PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) - PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 2021
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PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT
FIRST SESSION
THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 2021
Internet: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard
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, MPOFFICE-HOLDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT—FIRST SESSION
Speaker
The Hon. CW BROOKS
Deputy Speaker
Ms JM EDWARDS
Acting Speakers
Ms Blandthorn, Mr J Bull, Mr Carbines, Ms Connolly, Ms Couzens, Ms Crugnale, Mr Dimopoulos, Mr Edbrooke,
Ms Halfpenny, Ms Kilkenny, Mr McGuire, Ms Richards, Mr Richardson, Ms Settle, Ms Suleyman, Mr Taylor and
Ms Ward
Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Premier
The Hon. DM ANDREWS
Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Deputy Premier
The Hon. JA MERLINO
Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition
The Hon. MA O’BRIEN
Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party
The Hon. LG McLEISH
Leader of The Nationals and Deputy Leader of the Opposition
The Hon. PL WALSH
Deputy Leader of The Nationals
Ms SM RYAN
Leader of the House
Ms JM ALLAN
Manager of Opposition Business
Mr KA WELLS
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 ASSEMBLY
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT—FIRST SESSION
Member District Party Member District Party
Addison, Ms Juliana Wendouree ALP Maas, Mr Gary Narre Warren South ALP
Allan, Ms Jacinta Marie Bendigo East ALP McCurdy, Mr Timothy Logan Ovens Valley Nats
Andrews, Mr Daniel Michael Mulgrave ALP McGhie, Mr Stephen John Melton ALP
Angus, Mr Neil Andrew Warwick Forest Hill LP McGuire, Mr Frank Broadmeadows ALP
Battin, Mr Bradley William Gembrook LP McLeish, Ms Lucinda Gaye Eildon LP
Blackwood, Mr Gary John Narracan LP Merlino, Mr James Anthony Monbulk ALP
Blandthorn, Ms Elizabeth Anne Pascoe Vale ALP Morris, Mr David Charles Mornington LP
Brayne, Mr Chris Nepean ALP Neville, Ms Lisa Mary Bellarine ALP
Britnell, Ms Roma South-West Coast LP Newbury, Mr James Brighton LP
Brooks, Mr Colin William Bundoora ALP Northe, Mr Russell John Morwell Ind
Bull, Mr Joshua Michael Sunbury ALP O’Brien, Mr Daniel David Gippsland South Nats
Bull, Mr Timothy Owen Gippsland East Nats O’Brien, Mr Michael Anthony Malvern LP
Burgess, Mr Neale Ronald Hastings LP Pakula, Mr Martin Philip Keysborough ALP
Carbines, Mr Anthony Richard Ivanhoe ALP Pallas, Mr Timothy Hugh Werribee ALP
Carroll, Mr Benjamin Alan Niddrie ALP Pearson, Mr Daniel James Essendon ALP
Cheeseman, Mr Darren Leicester South Barwon ALP Read, Dr Tim Brunswick Greens
Connolly, Ms Sarah Tarneit ALP Richards, Ms Pauline Cranbourne ALP
Couzens, Ms Christine Anne Geelong ALP Richardson, Mr Timothy Noel Mordialloc ALP
Crugnale, Ms Jordan Alessandra Bass ALP Riordan, Mr Richard Vincent Polwarth LP
Cupper, Ms Ali Mildura Ind Rowswell, Mr Brad Sandringham LP
D’Ambrosio, Ms Liliana Mill Park ALP Ryan, Stephanie Maureen Euroa Nats
Dimopoulos, Mr Stephen Oakleigh ALP Sandell, Ms Ellen Melbourne Greens
Donnellan, Mr Luke Anthony Narre Warren North ALP Scott, Mr Robin David Preston ALP
Edbrooke, Mr Paul Andrew Frankston ALP Settle, Ms Michaela Buninyong ALP
Edwards, Ms Janice Maree Bendigo West ALP Sheed, Ms Suzanna Shepparton Ind
Eren, Mr John Hamdi Lara ALP Smith, Mr Ryan Warrandyte LP
Foley, Mr Martin Peter Albert Park ALP Smith, Mr Timothy Colin Kew LP
Fowles, Mr Will Burwood ALP Southwick, Mr David James Caulfield LP
Fregon, Mr Matt Mount Waverley ALP Spence, Ms Rosalind Louise Yuroke ALP
Green, Ms Danielle Louise Yan Yean ALP Staikos, Mr Nicholas Bentleigh ALP
Guy, Mr Matthew Jason Bulleen LP Staley, Ms Louise Eileen Ripon LP
Halfpenny, Ms Bronwyn Thomastown ALP Suleyman, Ms Natalie St Albans ALP
Hall, Ms Katie Footscray ALP Tak, Mr Meng Heang Clarinda ALP
Halse, Mr Dustin Ringwood ALP Taylor, Mr Jackson Bayswater ALP
Hamer, Mr Paul Box Hill ALP Theophanous, Ms Katerina Northcote ALP
Hennessy, Ms Jill Altona ALP Thomas, Ms Mary-Anne Macedon ALP
Hibbins, Mr Samuel Peter Prahran Greens Tilley, Mr William John Benambra LP
Hodgett, Mr David John Croydon LP Vallence, Ms Bridget Evelyn LP
Horne, Ms Melissa Margaret Williamstown ALP Wakeling, Mr Nicholas Ferntree Gully LP
Hutchins, Ms Natalie Maree Sykes Sydenham ALP Walsh, Mr Peter Lindsay Murray Plains Nats
Kairouz, Ms Marlene Kororoit ALP Ward, Ms Vicki Eltham ALP
Kealy, Ms Emma Jayne Lowan Nats Wells, Mr Kimberley Arthur Rowville LP
Kennedy, Mr John Ormond Hawthorn ALP Williams, Ms Gabrielle Dandenong ALP
Kilkenny, Ms Sonya Carrum ALP Wynne, Mr Richard William Richmond ALP
PARTY ABBREVIATIONS
ALP—Labor Party; Greens—The Greens;
Ind—Independent; LP—Liberal Party; Nats—The Nationals.Legislative Assembly committees
Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee
Ms Addison, Mr Blackwood, Ms Couzens, Mr Eren, Mr Rowswell, Ms Ryan and Ms Theophanous.
Environment and Planning Standing Committee
Ms Connolly, Mr Fowles, Ms Green, Mr Hamer, Mr McCurdy, Mr Morris and Mr T Smith.
Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee
Ms Couzens, Ms Kealy, Mr Newbury, Ms Settle, Mr Southwick, Ms Suleyman and Mr Tak.
Privileges Committee
Ms Allan, Mr Carroll, Mr Guy, Ms Hennessy, Mr McGuire, Mr Morris, Mr Pakula, Ms Ryan and Mr Wells.
Standing Orders Committee
The Speaker, Ms Allan, Mr Cheeseman, Ms Edwards, Mr Fregon, Ms McLeish, Ms Sheed, Ms Staley and Mr Walsh.
Joint committees
Dispute Resolution Committee
Assembly: Ms Allan, Ms Hennessy, Mr Merlino, Mr Pakula, Mr R Smith, Mr Walsh and Mr Wells.
Council: Mr Bourman, Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Ms Mikakos, Ms Symes and Ms Wooldridge.
Electoral Matters Committee
Assembly: Mr Guy, Ms Hall and Dr Read.
Council: Mr Erdogan, Mrs McArthur, Mr Meddick, Mr Melhem, Ms Lovell, Mr Quilty and Mr Tarlamis.
House Committee
Assembly: The Speaker (ex officio), Mr T Bull, Ms Crugnale, Ms Edwards, Mr Fregon, Ms Sandell and Ms Staley.
Council: The President (ex officio), Mr Bourman, Mr Davis, Mr Leane, Ms Lovell and Ms Stitt.
Integrity and Oversight Committee
Assembly: Mr Halse, Mr McGhie, Mr Rowswell, Mr Taylor and Mr Wells.
Council: Mr Grimley and Ms Shing.
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
Assembly: Ms Blandthorn, Mr Hibbins, Mr Maas, Mr D O’Brien, Ms Richards, Mr Richardson, Mr Riordan and Ms Vallence.
Council: Mr Limbrick.
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee
Assembly: Mr Burgess and Ms Connolly.
Council: Mr Gepp, Mrs McArthur, Ms Patten and Ms Watt.CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acknowledgement of country ...................................................................................................................................... 863
RULINGS BY THE CHAIR
Member conduct ............................................................................................................................................................ 863
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Notices of motion .......................................................................................................................................................... 865
DOCUMENTS
Documents ..................................................................................................................................................................... 865
COMMITTEES
Electoral Matters Committee........................................................................................................................................ 865
Membership .............................................................................................................................................................. 865
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Adjournment .................................................................................................................................................................. 865
MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Ferntree Gully electorate hoon driving........................................................................................................................ 866
Knox student leaders ..................................................................................................................................................... 866
Fairhills High School .................................................................................................................................................... 866
Fitlife ............................................................................................................................................................................... 866
St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School, Werribee ...................................................................................................... 866
Wyndham Street Surfer Bus ......................................................................................................................................... 866
Lowan electorate roads ................................................................................................................................................. 867
The Lakes South Morang College ............................................................................................................................... 867
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 867
The Shtick ....................................................................................................................................................................... 868
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 868
Evelyn electorate transport infrastructure ................................................................................................................... 868
Get Active kids voucher program ................................................................................................................................ 869
Alex Goudie Native Park .............................................................................................................................................. 869
Northcote electorate mental health services................................................................................................................ 869
Native wildlife protection ............................................................................................................................................. 870
Bass electorate mobile phone coverage....................................................................................................................... 870
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 870
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 871
Cranbourne electorate student leaders ......................................................................................................................... 871
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 872
International Women’s Day ......................................................................................................................................... 872
Ivanhoe electorate schools ............................................................................................................................................ 872
Ports Victoria ................................................................................................................................................................. 873
Hawthorn electorate environment protection ............................................................................................................. 873
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Notices of motion .......................................................................................................................................................... 874
BILLS
Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Bill 2021 ....................................... 874
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 874
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Small business support .................................................................................................................................................. 882
Ministers statements: Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System .................................................. 883
Small business support .................................................................................................................................................. 884
Ministers statements: emergency services workers ................................................................................................... 885
Breast screening ............................................................................................................................................................. 885
Ministers statements: rural and regional mental health services ............................................................................... 887
Mildura electorate drug and alcohol services ............................................................................................................. 887
Ministers statements: Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System .................................................. 888
Government performance ............................................................................................................................................. 889
Ministers statements: International Women’s Day .................................................................................................... 892
CONSTITUENCY QUESTIONS
Eildon electorate ............................................................................................................................................................ 893
Northcote electorate ...................................................................................................................................................... 893
Gippsland South electorate ........................................................................................................................................... 893
Thomastown electorate ................................................................................................................................................. 893
Brighton electorate ........................................................................................................................................................ 894
Pascoe Vale electorate................................................................................................................................................... 894Brunswick electorate ..................................................................................................................................................... 894
Narre Warren South electorate ..................................................................................................................................... 894
Evelyn electorate ........................................................................................................................................................... 895
Yan Yean electorate ...................................................................................................................................................... 895
BILLS
Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Bill 2021 ....................................... 895
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 895
MOTIONS
Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System ....................................................................................... 907
BILLS
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2020 ......................................................................... 936
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 936
MEMBERS
Member for Kew ........................................................................................................................................................... 938
Personal explanation ................................................................................................................................................ 938
BILLS
Planning and Environment Amendment Bill 2021 .................................................................................................... 938
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 938
Third reading............................................................................................................................................................. 943
Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Bill 2021 ....................................... 943
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 943
Third reading............................................................................................................................................................. 943
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2020 ......................................................................... 943
Second reading.......................................................................................................................................................... 943
Third reading............................................................................................................................................................. 943
ADJOURNMENT
Trevaskis Road closure ................................................................................................................................................. 944
Clyde Road, Berwick, level crossing removal............................................................................................................ 944
Maternal and child health services ............................................................................................................................... 945
Tarneit revitalisation project ......................................................................................................................................... 945
Gembrook electorate sewerage .................................................................................................................................... 946
Cranbourne electorate transport infrastructure ........................................................................................................... 946
AGL Crib Point gas terminal........................................................................................................................................ 946
Kinder tick ...................................................................................................................................................................... 947
Elwood Primary School ................................................................................................................................................ 947
Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System ....................................................................................... 948
Responses ....................................................................................................................................................................... 948ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thursday, 4 March 2021 Legislative Assembly 863
Thursday, 4 March 2021
The SPEAKER (Hon. Colin Brooks) took the chair at 9.32 am and read the prayer.
Announcements
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The SPEAKER (09:33): We acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land on which
we are meeting. We pay our respects to them, their culture, their elders past, present and future, and
elders from other communities who may be here today.
Rulings by the Chair
MEMBER CONDUCT
The SPEAKER (09:33): Just before moving into the rest of formal business, the Acting Speaker
referred a point of order to me raised by the member for Gembrook at the conclusion of the matter of
public importance debate yesterday. I have reviewed the Hansard transcript and rule the comments
made by the member for Burwood out of order, as they made an imputation against another member.
I remind all members of the requirement of standing order 118, which was done a number of times
yesterday: it is not in order to make imputations against another member during the matter of public
importance debate or by way of point of order.
Mr Wells: On a point of order, Speaker, on that matter, I have also reviewed Hansard and have
read the comments made by the member for Burwood and find them disgusting and outrageous. And
I would ask you that we put a process in place that this particular matter gets referred to the Privileges
Committee because of the seriousness of the claims that have been made by the member for Burwood.
We cannot have a situation in this chamber where the member for Burwood can get up and make the
most disgusting, outrageous claims against another member of Parliament, and that is why this matter
needs to be referred to privileges.
Ms Allan: On the point of order, Speaker, on your ruling and the comments from the Manager of
Opposition Business, we often get told on this side of the chamber that some of us have been here long
enough to know that for raising a matter of privilege or referring a matter to the Privileges Committee
there are proper procedures. The member has been here long enough to know how those procedures
should be followed. What I will say, though, is I do agree with the Manager of Opposition Business
that there does need to be a dramatic improvement in the way members conduct themselves both in
this place and on social media. There were comments made by the member for Brighton that many of
us took great offence to. There were comments made on Twitter by the member for Kew that many
of us took great offence to. Our behaviour as members of the Parliament is not just here in this
chamber; it is everywhere and everything we do.
I would welcome an opportunity from those opposite to sit down and do this job properly and not have
a protection racket for members saying one thing on Twitter and doing another thing in this place—
for saying it is freedom of speech over here but hiding behind that fig leaf, for not condemning the
outrageous attacks that occur on women, which happened overnight on Twitter by the member for
Kew and the member for Brighton. I would be delighted if the Manager of Opposition Business
wanted to kick off a process that looks at this but looks at it properly and that condemns all forms of
abuse by all members of this Parliament. We have reached a point where we have to say enough is
enough. Too often there are those opposite who lecture us—
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for South-West Coast! The Treasurer!
Ms Allan: Too often those opposite lecture us and say, ‘The standard you walk past is the standard
you accept’. Well, I say to the Manager of Opposition Business: let us stop hiding behind phrases,RULINGS BY THE CHAIR
864 Legislative Assembly Thursday, 4 March 2021
hiding behind freedom of speech claims. Let us stand up together and make a real difference in how
all of us as members of Parliament respect each other in this place, in social media and in all forms of
our interaction with each other.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! I am going to rule on the point of order. The point of order that was raised
by the Manager of Opposition Business was a very straightforward point of order about a referral of
the matter to the Privileges Committee. The member knows that there are very clear processes for that
to occur. The debate that started to occur then as part of this point of order is one that the house may
wish to have, but it should be done at the appropriate time rather than through a point of order.
Mr Wells: On a further point of order, Speaker, in the very next section after where you have ruled,
page 86 of Hansard, we had the extraordinary situation where the Government Whip called a point of
order. He said, and I am quoting from Hansard:
… members of the Labor government stole money. I would like that equally referred to the Speaker.
That is what is in Hansard. The Government Whip made the claim that money had been stolen by the
Labor government. He wanted that referred to the Speaker. Now, the Acting Speaker, Ms Ward, said
there was no point of order, but she accepted the first point of order put forward by the member for
Gembrook—the matter that you have ruled on. We seek clarification around the ruling by the Acting
Speaker that she would not accept that as a point of order—what I would have thought was a very
serious claim by the Government Whip that money had been stolen by the Labor Party. He wanted to
refer it to you. We think, because of the seriousness of that matter, that matter should not have been
ruled out of order and that, firstly, you should investigate the claims by the Government Whip, and
secondly, we on this side seek clarification about the ruling by the Acting Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Order! I do not uphold the point of order. The issue was ruled out of order by the
Acting Speaker at the time.
Mr R Smith: On a further point of order, Speaker, just on your ruling, the Acting Speaker,
Ms Ward, actually said, ‘It will be referred to the Speaker’. For clarity for the house, can you just let
us know if the matter was in fact referred to you?
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrandyte will resume his seat. This is not question
time. The matter was not referred to the Speaker. The point of order was ruled out at the time.
Mr R Smith: On a further point of order, Speaker, just for clarity, whoever takes the chair, the
house has to have confidence that what they say they are going to do they actually do. The Acting
Speaker said:
It will be referred to the Speaker.
You are telling us now that it was not referred to the Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrandyte will resume his seat. I have ruled on this
matter. I have confirmed—
Mr Burgess interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hastings will leave the chamber for the period of 1 hour.
Member for Hastings withdrew from the chamber.
The SPEAKER: I am not going to have members interjecting at me when I am trying to explain a
ruling. My interpretation of Hansard and a confirmation subsequently with the Acting Chair bears out
that that was ruled out of order.
Mr R Smith: Speaker, respectfully, I think you have misunderstood what I have said. I feel that
the response that we are getting demonstrates to me you have not really understood what I have said.BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Thursday, 4 March 2021 Legislative Assembly 865
The SPEAKER: The member for Warrandyte will resume his seat.
Mr R Smith: I take the blame that I have not explained myself properly.
The SPEAKER: Order! The issues that the member for Warrandyte may want to explore are best
explored as questions to the Speaker, and there is a forum for those questions to take place—that is,
outside the chamber through written notice or a conversation. I have ruled on the point of order. The
matter was not referred to the Speaker. It is clear from Hansard to the Speaker and also from a
conversation I have had with the Acting Chair at the time. That matter is now closed.
Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, this house relies on the integrity of the Speaker and the Deputy
Speaker and acting speakers for the smooth running of the house. If an acting speaker makes a
commitment to the house and that commitment is not followed through, could the Speaker please advise
what remedies members of the house have? If we cannot have confidence in acting speakers to follow
through on commitments they give to the house, that will impede the smooth running of the house.
The SPEAKER: Order! I am going to consider this matter closed, but just in ruling to the point of
order: the interpretation that I think the Leader of the Opposition might have of the Acting Chair’s
contribution at the time is different to the interpretation that I have, because it was very clear she ruled
it out of order. She was referring the matter that I have already ruled on to the Chair, which she has
done and which I have ruled on today.
Business of the house
NOTICES OF MOTION
The SPEAKER (09:42): General business, notices of motion 9 to 20, 44 and 45, will be removed
from the notice paper unless members wishing their matter to remain advise the Clerk in writing before
2.00 pm today.
Documents
DOCUMENTS
Incorporated list as follows:
DOCUMENT TABLED UNDER AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT—The Deputy Clerk tabled the following
document under an Act of Parliament:
Financial Management Act 1994—Report from the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate
Change that she had received the Report 2019–20 of the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust.
Committees
ELECTORAL MATTERS COMMITTEE
Membership
The SPEAKER (09:43): I advise the house that I have received the resignation of Ms Blandthorn
from the Electoral Matters Committee effective from 3 March 2021.
Business of the house
ADJOURNMENT
Ms ALLAN (Bendigo East—Leader of the House, Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister
for the Suburban Rail Loop) (09:43): I move:
That:
(1) the house, at its rising, adjourns until Tuesday, 16 March 2021, or an earlier day and hour to be fixed by
the Speaker;MEMBERS STATEMENTS
866 Legislative Assembly Thursday, 4 March 2021
(2) if, in the opinion of the Speaker, the next scheduled sitting or a rescheduled sitting should not proceed
on the basis of health advice, the Speaker will consult with the Leader of the House and the Manager of
Opposition Business to delay the next meeting and set a future day and hour to meet;
(3) the Speaker will notify members of any changes to the next sitting date.
Motion agreed to.
Members statements
FERNTREE GULLY ELECTORATE HOON DRIVING
Mr WAKELING (Ferntree Gully) (09:44): I am very pleased to raise issues on behalf of the
electorate of Ferntree Gully, particularly in regard to a recent spike in hoon driving across the
municipality. Residents have raised concerns about drag racing, wheelies in the middle of major
intersections and burnouts in our local streets. When I drive around the City of Knox I see tyre marks
everywhere. Residents want to see a greater police presence on our streets, and they are also calling
on Knox council to address the need for the implementation of speed humps throughout local streets
in an effort to deter speeding from occurring throughout the City of Knox.
KNOX STUDENT LEADERS
Mr WAKELING: I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new school leaders at
our primary and secondary schools across Knox. I had the privilege of presenting Ferntree Gully North
and Wantirna primary school leaders with their badges, and they told me how much they are looking
forward to their leadership roles this year.
FAIRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Mr WAKELING: I had a great opportunity to talk to the incoming principal at Fairhills High School,
Mr Ian Van Schie, and congratulate him on the work that he is doing and to talk about their plans for the
redevelopment which we have been working on together with the school for many years to see an
upgrade to the school. He, I and school council president Scott Fraser had very important discussions.
FITLIFE
Mr WAKELING: I would just like to also congratulate Fitlife boxing club in Upper Ferntree Gully
for their Rock Steady class program, which they are running to support people with Parkinson’s disease.
ST ANDREW’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, WERRIBEE
Mr PALLAS (Werribee—Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Industrial
Relations) (09:45): I am pleased to update the house today on two initiatives making a difference to
the lives of young people in my electorate of Werribee. Thanks to the Andrews Labor government,
St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School has received $1.65 million in support through the Non-
Government Schools Capital Fund. I had the pleasure of recently officially opening the new
classrooms and refurbished administration spaces. It was fantastic to be taken on a tour by the school’s
outstanding student leaders and to see that students are already benefiting from these new facilities.
WYNDHAM STREET SURFER BUS
Mr PALLAS: I was also pleased to launch the new Wyndham Street Surfer Bus, supported by a
$1 million investment from the Andrews Labor government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $560 000
from Wyndham City Council. This brand new bus replaces an older model and has already hit the
streets, delivering youth support in a modern, mobile, high-tech space. Youth services available
through this mobile facility include counselling, legal advice, a food bank, employment information
and alternative education programs as well as shared social and sporting activities.
The Growing Suburbs Fund supports the construction of critical local infrastructure in diverse and
fast-growing council areas like Wyndham, which has now benefited from $27.5 million of this fund
over six years, delivering 20 local projects. I know that investments like these are crucial in Wyndham.MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Thursday, 4 March 2021 Legislative Assembly 867
They ensure that every child has access to great local schools, world-class education and wraparound
support when they need it, and that is why we are getting these projects done.
LOWAN ELECTORATE ROADS
Ms KEALY (Lowan) (09:47): I raise a matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and it
is in relation to our terrible road conditions in the electorate of Lowan. I recently put up a Facebook
post asking local members of the community to nominate their worst roads, and my Facebook page
really was overrun with comments. They are roads that we have heard of many, many times before.
Recently of course we have had the gypsum movement—the farmers are moving gypsum from the
gypsum pits at Rainbow around to their properties, and the roads are simply not built to sustain this B-
double heavy traffic. So I would like to pass on my nomination to the minister for roads to make sure
he includes fixing these roads in the upcoming budget: Nhill-Yanac Road, which has a pothole on a
blind bend, Nhill-Netherby Road, the Rainbow–Beulah road, Jeparit-Warracknabeal Road and the
Kenmare–Warracknabeal road as well. We have got other roads which have been damaged by recent
bypasses: the Wimmera Highway east of Edenhope and west of Edenhope and west of Horsham. We
have also got the Frances–Goroke road, Edenhope Penola Road and Blue Ribbon Road. Other roads
in my electorate which desperately need work include the Borung Highway between Dimboola and
Warracknabeal, the Glenelg Highway near Muntham and between Glenthompson and Hamilton,
Murtoa-Glenorchy Road, the Dooen–Murtoa road, Mt Zero Road at Halls Gap, Casterton-Naracoorte
Road, Fullertons Road at Poolaijelo, Western Highway west of Nhill and Buangor to the border,
Warracknabeal-Birchip Road, and the list goes on.
THE LAKES SOUTH MORANG COLLEGE
Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister
for Solar Homes) (09:48): I rise to congratulate The Lakes South Morang College on an important
milestone in its 14-year history. This year the school welcomed its first VCE class since it opened in
2007. Last week I had the opportunity to visit the school, meet with the year 11 students, hear about
their VCE experience and see the new VCE centre facilities. I was also honoured to present the first
VCE student captain badges and congratulate Emily Fyffe and Jakob Pike for their achievements as
the 2021 captains of the school.
I would like to thank the First Nations senior students Josh Thompson and Maddy Giampolo for the
informative and comprehensive tour of the school’s VCE centre. My thanks also to the principals of
each campus, Kerrie Heenan and Bill Panas, and their teaching staff for their efforts in providing all
the support needed in order for the first VCE class to excel. It was great to hear that the students of the
first VCE class at The Lakes are enjoying such newly established facilities as the Common Room, a
specially designed quiet study space for the students to attend online classes or do their homework.
To enable the students to choose subjects they are passionate about and enhance their prospects to
succeed in their future endeavours, the school has established partnerships with Hazel Glen College
and the largest online state government college, Virtual School Victoria.
Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving one’s community and world better than
one found it. It is great to see that this is what The Lakes South Morang College school community is
doing every single day, and I congratulate the school leadership, both students and staff, and parents.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (09:50): In the lead-up to International Women’s Day I want to
congratulate a number of champion women in my electorate that have just done an awesome job,
whether it be in community organisations or certainly helping those on a volunteer basis: Helen Lewin,
the Victorian president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia; Ronit Chrapot, the
president of the Women’s International Zionist Organisation Victoria; Philippa Caris, manager of the
Glen Eira Adult Learning Centre, which does a great job helping migrants to learn English and workMEMBERS STATEMENTS
868 Legislative Assembly Thursday, 4 March 2021
in our community; Pia Akerman, who has been running the Carnegie Toy Library; Karen Boyd-Jones,
who has been very active in Stop the Elsternwick Towers and passionate on the overdevelopment in
our area; Barbara Hoad, the president of the Glen Eira Historical Society; Jane Banting from the Glen
Huntly Village Traders Association; my aunty, Rosalie Silverstein, who runs the Posh Opp Shoppe,
helping those young kids with disability; Amelia Morris, who spoke just the other day on the Royal
Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, was my parliamentary intern and did an amazing
job; and also Sarah Bendetsky and Ellen Frajman, who both run programs for feeding the homeless.
THE SHTICK
Mr SOUTHWICK: Just finally, Henry Greener, a big shout-out to you for running The Shtick—
over 2000 videos!—for 14 years. Henry, you do a fantastic job of keeping our community connected.
Go Henry, go The Shtick.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister
for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (09:51): On Monday, 8 March, we are celebrating
International Women’s Day, with this year’s theme, ‘Choose to Challenge’. Local events in my
electorate of Sydenham include an afternoon this Friday acknowledging champions in the fight against
family violence, held by the women of the Multicultural Association of Community Empowerment.
The City of Melton is also holding a screening of Women of Steel, a documentary which shows the
true story of a group of women who fought against BHP for equal rights.
I have always been a strong advocate for women’s rights and would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge the invaluable contribution that women have made to my community, particularly during
COVID, in their roles as mothers, caregivers, community leaders and workers and advocates. I would
also like to congratulate a local woman who plays all these roles and more: Donna Stolzenberg, from
Hillside, is a Ngatjumay and Mirning woman who works tirelessly to make a better tomorrow for the
most disadvantaged people in our state. She runs the National Homeless Collective, the Melbourne
Period Project and the Kala Space. Across Sydenham, Victoria and Australia she is helping the most
disadvantaged people, and I am proud to say she was nominated 2021 Victorian Australian of the
Year. In my electorate the mayor of Brimbank, Ranka Rasic, and the mayor of Melton, Kathy Majdlik,
are both strong, hardworking women leading through local government.
EVELYN ELECTORATE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Ms VALLENCE (Evelyn) (09:53): The Andrews Labor government in their 2020–21 state budget
last year massively failed my local community in the Evelyn electorate, with not one new project and
not one new dollar. It was nothing but a kick in the guts for the people and communities in the Lilydale
districts and the Yarra Valley after one of the worst years ever. In last year’s budget again the Premier
and Labor failed to commit to duplicating the Maroondah Highway at Killara Road, Coldstream; failed
to fix Warburton Highway in Seville East; failed to increase car parking at Lilydale train station; failed
to duplicate the rail line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale; failed to put in a new train station at
Kinley; and failed to upgrade any roads in Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park and Lilydale to cope with the
thousands more cars expected on the road from the Kinley development. As new sky rail stations at
Mooroolbark and Lilydale replace boom gates with traffic lights, locals are left scratching their heads
to wonder how this will actually improve traffic congestion, and on train frequency the Lilydale train
line is notorious for cancellations and poor punctuality. Only duplicating the line will address this.
Now is the time to fix transport infrastructure bottlenecks between Mooroolbark and Lilydale properly,
so ahead of the next state budget due in two months time in May I again call on the government to
increase car parking at Lilydale train station, duplicate the rail track between Mooroolbark and
Lilydale, build a new train station at Kinley and fix the bottleneck at Mooroolbark and Hull Road’s
rail bridge.MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Thursday, 4 March 2021 Legislative Assembly 869
GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM
Ms ADDISON (Wendouree) (09:54): It is so important that children are encouraged to play sport.
Involvement in a sporting club can have many benefits for a child’s health, wellbeing and sense of
self. Participating in sport boosts self-esteem and helps a child develop teamwork and leadership skills.
Exercise is also a great way for kids to release stress and pent-up energy. Being involved helps kids
develop bonds with their teammates and creates additional support systems to family and school.
Further, with many children spending lots of time on screens, participating in sport is now more
important than ever as they develop lifelong healthy lifestyle habits—and of course it is fun.
That is why we are removing the financial barriers to support eligible families to cover the costs of
getting their kids involved in organised sports and recreation through the Get Active kids voucher
program. The program offers up to 100 000 vouchers worth up to $200 over four rounds, helping
families with the cost of membership, registration fees, equipment and uniforms. To be eligible kids
need to be aged between four and 18, a Victorian resident and named on a current Australian
government healthcare card or pension concession card and on a valid Medicare card at the time of
the application. Applications are open for any amount above $50 and up to $200 for each child, with
costs related to the child’s sport or recreation, including badminton, basketball, cycling, calisthenics,
equestrian, Girl Guides, gym and fitness, judo, karate, netball, rowing, squash and racquetball.
ALEX GOUDIE NATIVE PARK
Mr BLACKWOOD (Narracan) (09:56): On Sunday, 21 February, this year I attended the Trees
of Nations renewal official opening in Drouin’s Alex Goudie Native Park. The Trees of Nations were
originally planted in July 1988 as a bicentennial project initiative by then Buln Buln shire president
Vin Bibby. It aimed to acknowledge the various nationalities of people living in the shire, which today
stand at 51. Volunteers from many different service organisations collaborated to plant new trees, give
the park a facelift and install interpretive signage. Judy Farmer gave a background and history at four
landmarks across the park. The first stop was the unveiling of the Alex Goudie Native Park sign,
conducted by Alex’s daughter, Dora Scales. Mrs Scales, who will celebrate her 101st birthday in the
coming weeks, spoke about the honour her father would have felt and how pleased she was to see the
trees recognised.
At the second stop I unveiled the biodiversity sign supported by John Butler and Jeff Smythe on behalf
of Gerry Van Orsouw. Gerry was the Buln Buln shire parks and gardens superintendent at the time of
the 1988 tree planting. The third stop was the acknowledgement of the Strzelecki gum tree planted in
the place where Ma Mullet planted the first tree in 1988. Her daughter Cheryl Drayton spoke on behalf
of the family, supported by her sisters Pauline and Sandra. The Trees of Nation sign was the final stop.
Baw Baw shire mayor Danny Goss declared the park open as the sign was unveiled by former shire
secretary Keith Pretty and former shire president Vin Bibby. There is no doubt that the amazing Dora
Scales, the 101-years-young daughter of Alex Goudie, stole the day with her amazing speech.
NORTHCOTE ELECTORATE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (09:57): This week we witnessed a moment in history; a
moment that will define the future of Victoria. Every single one of us knows the anguish of mental
illness, whether directly or indirectly. The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
has shone a light on a system that despite the goodwill and hard work of so many people has failed to
meet the challenge that confronts us. There are no words to adequately describe the experience of
those who in their darkest moments have reached out for support, only to be turned away. The
65 recommendations in the commission’s report set out a vision and a blueprint for a mental health
system that is responsive and compassionate.
In the inner north, which includes the Northcote electorate, the data tells us that one in five residents
experience anxiety or depression, and over one in 10 suffer high levels of psychological distress. The
inner north is also impacted by key service gaps and growing demand, notably in perinatal mentalMEMBERS STATEMENTS
870 Legislative Assembly Thursday, 4 March 2021
health, youth mental health and mental health for older residents. I am so pleased to see these areas as
key features of the recommendations. This includes expanding perinatal mental health teams and
creating integrated infant, child and youth mental health and wellbeing hubs as well as older adult
multidisciplinary teams. It means developing safe spaces, dedicated and reformed services and
connections within our communities. There are so many historic reforms contained in this report. I
want to thank the thousands of Victorians who contributed to its creation. This is your report, and we
will not stop until we have built the mental health system Victorians deserve.
NATIVE WILDLIFE PROTECTION
Ms SANDELL (Melbourne) (09:59): Victoria’s native wildlife is incredibly unique. Every time I
see a wombat waddle, an eagle soar or a kangaroo bound through the bush I am reminded just how
lucky we are to share this land with so many wonderful creatures. They nourish our souls. But here in
Victoria our legal system is failing to protect our precious wildlife. Let me give some examples.
In 2018 a farmhand poisoned and killed 405 wedge-tailed eagles, yet our wildlife laws were so
inadequate that the fine was just $6.50 per eagle, and the landholder who directed this horrific killing
to take place could not be prosecuted. In 2019 we learned that high-roller tourists were being enticed
to regional Victoria to shoot wombats for sport and that this was 100 per cent legal. The outdated laws
classified wombats as pests because they can damage rabbit-proof fences. In 2020 dozens of koalas
were killed or left to starve on private property when a blue gum plantation was harvested. On top of
this we have the government continuing to allow and even promote native duck killing for sport, the
decimation of native species for logging and so much more.
The government issued permits to kill or control a staggering 185 286 native animals in 2019, with no
compliance or monitoring of impacts. I welcomed the government’s announcement last year to review
our wildlife laws. The review cannot come soon enough, and it must be a complete overhaul of the
broken system.
BASS ELECTORATE MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
Ms CRUGNALE (Bass) (10:00): The good people of Clyde and Clyde North would like to make
a phone call, and having made a phone call they would not like the line to drop out—not an
unreasonable expectation in outer Melbourne in 2021. They thought that the recent installation of a
tower at Casey Fields would fix the problem, but not quite. I have lodged an e-petition with the federal
Parliament on their behalf calling for the provision of reliable phone coverage.
Telecommunications is a federal responsibility. Connectivity is a 21st-century expectation and
imperative for people’s livability, livelihood and social connection. We have also asked that tower
construction is not based on the current competitive mobile blackspot grants processes as even those
base stations nominated now may not commence operation until mid-2022. It is simply unacceptable
for residents and businesses to wait patiently for years for a mobile tower and reliable coverage—
unacceptable, dangerous and life-threatening. In the extremes my constituents cannot get through or
the line drops out when ringing 000. Many also cannot work from home due to poor connectivity and
in the current pandemic have struggled with remote learning, telehealth appointments and operating
their businesses. Mobile phone reception even in my local schools and childcare centres is also very
problematic. The e-petition is open for signatures until 24 March, and information obtained, such as
email addresses, remains private and inaccessible. Thank you to everyone who has signed already.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Ms BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (10:02): Today I acknowledge that Monday is International
Women’s Day, and I stand here wearing purple to symbolise the importance of such a day, along with
many in the chamber, which is terrific. I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge all the good
work that women do in our society, be they mothers, be they sisters, be they daughters, be they
grandmothers, caregivers, leaders, role models or mentors.MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Thursday, 4 March 2021 Legislative Assembly 871
There are particular women, at the risk of naming a few and leaving some out, that have been great
mentors in my life and committed enormously to our community—women such as Glenys Philpott,
who was the mayor of Warrnambool and left a legacy of the boardwalk that many enjoy today, and I
do often, and the protection of the penguins by maremma dogs on Middle Island as depicted in the
movie Oddball, which was during Glenys Philpott’s time as mayor. Judy Troeth, a senator, has been
a particularly great mentor to me, and Joy Howley from Caramut, who was president of the Liberal
Party, was again another fantastic mentor. And on mentors from before my time in this place, as an
industry representative and dairy farmer Shirley Harlock led the way as a United Dairyfarmers of
Victoria representative, and I followed in her footsteps under her guidance. And before her was Anne
Adams, who often sat on boards, as we all did, with very few other women.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Ms KILKENNY (Carrum) (10:04): This Monday marks International Women’s Day for 2021, a
day to acknowledge women’s achievements, leadership and progress on gender equality. But this year
feels very different. It is a time when many women and men are feeling utterly disheartened by the
allegations coming out of Canberra and the response or lack of it. Many of us watched the federal
Attorney-General’s press conference yesterday. Many of us too have been following the story of
Brittany Higgins, someone who deserves to have her allegations of sexual assault and rape investigated
not as someone’s daughter but as someone in her own right. And there is the petition by Sydney
schoolgirl Chanel Contos with nearly 25 000 signatures and allegations by nearly 2000 women of
sexual assault and rape from their time as students.
A recent Australian survey of high school students found that 28 per cent of sexually active students
reported unwanted sexual experience. I believe the number is probably higher than this. The issue of
what is consent and what is not consent is always going to be relevant, and much more education and
law reform needs to happen, but so too is the culture of attitudes towards girls and women. In Victoria
all government schools offer Respectful Relationships programs as a core component of the Victorian
curriculum. This needs to be taught in all schools, not just government schools. It is crucial that
independent and Catholic schools right across Victoria commit to this, and this needs to be rolled out
nationally. If we are going to address these attitudes and we are going to make real change, all
governments, starting with our federal government, must commit, all parliaments must provide safe
workplaces and all elected members of Parliament must commit to the highest standards of equality
and respect.
CRANBOURNE ELECTORATE STUDENT LEADERS
Ms RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (10:05): We are fortunate to have so many young, articulate
members in our Cranbourne community, and today I wish to congratulate those who were recently
elected as student leaders by their peers.
Congratulations to Elijah Jones, Emily Ben, Tia Garlick and Zach Lumley, newly elected school
captains of Cranbourne Secondary College. Congratulations to Abbie Robilliard, Angelena Binu, Joel
Kimiora and Riley Collard, school captains of Cranbourne East Secondary College. Congratulations
to Grace Ngawaka and Hudson Hyde, school captains of Alkira Secondary College, and to Callum
Pola, Milly Cortese, Alliah Garcia and Corey Coupar, school captains of St Peter’s College
Cranbourne and Clyde North campuses respectively. Thank you for putting your hands up to serve
and good luck with your last year of schooling.
I would like to congratulate up-and-coming leaders from the primary schools: Ahmed Basir, Ashley
Burns, Emily Noel, Faith Ashby, Lakeesha Haffi, Poutekchan Tany, Rani Allan-Brown and Rose
Marshall from Cranbourne West Primary School; and Evette Paternott and Ruviru Rajapaksha, school
captains of Courtenay Gardens Primary School. Congratulations to Bomi Shin and Joshua Rusec,
school captains of Cranbourne Park Primary School. Congratulations to Methuki Bogahapitiya and
Tom Watson, school captains of Lyndhurst Primary School; to Buthmi Cooray and ReubannYou can also read
