Stitt, Ms Ingrid Western Metropolitan ALP
Grimley, Mr Stuart James Western Victoria DHJP Symes, Ms Jaclyn Northern Victoria ALP
Hayes, Mr Clifford Southern Metropolitan SAP Tarlamis, Mr Lee7 South Eastern Metropolitan ALP
Jennings, Mr Gavin Wayne4 South Eastern Metropolitan ALP Taylor, Ms Nina Southern Metropolitan ALP
Kieu, Dr Tien Dung South Eastern Metropolitan ALP Terpstra, Ms Sonja Eastern Metropolitan ALP
Leane, Mr Shaun Leo Eastern Metropolitan ALP Tierney, Ms Gayle Anne Western Victoria ALP
Limbrick, Mr David South Eastern Metropolitan LDP Vaghela, Ms Kaushaliya Virjibhai Western Metropolitan ALP
Lovell, Ms Wendy Ann Northern Victoria LP Watt, Ms Sheena8 Northern Metropolitan ALP
McArthur, Mrs Beverley Western Victoria LP Wooldridge, Ms Mary Louise Newling9 Eastern Metropolitan LP
1 5
Appointed 5 March 2020 Resigned 26 September 2020
2 6
Resigned 17 June 2019 ALP until 15 June 2020
3 7
Appointed 15 August 2019 Appointed 23 April 2020
4 8
Resigned 23 March 2020 Appointed 13 October 2020
9
Resigned 28 February 2020
Party abbreviations
AJP—Animal Justice Party; ALP—Labor Party; DHJP—Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party;
FPRP—Fiona Patten’s Reason Party; Greens—Australian Greens; Ind—Independent;
LDP—Liberal Democratic Party; LP—Liberal Party; Nats—The Nationals;
SAP—Sustainable Australia Party; SFFP—Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party; TMP—Transport Matters PartyCONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acknowledgement of country ....................................................................................................................................2625
CONDOLENCES
John Francis McGrath, OAM.....................................................................................................................................2625
Hon. Richard John Long .............................................................................................................................................2625
BILLS
Child Wellbeing and Safety (Child Safe Standards Compliance and Enforcement) Amendment Bill
2021 ..............................................................................................................................................................................2625
Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021 ..........................2625
Mutual Recognition (Victoria) Amendment Bill 2021............................................................................................2625
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Cross-boundary Greenhouse Gas Titles and Other
Matters) Amendment Bill 2021 .................................................................................................................................2625
Royal assent ............................................................................................................................................................2625
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2626
RULINGS BY THE CHAIR
Business of the house ..................................................................................................................................................2626
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Government performance ...........................................................................................................................................2627
Rural and regional housing .........................................................................................................................................2628
Ministers statements: COVID-19 ..............................................................................................................................2628
Government performance ...........................................................................................................................................2628
Western Highway traffic congestion .........................................................................................................................2629
Ministers statements: Altona foreshore revitalisation ..............................................................................................2630
Government performance ...........................................................................................................................................2630
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2631
Ministers statements: Victorian Women in Resources Awards..............................................................................2632
Swim schools support .................................................................................................................................................2632
Open courts legislation................................................................................................................................................2633
Ministers statements: secure work pilot scheme ......................................................................................................2635
Written responses ........................................................................................................................................................2635
CONSTITUENCY QUESTIONS
Eastern Victoria Region ..............................................................................................................................................2635
Western Victoria Region ............................................................................................................................................2636
Northern Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................2636
Northern Victoria Region ...........................................................................................................................................2636
Northern Victoria Region ...........................................................................................................................................2636
Western Metropolitan Region ....................................................................................................................................2637
Western Metropolitan Region ....................................................................................................................................2637
Northern Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................2637
Eastern Victoria Region ..............................................................................................................................................2637
Northern Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................2637
Southern Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................2638
Eastern Metropolitan Region......................................................................................................................................2638
Western Victoria Region ............................................................................................................................................2638
PETITIONS
1080 poison ..................................................................................................................................................................2639
Local government funding..........................................................................................................................................2639
Newspaper digitisation................................................................................................................................................2640
Breast screening ...........................................................................................................................................................2640
BILLS
Members of Parliament (Standards) Amendment Bill 2021...................................................................................2640
Introduction and first reading ................................................................................................................................2640
COMMITTEES
Economy and Infrastructure Committee ...................................................................................................................2641
Inquiry into the Impact of the COVID‑19 Pandemic on the Tourism and Events Sectors .............................2641
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee ..........................................................................................................2644
Alert Digest No. 9...................................................................................................................................................2644
PAPERS
Ombudsman .................................................................................................................................................................2644
Annual Plan 2021–22.............................................................................................................................................2644
Investigation into Good Practice when Conducting Prison Disciplinary Hearings .........................................2644Department of Health ..................................................................................................................................................2645
16th Report to Parliament on the State of Emergency........................................................................................2645
Ombudsman .................................................................................................................................................................2645
Councils and Complaints: A Good Practice Guide.............................................................................................2645
COMMITTEES
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee ..............................................................................................................2645
Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic ..........................................2645
PAPERS
Papers............................................................................................................................................................................2645
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Notices ..........................................................................................................................................................................2648
MOTIONS
General business ..........................................................................................................................................................2648
PAPERS
Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria .................................................................................................................2649
Fare Monitoring Report .........................................................................................................................................2649
MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Hong Kong resident visa applications .......................................................................................................................2649
NAIDOC Week ...........................................................................................................................................................2649
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2650
Aunty Geraldine Atkinson ..........................................................................................................................................2650
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2650
Camping regulation .....................................................................................................................................................2651
Public housing..............................................................................................................................................................2651
Eastern Metropolitan Region community organisations .........................................................................................2651
Government performance ...........................................................................................................................................2652
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2652
Early childhood education ..........................................................................................................................................2652
Homelessness Week....................................................................................................................................................2653
BILLS
Energy Legislation Amendment (Energy Fairness) Bill 2021................................................................................2653
Second reading........................................................................................................................................................2653
Committee ...............................................................................................................................................................2677
Third reading...........................................................................................................................................................2680
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and Other Acts Amendment (Federal Jurisdiction and
Other Matters) Bill 2021 .............................................................................................................................................2681
Second reading........................................................................................................................................................2681
Third reading...........................................................................................................................................................2692
ADJOURNMENT
Mornington Garden Supplies .....................................................................................................................................2692
Western Victoria passenger rail services...................................................................................................................2693
Government procurement policy ...............................................................................................................................2694
Wyndham child disability services ............................................................................................................................2695
Point Cook Road..........................................................................................................................................................2695
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2696
Western Victoria Transmission Network Project.....................................................................................................2696
Government procurement policy ...............................................................................................................................2697
Mont Albert and Surrey Hills train stations ..............................................................................................................2698
Dalton Road infrastructure .........................................................................................................................................2698
COVID-19....................................................................................................................................................................2699
Responses .....................................................................................................................................................................2699
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Written responses ........................................................................................................................................................2700ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 Legislative Council 2625
Tuesday, 3 August 2021
The PRESIDENT (Hon. N Elasmar) took the chair at 11.34 am and read the prayer.
Announcements
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The PRESIDENT (11:34): On behalf of the Victorian state Parliament I acknowledge the
Aboriginal peoples, the traditional custodians of this land which has served as a significant meeting
place of the First People of Victoria. I acknowledge and pay respect to the elders of the Aboriginal
nations in Victoria past, present and emerging and welcome any elders and members of the Aboriginal
communities who may visit or participate in the events or proceedings of the Parliament.
Condolences
JOHN FRANCIS MCGRATH, OAM
HON. RICHARD JOHN LONG
The PRESIDENT (11:35): I advise the house of the death on 4 July 2021 of Mr John Francis
McGrath, OAM, member of the Legislative Assembly for the electorate district of Warrnambool from
1985 to 1999.
I advise the house of the death on 28 July 2021 of the Honourable Richard John Long, member of the
Legislative Council for Gippsland Province from 1973 to 1992.
Therefore I ask members to rise in their places as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.
Members stood in their places.
Bills
CHILD WELLBEING AND SAFETY (CHILD SAFE STANDARDS COMPLIANCE AND
ENFORCEMENT) AMENDMENT BILL 2021
EDUCATION AND TRAINING REFORM AMENDMENT (PROTECTION OF SCHOOL
COMMUNITIES) BILL 2021
MUTUAL RECOGNITION (VICTORIA) AMENDMENT BILL 2021
OFFSHORE PETROLEUM AND GREENHOUSE GAS STORAGE (CROSS-BOUNDARY
GREENHOUSE GAS TITLES AND OTHER MATTERS) AMENDMENT BILL 2021
Royal assent
The PRESIDENT (11:37): I have a message from the Governor, dated 28 June:
The Governor informs the Legislative Council that she has, on this day, given the Royal Assent to the
undermentioned Act of the present Session presented to her by the Clerk of the Parliaments:
23/2021 Child Wellbeing and Safety (Child Safe Standards Compliance and Enforcement) Amendment
Act 2021
24/2021 Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Act 2021
25/2021 Mutual Recognition (Victoria) Amendment Act 2021
26/2021 Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Cross-boundary Greenhouse Gas Titles and
Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.ANNOUNCEMENTS
2626 Legislative Council Tuesday, 3 August 2021
Announcements
COVID-19
The PRESIDENT (11:38): Members, there are no changes to the special arrangements for the
operation of the chamber that we had in place in the last sitting week in June. It is mandatory to wear
masks, and members should only remove their mask when they have the call to speak. The two doors
behind me remain the entrance, and the door opposite is the exit. The public gallery upstairs will be
accessible by staff and any guests of members who have been signed in at reception.
The temporary orders agreed to on 8 June 2021 remain in place. These include an expanded definition
of the chamber to include the lower public galleries and the President’s lower galleries; discretion in
ringing the bells to form a quorum; incorporation of second-reading speeches on any bills considered
in the house into Hansard—members should email their contribution to the table office by the time
the house adjourns; the house will break at approximately 4.00 pm each day for about 15 minutes so
the chamber can be cleaned; and divisions will continue to operate under the temporary orders agreed
to by the house on 23 April 2020 and therefore members will be asked to stand in their place during a
division.
Rulings by the Chair
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
The PRESIDENT (11:39): Members, our return from the winter break gives me the opportunity
to remind you of some of the rules of the house. In particular there are areas where our recent practice
has moved away from the rules.
First, constituency questions. I gave a ruling to the chamber on constituency questions on 16 March
this year. Members should remember that a constituency question must, one, be clearly directed to a
minister; two, fall within state jurisdiction; three, ask a question seeking information; and, four, relate
to a specific matter in your region. The first two points are clear. In relation to the third point, it must
be a question. I remind members you have the adjournment debate to seek an action from a minister,
so if you are seeking an action, the adjournment debate is the proper time to raise it.
The fourth point is where many are having difficulty. As I understand it, constituency questions are an
opportunity to ask a minister questions about local matters. It is not enough to briefly mention your
region and then use the remaining time to discuss a statewide issue or policy. It is also not enough that
a matter was raised by a constituent. If the matter refers to statewide policy or issues, then it does not
become a constituency question just because a constituent raised it with you. A constituency question
must have a direct link to your region, and you must make the direct link clear in the question. This
does not prevent the matter from also being relevant to other regions, but the matter should not be so
general as to have only incidental relevance to a member’s region.
Second, notices of motion. Standing order 6.01(2) states:
Every Member giving notice of a motion will read it aloud and deliver to the Table a copy of such notice
signed by him or her or on his or her behalf, and stating the day proposed for moving such motion.
Unfortunately at times the table office has to decipher illegible notices. Sometimes the table office
does not receive a written notice at all. I advise that all notices of motion must be provided in writing
at or before the time they are given, and they must be legible. If not, I will order them to be omitted
from the notice paper under standing order 6.01(5). While it is not compulsory, it is normal practice
that members submit their notices of motion to the table office for checking prior to giving notice in
the chamber. In fact I am aware that in the other place and in other chambers, notices of motion can
only be submitted in writing to appear on the notice paper. They are not read out in the chamber at all.
The house might be interested in that different practice.QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 Legislative Council 2627
Third, directing matters to multiple portfolios. Where a matter is directed to a minister for response, I
ask that members take care to direct matters to a single portfolio, rather than several.
Finally, using quotes. I remind members that if you use quotes from individuals or documents as part
of debate, questions, adjournment matters or other contributions, it is established practice in this house
that you should attribute the quotation to a source. This is to allow others to check the quotation’s
context and validity. A number of Chairs have ruled on this. If the member indicates that they are
paraphrasing someone and not directly quoting, then the Chair may choose not to insist that the source
be cited. I stress that does not mean members should give the full name and street address of a
constituent. In fact they should avoid doing so out of respect for constituency privacy. There is also a
requirement for a member to make a document they are quoting from available to the house.
A copy of this ruling will be made available to all members.
Mr Davis: On a point of order, President, just on your ruling, it is the practice of the lower house
that notices of motion are submitted in writing. It is not the practice of this house and never has been
the practice that they are required to be submitted beforehand. Many do because they wish to have
matters and technical details sorted out ahead of time, but I do want to just be clear that it is not the
case that people need to submit those ahead of time. Further, I also was just trying to be quite clear
that there are occasions in the chamber here where notices of motion are being read when people do
respond to other notices of motion and actually put on a new notice of motion in a more free-flowing
way. It is the practice, as I understand it, that members would then submit a written version. I accept
your point about legibility, but it is not the case that members cannot proceed in that way. I am just
trying to be clear for members’ benefit.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr Davis. I understand standing order 6.01(2). I read that just
before, and I said it is just a notice to members. I did not say it is the practice.
Questions without notice and ministers statements
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:46): My question is to the
Leader of the Government. Minister, did you ever tune in online or watch a recording of a focus or
research group undertaken by the Qdos polling company, owned by Labor apparatchik John Armitage
and funded by Victorian taxpayers?
Mr Leane interjected.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (11:46): I am very happy to accept the advice from Minister Leane and confirm that the
answer to Mr Davis’s question is no.
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:46): I have a further question
relating to the Qdos polling company and Mr Armitage, and I ask: were you, Minister, a part of a crisis
cabinet or other cabinet meeting addressed by John Armitage or other representatives of the Qdos
polling group?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (11:47): Mr Davis, no, I have not been involved in conversations that align with the
description that you have put to the house, but I would say that all governments around Australia, both
federal and state, seek community feedback and gauge opinions on how services are delivered. It is an
appropriate way to govern—to ask questions about government performance, data and evidence—and
certainly is a good platform and good practice to inform good government decisions.QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
2628 Legislative Council Tuesday, 3 August 2021
RURAL AND REGIONAL HOUSING
Mr BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (11:47): My question is for the minister representing Minister
Wynne in the other place in his capacity as Minister for Housing. Cann River has been in the thick of
things with the disasters that have befallen East Gippsland of late, yet they are still so short of
emergency accommodation that people are still living in tents or, even worse, their cars. So my
question is: will the minister urgently have the appropriate bureaucrat get onto the housing problem to
ensure people are not living in their cars and tents?
Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood)
(11:48): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and his interest in this important matter, and I will
certainly seek a written response from Minister Wynne in accordance with the standing orders.
Mr BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (11:48): I thank the minister for her answer. I will get straight
to it: will Minister Wynne urgently conduct a review of emergency housing, focusing on regional and
rural locations, to ensure that we do not have people homeless just because of the lack of emergency
housing?
Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood)
(11:48): I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary question, and I will seek a response in writing
from the minister.
MINISTERS STATEMENTS: COVID-19
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical
Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (11:49): It is lovely to be back and
to see everyone again. Last week the Andrews government announced further support for Victorian
small and medium businesses to help them as we continue to deal with the consequences of the
COVID-19 pandemic. There is a new jointly funded package of $400 million, contributed to in equal
share by the Victorian government and the commonwealth government, that will deliver vital support
to thousands of businesses doing it tough. This is in addition to the very significant earlier allocations
made in response to the May–June lockdown and the July lockdown. I take the opportunity to
acknowledge the support and cooperation of the federal government in putting together and finalising
this package and of course their $200 million contribution.
The package has five key components: a $156 million Business Continuity Fund to help more than
30 000 businesses in some of our hardest hit industries, particularly those in the CBD; an $85 million
Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, which will provide grants of up to $5000 to small businesses
that have experienced a reduction greater than 70 per cent in turnover but are not eligible for other
support; a $70 million top-up to the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund; and a $9.8 million top-up to
the alpine support program to assist those who are particularly impacted by restrictions at this time of
their very short season. Rent is also a significant burden for businesses that are doing it tough, so we
are reintroducing the commercial tenancy relief scheme to alleviate financial hardship faced by tenants
and indeed landlords as a result of the pandemic. The house will have an opportunity to discuss that
in more detail later in the week.
In addition to these five new programs, we have introduced a concierge service for microbusinesses
and sole traders, assisting them to access the commonwealth COVID-19 disaster support payment.
This extra support will ensure that our wonderful small businesses have every opportunity to emerge
in decent shape so that they continue to play their role in our community. (Time expired)
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (11:51): My question is to the Leader of the Government.
Minister, I also refer you to the recently reported revelation of yet another example of the Victorian
Labor Party rorting the Victorian taxpayer, this time involving multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded
polling research commissioned for the Andrews Labor government undertaken by the Labor-affiliatedQUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 Legislative Council 2629
Mr John Armitage and his company Qdos. The reported research included partisan political
questioning of politically important target groups of Victorians regarding the effects of the COVID
pandemic on the popularity of the Premier and how he should best communicate with Victorians.
Minister, can you advise what benefits, if any, Victorians gained from this blatantly political research
paid for by rorted Victorian taxpayer funds?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (11:52): Whilst I do not agree with any of the assertions put by Mr O’Donohue, what he
has asked is whether it is appropriate for government to respond to community sentiment. Using
research, using organisations and indeed using the public service to seek the opinions of the
community is good government and good practice, and we make no apology for speaking to the
community about their priorities and what is important to them and adjusting our policy settings
accordingly.
Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (11:52): Minister, I again refer you to the Victorian Labor
Party’s rorting of taxpayers money involving the Andrews Labor government commissioning of
multimillion-dollar politically partisan polling research by Mr John Armitage and his company Qdos.
Minister, how was this multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded contract for politically partisan polling
research awarded without tender?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (11:53): Lots of adjectives in that question, which I will choose to ignore and respond to
the direct question, and that is that I am not a minister that has been engaged in commissioning this
research and so I am not in a position to answer in the context of my portfolio responsibilities.
WESTERN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (11:53): My question is to the Minister for Roads and
Road Safety in the other place. When will the Western Highway be upgraded to handle the growth in
traffic that is now engulfing it from all of the people that have moved to the west with the promises of
better living and convenience to the CBD? If you were to take a drive on the Western Freeway and
the Deer Park bypass from around 3.30 pm every weekday, you would see that it is basically a car
park from the M80 ring-road right up to Melton. The state government has spent millions of dollars
on putting in safety barriers along the freeway, but the unprecedented congestion has brought the
freeway to a crawl such that it makes those barriers absolutely useless.
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical
Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (11:54): I thank Dr Cumming for
her question. It is a stretch of road I am very, very familiar with, and whilst it has been a bit too quiet
of late with lockdowns, it is also obviously very frustrating for people if it is too congested as well. I
thank Dr Cumming for her advocacy on behalf of people in Melbourne’s west, and I will seek a written
response from Minister Carroll for her.
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (11:55): I look forward to the minister’s response. When
will a full diamond interchange on either Mount Cottrell Road or Paynes Road be constructed that
would allow convenient access to the Western Freeway? Residents have been promised a full diamond
interchange on either Mount Cottrell Road or Paynes Road. Instead, all access to these roads is blocked
with safety barriers that force every resident of Thornhill Park to drive to Ferris Road, Melton, in order
to turn around and head to the city. They also require a drive to Leakes Road, Rockbank, in order to
turn around and come back to Paynes Road to get into their residential estate. This is simply not good
enough.
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical
Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (11:56): I thank Dr Cumming for
her question. As some members will appreciate, our government is investing in record infrastructure
to respond to a strong history of population growth, and of course in our outer suburbs and growthQUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
2630 Legislative Council Tuesday, 3 August 2021
areas ensuring that infrastructure keeps up with the needs of residents in new estates is an important
part of the work of government. In relation to timing and planning for particular interchanges in those
areas that Dr Cumming is referring to, with which I am also familiar, I will seek a written response
from Minister Carroll for her.
MINISTERS STATEMENTS: ALTONA FORESHORE REVITALISATION
Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban
Development, Minister for Veterans) (11:56): I am really happy to update the house on a suburban
revitalisation project, which is the Victorian government investing $5.8 million into the Altona
foreshore revitalisation program. The Altona foreshore revitalisation project will deliver a new main
beach entrance, a promenade, shared bike and walking trails, a raised seawall, two beach access ramps,
and new viewing and resting spots. The foreshore works are part of the larger Altona Beach precinct
redevelopment, which is being led by Hobsons Bay City Council and will include a redevelopment of
Pier Street to host outdoor markets, festivals and community events and the redevelopment of Altona
Pier by Parks Victoria.
The suburban revitalisation program empowers local stakeholders to plan and deliver infrastructure
and community development initiatives and improve the livability of local areas. Recently I was lucky
enough to visit this part of Altona with the local member, Jill Hennessy. She is a fantastic MP, I have
got to say, for that area. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by the mayor of Hobsons Bay, Jonathon
Marsden, at the Altona surf club, and some really great traders that are really excited about this project.
This project will be starting this month. I am really looking forward to getting back down to Altona. I
will give a shout-out also to Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, who as part of her ministry is putting some
contribution into this fantastic project, and of course to the contribution by Hobsons Bay City Council.
As I said, this is a fantastic project in a beautiful part of Melbourne. It is just a fantastic part of
Melbourne, and I really look forward to getting back down there.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (11:58): My question is to the Leader of the Government.
Minister, I again refer you to the Victorian Labor Party’s rorting of Victorian taxpayers involving the
Andrews Labor government commissioning multimillion-dollar politically partisan polling research
by Mr John Armitage and his company Qdos. Will you now apologise to Victorians on behalf of the
Andrews Labor government for this latest episode of blatant rorting of taxpayer funds, and will the
Labor Party pay back the rorted expenditure to the state’s coffers, as it had to do when it was previously
caught out by the now infamous red shirts rort affair?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (11:59): Say that 10 times fast, Mr O’Donohue. That is probably the most political
statement that you have made in this house. You do not care what my answer is; you just wanted to
get out as many comments as you could about your thoughts on us, and we really are not impacted by
your thoughts on us. What we are interested in are the thoughts, desires and interests of Victorians. It
is our job to communicate with them, talk to them about their interests and govern for them, and we
will not be distracted by your pathetic politics.
Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (12:00): It is unfortunate that the minister is being so
dismissive of such a serious issue and failed to actually answer the question. By way of supplementary,
I ask: Minister, at a time of pandemic crisis for Victorians why was the Andrews Labor government
so focused on spending millions of dollars of taxpayers funds for partisan political research to establish
the level of the Premier’s political popularity rather than investing in the systems to fight the pandemic,
including critical hotel quarantine and contact-tracing programs?QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 Legislative Council 2631
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (12:00): Asked and answered, President. It is the same question; four times I have
answered it.
Mr Davis: On a point of order, President, it is quite a different question. It is a question about a
counterposing of government priorities in this case.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you.
COVID-19
Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (12:01): My question is for the minister representing the Minister
for Health. Minister, how many COVID cases are there in the border bubble communities in New
South Wales? Yesterday a tightening of the border bubble rules was announced, limiting crossing in
both directions to only six reasons. During the last 18 months there has not been a single case in the
border bubble, except for cases that came out of Melbourne, and they have been quickly suppressed.
The regions have just suffered through a two-week lockdown that we know was not necessary for us.
We know this because none of the towns on the New South Wales side locked down and none of them
saw any infections at all. Every lockdown we have asked to see the supporting evidence, and every
time we have been denied. It is clear these restrictions are ultimately political, not medical. The
government will do anything to the regions to look good in Melbourne. You have blamed this decision
on Gladys not implementing a ring of steel; despite no ring, there is still no threat in regional New
South Wales. You are willing to up-end border economies again just to try to justify the decisions you
made to lock us down in Victoria.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (12:02): Despite the length of Mr Quilty’s question, I think his only question was in
relation to how many active cases in New South Wales—in the southern part of that region—there
are, and it is not particularly within the remit of the Minister for Health to respond to that question. It
is quite easily obtainable information. If Mr Quilty would like more information in relation to the
government following health advice in relation to our decisions around the border bubble, then maybe
that is coming in a supplementary question. There was a lot in your commentary which I could respond
to, but your only question was in relation to the amount of cases, and I would suggest that you could
find that information yourself.
Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (12:03): Minister, why are we subjecting our border bubble
communities to ineffective and needless COVID restrictions? At least three-quarters of border bubble
travel is work related and will be exempt from the new restrictions, making these new rules just
symbolic, or shambolic, with regard to controlling COVID, though the lockdowns will still wreak
havoc on the lives of border residents and the border economy. The government continues to
implement a policy of COVID theatre in the regions to appeal to Melbourne voters, pretend the
situation is more dangerous than it is, take unnecessary action that appears to solve it and then take
credit for saving us all. Our hotel quarantine failed multiple times, our ring of steel leaked like a sieve,
our statewide lockdowns have been excessive and our border rules have been draconian and
authoritarian. The government’s management of COVID is not an example worth following. This
COVID theatre needs to end. Implement proportionate restrictions if we get cases, otherwise leave the
border bubble areas alone.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (12:04): I thank Mr Quilty for his question and indeed his advocacy for the border area
communities, and I know that he lives and experiences this every day. As the former Minister for
Regional Development I indeed was the minister responsible for responding to the initial lockdowns
from New South Wales closing their border to Victoria and therefore am all too familiar with the
arguments that we put up to establish the border bubble, and indeed that has been enduring for about
12 months now.QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
2632 Legislative Council Tuesday, 3 August 2021
The threat to Victorians’ health is predominantly from New South Wales at the moment, and we do
wish them well in their fight against suppressing their cases there, but until that is the case we have to
follow the health advice to protect the people that live here. The Burnet Institute modelling is showing
that our biggest threat to Victoria is from New South Wales, and we will not apologise for taking
measures that can cause inconvenience but are—
The PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Ms SYMES: I am happy to talk to Mr Quilty in detail about this issue.
Mr Davis: On a point of order, President, the Leader of the Government has referred to health
advice regarding the border controls in response to the question. I wonder if she would make that
advice available to the house.
MINISTERS STATEMENTS: VICTORIAN WOMEN IN RESOURCES AWARDS
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (12:05): I would like to take the opportunity to update members regarding some of the
amazing people working in our ever-growing resources sector. I recently had the honour of presenting
the Victorian Women in Resources Awards. Unfortunately it could not be in person, but I did get to
do it in my ugg boots. The awards are a key part of the industry’s approach to celebrate the success of
women and increase female representation at all levels. I am proud to work with the industry on
increasing workforce diversity, and promoting the Victorian Women in Resources Awards is a key
part of this.
Laura Chibnall, director and principal consultant at Ensolve, won the Exceptional Woman in
Resources award. Laura has worked extensively in the exploration and mining industry across
Australia, and she now calls Victoria home and is a great role model for people in this industry. I was
really impressed with the winner of the Exceptional Young Woman in Resources award, Yan Lim,
from Stawell Gold Mines. Her leadership role includes responsibility for the mine’s bioreactor, which
contributes to the company’s rehabilitation activities. She is just a fantastic young woman who I would
love to roll out to speak to kids at school just about the opportunities in resources, because she is a
fantastic advocate.
I certainly could go on and on about the winners and the nominees, but I would take the opportunity
to say well done to all women that are working in this industry. Only 17 per cent of the workforce in
the sector are women, and a lot of them are doing fantastic things. I would love to see more women in
this sector, and with these exceptional leaders I am sure that more women will take up the opportunity
to consider a career pathway into the mining sector.
SWIM SCHOOLS SUPPORT
Ms CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): My question is to the Minister for Small
Business. Minister, just a few months ago I asked you if you would meet with Pasquale Di Iorio from
Learn to Swim Victoria, which you did, and I thank you for doing so. Your adviser provided
introductions to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to assist with business support at the
time. Despite the introductions, DJPR have still not contacted Mr Di Iorio, so my question is: how do
you expect any small business in Victoria to have any confidence in the support that you and the
Andrews government continue to say is there when clearly that support is failing at so many levels?
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical
Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (12:08): I thank Ms Crozier for her
question. I am pleased that we did not quite get to the end of question time without a question around
small business issues from the coalition. It felt for a while like we were going to. In relation to the
specific request and the specific matter Ms Crozier refers to, as I recall—and it was a couple of months
ago—we resolved that the peak body for swimming lesson organisations would be connected to the
department, because they were not previously. One of their challenges was that their usual, typicalYou can also read
