FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2016

Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Melbourne’s West Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorder Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Electoral Integrity

Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] Web www.berniefinn.com

Authorised and printed by Bernie Finn MP, Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook. This material was funded from the Parliament Electorate Office & Communications Budget. FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2016

CONTENTS Sunbury municipality...... 3 Abortion legislation...... 21 Australia Day...... 3 Point Cook secondary school facilities...... 21 Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Melbourne Autism Expo...... 21 Amendment Bill 2015...... 3 National Electricity (Victoria) Further Wyndham City Council...... 4 Amendment Bill 2015...... 21 Asbestos at Footscray Primary School...... 4 Footscray Hospital...... 22 Minister for Public Transport...... 4 Abortion legislation...... 22 Sunbury Road duplication ...... 9 Western Distributor project...... 22 Road Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 ...... 9 Country Fire Authority enterprise bargaining Wyndham schools ...... 10 agreement...... 23 Ombudsman jurisdiction ...... 11 Western Metropolitan Region constituent...... 24 Ministers office accommodation...... 11 Abortion legislation ...... 24 Assisted Reproductive Treatment Deer Park rail level crossings...... 24 Amendment Bill 2015...... 11 Avondale Heights public transport...... 24 Bulla-Diggers Rest Road ...... 12 Goonawarra Primary School...... 25 Traffic congestion...... 12 Safe Schools program...... 25 Independent Review of Climate Change Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2016...... 25 Act 2010: report ...... 13 Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Wyndham City Council ...... 13 Supervision) Amendment (Community Western Metropolitan Region roads ...... 13 Safety) Bill 2016...... 26 Traffic gridlock...... 14 Diggers Rest police resources...... 27 Safe Schools program ...... 14 Taylors Road management...... 27 Victoria University Sunbury site ...... 14 Infant Viability Bill 2015...... 27 City of Wyndham education resources...... 14 School bullying...... 28 Upholding Australian Values (Protecting Abuse in disability services...... 28 Our Flags) Bill 2015 ...... 15 Deer Park rail level crossing...... 29 Sunbury Road duplication ...... 15 Confiscation and Other Matters Truganina road safety...... 16 Amendment Bill 2016...... 29 The Strand, Williamstown, toilet facilities ...... 16 Hoppers Crossing CFA flag...... 30 Public sector enterprise bargaining ...... 16 Country Fire Authority enterprise bargaining Traffic congestion...... 16 agreement...... 30 Safe Schools program ...... 16 Appropriation (2016-2017) Bill 2016 Youth workers ...... 17 and Budget Papers 2016-17...... 30 Production of documents...... 17 Country Fire Authority enterprise bargaining Melbourne Regional Landfill...... 17 agreement...... 31 Sunbury university land...... 18 Country Fire Authority enterprise bargaining Sky rail policy...... 18 agreement...... 32 Victoria Police Amendment (Merit-based Sunbury police numbers...... 32 Transfer) Bill 2016...... 18 Sunbury municipality...... 33 Victoria University Sunbury site...... 19 Larmenier school...... 33 Abortion legislation...... 19 Country Fire Authority chief executive officer....33 Possums...... 20 Australian Labor Party...... 33 Battle of Long Tan commemoration...... 20 Point Cook police resources ...... 33 Vocational education and training ...... 20 Melbourne Regional Landfill...... 34 Traffic congestion...... 20 Infrastructure projects ...... 34 Sex Offenders Registration Amendment Sky rail policy...... 34 Bill 2016...... 20 Bendigo Special Development School...... 34 Point Cook schools...... 21

Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 • Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] • Web www.berniefinn.com

IN 2 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Constituency questions COUNCIL | Second reading serious about protecting our children 9 February 2016 9 February 2016 from these criminals, from these vile, evil, horrid subhuman individuals, then we will go after them with a passion. We will catch them and we will say to them, Sunbury Drugs, Poisons through the court process, that they have forfeited their right to walk on the earth municipality and Controlled with us. Now I have to say to you that I do Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) not think it would take too many before — My constituency question is to the the other kingpins realised that this just is Minister for Local Government. I refer to Substances not worth it. If some of these kingpins see the minister’s claim that she broke the a few of their mates going to the gallows ALP’s promise to the people of Sunbury Amendment Bill or to the gas chamber or wherever it that they would control their municipal might be, I think they would wake up very future. Nobody believes her claim 2015 quickly and realise that they just might be that this promise was broken after an Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I next. independent audit review’s report was have listened with a great deal of interest Let us face it, these people at the top delivered. In fact most people believe to a number of speakers in this debate, of the tree are the ultimate in selfish her betrayal of Sunbury was a result of particularly to Ms Patten, and I have to individuals — anybody who has a an extensive campaign from within the say that I actually agree with some of Ms mansion, who has cars, who has women Labor Party and trade union movement Patten’s comments — particularly the and who has everything else that they may to undermine the democratic vote of the one where she said this bill is not going to have gained by selling drugs to kids, by people of Hume. I ask the minister: what solve anything. That is the truth: this bill selling misery and death on the streets. It role did the member for Broadmeadows will not solve anything. I have to disagree does not get much more selfish than that, in the Legislative Assembly, the Labor with her when she says that giving kids does it? I do not think it gets much more councillor for Sunbury, Cr Ann Potter, and drugs is helping them, because it is not. selfish than that. They are the ones that we the Australian Services Union play in the I do not care whether it is from their really have to go after. decision to leave Sunbury shackled to the mother, father, brother, uncle or whoever It was great to see the other day El City of Hume? it might be; anybody who gives a child Chapo, the drug dealer in South America, drugs deserves everything that is coming get his. I sincerely hope that he does get their way. his, and I know what I would do with him COUNCIL | Members statements We also heard today that the war on if I had my way. I have to say to you that 9 February 2016 drugs, as it is often referred to — the I would be more than happy to pull the heavy-handed approach, as it has been lever to dispatch that individual. The fewer referred to today — does not work. I ask of those we have on this earth the better the question: how would we know? How this world will be. The sooner we get rid of Australia Day would we know it does not work, because them the better. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) we have not tried it? We have at best been — It was a delight to meet so many Having got that off my chest, I move half-hearted in our attempts to crack to some of the comments that we have great Australians as I travelled around down on the drug industry. I pose the Melbourne’s west on and before Australia heard here today about marijuana. We question here tonight, and it is getting heard from Ms Hartland and we heard Day this year. So many locals are doing on towards the night: when are we going such wonderful work as volunteers in the from Ms Patten that marijuana is nothing to start seriously fighting drugs? This bill much really, is it? How wrong were they. western suburbs, and a small number of is a small step. It will add a little bit of them were recognised in various Australia Marijuana is an exceedingly dangerous gravitas here and there, and that is all for drug. I have known people over the Day honours by council and government. the better. But the bottom line is it is not Highlighting individuals is fraught with years who have been long-term users of going to solve the drug problem. Let us marijuana, and I have to say that their danger, but on this occasion I will run the face it, the drug problem in Australia is risk. minds no longer exist. Marijuana has probably the biggest problem we have. destroyed their capacity for reason and I was thrilled to be present at It is a problem that permeates every their capacity for rational thought. It has Overnewton Castle in Keilor for the level of society — it permeates families, destroyed them as human beings. People announcement and presentation of the it is an insidious, vile disease which just say, ‘Oh, it’s not addictive’. I tell you Brimbank Citizen of the Year Award. goes everywhere. As a father of teenagers what: try to find somebody who smokes Despina Havelas is someone I am proud — and I know I can speak for a lot of cannabis on a regular basis and try to to call a friend. Despina’s work over the friends of mine too who are in the same get them off it and you will find out very years supporting families dealing with situation — the worst thing I can imagine quickly how addictive it is. autism has been recognised for the happening to our children is for them to Mr Ondarchie interjected. wonderful effort that it is. She founded become involved in the drug scene. the Autism Angels group, an organisation Mr FINN — We might do that too, Mr Unfortunately there are people out there Ondarchie. We have here a drug that is I am involved with, and has worked to who are making a great deal of money out the point of exhaustion to improve the extremely addictive, that is extremely of drugs. They are making squillions out of dangerous and that indeed does lot of parents and children struggling drugs. I may have made it known in years through life with autism. Despina is an ultimately cause mind-destroying injuries gone by what I would like to see done to to those who use it. extraordinary human being — even more these people — and I am not talking about so when you consider that she contributes the drug dealers on the streets or the But we move on now to what you would to the community as well as looking after junkies who might be selling a few grams almost call the drug of the moment, and her own son with autism. Despina Havelas to fund their own habit. I am talking that drug is ice. I have spoken about ice to is an amazing woman, and I congratulate about the blokes in the Rolls-Royces; a good mate of mine, a bloke called ‘Sir’ her on her much-deserved award. Well I am talking about the people in the Les Twentyman, who I have referred to in done, Despina. penthouses; I am talking about the people this house on a number of occasions. Les who are making hundreds of millions of has been warning about the dangers of ice dollars out of selling drugs — the people for some years, and he is at the coalface. up the top of the tree. They are the ones He is seeing what ice does to those who who more than anybody else we should take it. He is seeing that on a daily basis, be targeting, and when we get them they and it is something that horrifies him, should be subject to the death penalty. and particularly horrifies him on the basis of where it is taking even some suburbs. I am not a strong supporter of the death We are not just talking about families; penalty for much else, only for terrorism in some instances we are talking about and for drug kingpins, because if we are actual suburbs and country towns where serious about the war on drugs, if we are

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 3 it has taken over to an extent where it is clear statement that we stand with them Wyndham is showing extreme frustration just destroying that entire region. My very and we will provide the support necessary and total disgust. The number of people strong view — and I agree with Les on this to protect them? They are protecting us; who hear the name ‘Wyndham council’ — is that we need more youth workers to who is protecting them? If we do not, as and just shake their heads and walk away deal with those who are potentially drug parliamentarians, we are failing. In fact if is quite staggering. The degree of anger users or potentially ice users. We need we do not provide the sort of support I am is really starting to boil over. People youth workers on the streets working talking about, we as parliamentarians are have well and truly had enough of these with these young people and providing abject failures, and that is something that I councillors. They could not run a tap, them with support, providing them with am hoping the government just might take and it is just a dreadful reflection on what an alternative — providing them with into consideration. should be a great community. They need another life, if you will. I have seen some There is a drug culture in this country, a great council, and I ask the minister to of the people that Les has helped, and he and it is destroying this generation, sack this wretched council now. has actually saved their lives. largely. It has destroyed perhaps the best We heard from Ms Patten and Ms part of a couple of generations now, and it COUNCIL | Constituency questions Hartland about how the criminal justice is on its way to doing it again. We have to system does not work with regard to take this problem on head on. We should 10 February 2016 stopping drugs. Well, I think that we can not pussyfoot around. We should go after have a two-pronged approach. I think if this problem with an absolute and total we have youth workers on the ground, commitment to getting the result that we will have a lot of young people who we need, and that is getting the drugs off Asbestos at will not go near drugs, so it will not be a our streets. It is a war, as Mr Ondarchie problem for them, and that has to be a says. It is a war, and it is about time that Footscray Primary plus. I ask the government to take that into we started fighting that war. We have not consideration. I know Les Twentyman done it to date; perhaps now, today, might School is forever asking for more youth workers be a good time to start. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My because the problems are getting bigger — constituency question is to the Minister they are getting more difficult to handle — for Education. It follows the news very and he needs them. I sincerely hope that COUNCIL | Adjournment late last year that asbestos had been the government will provide the support 9 February 2016 discovered at Footscray Primary School; that he needs, particularly in the western in fact it seems that children may have suburbs. been playing in asbestos at Footscray Of course we have seen in our hospitals Primary School. This is clearly a very the impact of ice. A Saturday night in Wyndham City serious situation. The safety of children an emergency department has never attending state schools must surely be the been a great deal of fun. It is even less Council minister’s paramount responsibility. My fun now because we have people on ice Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I very great concern is that he has failed in going in there who have to be physically wish to raise a matter for the attention of his responsibility in this regard. Will the restrained, who are threatening the the Minister for Local Government. Now, minister guarantee that this appalling physical wellbeing, and indeed the lives the minister might recall that last year I situation at Footscray will not be repeated sometimes, of the doctors and the nurses called for her to set up an inquiry into the at any other school in Melbourne’s west? in the hospitals. That is something that activities of the Wyndham City Council. none of us should feel that we can tolerate. Things have deteriorated somewhat since I made that call — to say the very COUNCIL | Economy & Infrastructure The Chief Commissioner of Police has least, in fact — and I am now asking Standing C’tee, 10 February 2016 said that police now — Mr O’Donohue the minister to dismiss this council and mentioned this earlier — go out on the appoint administrators. I think we have streets almost expecting to be assaulted well and truly got enough to say that this by somebody on ice. It is something that council is totally dysfunctional, that good Minister for Public is so regular, it is something that is so governance has broken down and that much a part of their existence these days, there really are not too many councillors Transport that if it does not happen, they are almost there that are worth two bob, to tell you Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Mr surprised. This is a development that is the truth. Ondarchie made a reference during his not good for any of us. It is not good for contribution to living in the seventies, and the emergency services workers, it is It is a very, very sad state of affairs to see the situation that the Wyndham I have to say that whilst I have the greatest not good for the police, it is not good for admiration for my friend and colleague those who are causing the violence and council now finds itself in after being such a strong, well-managed and well- Mr Ondarchie, I do not think it is in fact of course it is not good for society. There a case of living in the seventies. This is are some people for whom you cannot do governed council not so long ago. As I mentioned in an earlier contribution in clearly a case of living in the eighties. This anything else but get them off the streets. is Cain and Kirner writ large. Here we go You have to get them off the streets for this house, when I was elected almost 10 years ago the Wyndham council was the again. In fact if the movie instead of the their own good as well as the good of the song was to come to the fore, it would be community. best council in the west. I think it would probably now be the worst, and that is Back to the Future. Here we go again. All I would like to say to those nurses and really saying something. I ask the minister that is missing is Peter Spyker — and what doctors in emergency departments who to take into consideration what is going on a sensational transport minister he was! are facing this challenge every day, to down there. There was not a comedian in this country those police, to those ambos and even to who did not love Peter Spyker; he was a those firemen who are out there facing The latest incident involves the holding of a council meeting in secret, almost gem. Very much like this current minister, the dangers on our streets every day he just fell about from disaster to disaster. — the dangers that ice users present — on the eve of Christmas. I say ‘almost’ because it was 23 December. At that secret You would have to say that if there is some that we should, as a Parliament, stand sort of manual that the Labor Party has with them. We in the Parliament like to meeting, almost on the eve of Christmas, they suspended a councillor who had for their transport ministers, clearly the think of ourselves as being leaders of the current minister has read it. Quite possibly community, and you would hope that we applied for leave anyway. When, at the last council meeting as I understand it, it was written by Peter Spyker. are. We like to apologise, and we like to It is not going to get any better any make statements in support of this, that he sat in the public gallery he was told that if he did not leave he would be in time soon, I have to say to you, and that and the other thing. How about making should be a concern for this government. a statement in support of our emergency contravention of the local government act and he would be charged. Transport is an area that can bring services workers and the nurses and the governments down, as we have seen in doctors who are facing this scourge on our This council is a circus. Tommy Hanlon and Ashton’s have nothing on this the past. I would suggest, though I do streets and in our hospitals? How about not wish to offer any help or assistance we stand up as a Parliament and make a crowd, let me tell you. The community in

IN 4 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE to the government, that it is in a fair bit factory somewhere underneath the West Mulder. But to his credit and to the credit of strife at the moment. It really needs Gate Bridge. People are concerned that we of the then Treasurer, Kim Wells, they to get its act together because there are might see similar things happening again, came up with the money that was needed people — I would suggest millions of because there is not a lot of confidence in to build the regional rail link. In fact they people throughout the state of Victoria — this minister. did not just come up with the money; they who are looking at what is going on in the This, you have got to remember, comes actually built the thing. Not only did they public transport area at the moment and from a party which gave us the myki build the thing — and here is something are wondering what they have done. They debacle. It has to be said that the myki that will shock the other side of the house are saying to themselves, ‘Did we vote for debacle continues to a certain degree. — but they built a major project on time these idiots?’. That is something that a lot I think Terry Mulder — who has been and under budget. When was the last time of people are repeating to themselves over mentioned in this debate by Ms Hartland that we heard anybody from the other side and over, almost on a daily basis: ‘Did we as somebody she would like to see appear claiming that they have done that? put these drongos into government?’. The before the committee, and I do not think Mr Morris — Was it the desal plant? public transport portfolio is an area — — anybody has any objection to that — Mr FINN — I do not think we will go Mr Herbert — The fantasy world of Mr did a pretty good job with some very, near the desal plant, Mr Morris, because Finn. very difficult material when he was the that could take us down a path that could Mr FINN — Mr Herbert is whingeing minister with regard to the myki ticketing take a while to get off. We will leave that over there, which he is particularly good system. one alone. But the regional rail link is a at, it has to be said. Can I suggest that he I do not know who came up with the work of art to look at. When I look at the go down to his local hotel from time to myki ticketing system — I do not think Tarneit station and some of those stations time — — anybody knows who came up with the at the back of Werribee now — once they Mr Herbert — I do; I go to the Cosmo. myki ticketing system — but whoever were out the back of Werribee, now they Mr FINN — Where’s that? Costco? it was should be taken out and thrown are almost in the suburbs; houses are just What? into the Yarra River with a very large popping up almost on a daily basis around rock around their neck. It caused and them, and when you go down there you Mr Herbert — I have been drinking continues to cause a great deal of angst. see that what were once barren and — — Why we as a state and Labor as the pretty useless paddocks now have railway Mr FINN — I don’t want to know how government did not go to many of the stations, and of course the lines, the car much you have been drinking. What I am places around the world, to a country and parks, the bus services and everything else suggesting to you is that you go down and a city that actually knew what they were that go along with it — I think to myself, talk to the punters at the bar, and they will doing and had systems that worked — ‘This is a legacy of the Liberal-Nationals tell you that they think Jacinta Allan is a Singapore, London, there is no shortage of government to the people of the western goose. That is what they think — — places — or get London’s Oyster card, the suburbs’, and I am particularly proud of The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Morris) ticketing system over there, is somewhat that. — Order! I will have to interrupt Mr Finn, of a mystery to me. But something went wrong after the as it is now 1 o’clock, so that we can take a That brings to my mind who the change of government in 2014. We break for lunch. transport minister was at the time. That of had found the money, we had built the course was Peter Batchelor. He has kept project, we brought it in on time and Sitting suspended 1.00 p.m. a pretty low profile, it has to be said, in under budget and all the Labor Party until 2.05 p.m. recent years, since his retirement. I hope had to do — all Jacinta Allan had to do — Mr FINN — As I was saying before he is having an enjoyable retirement. I was to print the timetables and run the lunch, a bit over an hour ago, we are hope he is enjoying that parliamentary trains. I would have thought that it was in fact not living in the 1970s, as Mr pension. During his time as minister pretty straightforward. In fact I think any Ondarchie pointed out, but we are Peter Batchelor gave us the myki card reasonable person would have thought revisiting a period in our state’s history and changed the name of Spencer Street that it was a pretty straightforward that not many people want to go back to. station. At one stage you would not have proposition that having had the whole There is a very real concern that we are to ask where Spencer Street station was, project presented to her, all the minister back going through the 1980s, and I am because it was pretty clear, was it not? But had to do was to get the timetables right sure Mr Jennings well remembers how now I am often stopped in the street by and run the trains. Sadly we found out disastrous that time was for our state. tourists in particular who are here to take that in the finest traditions of Labor It has to be said that the current public in the magnificence of Melbourne and transport ministers, she could not do it. transport minister is not doing anything asked where is Southern Cross station, She stuffed it up. From day one as minister to allay the fears of Victorians who are and I have to direct them. I am very she stuffed it up and she is still stuffing deeply concerned about the direction that happy to do that, but I do not know why it up. So I think it is important that we as we are going. We just have to remember; Labor governments and Labor transport a Parliament and as a community get to go back to the 1980s. Mr Ondarchie, I ministers have this capacity, tendency — know from her perspective exactly what am sure, will remember what I like to call it what you will — to mess with things is going on before the whole system falls call the ‘Melbourne international tram that do not need messing with. apart. festival’, where trams were parked down As a member of the committee that we We were told yesterday in the public Bourke Street and they were parked down are talking about, as you would know, hearing of the Standing Committee on Swanston Street as far as the eye could see. Deputy President, I for one would like the Economy and Infrastructure, so ably We had no public transport to speak of in to ask the minister, Jacinta Allan, for her chaired by my friend and colleague, Mr those days because they were all parked side of the story. I would be fascinated to Morris, that nobody quite knows what is down the street here. It was somewhat know what has been going on from her going on with the V/Line trains. We were of an unmitigated disaster at the time. perspective over the past year since she told that there was a degree of confidence. Nobody could seem to do anything to get took over, because I well remember that Confidence is good; I like confidence. them moving again. one of the first acts of the then Gillard But we were given no guarantees. In fact People are concerned. I have to say, as government after the election of the I had to push some of the witnesses that I go around they are saying to me, when coalition in Victoria in 2010 was to take a we had yesterday to see if we could get a talking about Jacinta Allan, ‘Here we go dirty great slice out of the funding for the guarantee on when our V/Line services again’. They are saying to me, ‘History does regional rail project. We had to find those would be back to a standard that we repeat itself’. They are reminding me of funds. In fact for quite some time after we would normally expect. After asking for the time we had the great scratchie ticket took office there was some debate within it — I may have asked for it at least half debacle, which I think was just before the government, as I understand it, as to a dozen times — in the end the head of the election of the Kennett government whether the project would continue. Public Transport Victoria had to concede in 1992. I well recall the then transport That was of great concern to those of that in fact there are no guarantees. minister, Alan Brown, getting up and us representing the western suburbs, If the head of Public Transport Victoria, disclosing in the other place that many, and I had a number of discussions at the before a public hearing of this Parliament, many thousands of dollars worth of time with the then transport minister, Mr cannot give some guarantees, I think it scratchie tickets had had to be pulped at a

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 5 is pretty important that we go to the next who want to know if their train will run, It is of course Ash Wednesday today, level and ask the minister if she can give and there is no guarantee of that. There and I think we could even go as far as guarantees. If the minister cannot give was no guarantee of that before this saying that they are being unchristian to guarantees, we should ask her what is latest crisis occurred. There were a lot of the minister. They are calling her things going on in her portfolio. Can she give people wondering what was going on with that, quite frankly, I do not think she some sort of guarantee that she has any V/ Line. They want to know if their train should be called, and of course we are idea of what is going on in her portfolio? will run, and I think that is a pretty fair and referring not just to people in the general I think there are a lot of people who are reasonable sort of thing to know if you are community but even people within her really keen to know. a public transport user. own government who are calling her those When you have a situation where trains They also want to know if it is safe. I sorts of things. I think Mr Ondarchie in his can sail through level crossings without have seen photos of the insides of country contribution made some reference to a triggering the bells or the barriers, then trains from Ballarat, for example, and phone hook-up. you have a situation where people’s from Geelong that are so packed, so Mr Ondarchie — Stitch-up. lives are at risk. I do not think that there crowded that people are literally hanging Mr FINN — It may well have been is anything more important than the off each other just to stay standing or a stitch-up. It might not have been safety of human beings. If you are in a people are crouched on the floor or intended to be a stitch-up, but I think car heading down the street to get some sitting on the floor. It is not exactly a safe it was by the end. But we had a phone fish and chips or a beer or something and situation, and as a member of Parliament hook-up, I understand, according to are crossing a level crossing and all of a and as a member of the economy and media reports, that a number of members sudden you are collected by a train, that infrastructure committee I would be very of the government — Labor members is the end of you. That is a possibility that keen to ask the minister how long she of Parliament — were involved in, and each and every one of us faces. Each and intends for that situation to continue. I apparently, from all reports, they did not every one of us that crosses a railway line have to say some of the photos that I have hold back on what they thought of the is facing that possibility at the moment. seen have reminded me of some of the minister. We do not know why. We were told footage that I have seen on television of Mr Morris — Not just elevated rail but yesterday, ‘We don’t know why’. We were trains in India where the people are just elevated voices. told that greasing the tracks might help. packed in. It is a very unhealthy scenario. I would not have thought — — Mr FINN — Indeed, not just elevated Mr Morris — But not too much. rail but elevated voices. I understand Mr FINN — But not too much. You Ms Pulford — Have you caught a train — just from reading that particular cannot over-grease the tracks because in India? newspaper article — that again they were — — Mr FINN — No, I have seen it on the exceedingly uncharitable to the minister. Mr Morris — It could slide off. telly. I have never been to India. This was splashed all over the newspapers. Mr FINN — It could slide off, but Ms Pulford — There is a fair difference. It was splashed all over television. It was we were told that the derailment last Mr FINN — Have you been to India? splashed all over the radio. It is only fair week was not a result of over-greasing Have you caught trains in India? that she be given the opportunity to put the tracks. This was a great relief to Ms Pulford — I have caught trains in her side of the story. What could be fairer me, although the head of Metro Trains India. than what we are proposing here today? Melbourne did have to admit to us that We are reaching out to the minister and Mr FINN — Have you caught trains we are saying, ‘Minister, we want to he did not actually know why the train from Ballarat? derailed last week — but it was not over- hear your side of the story. We want to greasing. I suppose it gave me some sort of Ms Pulford — I have. They’re know your side of the story as to why the consolation and perhaps made me sleep incomparable. Victorian public transport system is a total a little easier last night knowing that too Mr FINN — Have you? Lately? They’re mess. We want to know why the Victorian much grease did not cause that particular incompetent, did you say? public transport system is in crisis’. problem. Ms Pulford — They’re incomparable. We want to know from the minister’s As Mr Morris mentioned in his Mr FINN — I am sorry. perspective why she has stuffed this up contribution, there are so many questions The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! and why she continues to do that. It is only that need to be answered. It reminds me Through the Chair, Mr Finn. fair that she be given the opportunity to do that. of an election campaign that the coalition Ms Pulford — They are incomparable. I ran some years back. There are so many am being verballed. I think this motion today, with the questions that need to be answered, and if support of course of both sides of the Mr FINN — I am sorry; I do apologise. house, is only a fair and reasonable way the head of Metro Trains Melbourne and I am being baited by the minister, Deputy the head of V/Line and the head of Public to reach out to the minister and to give President. I do apologise for that, and I her an opportunity to publicly put her Transport Victoria cannot tell us, there is will most certainly address my comments only one way to find out, surely. If they do credentials on the table — to tell the through the Chair, but I am fascinated to people of Victoria, to tell those people not know, then surely the minister must hear the minister’s comments about trains know. If she were doing her job, she would who are perhaps stuck on train platforms, in India, because I think that may well be perhaps stuck in trams and not going be on top of things. She would be aware of the way that we are heading in Victoria the dangers of the current situation. anywhere just at the minute. This is her at the moment with the numbers that opportunity to reach out to them and We should not shy away — I have to are crammed on. We just might have big say this — from the word ‘crisis’, because explain that it might not be her fault after blokes on the railway platform pushing all. I could not begin to imagine whose I believe, and it has been said by others, them in like they do in Japan. This could that in fact we are facing a crisis in fault it is, but it might not be her fault. So be a truly multicultural city, because we let us give her the opportunity. public transport in this state. I think, as I could have trains like India and have mentioned a moment ago, we are facing Japanese blokes pushing the crowd into Mr Ondarchie — Anybody but Jacinta. a situation where we can be cleaned the trains. We could say not only is the Mr FINN — It could be indeed. up by a V/Line train or indeed a Metro city multicultural but indeed the public Mr Morris — Climate change. train — that is another possibility — just transport is as well. That is something Mr FINN — Oh, yes — I had not thought by going down the street and crossing a I would have thought we can all look of that. I tell you what, Mr Morris has a railway line. If that is not a crisis, what forward to! big future. He has just pointed out that is? That is directly affecting human lives I am above all else a fair man, and I it could be climate change. I am looking and threatening human lives, and that is think it is fair and reasonable that we give forward to that, because that is the great something that I think we should be very the minister an opportunity to defend thing about members of the Labor Party keen to hear from the minister about. herself. I think it is important that we as — it does not matter when it comes, but I commend Mr Morris for bringing this a Parliament and as a committee give the you know that at some stage they will motion before the house today, because minister a chance to put her side of the blame climate change for anything and there are people right across this state, story, because there are a lot of people everything. So that is something we can whether they be in the metropolitan area, in Victoria at the moment who are being look forward to as well. in country areas or in regional towns, very, very uncharitable to the minister.

IN 6 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE But, as I say, the minister has been minister. I think it would be a very, very attempted to do so they would be facing a subject to significant ridicule in the good thing if she can put a case as to why fine of some $432. media. I think she should be given the the public should have confidence in her. Mr Morris — Four hundred and thirty- opportunity to right any wrong that may It is all very well for a factional mate to two? have been perpetrated. I keep using these have confidence in her, but it is the public Mr FINN — That is right, $432, which is words ‘fair and reasonable’ because that that we serve here. As parliamentarians a fair whack for getting on a train, I would is what we are on about. We are on about and as members of this house it is the have thought, and you can imagine that giving her a fair go. That is what this is public that we serve. If we ignore what the Sunbury community did not react about. We want to give her a fair go. We the public want, we are not doing our well. They did not react well. They came to want to let her have her say. We want to jobs. It is a dereliction of our duty, in fact, me, and I was very happy to assist them, hear from her. We want to hear what is if we ignore the public, and if the public as I always am. going on in that mind of hers. We want are having doubts and are lacking in to know what indeed is going on in the confidence in a particular minister, then I I met with the Sunbury Train cabinet. I could not believe when I read think it is important that we try to set their Association, and we sat down and this in the paper. I was appalled when I minds at rest. discussed what could be done. I said to heard this. them I would be very happy to represent Without doubt this motion — and a their views here in the Parliament. I see Ms Pulford — On a point of order, very important motion it is — gives the that as a very, very important part of my Deputy President, Mr Finn has been minister an opportunity to put her case job. I am not a representative of Spring going for 27, 28 minutes here. He has not on the record and to explain to the people Street in the west; I am a representative introduced any new content in this debate of Victoria what she is doing, how she is of the west in Spring Street. When the in at least the last 15 minutes that I have doing it, what she wants to do and why people of Sunbury came to me with their been sitting here. He is returning to and they should have confidence in her. I do concerns, I was very, very happy to help repeating his points to an extraordinarily not know about what other members of them and assist them. I have to say I may tireless degree. I was wondering if Mr the house may think, but there is a strong have had a degree of self-interest in this Finn could be encouraged to wrap up degree of doubt — doubt, I think, is a because when I get the train from Sunbury his remarks, or at least introduce some good word — about the minister’s ability I much prefer to get the V/Line train than new content into the debate. This is very in a lot of people’s minds, and I cannot the metro train. The V/Line train is much, repetitious. be at all surprised about that given my much nicer, much more comfortable and Mr Ondarchie — On the point of order, own example in Sunbury. Last year the much faster, it has to be said, because of Deputy President, that is not a point minister announced that as of 1 July last course the metro trains as a general rule of order. Mr Finn is entitled to put his year, to begin with, Sunbury residents stop at all stations. The V/Line trains stop contribution to this house in the way would be kicked off V/Line train services. at St Albans and maybe Watergardens and that he sees fit, as are all members of this This came as somewhat of a shock, it has then go straight through to Footscray and house. I do not think it is appropriate that to be said, to the people of Sunbury, and the city. they were not at all pleased. Having been the minister should editorialise on his Mr Ondarchie interjected. contribution to this chamber, and I ask brushed off by the member for Sunbury in you to rule it out. the Assembly, many of them came to me Mr FINN — There are some good pleading for assistance, which I was very people on V/Line trains. I have met The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! I some shockers, but I will not name them, would encourage Mr Finn to bring himself happy to — — Mr Ondarchie interjected. although I might have earlier in the day. back to the motion. Mr Finn, to continue. As I say, I had strong sympathy with Mr FINN — I am very happy to continue Mr FINN — We will get to that thing the people who came to me, because I with my contribution on the motion, if you like; it is another broken promise could fully understand the concerns that because what we are doing, as I said by this government to the people of they had about what was about to be before, is reaching out to the minister. We Sunbury. But on this occasion they came happening to their train service. In fact I are inviting her. We are not attempting to me because the minister had made it do not think I have ever seen people so to bully her, we are not attempting to clear that as of 1 July they would not be fired up on an issue. I recall putting out intimidate her, but we are reaching out to allowed to use V/Line trains, and they some brochures on the subject, and the her to come to our committee to answer were not at all happy, because they had reaction was quite extraordinary. It was some questions and to explain — to give been promised previously by the previous absolutely amazing. her side of the story — which is a pretty member for Macedon in the Assembly, who represented Sunbury, that once As a result of that fury in the reasonable sort of thing. community, the minister bent a little and There is something else that the the electrification of the Sunbury line occurred the Sunbury population would she said, ‘We won’t be kicking you off the minister might like to clear the air on, train and fining you $432 on 1 July; we’ll because I have heard around these be able to use both the electric trains and V/Line. do it on 1 January’. This was of course corridors, but I have also read in the a huge relief to the people of Sunbury, media, that the minister is only there Members have got to remember that who said, ‘Well, that gives us another because she is a mate of the Premier’s. the electrification of the line to Sunbury is six months to campaign’, which they That is what I have heard. It would be not something that the people of Sunbury proceeded to do with some significant good to know if that is the truth. It would actually wanted. It was forced upon them fervour. Members might ask themselves be good to ask the minister herself if she by the Brumby government. The then where Josh Bull, the member for Sunbury, is only there because she is a factional member, Joanne Duncan, as a sweetener was when all this was going on. friend of a pretty friendless Premier just I assume to try to get the Sunbury people onside on this particular issue, made the Mr Morris — He would have been at the moment. He is a bit short on mates supporting them. at the minute, so perhaps he is hanging promise that Sunbury people would be onto Jacinta Allan in the hope that — able to use both metropolitan trains and Mr FINN — Well, he was not. He was well, I am not sure what he is hoping for, V/Line. Here they were, having had that very, very quiet on it. but he is hanging onto her for whatever promise made to them previously, and Mr Ondarchie interjected. reason. That is something that needs to be the newly elected minister — the minister Mr FINN — Josh Bull, very examined. that this motion is requesting appear appropriately named. My understanding Mr Ondarchie — Talk about the before the economic and infrastructure is that he spent most of the second half infrastructure projects. committee — at the beginning of last year, of last year under his desk in the foetal a matter of literally weeks after taking over position as a result of the people of Mr FINN — Which infrastructure her portfolio, let it be known to the people projects are you talking about? We have Sunbury letting him know and letting the of Sunbury that she was breaking the minister know that they were not happy to find out I think, given that the Premier promise that had been made previously has declared that he has confidence in the punters at all. and that indeed on 1 July last year There was a public meeting held at the minister — — Sunbury people would not be allowed to Mr Morris — Does he? Sunbury Bowling Club. There is a pretty travel on V/Line. Not only would they not good set-up actually out there at the Mr FINN — That is what he said. The be allowed to travel on V/Line, but if they Sunbury Bowling Club. Premier has said he has confidence in the

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 7 Mr Ondarchie — An important piece of hopeless’. We were told earlier in the year that because we just do not know if those infrastructure. just how important it was that Sunbury be trains will be running. It is important Mr FINN — It is an important piece of removed from the V/Line service. We were that Jacinta Allan come to the committee infrastructure, and it has been growing told for months and months on end just as minister and tell us exactly what is particularly since it got pokies. There is an how important this decision was, almost going on, because, as has been pointed example there of why you should not play to the future of humanity, so impassioned out earlier today, yesterday we on that the pokies. was the argument from the minister committee sought guarantees. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! I and from the government. But about a I personally sought guarantees from draw Mr Finn back to the motion, not the month after the particular meeting that I the head of Metro Trains, from the head Sunbury Bowling Club. described an announcement was made, of Public Transport Victoria and from ‘Sunbury can keep its V/Line services’. This Mr FINN — I am sorry, Deputy the newly appointed head of V/Line, Mr was met with a great deal of happiness by Gary Liddle. I requested guarantees as to President. I was just explaining where a good many people in Sunbury, but it did we were having a meeting to discuss this what would happen, and they could not not change their view on the minister or give them to me. They said, ‘We are very decision by the minister to remove V/ Line her future. They thought that the whole services from Sunbury. We got there, and confident that we will have this sorted out thing had been botched from start to by the middle of the year’. However, earlier the place was filling up at a rapid rate. I finish, and of course it had. was lucky to get a seat, in fact. What had this year — back in early January — the occurred was that the geniuses at Public What Sunbury people are now Acting Premier at the time, Mr Merlino, Transport Victoria or the minister’s concerned about is that, once this said, ‘The worst of this is over’. That was department, or it might have been Josh federal election is out of the way — my before the whole system just collapsed. Bull’s office — I do not know — had set understanding is that Labor’s polling We are getting conflicting stories from up big tables with butcher’s paper and was showing that the decision was all over the place. Surely there must be crayons. I do not know who we were impacting on the chances of Rob Mitchell somebody who can stand up and tell us supposed to draw or whatever. I thought, maintaining the federal seat of McEwen what is going to happen. ‘This is going to be fun’, and during the — — Ms Wooldridge — It should be the course of this meeting they proceeded Mr Ondarchie — Who? minister. to ask us questions that we really did not Mr FINN — Exactly. McEwen is the Mr FINN — Of course it should be the care about. There were over 200 people most marginal federal seat in the country, minister. Who else could it be? If we can there, which for 6 o’clock on a weeknight and Sunbury is in McEwen, so Labor get the chief honchos from the various is quite extraordinary, and you have to ask members were very concerned that this branches of the train network — and they why 6 o’clock on a weeknight was chosen issue would be having an impact. That was are very busy — in and ask them what — although I have got a fair idea. I do the reason. But commuters in Sunbury is going on, and if they say, ‘We can’t not think you would have to be a Rhodes and those who use the train service in guarantee exactly what is going on’, then scholar to work out why the meeting was Sunbury are now concerned that they we have to go another step higher. That held at 6 o’clock and not 8 o’clock. It was may lose V/Line services again, so yet is something that I think the people of because if it had been held at 8 o’clock again they are preparing to fight if they Victoria expect of us. If we cannot get there probably would have been 2000 have to, and I am here to tell the house answers from the people who supposedly people there. this afternoon that I will stand with them have the hands-on control of our train Mr Ondarchie interjected. shoulder to shoulder in any attempt to system, then surely the person who is Mr FINN — It is. Anyway, the poor protect them from losing their V/Line ultimately in charge of the train system, moderator chap, who was obviously being services. the Minister for Public Transport, will be paid a poultice for taking his life into his I might add that that is just one able to provide us with some answers — own hands on this particular occasion, example, but you have got to wonder hopefully all the answers that we require. tried to lead us down all sorts of paths to how anybody could really have any great Of course you have to remember that get us away from the issue that people confidence in a minister who carries Mr Liddle, who is the acting CEO of actually wanted to talk about. on the way this one does — as I said, in V/ Line and who was appearing before the Mr Ondarchie — How did that go? the long and proud tradition of Labor committee yesterday, had been in the job transport ministers who just get in there six days. He kept repeating to us that he Mr FINN — Not all that well, it has and stumble from one disaster to the next. was there to look forward to the future. to be said. While we were having a You have got to wonder what will be the He was not looking back — and he could break at one stage — I do not know; next disaster that befalls this particular not look back because he had not been we were changing butcher’s paper or minister and this transport system. After there. He knew nothing about the past something — the minister showed up. having a regional rail link handed to her, and he was really hoping he would know It was probably not the cleverest thing she turned it into a dog’s breakfast. The something about the future. We have this she has ever done in her life, because the only way you can describe it is as a total dirty great hole in our knowledge. people at that meeting let her know in no dog’s breakfast. uncertain terms. I am almost a veteran Ms Shing — Dirty great hole? of Sunbury public meetings — I have Mr Morris — A kind description. Mr FINN — It is a dirty great hole in been both on the winning side and the Mr FINN — I am a very kind man, our knowledge, and if you want to talk losing side from time to time — so I know and I am attempting to show that here about dirty great holes, you talk about the that nobody holds a public meeting like today. Again I go back to the need for the desalination plant. What a shocker. Can the people of Sunbury. They get fired up minister not just to explain from her own you get the train down there as well, down in a big way, and on this occasion they perspective what she has done and what to Wonthaggi? What a great spot. were very fired up. The minister found she intends to do, because I am sure we But we have this great vacuum in our out exactly what the people of Sunbury are all very interested to hear, but in my knowledge, and we asked Mr Liddle were thinking not just about the future view it is very important, as I said earlier, yesterday a whole range of questions. of their V/Line service but about her, that the people of Victoria be taken into The chair of the committee, Mr Morris, her history, her future and indeed the this equation, because if we are not acting Mr Ondarchie, you, Deputy President, future of the government. I have to say in the interests of the people of Victoria, Ms Hartland, Mr Eideh, Mr Elasmar and that many of them were using words of then we are just not up to the mark at all. I all asked Mr Liddle a series of questions very few syllables to describe how they The people of Victoria deserve to know, which we had hoped would add to our felt about this particular situation. But and it seems to me they deserve to know general sum of knowledge of what had anyway, this meeting had such an impact about the future of their transport system. occurred over the last number of months that government representatives said they They deserve to know if their trains will to bring about this crisis. We wanted to would go away and think about it, which be running anytime soon. They deserve know what had led to the situation where I have to say did not instil a great deal of to know if they can plan to get to work, if hundreds of thousands of Victorians confidence in the people who were there. they can plan to go to the footy and if they had no train service. I thought it was Mr Morris — No round of applause? can plan to go and visit their grandma a pretty straightforward question and Mr FINN — No round of applause at all. on the weekend. They need to be able to that that is what you do when you have People walked away saying, ‘This mob are plan, and at the moment they cannot do

IN 8 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE public hearings — you ask those sorts of on a regular basis, but surely more than is the major road between the airport, questions. What happened? anything else it is our obligation, our duty, Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges. Huge Time and again Mr Liddle said, ‘I’ve to tell the truth to those who sent us here numbers of people are using this road, only been here six days; I haven’t got a because if they are out there, they do not and as the airport continues to grow — as clue’. So what we need to do, given that know what is going on, and if we do not it inevitably will — this road will become the newly appointed acting CEO of V/Line know what is going on either, we are in even busier. As those who use the road was unable to answer questions — and deep, deep trouble. would attest, the congestion at various I do believe he was genuinely unable to The invitation has been extended to times of the day is just extraordinary. I because, as he pointed out so often, he the minister to come and speak to the think it is long overdue for this road to be had only been there six days — we need committee, to put her side of the story I taken on and duplicated. I ask the minister to go to somebody who was in the engine for one, as a member of the committee to take this matter into consideration compartment, if I can use that term, for and Parliament, am very keen to hear and to direct VicRoads to begin a study of the entire period of the last six months or what the minister knows because this is this particular proposal and get on with so leading up to this crisis. That person, an extremely important matter of public building this road duplication before the surely, is the minister, because if the importance. If we as a Parliament do not road is beyond any reasonable way of minister does not know, you have to ask go after the truth in this then we might as passing. the question, ‘Who does know?’. If the well all stay home, or we could wander minister does not know then we have a lot across the road to the inn — either way. COUNCIL | Second reading of trouble on our hands. Commuters have This matter is important, the public even more trouble on their hands because transport system in this state is in crisis 11 February 2016 whilst they are waiting for that train that and there is one person who ultimately never comes, they are wondering what is has responsibility. If we can explain to going on and nobody is in a position to the people of Victoria exactly what is tell them. If the minister will not tell them, going on here, I think that would be a Road Legislation who is going to tell them? giant step in the right direction. I do not The minister has, in my view — and I do believe we can do that unless we have the Amendment Bill not want to browbeat her in any way, I will full cooperation of the minister, with the leave that to her — an obligation to come blessing of the Legislative Assembly — our 2015 clean with the people of Victoria. I think friends across the way whom we love so Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I she has a duty. It is part of her ministerial dearly. rise to speak this afternoon on the Road responsibilities to tell the people of I am therefore very hopeful that the Legislation Amendment Bill 2015. For Victoria exactly what is going on. government will support the motion those who take an interest in such matters, Mr Morris — She could tell us if she introduced by Mr Morris today. I this bill amends the Road Safety Act 1986, doesn’t know. commend him most warmly for bringing the Marine (Drug, Alcohol and Pollution Control) Act 1988, the Rail Safety (Local Mr FINN — Yes, Mr Morris points forward the motion because I know he is a truth seeker and he wishes to find Operations) Act 2006 and the Dangerous out that she can tell us she does not Goods Act 1985. It also amends the Road know if she does not know, but if she out what is going on. I know that as a representative of the Western District, Management Act 2004. Road safety is does not know, we need to know that, something that Victoria has been at the and that is something that the people of which he does so very well, there are many people down that way in my old forefront of probably since the days of the Victoria need to know also. If we have Bolte government, which is going back to a minister who has overseen a period stomping ground — down through Colac and Warrnambool and even up to Ballarat my childhood in fact. Victoria has led the now of extended crisis of the public way in a whole range of ways in the area transport system and she does not know — who want to know what is going on with their trains, and this is a genuine of road safety. Victoria was the first place what has happened, and she does not to have compulsory seatbelts, and that of know how to solve it, we need to know, attempt to find out. I ask the house, and the government in particular, to support course as we know cut the road toll quite and the only way we can find out is if significantly. we ask her. So all we are asking today is Mr Morris’s motion today. obviously for the Legislative Assembly to I remember that back in 1970, I think provide the minister with leave to join us it was, there were over 1000 people COUNCIL | Adjournment killed on our roads, and I had a member at our committee. We do not wish to be 10 February 2016 aggressive in any way. It is merely a matter of my family unfortunately killed. She of finding out these basic facts as to what was the first person to be killed in 1970 has happened in the lead-up to this crisis. on the road, and that was a particularly I am very hopeful that members of the savage blow to our family. It is worth government will support this motion. I do Sunbury Road remembering, as I always do when I hear not know whether any members opposite the statistics and the news reports, that have indicated where they are going on duplication every time we hear that somebody has Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I been killed on the roads it is a particular this, but Ms Hartland has indicated, I raise a matter for the attention of the think, that she will support the motion. I disaster for a family. It is not just reading Minister for Roads and Road Safety. It out a news item and not just the counting do not know what the government intends concerns a campaign that has begun to do on this. of deaths; it is a tragedy for friends and for recently, almost in conjunction with families, and it is in many cases a tragedy Mr Morris — They’re a bit wobbly. one that I have been pushing for some from which families, parents in particular, Mr FINN — They do not know either? years, for the duplication of the Sunbury– will never recover. That is something that I Does anyone know anything over there? Melbourne road between the airport and think we should always bear in mind. Whether we are Liberal, Labor, Greens, Bulla and the construction of the Bulla Just recently we had the tragedy in the DLP, Nationals, Shooters and Fishers, bypass. This is something that has been my electorate of the two young people or whatever we might happen to be, we a strong desire of Sunbury people in who were involved in an illegal drag all have the same obligation as elected particular for a very long time. Now that race, as I understand — so it would members of the Parliament of Victoria to the Hume City Council has got onside, I appear — on the Western Ring Road. At the people of this state, and that is to tell am hopeful that the minister might see fit an extraordinary speed they crashed off the truth. We all have the same obligation to do something about it. the E. J. Whitten Bridge and of course to shine a light where a light might not As the minister would be aware, within both died. That unfortunately was not have been shone before, to shine a light the last year or so the road itself around the first such incident where illegal drag on the truth and let the people of this the back of the airport has had a reduced racing and similar pursuits have caused state know exactly what is going on. That speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour the deaths of young people, and whilst I is what we are here for, perhaps primarily. imposed on it, and it really needs to be am very sympathetic to the parents and Obviously we are here to represent our duplicated at this time. There are huge the families of those who died, we can be constituents, to develop policy and all numbers of people living in Sunbury and grateful that at least they did not take any of those things that we do so very well in the Shire of Macedon Ranges, and this innocent person with them, as we saw

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 9 on a couple of occasions recently when That sort of behaviour is as annoying be aware that this is clearly on the agenda. people were speeding, usually in a stolen and as dangerous as the behaviour of I can assure members that I will be car. There was one on the Melton Highway people who do 30 or 40 kilometres per keeping a very close eye out — — just a few months ago, when a young man hour under the speed limit on the open Ms Shing interjected. coming back from work, as I recall, was road, particularly in such areas as Sunbury Mr FINN — I can assure Ms Shing that killed. He was going about his business, Road at the back of the airport, where it I will jump to the defence of the people and he was killed because somebody in a is a lane either way. There are quite a few of Essendon and Moonee Ponds if this stolen car decided that they would speed of those in the area around Wyndham. government attempts to put one of these through an intersection. There are roads that are 80 kilometres per big ugly sky rail things through their These are incidents that are easily hour or 100 kilometres per hour — more suburbs. That is not on. Moonee Ponds, avoided, and they cannot be called 80, I have to say, than 100 — but most of Essendon and those areas are very nice accidents. It is a misnomer to refer to them them were 100 before. It seems that these areas. They do not need to be ruined by as accidents. They are very, very avoidable. days the main job of VicRoads is sticking this monstrosity that the Premier dreamt If people just used common sense, then I up signs saying ‘80’. Instead of fixing the up one day and, whilst it was still fresh in think that would be something that would roads, they put up signs. I noticed the his memory, put out a press release on be of enormous help in curtailing the other day it has started putting up signs or picked up the phone and spoke to the road toll and particularly putting an end saying ‘Rough road ahead’. My suggestion Herald Sun and said, ‘Have I got a story to such senseless loss of life as we have to VicRoads is, instead of putting up signs for you’. Well, he had a story for them all seen in recent times on the ring road and saying ‘Rough road ahead’, why not fix right; it has been running all week, and it a couple of other incidents that I have the roads? Just a thought. That might be is getting better every day. mentioned. something constructive, but I digress. We really need to take a common-sense Here we have the member for Niddrie, I should also mention that I have looked after having run at the last election on at those who ride motorcycles for quite approach to our roads so that we do not have that lunacy of speed that does kill removing the Buckley Street intersection, some time, and I have to say that I have talking up the sky rail project. We could lost a number of friends who have died on and so that we have the opposite of people getting in your way and forcing people only assume that that is the direction in motorcycles. I understand that there is a which the government is going to go. It degree of thrill and a degree of adrenaline to take particularly stupid actions to get around them and to get ahead. is the cheap and nasty approach that it rush in riding a motorcycle, but I just have favours, and I think — I do not just think; I to wonder if that thrill is worth losing your It is ironic that this government is know — that the people of Moonee Ponds life over. Quite frankly, motorcycles are putting up a roads bill when we consider and the people of Essendon deserve far death on wheels. If the statistics are to be what has happened in the last 12 months, better than the cheap and nasty approach believed — and I have absolutely no doubt where this government has spent at least of this government. $1.1 billion of taxpayers money to stop a that they can be — some 35 per cent of I would urge the minister, whoever the road deaths are motorcyclists, and that is road that we know — everybody knows, including members of the government — responsible minister is on this occasion something that surely sends a message to — it is hard to follow, but in fact it seems everybody. The bottom line is that when we urgently need. But of course this was a captain’s call from the Premier, so I should to me the Premier is the only one who you come off a motorbike, particularly in a has got any say over this, so I urge the speed situation, there is not a huge chance say that this is yet another captain’s call from the Premier. Given the Premier’s Premier — to drop any plans that he has that you are going to survive, and that is for a sky rail through Moonee Ponds and something that we really should take into inclination to wake up every morning and make an announcement, we would have Essendon. That is something that local consideration. I am not proposing that people will not and should not tolerate. we ban motorbikes or any of that sort of to wonder why the government needs a cabinet. Why does it need a cabinet? Madam Deputy President, as has been thing, but I am saying that that is a danger said — — that people should be fully aware of when Given the standard of cabinet ministers they get on a motorcycle, and I would in this government, it would be better off The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! hope that people would take that into without a cabinet. Just let the Premier go ‘Deputy President’ will suffice, Mr Finn. consideration. ahead and make announcements — the Mr FINN — The opposition will not This morning, as I was driving down the first thing that comes into his head. It does oppose this bill. very congested Tullamarine Freeway, it not matter how much it costs the taxpayer; was quite extraordinary to see some of the it is not his money, is it? It does not matter. COUNCIL | Adjournment That is the Labor way. When you have got dangerous manoeuvres that some drivers 11 February 2016 were using in order to pick up a car length a Socialist Left Premier, that is even worse. or two on their way to work. I see these Of course we have seen over recent days people from time to time who speed past — and this may well come into the area of me, if they happen to be in a situation the Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006 Wyndham schools where they can speed, only to be caught — an announcement of sky rail. It is over Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I up to at the next intersection, where I find on the other side of town from me, but I wish to raise a matter for the attention of myself pulling up either beside or behind note that this morning in the Parliament the Minister for Education. The Wyndham the person who just a minute or so earlier the member for Niddrie in the other place City Council area is an area of great sped past me at a great rate of knots. It was spruiking the benefits of sky rail. This importance to the state of Victoria. It is an does not make a lot of sense to me, but in leads me to express some concern that the area that is growing at a rapid rate. In fact a congested road situation it is particularly Buckley Street level crossing in Essendon it is often the fastest growing municipality dangerous. This morning, as I have on may well be removed with a sky rail put in anywhere in Australia, and that is other mornings, I saw people doing what its place. The people of Essendon might something that all levels of government were quite frankly stupid things in order to have a sky rail running 9 metres above have to take into consideration. gain a car length or two. their backyards — and indeed the people As I have said in this house in recent I know it is very difficult for the police of Moonee Ponds, on Puckle Street. We times, the local council is not exactly in such situations, because given the state might have them in Puckle Street as well. holding up its end of the bargain and is of Victorian freeways at the moment there Indeed right along there — from memory pretty much a disgrace, to tell the truth, is no way that the police can effectively I think there are three or four crossings — but it seems the current state government do their job of ensuring that people we might have an extended sky rail from is not a real lot better. who perform in such a reckless way are just before Puckle Street in Moonee Ponds right up to the Essendon station and I have had a number of representations brought to justice, but I would hope that from people in the Wyndham area about common sense will at some stage prevail. beyond. That is something that the people of Moonee Ponds, the people of Essendon the need for schools to cover the growth in I hasten to add that, by the way, I am an the Wyndham area. Now it staggered me optimist, but I would hope that common and the people living near Glenbervie station should be very concerned about. to learn that in this particular year, despite sense will at some stage prevail and we the good work of the previous government will see people just being sensible. Here was one of the local members in the Essendon area, the member for Niddrie, in building schools and refurbishing talking up the sky rail project. We should schools in the City of Wyndham, not

IN 10 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE one single school is opening in the City COUNCIL | Members statements January 1998, including on behalf of their of Wyndham. You have got suburbs 23 February 2016 children and by persons born as a result of sprouting up everywhere, and you have donor treatment procedures, and further got families moving in, obviously with provides for the keeping of the central children. Not one school is being opened register and the voluntary register and for up in the City of Wyndham this year. Ministers office other purposes. So I am asking the minister to take into Dr Carling-Jenkins said she is very consideration — which is something I accommodation deeply conflicted, and I have to say I am thought he would have done anyway — Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — very deeply conflicted. There are very the growth in the City of Wyndham, to Out my way $373 000 can buy a house — clear cases here for a yes vote, and there take into consideration the educational nothing fancy, but quite a serviceable first are very, very clear cases here for a no needs of children from kindergarten right home for couples seeking to break into the vote. What we have to do is balance up through to primary school and secondary housing market. Can the house therefore what carries more weight — what is more school and indeed to take the needs of imagine the excitement of my constituents important to whom. I have to say that I families in Wyndham into consideration to learn that the same amount — $373 000 am very grateful to my party, the Liberal and actually make some decisions — had been spent by the Leader of the Party, and to the leader, Matthew Guy, for on building schools in such places as Government on his new office? My agreeing very readily to a free vote on this Williams Landing. We need more in Point constituents must be wondering about bill. This is something that we are probably Cook. There are more — — Mr Jennings’s taste in furnishings. Maybe getting used to in this Parliament and we Mr Herbert — They are already in the he has gold lamé curtains — maybe solid will probably have to get used to a little bit planning process. gold; perhaps he has a fine Italian granite further on other issues. I remember back Mr FINN — The minister says, ‘They desk. They must be wondering if he has in 2008 when the Labor Party was last in are planning’. It is all very well to have installed a marble wading pool where he government and it put up a number of planning, but these kids need schools can recline and be fed grapes by Labor issues on which there were also free — or and this dodgy government is not even staffers still on the payroll after the last conscience, as they were then — votes, opening one this year — not even one election. My constituents would be aware until we found out that perhaps there were this year. This is the government’s that the Leader of the Government has an not all that many across on the other side commitment to education in Wyndham: artistic bent, so perhaps an original statue who had a conscience. That is beside the a big fat zero. I will compare the previous of David may now be gracing his office. point. We now call them free votes, and I government’s record on this to this Or perhaps he has leant on his best mate, am very grateful to the Liberal Party and government’s record any day of the week. the Premier — Dodgy Dan — to purchase to the leader, Matthew Guy, for so readily So I ask the minister to keep in mind the Blue Poles for Mr Jennings’s wall. One agreeing to that free vote. needs of children in the City of Wyndham could go on to speculate — — There is clearly, in debate on this bill, and give them the schools that they need. The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Eideh) room for a discussion about the right to Ms Shing — On a point of order, Acting — Order! Mr Finn! The member has called anonymity. I do not think there is any President, it is my view that that was in the Premier a different name. I ask him to doubt about that. That is something that fact not an action that is capable of being withdraw. donors back prior to 1998 thought they addressed with any specificity under the Mr FINN — I certainly withdraw, but had sewn up. They thought that was a terms of an adjournment matter. if we asked everybody to withdraw, we promise — an ironclad promise. I have to would be here for a very long time though. say that I am not a big fan of retrospective Mr FINN — On the point of order, legislation. I have never been a fan of Acting President, despite Ms Shing’s The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Eideh) — retrospective legislation. Whatever the attempt to channel Kevin Rudd, the fact of Order! The member may continue. issue may be, it is something that I do not the matter — giving children the schools Mr FINN — One could go on to have a great deal of enthusiasm about that they need — is in fact something speculate on the glorious mirror on the supporting. that is perfectly reasonable, I would have ceiling of the minister’s office, but then thought. There is a very, very strong claim by it is probably best that that is left alone. donors — who had been given a promise, The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) The people of Victoria are entitled to a contract, by the IVF providers at the — Order! There is no point of order, and it know how the Leader of the Government time that they would be able to keep is up to the minister to give his answer. splurged $373 000 of their money on their anonymity — that this bill should his new office. In the absence of such be defeated. Then there is another strong an explanation, we can only assume claim. Dr Carling-Jenkins hit this one on COUNCIL | Questions without notice this is just another case of outrageous 23 February 2016 the head when she said that everybody Labor waste from a very, very wasteful has the right to know who they are. That government. is a huge one. It is particularly big for me because I have often spoken in this house Ombudsman COUNCIL | Second reading and in other places about the need to 23 February 2016 make children’s rights paramount once jurisdiction again in our society. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) There was a problem — as was pointed — My question is to the Leader of the out by Ms Pennicuik, I think Dr Carling- Government. I am sure he will agree that Assisted Jenkins and indeed Ms Wooldridge — the only beneficiaries of nobbling the when all this was happening back in 1998 Ombudsman’s investigation of Labor Reproductive and thereabouts. The enthusiasm for this staffing rorts are those Labor MPs who brave new world that we had taken to are implicated. I ask him: how is using with vigour was such that there was not taxpayers funds to shield Labor MPs from Treatment a great deal of thought about what would investigation an appropriate use of that happen down the track. There have been taxpayer money? Amendment Bill a number of bills that I have spoken on in this Parliament in recent years about 2015 which I have warned the same thing: Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I that we have not thought about what will rise to speak on the Assisted Reproductive happen down the track. Treatment Amendment Bill 2015, which Well, here we are, down the track on enables persons born as a result of the this particular one, and we are seeking use of gametes donated before 1 January to find a solution to a problem which 1998 to obtain identifying information was planted many years ago. I wish that about donors without consent, provides those legislators and all those in the for the lodging of contact preferences by IVF industry back then had given some persons who donated gametes before 1

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 11 thought to what was going to become of given much of the credit for the fact that Mr Morris — Oh, yes. the children they were creating — not this bill is before the house today, and he Mr FINN — You know the one? just in terms of the children who were might even be given some of the credit for Mr Morris interjected. actually born but also in terms of the the fact that I am supporting it, given the huge banks of human embryos that we discussions that we had over a period of Mr FINN — Mr Morris knows the one. have sitting in God knows how many time. That is the main road between the Calder places around Australia. It is something Highway and the Melbourne–Sunbury We all know that where we came from road. This has become a main road in that has concerned me for a very long is very important to us, and you just have time. I have taken these conflicts into very itself of recent years because a huge to look at one of the biggest industries number of people use that road to get deep consideration, and I have probably in the world today, ancestry, to see that changed my mind at least a half a dozen from places up the Calder Highway — people are burrowing back to where they Gisborne, for example, and Diggers Rest times on this one, and I might yet again if came from. Some years ago even I went somebody puts up a strong argument. — to Tullamarine airport, where a good burrowing back to where I came from. I number of them actually work. We have I have to say that this is a red-letter day went back to an uncle who was a bishop found ourselves with a situation where we for this Parliament, because at this point in Ireland and who was in fact one of the have a road that is not much better than a in time I am actually going to support a founders of the Irish Republican Army, goat track being used by huge numbers of bill on a matter such as this put forward by which is what we now know as the IRA, cars on a daily basis. And I should point this government. Normally I would regard so I closed the book and I did not look out to the minister as well that on this it as a stinking, rotten, foul government on at it again. I thought that was enough for particular road there is a bridge which these sorts of issues, but on this particular anybody. I will give that a wide berth. But crosses Deep Creek. That bridge will only occasion I am actually going to support it is nonetheless something that clearly is allow one car to pass at any — — the government. Not only am I supporting important to people and in this particular the government but I am supporting the instance actually shapes their lives. It An honourable member interjected. Greens. makes their lives different. It improves Mr FINN — Or to cross it, I should say. Mr Ondarchie interjected. their lives if they can know what makes Mr Jennings interjected. Mr FINN — Somebody should get Mr them do what they do, why they have blue Mr FINN — It is Little John, and there Ondarchie an ambulance. If anybody eyes, why they have blonde hair, why they is not even a troll under the bridge. But had any doubts about it being a red-letter walk with a limp and all of these sorts the problem with the bridge is that only day, that should settle it, because it is not of things that are handed down through one car can travel across the bridge at very often that I agree with the Greens on the years. It answers so many questions any given time, so we have a situation much at all. to know the genetic make-up of an where we have, quite often, huge numbers individual. It answers the same questions I think, as Dr Carling-Jenkins put of cars that are stopped awaiting huge for people to know who their parents are, numbers of other cars across the other before, everybody has a right to know who their grandparents are and so forth. who they are, everybody has a right to side of the bridge making their way across. know, where possible, who their parents I will support this bill because I believe The minister might be surprised to learn are and everybody has the right to know that on balance the right to know who this; I know that there are not too many where they have come from. The year we are trumps, if I can use that word bridges of this nature in the inner suburbs. 1998 should not make any difference, now, the right to a promise that may But in the outer suburbs it is not unusual, and what happened prior to 1998 or in have been made 20 or 30 years ago. As I and on this particular road, the Bulla- 1999 should not make any difference. If said, I support the bill. I will be listening Diggers Rest Road, it is something that has we are a society which now believes, as I very closely during the committee stage been fair dinkum driving the locals nuts am told, in equal opportunity and equal to figure out my position on the Greens’ for a very long time. rights, then every person who has been amendments, but I will in all likelihood on I am asking the minister to provide conceived with the assistance of a donor this occasion support this bill. the appropriate resources to upgrade has the right to know who they are and the Bulla-Diggers Rest Road to provide what their genetic make-up is. That is COUNCIL | Adjournment a facility that will adequately meet the needs of locals and those beyond, and in pretty basic to us all. 23 February 2016 So whilst I accept the fact that the rights particular to duplicate the bridge across of donors are extremely important — I Deep Creek on the Bulla-Diggers Rest do not make this decision lightly, not at Road. all — I have to say the bigger right, if I can Bulla-Diggers Rest use that term, is the right of every single COUNCIL | Constituency questions person, where possible, to know who they Road 24 February 2016 are and where they came from, because Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I it can very much shape who you are and wish to raise a matter for the attention of where you are going, and of course you the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. find out where you came from. I have The minister would be aware that I have Traffic congestion often said if you do not know where you raised in this house on many occasions Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My came from, it is very unlikely that you a number of roads, particularly in the constituency question is to the Minister know where you are going. For that reason outer west and the outer north-west, for Roads and Road Safety. By 7.30 each I will support this bill when it comes to that were built long ago and have since morning the Tullamarine Freeway is a vote. I will reserve my views on the been absolutely inundated with traffic. often blocked from one end to the other. Greens’ amendments at this point in time. The growing suburbs, the increasing Indeed, it is often blocked well beyond We cannot expect too much today, but I population, are using these roads, and of the airport — right back to the township will look at those amendments when we course the roads were built at a time when of Bulla. The Western Ring Road is its get into the committee stage and make a that sort of traffic was just not happening. usual sluggish self, and the Deer Park decision further down the track. In fact many of them — and Minister bypass is often a write-off. The Calder What I would like to do is, as Ms Jennings may well remember these times Freeway staggers into the Tullamarine Wooldridge did earlier, pay tribute to — — merge, and the West Gate Freeway is a Clem Newton-Brown, a former member Mr Ramsay — The horse and buggy. mass of brakelights. Melbourne’s west is for Prahran in the Legislative Assembly, being strangled by traffic congestion. Now Mr FINN — The horse and dray. I am that Infrastructure Australia has stated who did a great deal of work in this area. sure the minister remembers — — He and I discussed this matter at length the obvious and declared the east–west on a number of occasions, and I think, Ms Shing — There is no need to get link an urgent priority, will the minister given the work that he and his committee sulky. heed that advice and give motorists from put into this, he deserves to get the Mr FINN — Very good, Ms Shing; yes, Melbourne’s west some hope of relief by credit. I am a great believer that if credit very good. The particular road I wish to reconsidering the government’s decision is due, credit should be given, and Clem mention this evening is the Bulla-Diggers to scrap this much-needed road? Newton-Brown most certainly should be Rest Road.

IN 12 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Statements on reports Now this will shock everybody to their that it, along with all the others, had and papers, 24 February 2016 socks, to the core of their being. He added: been given a $152 parking infringement by Wyndham council. The electronic Even rank amateurs among the records controlling the operation of the general public can see that the sun is automated ticket gate should confirm the dominant influence on the Earth’s that it was out of order on that date. Independent temperatures. So it is not a tax — tax does not affect Upon arriving home, I immediately Review of Climate the climate. It is not legislation — that emailed our $400 000 per annum does not affect the climate. It is in fact the general manager — Change Act 2010: sun that affects the climate. It is, I would CEO, I am assuming — have thought, pretty obvious, but it seems acquainting her with the facts and report that those people who say the science is requesting that the ticket be reviewed, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I settled might have other things on their but over a month later, other than the knew when I saw on the notice paper a minds. They might have the prospect of standard automated acknowledgement, couple of weeks ago the independent losing money on the deal if indeed the I have still not been favoured with the review of the Climate Change Act 2010 science is settled, as indeed it clearly is, courtesy of a reply. As the due date for that it would be a fascinating read, and a that there is no global warming, and that is payment of the ticket was Monday, fascinating read it is — as fascinating as the bottom line. Indeed, according to the 22 February, I emailed her again on any other fairytale that one might come Forbes report: Monday, 22nd, seeking a reply to my across at any given time. It is worth noting Britain’s Met Office, an international earlier email of a month ago, and part of the context of this report: cheerleading headquarters for global received no reply to that, and yesterday warming hysteria, conceded in I emailed a third time, seeking replies The review of the act is occurring to my two previous emails, but again, within the following context: December, 2012 that there would be no further warming at least through 2017, other than the standard automated The conclusion of the Paris agreement which would make 21 years with no acknowledgement — at the 21st Conference of the Parties global warming. no substantive response has been … which emphasises the need to hold So you have got to ask, what is all this received. Now, this I think is the sort the increase in the global average noise about? Why are all these people of thing that gives local government temperature to well below 2 degrees gathering in flash hotels, flying in business a bad name, when people have been Celsius above pre-industrial levels, class or perhaps even first class or in given a parking ticket for what is clearly and to pursue efforts to limit the their private jets, to gather every couple a wrong reason — for a situation where temperature increase to 1.5 degrees. of years or perhaps every year or so for the Wyndham council, in this particular I would suggest to you, Acting President, a bit of a confab to discuss something or instance, is in the wrong — and they that is not going to be too difficult. It is not to discuss trying to stop something that cannot get any satisfaction from anybody going to be hard at all, because there has is not actually happening? It is, as I say, at the council at all. not been any global warming for nearly a scam. It is a con, and the sooner this I ask the Minister for Local Government 19 years. For almost 19 years there has government, and governments around the to intervene with the Wyndham council been no global warming, which obviously world, accept that fact, the better off we on behalf of Stephen of Hoppers Crossing leads to asking the question: what are we will all be. People like Al Gore have made and ask it to afford him the leniency that carrying on about? And that is a question themselves exceedingly rich, but this he desires and indeed provide him with that I think is well worth asking. report will not do anybody’s bank account what I would describe as a fair go. The journalist Peter Ferrara from much good. Mr Dalidakis — Do you have his Forbes.com has said: surname? When the period of no global warming COUNCIL | Adjournment Mr FINN — I have got his surname here, but he has asked me not to make it public. began — 24 February 2016 as distinct from the prior global I am happy to provide it to the minister, warming — and I ask the minister to intervene on his behalf. … the alarmist global warming establishment responded that even Wyndham City several years of temperature data does COUNCIL | Adjournment not establish a climate trend. That takes Council 25 February 2016 much longer. But — Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — he asked the question — Since my call recently for the dismissal of the Wyndham City Council I have when the period of no global warming been inundated, firstly, with messages of Western gets longer than the period of actual support from people in that municipality, global warming, what is the climate but I have also been inundated with trend then? complaints about this council from Metropolitan That is a question I would like to ask a number of people, one of whom is the authors of this report. I would really Stephen from Hoppers Crossing, who sent Region roads like to ask how they can justify talking Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I me the following email, and I will read wish to raise a matter for the attention about action to keep temperatures some excerpts from it: below the average and keep it below 1.5 of the Minister for Roads and Road degrees when in fact there has been no On 25 January, I had occasion to drive Safety. I have raised with the minister increase for close on two decades. It is my cancer-afflicted 83-year-old father on a number of occasions now the need quite extraordinary. It just points out that to the Wyndham private hospital for for road upgrades in the outer western this is based on fantasy. This is based treatment. Because of his cancer, he suburbs of Melbourne, and I am doing on a fallacy. Indeed man-made climate cannot walk very far. I left the car park it again tonight. I wish to bring to the change, global warming — call it what you but when I returned, the entry ticket minister’s attention an article that was will — is the greatest scam arguably in the gate was out of order and wouldn’t in the Wyndham Leader. Reporter admit any vehicles. I parked my car history of the world. Sarah Anderson gives details of how she (alongside a dozen others) on a boggy travelled down Point Cook Road. She says: Moreover — mud patch (which I later found out is this particular gentleman said — called: Old Sneydes Road) and waited It took peak-hour motorists 26 on a seat outside the hospital. Because minutes to work their way along the … the now extended trend of no global 5-kilometre stretch down Point Cook warming is not turning around any time cars could leave the car park but not enter it, the car park nearly emptied Road from Saltwater Promenade to the soon. That increasingly established Princes Freeway last Tuesday. trend is being produced by long-term before the defective gate started natural causes. working again. I returned to my car to I know. I was one of them. move it into the car park, but found

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 13 The road may be signposted for 60 electronic time board it would take me 69 COUNCIL | Adjournment kilometres an hour, but for much of the minutes to take that same journey. What 8 March 2016 trip 5 kilometres an hour is as good as occurred this morning is an outrage. What it gets. is a greater outrage is the lack of action I set off from the Saltwater Promenade by the Andrews government to prevent intersection at 7.35 a.m. and completed a repetition. Melbourne’s west deserves Victoria University the first (duplicated) 1.6 kilometres in better. I ask the minister: when will the 21⁄2 minutes. government accept that it got it wrong by Sunbury site scrapping the east–west link and reverse Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My I sailed down Point Cook Road — its disastrous decision? even an incident near Sneydes Road adjournment matter this evening is for the which required police and a tow truck The PRESIDENT — Order! It is very Minister for Planning. I ask members, and didn’t bring me to a halt — until I got borderline as a constituency question, I indeed the minister, to cast their minds to the end of Sanctuary Lakes shopping have got to say. back some 20 years when the Kennett centre. government gifted Victoria University COUNCIL | Members statements land and buildings for the opening of the Two lanes merge into one and traffic Sunbury campus of Victoria University. starts to slow. 8 March 2016 They were very exciting times for those of There, the first of nine motorcyclists us who were involved, and certainly I was and cyclists fly past me, filling me with deeply involved at that time. It was a very envy each time. Safe Schools exciting time for Sunbury. Sadly, during Once we hit Dunnings Road, just 2.5 the period of the Brumby government, kilometres and 41⁄2 minutes into the Sunbury lost its university, and the journey, I can see my fate ahead. program buildings and the land have sat idle ever Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I since. Those buildings sit atop Jacksons A queue of red brakelights as far as the stand in this house today as a father Hill, and they are very much a part of the eye can see. representing parents all over the state. history of Sunbury. I have a message for the Andrews We spent more time sitting motionless government, and I hope it will listen. The There have been plenty of suggestions in our cars than actually driving. parents of Victoria do not want our sons from the local Sunbury community as … to be taught how to tuck their penises. to what these buildings and this land could be used for, but alas, to this point It took 24.45 minutes to get to the We do not want our daughters taught how to bind their breasts. We do not want nothing has eventuated, and indeed roundabout at Central Avenue. Then it those buildings are still sitting up there was smooth sailing to the freeway. our children being taught to question doing precisely nothing. One idea that It’s 8.02 a.m. Twenty-six minutes, their gender. The parents of Victoria do not want their children prematurely the community does not support is the in clear weather, without any traffic- prospect of selling the land for housing stopping incidents. sexualised. We want our kids left alone to be kids. We want childhood protected and and losing the unique opportunity this Thanks to the good work of the former the innocence of our children respected. site offers, and of course that loss would Minister for Planning, the current Leader be forever. I think it is highly debatable of the Opposition, a new overpass and What we do not want is to be branded that Victoria University has the legal right diamond interchange is being built at as bigots because we love our kids. What to sell the land, given that it was gifted the Sneydes Road at Point Cook, but we need we do not want is millions of our dollars land for educational purposes back in the a lot more. Unfortunately the Leader of being spent exposing our children to 1990s, but it most certainly does not have the Opposition is no longer in a position concepts and thoughts that threaten an ethical right to carry through such a to help the people of Point Cook, so I am their normal development. What we do sale. asking the minister to do that. I am asking not want is our role as parents usurped by programs based in radical social So I am asking the minister to refrain the minister to direct his department to from changing any current planning conduct an immediate study of what is engineering. What we want is for this and other governments around Australia, permits or planning zones to residential needed to free the people of Point Cook zoning on Jacksons Hill and surrounding from their traffic nightmare every day. particularly the federal government, to scrap the so-called Safe Schools program, Jacksons Hill. I ask the minister to take It is interesting that the Wyndham and we want it scrapped now. on board the views of the Sunbury council before the last election was very, community, and I ask the minister to very active. It spent many hundreds of Honourable members interjecting. ensure, as much as he possibly can, that thousands of dollars campaigning on this Mr FINN — Sorry, the Nazis are in town. he uses his powers to keep Jacksons Hill issue, but of course since the election Ms Hartland — On a point of order, and that educational precinct in Sunbury it has been very, very quiet indeed. So I Acting President, we were just referred to as it is and not turn it into quite a few am asking the minister to get that report as ‘the Nazis in town’, and I would ask Mr houses and quite possibly a couple of together and to implement it for the good Finn to withdraw that comment. blocks of flats. people of Point Cook. Mr Dalidakis — On the point of order, Acting President, I share Ms Hartland’s COUNCIL | Constituency questions COUNCIL | Constituency questions concern. I believe the comment was made to all of us. Obviously everyone is 9 March 2016 8 March 2016 well aware of my family dying during the Holocaust, and, being Jewish, it is highly offensive. I suggest that Mr Finn withdraw City of Wyndham Traffic gridlock unreservedly. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) constituency question is for the Minister — Order! I believe Mr Finn’s comment education for Roads and Road Safety. One incident was unparliamentary. Mr FINN — Well, yes, it probably was resources in the Burnley Tunnel this morning shut Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My unparliamentary, and I withdraw it on down the entire western suburban road constituency question is for the Minister that basis. But I also suggest — — network. The Tullamarine, West Gate for Education. Recent media reports and Calder freeways were gridlocked for The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) highlight the fact that no new schools will hours. Major arterial roads throughout — Order! Mr Finn knows the procedure. be opened in the City of Wyndham this the west were at a standstill. Mayhem Ms Shing interjected. year. Understandably this has angered was the order of the day. Under normal Mr FINN — She’s a disgrace. locals who understand only too well the circumstances it would take me 15 to The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) desperate need for increased educational 20 minutes to travel from my home in opportunities in Wyndham. Wyndham is Bulla to Kings Way. Today, as I crawled — Order! I ask Mr Finn to withdraw. Mr FINN — I withdraw. one of the fastest growing municipalities past Melbourne Airport, I noted from the in Australia. Families are moving in every

IN 14 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE day and babies are being born every hour. freedom; it represents opportunity; it let go of it again. Many times I have seen What hope can the minister offer that the represents a way of life that so many of our people from Somalia, South America, government will sometime soon meet families, however many generations ago, Europe — wherever they are from — the demand for new schools in the City of came here to make the most of — to create clutching their flag and beaming with Wyndham? in fact, but also make the most of. I see joy that they are now Australians. It is that flag as something that we should all something that warms the heart and it is be very, very proud of, and something that something that a lot of people do not take COUNCIL | Second reading we should not under any circumstances into consideration in these things, but it 9 March 2016 be treating with contempt or disdain. is something that I think we all should I recall the first time I visited take into consideration — that the people Washington, DC, some years ago. I had that have come here have come here for just flown from London so it was a fair the very reasons that I have spoken of Upholding haul, and my wife and I landed at the and for the very reasons that our flag is so Washington, DC, airport. I looked out important. Australian Values the window, and the first thing I saw was The love of the flag is so strong in the US flag. The first thing I saw, in all its Australia that even those who would shred (Protecting Our fulsomeness, was the flag of the United our constitution and even those who States of America. I thought to myself, want to destroy our Westminster system Flags) Bill 2015 ‘That tells me all I need to know’, because have said — and I was delighted to hear Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I as we know America is a country that is Mr Leane earlier today talking about his begin by saying that I am absolutely so incredibly proud of its flag. I think that love of the Westminster system, and that delighted to be speaking on the Upholding is something that we could learn from. surprised me, I have to say, as I thought Australian Values (Protecting Our Flags) That is something that we should take up. he was a republican, but the republicans Bill 2015. I commend the introducer of We should in fact fly our flag more than themselves have said — that even if the bill, Mr Daniel Young, for having the we do. I would like to see the Australian Australia becomes a republic, they will foresight to put this bill forward. I think it flag flown from every building — not just keep the flag. Now, I have to say I do not is a very valuable piece of legislation, and public buildings but every private building believe that for a minute. Not for even half legislation that he should be very proud as well. I think that would be a great sight, a second do I believe that, because in my of indeed. I am sure he, as the father of a most certainly, but it would also be a great experience most of them loathe the flag. young child, will be able to tell that young appreciation of our flag and what it stands The fact of the matter is that they know child as that young child grows what he for. I urge the Australian community to fly that if they go against the flag, they will has done in this house today, and indeed that flag far more often than we do. lose popular support for their cause — or his grandchildren and possibly his great- The number of empty flagpoles that you what little popular support there is left for grandchildren. That will be something that see around the place, including I have to their cause. he can wear as a badge of honour for the say on this building, is unsatisfactory. I This bill is important because any attack rest of his life, and I commend him for this think that if there is an empty flagpole, on the flag is an attack on Australia. Any bill today. we should stick an Australian flag on it. attack on our flag is an attack on our I have been a big fan of the flag for If there have to be 6 or 10 — or however nation and the people of this nation. I am a very, very long time. I have been a many — Australian flags flying from the a great believer in freedom of speech. As member of the Australian National Flag one building, so be it, and that includes members will know, I have risen on many Association since the 1980s, since I was this building. That may be something, occasions in this house to speak about very, very young. I have to say, like my Acting President Morris, that you might the importance of freedom of speech, friend and colleague Mrs Peulich, that I like to take up with the President at some but I do not believe that we should have love the flag. It is disappointing to hear the stage; as I understand it, he is responsible the freedom to attack this nation. I do Greens get up here and do what Mr Barber along with the Speaker for the flag-flying not believe that we should have the did — nitpick — on such an important activities of this building. I understand it freedom to attack our flag in the way issue, but that is what we have come is his responsibility. I could be wrong — I that we so often see, and that is why this to expect from the Greens. That is just will check with the Clerk. bill is so important. That is why what Mr the way it is. We know that if anybody is One of the most important groups of Young brings to this Parliament today going to get up and sling off at Australian people that we need to respect in this is something that is so deserving of our values, sling off at our flag, and sling off debate is of course our diggers. These support. at anybody who supports the flag or our are people who have fought — many of Once again I congratulate Mr Young values, it will be the Greens, and they have whom have died, many of whom have on bringing this bill forward. I urge all not let us down today, not one little bit. been injured — fighting for our freedom members of the house — even the Greens, I remember some years ago driving under our flag. One of the great legacies, in the unlikely event that they wish to down Royal Parade in Parkville, which probably the greatest legacy, of Australia rethink their position — to support this I have to say I think is Melbourne’s is that wherever freedom has been under bill, to support our flag, to support our premium boulevard. Without upsetting attack in the world, Australia has been nation and to show for all the world to see any supporters of St Kilda Road, I think there to defend it. Whether it be in World that we do love Australia. Royal Parade is indeed, even given the War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East — you name it — Australia fact that it has the Carlton Football Club COUNCIL | Adjournment associated with it, still Melbourne’s has been there. And Australia has been premium boulevard. I recall it was a sunny there with that flag, our flag, flying above 9 March 2016 day, a beautiful day in fact, and I looked our soldiers, flying above our diggers. up through the trees. There was a bit of a That is something that is such a precious, breeze blowing, and there at the end of precious part of the Australian heritage the boulevard, at the end of Royal Parade, and indeed the Australian values that Mr Sunbury Road at the Haymarket intersection, there was Young speaks of. the Australian flag in all its glory. I thought I cannot help in the very short period duplication to myself, ‘What a magnificent sight’. I of time that I have left but also mention Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I thought to myself that there were surely one group of people that I find absolutely wish to raise a matter for the attention of very few sites better than that flag that I adore our flag, and that is migrants. I the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. saw that day, and indeed not just the flag go to a lot of citizenship ceremonies. I first raised this matter about a year ago, itself, but what it represents. In the western suburbs, as you would and I have been staggered, I have to say, by the lack of progress by the government We heard about what the flag is made imagine, there are a lot of people who have come to our country and who want since then. I am delighted to say that the up of — that it represents the ocean, the Hume City Council has come onside. union flag and the Southern Cross and to become Australian citizens — how totally understandable that is. When given The project that I am talking about is the the stars and all that sort of mechanical proposed duplication of the Melbourne– material. But the flag to me represents their flag at their citizenship ceremony, they clutch it as if they are never going to Sunbury road, including the Bulla bypass.

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 15 There was just a couple of weeks ago a COUNCIL | Adjournment Environment, Climate Change and major accident at the bottom of the Bulla 10 March 2016 Water. Can the minister confirm that hill. The Bulla bridge was built some 150 some enterprise bargaining agreements years ago and is certainly not up to the (EBAs) settled since he came to job of providing for the traffic — the very government, including for metropolitan heavy traffic — that it currently takes. As The Strand, water authorities and the Royal Botanic a result of that accident many thousands Gardens, have been paid for out of the of cars were sent off through country Parks and Reserves Trust Account, which roads, across one-lane bridges in some Williamstown, is in contradiction of the trust’s terms? instances, and it was somewhat of a debacle. toilet facilities Supplementary question Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I I am delighted to say that the Hume wish to raise a matter for the attention of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) council has the Minister for Environment, Climate — The legislated purpose of the come on board to support the Change and Water. I do not know if parks and reserves trust is for, quote, duplication of the Melbourne–Sunbury many members of this house get down ‘conservation, recreation, leisure, tourism road. I can only say that it is extremely, to Williamstown. I know that Ms Lovell and navigation’, so property owners in extremely disappointing that there is a is very fond of Williamstown, being a metropolitan Melbourne, including the lack of support for this project from the former resident of Williamstown, and the west, who pay the parks and reserves trust member for Sunbury in another place, President indicates he is a regular down levy will be very surprised to learn the because this is something that really there. Indeed it is a magnificent place. money is being used for supplementing should be bipartisan. This is something The Strand in Williamstown in fact is union IOUs. So I ask the minister: since that is necessary for the future of the one of the more beautiful streets in what December 2014 what is the total amount Sunbury and Bulla communities — and is a beautiful city. In fact I had lunch at a of money paid from the trust account to not only Sunbury and Bulla, but also the restaurant of the same name last Saturday, fund Labor’s EBA agreements? Macedon Ranges, where a good number and it was superb. Overlooking the bay, it of people who work at the airport live. Of provides the best view of our city possible course what we are talking about is the COUNCIL | Constituency questions from anywhere in Melbourne. It is well 22 March 2016 main road from the Macedon Ranges, worth the trip just for that alone. Sunbury and Bulla to Melbourne Airport, where thousands of people who travel on The fine weather, which we have had up that road work. I am asking the minister until today, attracts walkers, cyclists and as a matter of urgency to provide the picnicking families, and that is where the Traffic congestion necessary funding to bring this project on. problem begins, because when people Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My gather there will be a need from time constituency question is for the Minister We need to duplicate this road. to time for public conveniences. I have for Roads and Road Safety. The minister Sunbury is now a major centre. There myself from time to time had the need to is clearly aware of the traffic mayhem are tens of thousands of people there, visit the public conveniences down on The on roads in Melbourne’s west over the and tens of thousands of people more Strand in Williamstown. There is only one past week. As a result of construction, in the Macedon Ranges, and we need to set of public conveniences on The Strand, congestion on freeways and major roads provide satisfactory roads for people to and let me tell you, they are a disgrace. has surpassed what we have come to travel on. At the moment it is not unusual They are an absolute disgrace. expect of recent times. At the height of last in the peak hour in the morning for the week’s debacle the minister was quoted traffic to be banked back way past the Honourable members interjecting. Mr FINN — This is to the minister as advising motorists from Point Cook, airport and right back into Bulla. That is Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Altona and not good enough, and I for one will be because it is the responsibility of Parks Victoria. The state of these toilets has been other suburbs in the west to ‘take an screaming non-stop until such time as the alternative route’. Having thought about it government comes to the party on this. I not good for a very long time. In fact I am told by some that the appalling state of now for seven days, I ask the minister: to ask the minister as a matter of urgency to which alternative route was he referring? provide funding for this project. these toilets goes back to the 1960s. Mr Ondarchie interjected. COUNCIL | Members statements COUNCIL | Constituency questions Mr FINN — Yes, indeed they are, Mr Ondarchie. It is time, I think, for the 22 March 2016 10 March 2016 minister to step in and to upgrade the conveniences on The Strand. Just because it is in a safe Labor seat does not mean that it should be ignored. Safe Schools Truganina road Mr Ondarchie — A safe seat. Mr FINN — A safe seat indeed, and it program safety has the same impact on you. I am asking Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My congratulate the federal government on constituency question is to the Minister the minister to provide the wherewithal to upgrade the toilets on The Strand in its decision to amend some segments of for Roads and Road Safety, and I refer the Safe Schools program. In particular I the minister to the tragic road crash in Williamstown and make The Strand a more complete experience for those commend those members of the federal Truganina this morning that resulted coalition who made it their business to in the deaths of two people and that visiting what is a wonderful part of Melbourne. lobby the Prime Minister and the federal left three children without parents. The Minister for Education and Training on coexistence of cars and trucks on roads this most important issue. The federal built long ago and not up to carrying COUNCIL | Questions without notice government has acted in a considered heavy traffic is a major problem in 22 March 2016 and respectful way to address an issue the west and would appear to have causing enormous concern throughout contributed to today’s tragedy. I speak Australia. Compare that to the way the from personal experience when I speak of Andrews government has acted on this the dangers of the car-truck mix on roads Public sector — anybody expressing concern has been in the western suburbs. Will the minister labelled a bigot or a homophobe. Any reassure road users in my electorate parent worried about their child or what that he has plans to make them safer by enterprise their child is being taught at school has upgrading roads in Melbourne’s west that been labelled as a bigot by no less than the so desperately need those upgrades? bargaining Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Premier of Victoria and his deputy. One My question is to the Special Minister has to ask who the bullies really are. Are of State, representing the Minister for they much different from the ferals who

IN 16 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE attacked and trashed the office of my good well, but he needs help. He tells me that The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Morris) friend, Senator Cory Bernardi? 10 new youth workers — 10 extra youth — Order! The member who was referred Parents have an absolute right to protect workers — would be an enormous plus to is in the chamber. I have not heard the their children from the Safe Schools and a great start for his continuing efforts. member raise any concern, so I will ask program. For this government and its I ask the minister to provide the resources Mr Finn to continue. mates to employ bullyboy tactics against necessary — the funding, if I can use that Mr Mulino — Further to that point of those concerned about this so-called word — to enable ‘Sir’ Les to get those 10 order, Acting President, I am very grateful anti-bullying program is obscene. If the extra youth workers. for Ms Shing’s insights, and I reiterate Andrews government is serious about them, and I would hope you would combating the very real problem of COUNCIL | Production of documents uphold her insightful point of order. bullying, it should first have a good, hard 23 March 2016 The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Morris) look at itself. The attitude of the Premier — Order! I thank Mr Mulino. There was and Deputy Premier towards parents reference to a report; there was reference throughout Victoria is nothing short of to yourself. I think it is a rather long bow disgraceful. I will continue to fight for to draw that there was something that was what is best for children, and I promise Production of derogatory in that remark. I do not uphold them — — documents the point of order. I will ask Mr Finn to The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I continue. — Time! rise this afternoon to say that I do not Mr FINN — I can understand wish to see the Leader of the Government the sensibilities of members of the COUNCIL | Adjournment suspended from this house. I think that government when they are faced with losing, perhaps for an extended period, 22 March 2016 the Leader of the Government is a shining beacon in an ocean of dimwits on the the only person over there with the wit other side of the house, and I have to to lead them. I can certainly understand say that without him it would be a very, their feelings on this matter, but the Youth workers very boring place indeed. I can certainly bottom line, and the question we must Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I understand why the government is panic answer, is: what is more important — the wish to raise a matter for the attention of stricken at the prospect of coming in here Leader of the Government leading his Ms Mikakos in her capacity as the Minister without Mr Jennings — because without party or the primacy of the Parliament? for Youth Affairs. It is some 20 years since Mr Jennings those opposite have got That is what this is about. The I first met ‘Sir’ Les Twentyman. At the nothing. They would not be able to look Parliament has made a decision and time, he warned me about the impending at their watch and see what time it is or has sent a direction to the government, danger of gangs in the western suburbs even what day it is for that matter. Without and the government is defying the of Melbourne, and I immediately raised Mr Jennings they would be rudderless. Parliament. Governments have fallen that matter in the house and passed that They would have nothing going for them in years gone by; we all remember the warning on. In fact I well remember that at all. He is, as I say, someone who leads Whitlam government back in the 1970s. It it was a bit over 20 years ago, because I from the front. For example, if a minister tried to defy the Senate. It tried to govern had a phone call shortly thereafter from is to be sacked, Mr Jennings will be there. without the Senate, and the Whitlam the minister’s office, then Vin Heffernan, I just could not imagine how members of government was dismissed and sent to whom we all remember very fondly. The the government would feel without him. the people. We are not attempting to do minister’s office asked me if I had gone They have my sympathy. So I can fully that. We are just making a statement that bolshie. I assured the minister’s office understand — — this house and the dictates of this house that in fact I had not gone bolshie, but I Mr Mulino — On a point of order, Acting are very important. We are democratically was genuinely concerned about what was President, on the point of relevance, I was elected members of Parliament. What going on with gangs. kept on an extremely tight leash during my we say and what we decide in this house Shortly after entering this house back in brief speech today, and I think Mr Finn is are extremely important; they cannot be 2006, I again raised the dangers of gangs making some very gratuitous and negative brushed off by an arrogant, contemptible in our suburbs. At that time the Chief comments that really have nothing to do government that has no regard for this Commissioner of Police was probably with the motion. house or indeed for the democratic in denial. I think that would probably Mr FINN — Further on the point of process. be the best way of putting it, to be kind. order, Acting President, I am failing to see As I say, I can understand why the She dismissed my concerns, and in fact how my comments are negative. In fact I government does not want to lose Mr she went on to say, ‘There are no gangs am praising Mr Jennings. The fact that Mr Jennings, but the importance of the in Melbourne’. She would not even use Mulino may well loathe Mr Jennings has Parliament and the importance of this the ‘G’ word, she said. It was a bit hard to nothing to do with me. I am not really into house, to my way of thinking, are far understand, I have to say. their factional brawling over there. I do more important than any concerns the At the time I had just finished watching not know who is after whom and who is government might have. I very strongly some gangs gathering in Sunshine, with doing what to whom and how many times support the motion put forward by Ms ‘Sir’ Les pointing out who was who, and at the moment, so I really fail to see what Wooldridge, and I urge the house to on one occasion we had to get out very point he is trying to make. support that motion very soon. quickly before the violence — — The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Morris) An honourable member interjected. — Order! I do not uphold Mr Mulino’s COUNCIL | Adjournment Mr FINN — I knighted him — I used point of order. I am not sure it was a ‘tight 23 March 2016 a captain’s pick. We had to get out very leash’; I think it was medium length at quickly before the gangs started to rip best. Mr Finn, to continue. into each other, so I knew that the gangs Mr FINN — I think Mr Mulino would were very real and the violence was very be best if we kept him on a leash Melbourne real. This gang violence is a reality, and we permanently. That would be a very good need more police to fight it, but we also thing. Perhaps he could, Acting President, Regional Landfill need to be proactive. have a read of that report that you tabled Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I I do not think there is anybody in in the house earlier today on rabid dogs. wish to raise a matter tonight for the Australia who has done more to stop the Ms Shing — On a point of order, Acting attention of the Minister for Environment, gang culture and to stop gang violence President, I find the inference Mr Finn Climate Change and Water. Last week I than Les Twentyman, and I think we has just made about Mr Mulino, which attended a meeting along with a number should give credit where it is due. But seeks to draw a parallel between him and of colleagues, including Mr Melhem, he needs assistance; he needs help. His a rabid dog, to be deeply unfortunate and Ms Hartland and Ms Kairouz from the youth workers do a tremendous job indeed unparliamentary, and I ask that he other place, at Catholic Regional College, throughout the western suburbs and withdraw that comment. Caroline Springs. There was a full house indeed through other parts of Victoria as as hundreds of people had gathered to

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 17 express their disgust at the proposed for Public Transport. The minister, I am we as a society can do and the very least expansion of the Ravenhall tip. sure, is aware of the high degree of interest that any government can do for our police The Ravenhall tip, for those who may in her proposed sky rails in the southern is give our police the resources and the not be familiar with it, is a filthy big and south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. authority to do their job. Unfortunately stinking hole in the ground that leads I am standing here today to inform the at the moment I do not think they have quite often to illnesses for the local minister that interest is also growing in either, because they are extraordinarily residents, affects families in their homes the north-west of Melbourne. Concern is under-resourced. They are undermanned and is one of the more unpleasant aspects growing in Moonee Ponds and Essendon — if I can use that totally politically of living in what is otherwise a very nice about what exactly the government will incorrect term — right across the board, place. Caroline Springs is a very nice do to replace the level crossings at Puckle and I just have to have a look at my own place, as I am sure Mr Melhem will attest, Street, Park Street and Buckley Street. Will area, my own patch, down in Wyndham, but this particular tip is causing no end the minister rule out sky rail as a means of where the police numbers have not of trouble, and the fact that it could be replacing these level crossings? been up to scratch for as long as I can expanded to four times its current size remember, for many, many years. I know that the previous government was working is causing considerable angst, to say the COUNCIL | Second reading least, in local communities. very hard to put extra police on the beat, 12 April 2016 Many at the meeting expressed their but that is not the case so much anymore anger at the Environment Protection under this current government. I think Authority (EPA). They said to me and that is very, very sad, because in places to others, and publicly at the meeting, like Wyndham we see people moving in at that they had contacted the EPA on a Victoria Police an extraordinary rate and families settling number of occasions about the stench down in their first homes, and they need coming from the tip and were yet to Amendment the police and the support and protection receive any satisfaction from the EPA at that the police give them. It is a tragedy all. They feel that they have nowhere to (Merit-based that this government is not prepared to go because they have made complaints support our police in the way that the and, as I said, despite the stench, they get Transfer) Bill 2016 previous government did. no satisfaction at all from the EPA. I can Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) The other thing that is a tragedy in certainly understand and sympathise with — I rise this afternoon to speak on the Victoria in 2016 is that so many people their plight. Can members imagine what it Victoria Police Amendment (Merit-based feel unsafe in their own homes. It has must be like to be in your own home and Transfer) Bill 2016, and in doing so I always been my view that if there is one be swamped by the stink from a nearby remind the house that, as we were told place on this earth where you should be tip and, when you ring the EPA, to get no in the second-reading speech, this bill able to feel safe, it is in your own home. satisfaction at all? The EPA just does not facilitates the merit-based transfer of If you can go home at night and can click want to know. It passes the buck, and that police officers to country general duties the door behind you, sit down, have a is something that I find quite appalling. positions. cup of tea — or maybe something a little So I ask the minister to direct the EPA to This bill provides the legislative stronger — turn on the news and sit take complaints about the Ravenhall tip instrument to ensure the commencement back with your family and just relax and seriously and act when the stench reaches of important reforms agreed between prepare for another busy day the next intolerable levels, which I hasten to add is Victoria Police and Police Association day, then you are doing something that something that happens on quite a regular Victoria as part of the enterprise everybody should be expected to be able basis. I ask the minister to act on this. It is agreement. As part of the 2015 police to do. That is something pretty basic. But a major problem, and we expect the EPA enterprise bargaining agreement the chief unfortunately in Victoria in 2016 there to do its job. commissioner and the police association are increasing numbers of people who agreed that general duties constable and are actually scared to be in their own senior constable positions at country homes. We have heard stories of members COUNCIL | Constituency questions locations should be filled via a merit- of gangs who have broken down doors, 24 March 2016 based selection process. This reform gone into people’s homes, stolen their needs to be supported by legislative car keys and stolen their cars — but not amendment to the Victoria Police Act before trashing the place and beating up 2013, and this bill does that. This is a bill everybody who was at home. Now this sort Sunbury university that the opposition will not be opposing, of thing is just appalling. as my friend and colleague Mr O’Donohue Certainly in some of the areas that I land pointed out so exceptionally well in his represent in the western suburbs crime on Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My contribution to the debate in this house the streets, crime against the person and constituency question is to the Minister this afternoon. crimes that occasion violence are on the for Education. A little over 20 years ago I have to say, and I am sure it will not increase. That is something that is truly the then Kennett government gifted the come as any surprise to anybody who appalling, and we have to do something land and buildings of the former Caloola has been in this house for any period of about it. It is not good enough to say, institution to Victoria University for it time, that I have deep respect, admiration ‘Oh, look at those figures. Crime is up by to provide tertiary education services and indeed affection for Victoria Police. 8.1 per cent; isn’t that a dreadful thing?’. in Sunbury. Some years later Victoria Victoria Police is an organisation that is Well, yes, it is a dreadful thing. But it is University decided to close its Sunbury made up of some magnificent people — not good enough just to tut-tut and shake campus, and it left the buildings derelict people who do the sorts of things that our heads and walk away. We have to do and in a deteriorating state. Will the need to be done to keep us safe. That is something about it. The government has minister provide confirmation or surely something we must all be grateful a responsibility to do something about it otherwise that Victoria University still for. I mean, these are people who go out and, as Mr O’Donohue said before, and so owns the land and buildings it received of their way to put themselves on the line, correctly said, protecting the community at no cost to itself more than two decades who put their safety in jeopardy in order should be the no. 1, no. 2 and no. 3 ago? to keep us safe, and I have to say that it priorities of any government. I could not does cause me some distress to learn that agree more with that. COUNCIL | Constituency questions Victoria Police officers are feeling some One of the problems we have, of course, is the two-up policy of the police force. I 12 April 2016 significant pressure at the moment. I have spoken to some very, very good do not knock that policy for one moment. police officers in recent times who have I believe in this particularly dangerous said to me that they are about to chuck it world that we live in, where we have Sky rail policy in. They have said, ‘This is going to hell in seen far too many terrorist attacks in Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My a handcart. We have had enough’, and that Australia and of course overseas, we have constituency question is to the Minister distresses me because the very least that a situation now where police feel that they can no longer go out and do their jobs on

IN 18 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE their own — going solo, as it were — and It is a bill which will, to some probably In my view the site should be offered feel that a two-up policy is necessary. small degree, improve the lot of police to a variety of education and school I believe indeed that it is necessary, in Victoria. But I do put out a plea to this providers to allow them the opportunity because the safety of our police is also government to get its priorities straight that this grand site offers. The trouble is, very, very important. People say about the and to think about what is important I am informed, that Victoria University police, ‘Well, that’s their job’. It is their job, to the men and women and children has been in discussions with the Hume but we should not be putting police in a — the families — of Victoria. I think City Council with a view to selling the position where their lives are endangered safety in their own homes, safety in their site for housing and for other residential- any more than they already are. I think the streets and safety in their schools are of type purposes, which obviously would two-up policy that is currently in effect — paramount importance, and they always disqualify any opportunity to return the put into effect by the chief commissioner should be. At the moment that safety is site back to an educational purpose. and police command — is a policy that under greater threat than it possibly ever My view is that while the property may is needed. But what it does is cut the has been before, and that is happening well be owned by Victoria University and effectiveness of police on the ground. very largely because police are under the any sale may be quite legal, it would be This means we need more police. It is as pump. There are not enough of them, and grossly immoral. The site was gifted by the simple as that. Victoria Police needs more we need more. government of Victoria to the university members. I could go on, and I could talk about the for an educational purpose. Victoria This government is not interested in pursuit policy. I am very pleased, I have to University has since decided it does not knowing about what Victoria Police needs, say, that I understand police command is wish to use it for an educational purpose. and it is not interested in knowing what reviewing that, if indeed it has not already It should be handed back to the people Victoria Police requires to protect our reviewed that policy, because I think that of Victoria. I ask the minister to counsel community. That is a direct result of the non-pursuit policy by Victoria Police was Victoria University about how very wrong fact that Labor has never cared about a prize piece of ratbaggery, to tell you the the sale of the site and the surrounding the police. Labor does not care about the truth. I think most police would actually land would be, and I ask him to do police. In fact Labor will use the police, agree with me, and certainly the ones that whatever he needs to do to reclaim the site come election time, as an election ploy. It I have spoken to over this have expressed and the surrounding land for the Victorian will take us all for a ride, using the police that a large part of their frustration as taxpayer. as some sort of attractive election ploy. police has been that policy. But we all know that when the election is They also have expressed the view that COUNCIL | Petitions over, Labor will go back to what it really there are just not enough of them. I come is — and that is, a party that does not like back to the basic problem that there are 13 April 2016 the police. It loathes police — in fact it just not enough police in Victoria. As a loathes authority — and it loathes law and Liberal-Nationals government from 2010 order. It is part of, I suppose, that intrinsic to 2014 we did everything in our power socialism that the Labor Party has. I think to try to change that, but this government Abortion it is very, very sad that so many people are has dropped the ball. It has totally taken in by the Labor Party saying that it dropped the ball and has gone back to its legislation cares about police and cares about law old ways. It does not care about police, To the Legislative Council of Victoria: and order, when it does not and it never does not care about law and order and The petition of certain citizens of the ever has. That is just a — — does not care about the community, but state of Victoria draws to the attention An honourable member interjected. this bill will hopefully go some way to of the Legislative Council that because Mr FINN — Yes, I think ‘tragedy’ is not helping the police. of the abortion legislation passed in too strong a word to use in describing the Victoria in 2008: situation in this state and the attitude that COUNCIL | Adjournment abortions are allowed to be performed this government has towards police and up to the point of birth; policing. I believe that the community 12 April 2016 deserves better than it is getting currently, babies in the womb who have reached and I believe that our police deserve the age of viability and older are being better than they are getting currently. aborted; Most certainly this bill does improve Victoria University it is not necessary for medical care the lot of police in some small way, and to be provided to babies who have that is a good thing and is why we do not Sunbury site survived an abortion; oppose this bill. I do hope the Premier Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I wish to raise a matter this evening — there is no obligation for medical will actually do something positive in professionals to facilitate the provision this area. He has not done anything too almost this morning — for the Minister for Training and Skills. Some 20 years ago the of access to appropriate services such positive anywhere else, but I am hoping as pregnancy support, counselling, that in terms of law and order in this state Kennett government gifted the old Caloola institution to Victoria University and housing, mental health and other this Premier will take the bull by the horns such services for pregnant women and will actually do something about TAFE for the purpose of providing tertiary education and training in Sunbury. Some experiencing physical or emotional getting more police on our streets. Put in distress. more police — do not think, do! years later, I am sure the house will recall, Victoria University made a decision — a The petitioners therefore request Mr Drum interjected. tragic decision in my view — to close its that the Legislative Council of Victoria Mr FINN — John Kennedy indeed, Mr Sunbury campus, and since that time support the Infant Viability Bill 2015 Drum; I thought you would pick up on that site has sat idle or largely idle and introduced by Dr Rachel Carling- that. I think the Premier has to get on empty. It is a sad thing to go up there and Jenkins which will rectify the problems the front foot here. He has to actually do see it today. The site has some wonderful with current law outlined above. his job and take the actions which will potential, with extraordinarily impressive By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) put the safety of our community at the buildings, as can be attested to by the (1960 signatures). forefront — and that means more police Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, on our streets. The reality is at the moment Matthew Guy, who recently toured the site Laid on table. that that is just not happening. The police with me with some other locals from the are feeling more pressure and are feeling Sunbury area. Ordered to be considered next day under the pump more every day, and this This abandoned facility is falling into on motion of Mr FINN (Western government is just not taking the slightest a state of disrepair, and graffiti vandals Metropolitan). bit of interest in what is happening to have already started their ugly work. It those magnificent men and women of could be anything, and my preference is Victoria Police. to return it to providing tertiary education In summing up, as I said before, I say for Sunbury and surrounds, as it was the opposition will not oppose this bill. intended to do some two decades ago.

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 19 COUNCIL | Adjournment with forces from South Vietnam to fight does, shut down the traffic flow entirely, 13 April 2016 the tyranny of communism. They fought leaving traffic mayhem for hours. Now with courage and with incredible bravery. the Premier’s favoured option, and I They are every bit as much Aussie war understand he has announced it this heroes as the original Anzacs or those who morning, of the western distributor will do Possums fought Japan and Germany in World War very little to improve the situation. I am Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I II. pleased the federal government agrees, raise a matter this evening for the Minister I have been deeply moved over the as evidenced by its decision not to fund for Environment, Climate Change and past 18 months or so as the Australian any part of the flawed project. The only Water, the Honourable Lisa Neville. I do Vietnamese community has shown real solution to our traffic problems in the not wish to offend the Greens in any way its gratitude to those Australians who west is construction of the east–west link. with this particular matter, but I have been left these shores to defend them. The Will the Premier now cut his criminally approached by a constituent who has outpouring of emotion from those wasteful losses, accept the $3 billion expressed some very, very grave concerns who came to Australia to escape the offered by the commonwealth and build about the numbers and behaviour of communist barbarians is instructive. this desperately needed road? possums in the western suburbs. He has It shows the innate decency of the expressed the view that the number of Australian Vietnamese community. They COUNCIL | Second reading possums has escalated significantly in the have not forgotten those who defended western suburbs in recent times and that it them, and they never will. Perhaps 14 April 2016 is causing him some considerable distress, more importantly, here is a community causing his dog some considerable that has embraced its new home and is distress and sometimes causing his cat comprised of fair dinkum Aussies who distress as well. He is hoping we might be love this wonderful land of opportunity Sex Offenders able to do something about this matter. and freedom. I am proud to call many I can speak from personal experience on Vietnamese Australians my friends, just as Registration this, because I know that, whilst I cannot I am proud of my fellow Australians who hear the possums on the roof of my house fought the good fight in Vietnam. They Amendment Bill because we have a tiled roof, the garage have my eternal respect and gratitude, is a more audible place when possums and the 521 who did not return will be 2016 run there. It is like they are wearing footy remembered forever. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I boots, and they are banging around up rise to speak very briefly this evening there. Quite often our dog will be sucked COUNCIL | Questions without notice on the Sex Offenders Registration in by the possums, and Bobbidog will Amendment Bill 2016. As Mr O’Donohue take to barking at the possums, which will 14 April 2016 has so eloquently said, the opposition ignite the dogs who live on either side of will be supporting this bill. I just want to our property, and before you know it every put on the record my abhorrence of those dog within a 5-kilometre radius is barking who commit these vile acts. Nobody — its head off. So you can see why people are Vocational nobody — should be violated in the way concerned about the impact of possums that these creatures violate women and in the western suburbs. education and quite often children and sometimes men I have to say I am not particularly sure as well. These offenders are not a lot better what action I would like the minister to training than animals — in fact I think it would be take with regard to the possums, but I do Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My safe to say it is rare to find an animal that ask the minister to take this matter very, question is to the Minister for Training would do what these creatures actually do. very seriously. This is something that is and Skills. On 23 March in this house the As the father of three daughters, causing some significant concern in the minister quoted from the preliminary obviously their safety is my paramount west, and I ask the minister to direct her results of the 2015 training data. Given concern. I see them and I see their friends, department to study the issue of possums the 2014 report was released in March and it is my very strong view that they in the western suburbs and to produce last year, how much longer will Victorians have an absolute and total right to walk a report and recommend some actions have to wait to see the results of the 2015 the streets of our community in safety, as to what can be done to alleviate what training year? and anybody who threatens that safety could well become a very, very significant has to be dealt with and indeed dealt with problem in the not-too-distant future. I Supplementary question very, very harshly. There is a community trust that the minister will take this on Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I expectation that we as a government, via board, and I will be very happy to let my refer to the minister’s previous comments our police force and our laws, protect constituents know that action is on its when he said people have a right to know them and that we lock the offenders up way. what is happening in our training system. and ensure that they are not in a position Will the minister end his double standards to reoffend. COUNCIL | Members statements and commit to releasing the data this I think we as a Parliament perhaps have 14 April 2016 week, or is he only interested in having to take a bit more of a proactive role in these reports in the public domain when making it clear to the judiciary exactly they support his political campaigns? what we want: that the rights of victims and potential victims trump those of offenders every time — every time. I am Battle of Long Tan COUNCIL | Constituency questions all for human rights and civil rights and 14 April 2016 all sorts of rights, but the fact of the matter commemoration is that the rights of sex offenders, once Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I they have committed these evil acts, are have long thought the treatment of — to put it kindly — limited. Certainly if Australian troops returning from the Traffic congestion the rights of the victims and those who Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) war in Vietnam was one of the darkest would be seen as potential victims are — My constituency question is to the episodes in our nation’s history. Those threatened, then clearly they will win Premier. The Premier may not get to the who served in Vietnam did not deserve every time. the disgraceful scenes they faced upon western suburbs often, but I can assure their return. I am delighted to say that him that traffic congestion is strangling I see in this legislation there is reference attitudes have changed. We now readily the west of Melbourne. Even on a good — which I think Ms Pennicuik was making accept Vietnam veterans as heroes, as day traffic on the West Gate, Calder and reference to — to offenders’ right to indeed they are. In the finest tradition of Tullamarine freeways and other main privacy, and I think Mr Leane made some the Australian military, diggers went to roads in Melbourne’s west is chaotic. One reference to that as well. I can understand Vietnam to fight for freedom. They joined small vehicle accident can, and often why some people would want to keep sex

IN 20 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE offenders’ names out of the public arena, be completed by 2018, so I would assume Point Cook is at a premium. Demand is but I have to say that in this area I think that would mean that the building would growing almost on a daily basis. Given we have to, once again, put the rights of presumably start pretty soon. Now, if the the government’s claim that it is now victims and potential victims over the building is due to start pretty soon, then I swimming in cash, I was staggered that rights of offenders. For example, I think would imagine that the land would also be no provision was made in the budget every parent has the right to know where a part of the deal. I am asking the minister of last week for more schools in Point danger is lurking. If I had a paedophile to explain to the people of Point Cook Cook. Given the obvious need for further living next to me and my family, I would what is going on with this land, if indeed secondary education facilities in Point want to know about it. That is something this land exists, and if it does exist, where Cook, will the minister outline what plans that perhaps we can address in further it is. he has to provide for that demand, or has legislation down the way a bit. With some he totally deserted the residents? of these civil libertarians their priorities are peculiar, to say the very least. We COUNCIL | Petitions have to protect the innocent — we have 3 May 2016 COUNCIL | Members statements to protect those who it is our role to 3 May 2016 protect — and I think putting the rights, the so-called rights, of sex offenders as our priority is just plain wrong. It is just totally, Abortion totally wrong. Melbourne Autism I support this bill. In saying those few legislation words tonight I am very hopeful that To the Legislative Council of Victoria: Expo the government and the opposition will The petition of certain citizens of the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — continue to work together to provide state of Victoria draws to the attention of Last Saturday it was my very great pleasure a safe environment for everyone and the house that because of the abortion to attend the Melbourne Autism Expo in to ensure that these dreadful, vile, evil legislation passed in Victoria in 2008: Ringwood. As the shadow parliamentary secretary for autism spectrum disorder, I acts are eliminated, if not completely abortions are allowed to be performed obliterated, from our society. had previously accepted the invitation to up to the point of birth; be an ambassador for this event, and as babies in the womb who have reached such I spoke at the official opening, along COUNCIL | Adjournment the age of viability and older are being with the local federal member and my 14 April 2016 aborted; good friend Michael Sukkar. it is not necessary for medical care The Melbourne Autism Expo was to be provided to babies who have devised and organised by two mums, survived an abortion; Larissa Hill and Natasha McArdle, Point Cook schools who were ably assisted by an army of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I there is no obligation for medical volunteers. I am sure they had no idea wish to raise a matter for the attention of professionals to facilitate the provision when they first began this process how the Minister for Education. I bring to the of access to appropriate services such successful they would be. When I arrived minister’s attention a news release of 7 as pregnancy support, counselling, on Saturday morning the place was awash May last year. This release was put out by housing, mental health and other with people. Queues stretched as far as the member for the Assembly electorate such services for pregnant women the eye could see. The Karralyka Centre of Altona, Jill Hennessy. She says in that experiencing physical or emotional in Ringwood is a substantial building, press release that as a result of funding by distress. but it was bursting at the seams from the the government, and I quote: The petitioners therefore request moment it opened until it closed. Students in Point Cook are big winners that the Legislative Council of Victoria Larrissa and Natalie are very much in the Andrews Labor Government’s support the Infant Viability Bill 2015 the victims of their own success. They first state budget. introduced by Dr Rachel Carling- and their team are to be congratulated Jenkins which will rectify the problems on their initiative and the execution of The budget includes funding for with current law outlined above. purchase of land for the promised Point a wideranging event that met a huge Cook 10–12 school, with further funding By Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (2986 demand in the community. Saturday to be provided in future budgets. signatures), again showed that families with autism Now that sounds like a marvellous Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (862 want information, it showed that thing, but the question has to be asked: signatures), families with autism want support, and where is this land? It is a guessing game in Dr CARLING-JENKINS (Western I look forward to being part of the Guy Point Cook as to where this land might be, Metropolitan) (2426 signatures), and government that will deliver both in if indeed this land has been purchased, Mr ONDARCHIE (Northern spades. and indeed whether a decision has been Metropolitan) (1965 signatures). made to purchase this land. I think, given COUNCIL | Second reading that previous Labor governments have Laid on table. 3 May 2016 given Point Cook the rough end of the pineapple for quite some time, we really Ordered to be considered next day need some action on this. on motion of Mr FINN (Western Point Cook desperately needs further Metropolitan). National Electricity secondary education facilities. We have a situation where many children from Point Cook are catching a bus to Bacchus Marsh COUNCIL | Constituency questions (Victoria) Further to go to school, which is just insane. That 3 May 2016 is the truth. The minister looks surprised, Amendment Bill but that is the truth. Many of them are actually catching a bus to Bacchus Marsh 2015 because the facilities just do not exist in Point Cook Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It Point Cook. is indeed a pleasure to speak on this So I ask the Minister for Education secondary school bill, particularly following my friend to explain to the people of Point Cook Mr Ramsay but especially following Mr — and to anybody else who might be Barber, because when I hear Mr Barber it facilities sometimes inspires me to rise to my feet to interested as well — exactly where Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My this land is that the government has rebut some of the more outrageous things constituency question is to the Minister that he gets away with or indeed attempts supposedly purchased. I am told, as Ms for Education. As I hope the minister Hennessy says, that the school is due to to get away with. But tonight I will resist is now aware, secondary education in that temptation because I know there is a

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 21 keenness at this late hour for members to week. That is something that would be a the house that because of the abortion be elsewhere — namely, in bed asleep. positive contribution to Australian life and legislation passed in Victoria in 2008: I will just make a reference, and I will a very positive contribution to the welfare abortions are allowed to be performed agree with Mr Mulino on this occasion of this nation. up to the point of birth; when he says that electricity is a very babies in the womb who have reached important commodity in our society. COUNCIL | Adjournment In fact I would go as far as saying that the age of viability and older are being without electricity we would not have the 3 May 2016 aborted; civilisation that we now have. Indeed we it is not necessary for medical care would not have the standard of living that to be provided to babies who have we enjoy in this country. Footscray Hospital survived an abortion; An honourable member interjected. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I there is no obligation for medical Mr FINN — Indeed. Thank you, Sir John wish to raise a matter this evening for professionals to facilitate the provision Monash. the Minister for Health. I refer to the of access to appropriate services such We would not have that standard of recent state budget, which did make an as pregnancy support, counselling, living that we enjoy. So I have to ask why allocation for the Footscray Hospital, housing, mental health and other the political left in this country wants but this was a mere drop in the bucket such services for pregnant women to drag our standard of living down by compared to what is desperately needed experiencing physical or emotional slapping on another carbon tax, which is to make this hospital of the standard that distress. a tax on electricity? This is a tax which is it should be. The petitioners therefore request designed to force the price of electricity I have raised this matter in the house that the Legislative Council of Victoria up, to provide a source of revenue for a before. I recall very early in my tenure as a support the Infant Viability Bill 2015 government to redistribute to where it member for Western Metropolitan Region introduced by Dr Rachel Carling- will, but a tax which will make life more visiting the Footscray Hospital and being Jenkins which will rectify the problems difficult for the families of Australia. absolutely shocked at what I saw and what with current law outlined above. In the state budget last week we saw this I experienced, because I have to say to you By Mr YOUNG (Northern Victoria) government in Victoria — and I use that that despite the best efforts of doctors and (1029 signatures), term very loosely — impose its very own the nurses, who all do a wonderful job, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (1588 Victorian carbon tax. And we hear from what they have to work with there is not signatures), the federal leader of the Labor Party that a lot better than what one would see in a Mr BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (1893 if he is elected on 2 July — if indeed the Third World country. That is something signatures), election is going to be on 2 July — that he that I think we should be ashamed of — that we would have a hospital serving a Mr DALLA-RIVA (Eastern Metropolitan) will be slapping on a carbon tax as well. (6635 signatures) and So lucky, lucky us! Lucky Victoria will community which quite frankly should be be having a carbon tax not just from the bulldozed and rebuilt. It long ago outlived Mr MORRIS (Western Victoria) (2608 federal government, as it had before, but its usefulness. I refer to the building. As I signatures). say, the standard of care and the standard a carbon tax from the state government Laid on table. as well. of healing and specialty offered to patients Let us go back to 2013 when the is right up there with any other hospital in proposition was put to the people of the state. But the nurses and the doctors are working under some extraordinarily COUNCIL | Constituency questions Australia: ‘Vote for this crowd and we’ll 4 May 2016 keep the carbon tax’ or ‘Vote for this difficult circumstances because of crowd and we’ll get rid of it’. The people the state of this decrepit hospital. It of Australia overwhelmingly voted for is something that I have to say we as the Abbott government to remove the Victorians should be ashamed of. carbon tax, and to the credit of the Abbott I ask the minister, given that the state Western government that is exactly what it did. government is apparently rolling in That is a legacy that Tony Abbott can be money, as it should be given the number Distributor project Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My very proud of. — — constituency question is to the Minister Mrs Peulich — Rivers of gold. I have to again ask why the Labor Party, for Roads and Road Safety. I fear that why the Greens, why the left of politics Mr FINN — Rivers of gold indeed, the minister may not know the answer in this country want to make life difficult Mrs Peulich — as it should be, given the to any of the questions related to the for families, why they want to make life significant tax increases that we saw in western distributor as I further fear that difficult for businesses, for industry, for the state budget. Given that the state he has been frozen out of having any employers and indeed why they want to government has all this money, I ask say over this dog of a project. Confusion slap a tax on jobs — or another tax on the Minister for Health to allocate the still reigns supreme among locals over jobs. Have they not got enough, and do money necessary to rebuild the Footscray almost every aspect of the western they not care about ordinary Australians Hospital. It is about time that Labor distributor. The time has come for some who are struggling to pay their bills as it is? governments in this state stopped taking serious answers to local residents. Will the Why do these people want to slap another the people of the western suburbs for minister facilitate a frank and transparent tax on that will boost the cost of a basic granted. To leave the Footscray Hospital flow of information to locals over this commodity such as electricity? Of course in the state it is in is shameful and a clear far from satisfactory but very expensive it flows through. It is not just the electricity case of taking these people for granted. I attempt to deal with traffic congestion in bill. It flows through to everything — ask the minister to make the allocation, Melbourne’s west? supermarkets, you name it. Everything pull that hospital down, rebuild it and give will be passing it on to the poor old family us one that we deserve. trying to pay their bills, so I ask the Labor Party to consider that. COUNCIL | Petitions I know we cannot expect common sense from the Greens. That is pushing 4 May 2016 reality out there beyond all expectation, but I ask Labor Party members in the occasional moment when they might have some common sense to put the Abortion interests of Australian families out in the suburbs and in country areas first, to turf legislation any prospect of the carbon tax at a federal To the Legislative Council of Victoria: level and to do away with the carbon tax The petition of certain citizens of the that was announced in the budget last state of Victoria draws to the attention of

IN 22 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL Mr FINN — This is Comrade Marshall, — it is good to know that the CFA station 4 May 2016 Ms Crozier. So it does not surprise me is not far away, because if a grassfire got to hear what the UFU is trying to do to going near where I am, it could get nasty. the CFA. There is no doubt that the UFU There are so many people who are in that is trying to control the CFA; there is no situation. Wyndham is bad; up around Country Fire doubt about that, and Mr Leane knows Sunbury and Bulla is bad. Constantly that. Honestly, to come in here and use there are fires around Sunbury; we lose as your basis the word of Marshall; good houses every year around Sunbury. That Authority God, what is the country coming to? is something that clearly the Premier does Could anyone take anybody seriously who not care about. What he does care about enterprise comes in here and uses Peter Marshall as is pleasing his mates. What he does care a basis for their argument? That is just a about is looking after his union buddies in bargaining nonsense. the UFU, in this particular instance. It has been a matter of record for 20-odd What the Premier also does not care agreement years that Peter Marshall and the UFU about is his own minister. We have seen Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It have wanted to smash the volunteers in that. I have to say that what the Premier is does give me a great deal of pleasure the CFA. That is a fact. Nobody can dispute doing to Ms Garrett should not surprise to speak on a motion that has been put that. And here they are with the Premier in anyone given what he has previously done to this house today by Mr O’Donohue, their pocket, and we well know why they to Mr Somyurek. I suppose it is pretty because I think it is an extremely have the Premier in their pocket. Firstly, mild by Daniel Andrews’s standards. It important motion. I have stated many, the Premier of this state is a hardline, is still a disgrace that a Premier would many times over the years my admiration left-wing ideologue — the most left-wing, just turf a minister to one side and say, for the men and women of the Country hardline ideologue we have ever had ‘You don’t matter’. I do not know how this Fire Authority (CFA). It is an organisation in the office of Premier in this state. He government is going to resolve this issue. that is not just the backbone of any makes Joan Kirner look like a moderate. I do not know how its members can all sit community. That is the fact of the matter. in the same cabinet room. I do not know Mr Drum — The footy club. Secondly, this attempt by the Premier how they can all sit in the same caucus, Mr FINN — The footy club is too, but to destroy the CFA as we know it is a because we know that the hatreds within Mr Drum will find quite often that the payback for what the UFU did for the ALP the ALP are very much alive, do we not, footy club and the CFA are very much in the lead-up to the last election. We all Mr Leane? We know that the hatreds interchangeable in many areas. But the know what happened in marginal seats within the ALP are very much alive, but fact of the matter is that the CFA can and indeed in some safe seats prior to this is an issue that has brought them to often dictate who lives and who dies in a the last election. We saw people dressed the surface. This is an issue where they are community. in firemen’s uniforms going around on bubbling over at the sides. Here we have a Premier who has dismissed his minister I live just around the corner from a CFA fire trucks intimidating, threatening and bullying people at polling booths and at totally out of hand and has told his station. They are very busy. I hear the minister that she, her advice and her stand siren going off at all times of the day and street stalls. Wherever opponents of the ALP were gathered, these people would on these issues are just not required. It is night, and a few minutes later I hear the just extraordinary. What it comes down to truck heading off to an incident. They do appear and make their presence felt in a way that was most unsavoury. Of course is protecting the lives and the property of not just go to fires; they go to all sorts of Victorians. traumas, all sorts of road accidents and we well remember seeing at the last all sorts of clean-ups. These people are election the ALP how-to-vote card that One of my very first memories was of very committed community people. To featured a fireman on it. the Cressy fires, which I think were back see what we have seen over recent times The fact of the matter is that Daniel in 1967. My father was off fighting the is, I have to say, probably the worst of Andrews — Dodgy Dan, the Premier of fires, and my mother cooked a batch of all the appalling abominations that this this state — owes the UFU big time, and scones that could have fed a small army government has committed. To sell out this is a part of the payback. He is giving and headed over to feed the firefighters. the CFA, and particularly to sell out the to Peter Marshall something that Marshall It is one of my very earliest memories. I volunteers of the CFA as this Premier — I has always coveted. He has always wanted remember those firefighters with a great do not say government; I say Premier — to control the CFA. He has always wanted deal of affection, because they were, and has done is despicable. to control the personnel within the CFA, are still, very much a family. These are people who depend on each other for Mr Leane — But it’s not true. and the volunteer network in the CFA has prevented him from doing that. So what their survival. How many times have we Mr FINN — It is despicable. Mr Leane is does the Premier do for Peter Marshall? seen volunteers out fighting fires only to over there. He is saying, ‘It’s not true. It’s He gets rid of the volunteers. For the return home to find that that home is no not true’. I heard his contribution earlier. Premier of Victoria to do that, I say, is a longer there, to find that their own home Interestingly enough he did not quote the disgrace. It is not just a disgrace; it puts the has been burnt to the ground in the course Premier. He certainly did not quote the lives of Victorians at risk, because without of a bushfire? It is that time when the CFA minister. Who did he quote? He quoted the work that the CFA does week in, week rallies around to support those people. the head of the United Firefighters Union out but particularly during the summer This is a community that used to be — (UFU), Mr Marshall. I would not trust Mr periods, and without the presence of CFA and I would like to think that it still is, but Marshall as far as I could throw him. I volunteers, many more Victorians would it certainly used to be — what Australia have seen Mr Marshall in action before. I die in fires. We live in one of the most was all about. What we are seeing from remember some years ago when I was a fire-prone areas on earth. Without the this Premier is an attempt to destroy that, candidate for this place. I was at a meeting CFA volunteers, we would not have a hope and I hope he fails. I sincerely hope he at Sunshine one night when we were in hell of fighting those fires that we are fails. As I said before, of all the appalling discussing the proposed indoor swimming faced with on a yearly basis. It is an annual things he has done — the scrapping of pool in Sunshine. Justin Madden, who was thing. We have good fire seasons, we have the east–west link and the blowing of a then the sports minister, sent along Mr bad fire seasons, but we always have a fire billion dollars; we could go on about all Marshall as a — well, let us say — — season. We need those CFA volunteers. of the things he has done — this attack Mrs Peulich — Enforcer? Here we have the Premier of this state on volunteerism, this attack on the Mr FINN — Yes, ‘enforcer’ is a very good coming in and attempting to smash volunteers of the CFA, is clearly, in my word, Mrs Peulich. I saw this individual a network which has been protecting mind, the worst thing that he has done. firsthand. I did not know him from Adam Victorians for generations. It is not just In doing this — if he succeeds — he will at that point in time, but I saw the way about mistreating the volunteers; it is not be putting at risk the lives of Victorians he interacted with people. I saw him just about regarding the volunteers as in rural areas, and he will be putting at being a bully. I saw him acting in a very being unimportant, as clearly the Premier risk the lives of people in the fringe areas threatening manner. does; it is about protecting the people of around the edges of Melbourne, in places, Ms Crozier interjected. Victoria. I know in my own situation — I for example, like where I live. The lives of am not in a particularly fire-prone area my next-door neighbours will be put at

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 23 risk because the CFA as we know it will be weeks later, I again phoned and was COUNCIL | Constituency questions no more. told initially by Ashleigh that Michelle 5 May 2016 I want to say to the Premier, if he has would get back to me that day and later, a conscience, which is highly debatable, at 4.45 p.m., that she was unavailable. ‘Use your conscience, Premier’. This is Consequently, I advised Ashleigh I something that is far too important to clearly needed to address the matter Deer Park rail level be used as a political pawn. It is far too through other channels. important to be used as political payback. Indeed Ms Sadler has done that by crossings We are talking about something which contacting me. My concern is that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I will save people’s lives and which has obviously Ms Sadler has issues. She has thank the house for its indulgence. My saved people’s lives over a long period been done out of a significant amount constituency question is directed to the of time, and I would hope that we will of money by the department, and this Minister for Public Transport. I refer be in a position to do it again for a very, needs to be rectified. One of the greatest to major concerns expressed by my very long time. I say to the Premier, ‘Get wrongs that can be done by government is constituents, by Brimbank Council and your priorities straight, because at the for a government department to mistreat police about level crossings in Deer Park. moment you are going the wrong way. people in the community in this way and In particular the Mount Derrimut Road You are doing the wrong thing by Victoria for it to refuse to accept responsibility level crossing presents a major safety issue and you are doing the wrong thing by and offer payment to people like my and needs urgent attention. Victorians’. The CFA and the volunteers constituent, who has had to go through all of these channels. For Ms Sadler to receive I ask the minister: will these level in the CFA are to be cherished and they crossings be eliminated as a part of the are to be protected; they are not to be absolutely no joy from the minister is just not good enough. Ballarat line duplication, or will the people attacked. They are not to be destroyed as of Melbourne’s west be again victims of this Premier is attempting to do. I strongly I ask the minister to take this on board, neglect by a Labor government? urge the house to support this motion. to provide a speedy response to Ms Sadler and to provide a solution to this problem that she has presented to me. COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Adjournment 5 May 2016 4 May 2016 COUNCIL | Petitions 5 May 2016 Western Avondale Heights public transport Metropolitan Abortion Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I wish to raise a matter this evening for the Region constituent legislation Minister for Public Transport. I noticed an Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I To the Legislative Council of Victoria: article in a recent edition of the Moonee wish to raise a matter for the attention of The petition of certain citizens of the Valley Leader in which Cr Shirley Cornish the Minister for Housing, Disability and state of Victoria draws to the attention of Moonee Valley Council has gone on Ageing, the Honourable Martin Foley. The of the Legislative Council that because the record as saying that it makes perfect issue concerns correspondence I have of the abortion legislation passed in sense to extend the tramline of the no. received from a constituent, Louise Sadler. Victoria in 2008: 57 tram, the West Maribyrnong tram, to This is an issue that she has raised with abortions are allowed to be performed Military Road and indeed right down to me and others. It concerns a property she up to the point of birth; Buckley Street and right through Avondale owns in Maribyrnong, which was rented Heights. I have to say I totally agree with by the Department of Health and Human babies in the womb who have reached the good councillor. It is not every day Services. The issue concerns the property’s the age of viability and older are being I do agree with councillors, but on this state of disrepair when it was returned aborted; occasion she is absolutely spot on when to her in May 2015. Ms Sadler explained it is not necessary for medical care she says Avondale Heights is crying out to me in an email how much she was to be provided to babies who have for improved public transport. She says expecting and how much it cost to actually survived an abortion; the tram route to Avondale Heights would fix up the property she is talking about. connect residents to Highpoint shopping there is no obligation for medical The concern I have tonight is that Ms centre and to the city. Members may not professionals to facilitate the provision be aware that public transport to Avondale Sadler said in her email: of access to appropriate services such as pregnancy support, counselling, Heights up Military Road is indeed My issue was initially brought to limited, to say the very least. the attention of the office of my local housing, mental health and other member of Parliament, Ms Marsha such services for pregnant women I also noticed that Mr Frank Di Blasi, Thomson, on 14 January 2016. I emailed experiencing physical or emotional the Avondale Heights and East Keilor videos which summarised my dilemma distress. Residents Association president — and a fine gentleman he is — said the possibility and copies of all documentation. The petitioners therefore request Subsequently, I attended a meeting of the tramline extending to Buckley Street that the Legislative Council of Victoria would ‘always be better than anything we at Ms Thomson’s office on 18 January support the Infant Viability Bill 2015 2016 and was later advised my issue was have now’. Never a truer statement would introduced by Dr Rachel Carling- be made. escalated to the minister for housing, Jenkins which will rectify the problems Mr Martin Foley, on the day of the with current law outlined above. He went on to say: meeting. My last communication to Ms Thomson’s office was emailed on By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) I’m sure that would be most 13 April 2016, but I am yet to receive a (922 signatures). welcomed by the local community … response … I think Mr Di Blasi is spot on. I think Laid on table. in that situation — if we were to get the In the absence of any response from extension of the 57 tram route up Military Ms Thomson, I phoned the minister’s Road — there would be dancing in the office on 19 April 2016, and at their streets by the people of Avondale Heights. suggestion, emailed again all the Avondale Heights is sometimes regarded information the minister has apparently had since 18 January 2016 … I phoned as a little bit of a forgotten pocket, if you the minister’s office a week later on 26 like, in the City of Moonee Valley, and I April 2016 and was told by Michelle, would very much like to change that. It is who is apparently a department a good spot, and it deserves a bit of tender liaison officer, that my email was not loving care from government. yet available to her. Yesterday, two

IN 24 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Given that the government currently, slur. While he is in the mood for apologies, We hear about people getting up to as it proclaimed in the recent budget, the Premier should apologise to every have a glass of water in the middle of the apparently has shiploads of cash — given parent in this state and he should hang his night, or indeed to get rid of one, and that it is absolutely rolling in money — it head in shame. walk into their kitchen and see blokes would be able to put that money into that have broken in. They get one to go some public transport in the Avondale on with — they are belted on the side Heights area. I ask the minister to put in COUNCIL | Second reading of the head — and their car is stolen. In place immediately plans to extend the 24 May 2016 2016 this is happening. This is not New no. 57 tram route up Military Road to York. In fact, if it was New York, it would Avondale Heights. not be happening, after Rudy Giuliani’s crackdown some years ago. It would not Crimes Legislation be happening over there, but the fact of COUNCIL | Constituency questions the matter is it is happening here. 24 May 2016 Amendment Bill We have a crime wave in this state, and this government has no idea about how to 2016 stop it. It has no idea about how to handle Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I it — none, zilch. I have to say it has little Goonawarra rise this evening to speak on the Crimes interest. The fact that the government Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. As has has appointed Lisa Neville as Minister Primary School been mentioned, the opposition will not for Police would indicate that it has little Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) be opposing this bill, but I must in the interest in handling the crime wave in this — My constituency question is to the process of speaking on this bill express state. Minister for Education, and it follows my very deep concern about what is We have people living in fear in their a visit I made last week to Goonawarra happening in the area of law and order Primary School in Sunbury. Goonawarra own homes, and that is just not good in this state. We are finding a situation enough. I will give an example. Last is an area that historically has suffered a where crime is in many areas rampant. It number of social problems. Principal Alan Saturday night in my own electorate, in is totally out of control. In fact ‘rampant’ Point Cook, which is a very nice suburb Fairweather told me the combination of a might be understating things a little bit. welfare officer with a school chaplain had — as I am sure Mr Melhem will agree, and If ever any further evidence is needed I know Mr Ramsay, who was there very worked wonders in helping many children that the government hates the police, just facing myriad difficulties. The problem is recently, will agree that Point Cook is a have a look at who has been appointed very, very nice place — there was a party, that Goonawarra Primary School has been as Minister for Police. Here is somebody funding the position of school chaplain which is not unknown in the suburbs. who is an entire failure. Wherever she has An honourable member interjected. since the end of 2014. That is how highly it gone, whatever she has done, her entire values this position. As this is a significant Mr FINN — No, Mr Ramsay was not at political life she has failed. So what has the party, not that I am aware of anyway, impost on the school’s budget, will the the government done with Lisa Neville? minister provide funding to Goonawarra but there was a party. As the evening wore It has made her the police minister. Is on the party was gatecrashed by thugs, by Primary School so it can continue the that not a sign for the world to see of what important work of its school chaplain? hoons, by lunatics — call them what you Dodgy Dan and his mates think of the will — who went in and bashed the people police in this state? It is a disgrace that any in the house, absolutely trashed the COUNCIL | Members statements government would put somebody like Lisa house and made particularly unattractive 24 May 2016 Neville in charge again. gestures towards the neighbours with a The fact of the matter is that Labor has view to continuing their rampage through failed on law and order. Labor has been, their houses as well. Again that word came as it always has been, a total, unmitigated up — fear. There was fear in our streets. Safe Schools failure on law and order. We have in this The police came, saw what was going state people living in fear in their own on and left. This is what I heard from an program homes. We have in this state people eyewitness. That seems to me to be a very Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — who are at home watching television, strange way of going about things, but it We can still smell the whiff of perfume playing with the dog, scratching the cat seems to me that the police in this state from Mother’s Day, so it is appropriate to or whatever they are doing, and they are are not given the authority to do their job. consider the importance of parenthood. in fear of somebody coming in, kicking Mr Ondarchie interjected. their front door down, bashing them up, Good parents nurture and protect their Mr FINN — Exactly right, Mr Ondarchie. children and strive to give them every taking their car keys and stealing their car. This is something that people are They are not given the resources, and they opportunity in life. To have the great are not given the authority to do their job, fortune of being born into a family with genuinely afraid of right across the city of Melbourne, and it is only a matter of time and they need both. How can we expect good parents is the best start in life. Many the police to protect us? They do not have single parents should also be proud of before some of the crooks catch on, I am sure, in some of the regional areas as well. the police numbers. If they do not have the often gargantuan effort they put in. the cars, if they do not have the vans, if Given the universal recognition of the This should not be happening; this should not be allowed to happen. they do not have everything that they importance of parents to the future of our need in order to do their jobs, how can we next generation, I was staggered by the We have gangs on our streets who are expect the police to do that? So we had comment of the Premier recently when he not afraid of the police. They are not afraid that situation just last Saturday night in let it be known that that high regard might of the law. They have no fear at all of the Point Cook. not be so universal after all. police. I suppose when you consider that Mr Rich-Phillips made reference before When confronted by concerns of the police up to this point may not have been able to pursue them, maybe they to what happened at Moomba this year. parents about what their children We have all been to Moomba. It is one would be taught at schools, he called are right to have no fear. Maybe they are justified in their antics and the way they of the most delightful times of the year, those parents bigots. When confronted apart from Richmond winning. It is one by parents worried about a social get away with what they do, but the reality is that we have people living in fear in of the more delightful times of the year, engineering program put together by a and we get our families and get some hardline Marxist, the best our Premier their own homes even with the security that people have. We all have, I am sure, considerable joy from going into the could do was to spray them with abuse. Moomba festival in the city. It is that time To love and care about one’s children secure doors. I am sure we all have secure windows. Even with the security that we of the year where Melbourne is at its best, does not make any parent a bigot. To and you expect to be able to go in there express justified concern about the so- put up around our homes, people are still afraid of what might happen and indeed and enjoy the festivities and be a part called Safe Schools program does not of what is a wonderful festival. But not make anyone a bigot. Daniel Andrews what could happen any time of the night or day. this year. We had gangs running amok, should be ashamed of himself for this foul and people ran in fear for their lives.

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 25 Again I use that word — fear. That is the So we have a situation here where in maybe 12 hours ago, so I will address this word, wherever we look in this state, that my view our police are being mistreated bill, as I say, relatively briefly. permeates. People ran in fear for their rather badly. I have spoken to a number I address this bill not so much as a lives as these thugs — these gangs — ran of friends of mine who are officers of the legislator but rather as the father of three riot on our streets during our premium law, and they are deeply concerned about daughters. I have to say to the house festival. what is going on. Indeed a number of my that their safety and the safety of other Again nobody seemed to be able to friends have said to me, ‘I’m giving this women and girls must be, with regard to do anything about it. Police did not do up’. They have said, ‘I’m out of here. I can’t this matter, our only priority and our only much about it. They checked the video cope with this anymore’. It is something concern. afterwards. That is all very well. Trial by that really has to be addressed as a matter That is the only thing that matters. The video is a marvellous thing. We will check of significant urgency. Unfortunately on scum that regard themselves as having the video and find out who did it, but it is the scale of importance it just does not the right to help themselves to women not going to help you if somebody has got rate with this government. and girls by way of sexual assault, in my you in a headlock and is smacking you in I could go on for quite some time about view, really do not come into it at all. Their the head as you are trying to walk down the role of the judiciary in all of this. rights are forfeited when they commit the street. We need to actually prevent Mr Ondarchie — Please do. these particularly appalling acts. these things from happening, not catch Mr FINN — I have not got much time Given that the community is in no who did them after you have got out of left. Of course we are suffering here in mood for sitting back and allowing this hospital. It is not good enough. Again Victoria from the Rob Hulls legacy. Here sort of thing to go unpunished, I think we have a situation where law and order was a man who was a Labor Attorney- we have to, as a Parliament and as a has broken down in Victoria, and again General for 11 years. He made every community, go in a lot harder. We have the government has not got a clue. This judicial appointment for 11 years, and to show these people that we will not government does not have a clue how to we are going to be suffering from that tolerate this sort of behaviour under any restore it or what it needs to do to restore for decades — for probably a generation circumstances. Sadly, the public has lost it. or two. I am just afraid to think that that confidence in the judicial system; that is a We then move on, and Ms Fitzherbert might be continuing under this current sad fact of life. Far too often we see people made reference, I think it was a little bit Attorney-General — people might think going before the courts and not receiving earlier today, to the drive-by shooting that that he is a moderate. They probably their fair whack — not receiving what a occurred near her office. Unfortunately thought the same thing of Rob Hulls. fair-minded member of the community these are not uncommon. We find Wrong! would regard as justice — and this has to frequently that there are shootings now I am starting to think that there may change. — there are drive-by shootings, there are not be any such thing as a moderate I understand, as I mentioned in debate shootings of people. The use of firearms, in the ALP. Certainly when it comes to on an earlier bill, that this is largely as a presumably illegal firearms, is through the law and order, when it comes to these result of 11 years of Rob Hulls as Attorney- roof. It is interesting, because if somebody important matters of personal protection, General and his appointing people to the had a legal firearm and it was out of a safe of protecting people even in their own bench that were of a like mind to him. or out of an area where it should be, the homes, the ALP just does not care. It They, generally speaking, are averse to police would undoubtedly come around does not want to know, and it puts it justice. That is something that we have to and pick it up, but the police do not seem on the backburner. It is too busy with be aware of. Unfortunately I do not see it to be able to catch up with illegal firearms, its social agenda, it is too busy trying to being rectified in the next two and a half and they are the ones that are causing twist children’s minds at school and it is years, but certainly I am very, very hopeful most of the trouble these days. Again, too busy pushing the personal barrows that in the first and second terms of the the police do not have the resources or of ministers. Of course with this Premier Guy government we will see some radical the authority to do their job. Again, it — and keeping in mind this is the most changes with regard to justice in this state. is the responsibility of this government extreme left-wing Premier this state has I use that term ‘justice’ very deliberately, to give the police both the resources ever had — we have a government that because I think justice is what we need. and the authority, and it has not. This just does not care. I urge the government government has failed yet again. Here we At the moment we have a legal system to start taking these matters seriously and that the majority of people in the have a situation where people are driving make Victoria safe again. around shooting at other people, shooting community regard as being for lawyers. at business premises and shooting into The legal system is there to provide homes. It is just totally unsatisfactory. It is COUNCIL | Second reading lawyers with Mercedes-Benzes. It is there to provide lawyers with fancy houses. It something that we cannot possibly under 24 May 2016 any circumstances allow to keep going. is to provide lawyers with overseas travel. Justice, in the minds of most people in Then we move on to the Apex gang, the community, does not come into this which is a continuation, I suppose, of matter at all. That is something that needs the gang that kicks down your front door, Serious Sex to be addressed as a matter of urgency, gives you a smack in the head and pinches because I think we cannot survive as your car. That is, again, what is becoming Offenders a civilised society for very long if the almost the norm in certain parts of community does not have faith in our Melbourne these days. (Detention and judicial system. In fact we cannot survive You would think that faced with that for very long as a civilised society if indeed situation a government would actually we have a judicial system and not a justice take this matter seriously, would take Supervision) system, which is what we would really like. this matter on board and would address In the debate on this bill tonight the sex it as a serious matter, but instead this Amendment offender register has been spoken about. I government has appointed Lisa Neville would have no problem, I have to say, with as the Minister for Police. Clearly it is not (Community making that public. I think that people taking the matter seriously, and you would have a right to know whom they are living not expect Labor to, because historically Safety) Bill 2016 next to. I think they have a right to know the Labor Party has had total contempt for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) if some evil piece of scum is living in their authority, it has had total contempt for law — I shall speak relatively briefly this neighbourhood. They have a right to be and order and it has had total contempt evening on the Serious Sex Offenders able to protect themselves; they have a for the police. As I have said in this house (Detention and Supervision) Amendment right to be able to protect their families. many, many times, the police are used (Community Safety) Bill 2016 because I I think in the case of child sex offenders by the ALP at election time, but once the think it is a matter that can be dealt with — and I am sure everybody in this house election is over, Labor members no longer relatively briefly. It is also getting on to 11 would see such offences as particularly wish to know about them. o’clock, and I doubt if people’s minds are disgusting — they in particular should perhaps operating as clearly as they were be on a public register where people are

IN 26 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE notified of their whereabouts so that they itself, whilst only 5 minutes from Sunbury, very important bill — one of the most can protect their kids. As I said, as a father must depend on policing services from important bills that has come before this that is my main priority — protecting my Caroline Springs, which in the middle of Parliament for a very long time. It is good children. the night is about 15 to 20 minutes away. legislation. It is designed to save babies, If I cannot find out where one of these In peak hour, it can be anything up to 2 it is designed to help women, and I very creatures is — one of these sex offenders hours away, given the traffic conditions in warmly commend Dr Carling-Jenkins on — I am struggling to do everything I can the outer west these days. her efforts in putting this bill together and to protect my kids, and that is something I have been asked by residents of bringing it before this house. that, as I said, needs to be addressed. Diggers Rest to pass on to the minister Saving babies and helping women their request for police services serving — it is hard to believe that anybody Business interrupted pursuant the Diggers Rest community to be could oppose concepts such as that, to standing orders. relocated to Sunbury. They wish to be in but as we have already heard today the Sunbury policing area, and that, I have that is unfortunately the case. Certainly Sitting extended pursuant to say, makes a great deal of sense, given the majority of people in the general to standing orders. that they feel they are in the Sunbury population are very much opposed to late- community, being just 5 minutes away — term abortions. Every poll that has ever Mr FINN — I very much appreciate the just down Vineyard Road and obviously been taken has shown that the majority minister going to that effort to give me a lot closer to Sunbury than they are to of people are opposed to late-term the extra time that I need this evening, Caroline Springs. I ask the minister to take abortions. but I can assure him I will not need an that matter into consideration. hour, so he can relax. I will conclude my Ms Springle interjected. contribution at that point, but I am hoping As I say, Diggers Rest is a rapidly Mr FINN — That is right, Ms Springle, that this legislation will go some small growing community. It has been pretty they are. way to ensuring that our state is a safer stable for a very long time, but now it Ms Springle interjected. is really taking off in a very big way. place because that is certainly what we Mr FINN — Late term; yes, absolutely. need at the moment. We need to be able Inevitably there will be a greater need for police support for this area. I ask the Even in the United States, which Mr to go back perhaps a little way to when Mulino made reference to with Roe v. we knew that if our kids went down to the minister to take into consideration the request of my constituents in Diggers Wade, where they have had abortion on park, they were safe. We need to go back a demand for 40-something years and 58 little way to when our teenage daughters Rest. I know it is an operational matter, but I trust that the minister will be able to million dead babies as a result, the polls perhaps went out on a Saturday night or show that people are against late-term even during the day and they were safe. raise this with the appropriate authorities within the police force and get a result abortions. We need to send a very strong message which will indeed bring Diggers Rest into This bill seeks to protect babies. I use to anybody who contemplates involving the Sunbury policing zone and make all of the term ‘babies’ because my Latin at themselves in any form of sexual assault, Diggers Rest feel a lot more comfortable, school was not all that flash and it still is serious or otherwise, that their days of with police who will be able to meet their not now, so I will use the word ‘babies’. freedom are over and we will not, as a needs a lot closer to them. It seeks to protect them from 24 weeks. community, as a society, tolerate that sort There is nobody — I do not care who you of behaviour. Respect is something that is are; I do not care what you hide behind — perhaps very much underestimated in our COUNCIL | Constituency questions who could deny that babies of this age are society, and if we have to come down hard 25 May 2016 tiny living human beings. You just have on offenders in order to re-establish that to look at them. If they were born today, respect, then indeed that is something they would most probably live — almost that I believe we must do. certainly live — given the appropriate care Community safety is paramount, as are Taylors Road and attention. They have got little arms, rights of people, particularly women, to they have got little legs, they have got little walk the streets without being threatened management noses and eyes and ears — everything that by the sorts of animals who would pose Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My you and I have got. the sorts of threats that we have seen over constituency question is to the Minister To quote something that is often thrown the years. The rights of those women too for Roads and Road Safety, and I refer at me by the Greens, the science is settled. are paramount. I am very hopeful that this the minister to the ongoing lobbying by These babies are human beings. They legislation will go some way to ensuring the Delahey Action Group on the topic of are little people who are deserving of our that those rights are reinforced and Taylors Road, particularly west of Kings protection, and we should make it very, protected. Road. Traffic on Taylors Road has grown very clear in the short time that I have to exponentially over recent years, and speak on this bill today that a vote against VicRoads has not given it the attention it COUNCIL | Adjournment this bill is a vote for late-term abortion. deserves. This is not the first time I have It is a vote to kill a viable, live baby who 24 May 2016 said this; in fact I think I have raised this would otherwise survive if born alive. It is matter a number of times in this house. a vote for the current situation of abortion The removal of the roundabout is very until birth in this state, and that, I think, is welcome indeed, but more attention is barbaric and totally unacceptable. Diggers Rest police urgently needed. I ask: will the minister Perhaps we should ask ourselves transfer responsibility for all of Taylors as members of this Parliament — as resources Road to VicRoads? members of the human race maybe — Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I under what circumstances should we wish to raise a matter for the attention of kill a baby? Under what circumstances the Minister for Police and to congratulate COUNCIL | Second reading 25 May 2016 would we kill a baby? Some say, ‘What her on her appointment. I understand that about sick babies? What about babies she is intent on taking a more active role with disabilities? Surely you have to have as police minister, and that, to my way of abortions for those?’. My view is that if thinking, is probably a very good thing. somebody is sick, you treat them; you do Diggers Rest is on the verge of a Infant Viability Bill not kill them. That is what abortion does: population boom. New estates are it kills them. blooming, and houses are going up 2015 If a child has a disability — and I feel on a daily basis. Of course with new Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Rising to speak on the Infant Viability very strongly about this — you love that developments and increased population child. You bring that child into the world. comes the need for policing. New Bill 2015 this afternoon I have to say how disappointed I am that we have You do not kill that child because that residents expect police to respond to their child has a disability. As the father of a requests for help quickly. The situation we only dedicated a little over 2 hours to this legislation, because I think it is a child with a disability — and a severe have at the moment is that Diggers Rest disability — I regard it as subhuman to try

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 27 to rip the humanity of a child of anybody COUNCIL | Adjournment In doing so, I have to say that in away because they have a disability. 25 May 2016 my close to 17 years of experience in Disability has no impact on the humanity this Parliament in both houses this is of anybody at any time in their life. undoubtedly the most harrowing report Unfortunately late-term abortion for the that I have had to deal with. How people reasons of disability adds to the view of School bullying can treat other human beings in the a lot of people in this society that people Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I way that they do sometimes leaves me with disabilities are somewhat less than wish to raise a matter this evening for the wondering if there is any hope for the human, and that view unfortunately is a attention of the Minister for Education. I world. Some of the incidents of abuse, fact of life. am sure the minister is very much aware neglect and basic human contempt for Babies are born alive, as we know, as a that bullying is a major problem within people with disabilities that we heard result of what the abortion industry calls our schools, and I think it is safe to say that about through the course of this inquiry a ‘failed abortion’. Some of the stories we it has been a major problem in our schools left me almost bereft of hope for some have heard about babies being killed after for a very long time. It causes untold people. It was an extraordinary experience these failed abortions are truly horrific. distress to children and to young people to have to go through it. I am very glad This bill addresses this outrage against as they are growing up. Indeed it can lead we did go through it. In fact when I was humanity. to young people harming themselves, and first appointed to this committee and saw We desperately need more support for that is something that we have to try to the reference I thought, ‘What is this all women. Last Saturday afternoon at the avoid, obviously, at all costs. about?’. I, like most people, was totally rally out the front I met little baby Tobias. Something the minister might not be unaware of what is happening to a lot of Little baby Tobias was about three or aware of is that children and young people people with disabilities in this state. I am four months old, and he was listed to be are bullied for a number of reasons. It is very, very hopeful that this report will another victim of the abortion industry, not all for one reason. People who wear shine a light on a very dark area, that it will but his mother was given the support and glasses are bullied, people who cannot shine a light on an area that to this point help that she needed and that she did not play football are bullied, people who are has been very much ignored, very much know actually existed, and she was able too short are bullied and, indeed, if you swept under the carpet, if you like. to go on and have Tobias. Tobias today, ask the Premier, people who are too heavy It is a very good thing, I believe, that let me tell you, is a very happy and a very are bullied. This is something that needs these incidents as they are described — I healthy little boy. It was wonderful to meet to be addressed. The last thing we need mean, we are talking about abuse, we him on Saturday. to have is a situation where these bullies are talking about neglect; these are not Late-term abortion of course aggravates grow up and gain positions of power ‘incidents’ — will be no more if this report the trauma for mothers and the medical themselves and express their bullying is adopted by the government. They are staff involved. We have already heard attitudes in those new positions. If you not anymore to be handled internally but from the Royal Women’s Hospital on that do not rectify the situation at school, you will be subject to mandatory reporting, matter over the years. Abortion is not a gift might have, for example — purely for and I think that is a very, very good thing. to women. Indeed Planned Parenthood example — the Premier of a state bullying I think it is something that is long overdue. — hardly a pro-life organisation — refers those around them. This is something that The further that we went with this inquiry, to suicide as a side-effect of abortion. really needs to be attended to, I believe, as the more I realised that mandatory Wow — a side-effect! Professor Priscilla a matter of urgency. reporting is very much needed. Coleman of the United States surveyed The state’s current alleged antibullying What we also need is a change in 260 000 women around the world, program does not have the confidence of culture. I spoke yesterday in a debate including Australia, and her conclusion the people of Victoria, and it does not have about some people regarding people with is that 10 per cent of all depression in the confidence of the parents of Victoria. disabilities as being less than human. the world is caused by abortion. The What I am asking the minister to do is to I have to say that this report and the impact of abortion on women is often develop an antibullying program that will evidence that I heard in this inquiry backs long lasting. The later the abortion, the cover all possibilities, not just one. As I that up. There are people around — and greater the impact. One day I am sure a said, people are bullied for a whole range it is not uncommon it would seem — future parliament will gather to apologise of reasons. I think this is something that who regard people with disabilities as to generations of women for presenting is long overdue. It is something that has somewhat less than the rest of us, and abortion as a panacea to all their woes. probably been overdue for as long as I can that is an intolerable situation. I am very Late-term abortion is cruel. Babies remember — for 40 or 50 years perhaps. hopeful that this report will go a fair way to can feel pain from 16 weeks. We know I ask the minister to take that on board, changing that culture, that attitude, that is that for a medical fact. Indeed when to direct his department to come up with prevalent in the care sector. Because that babies are operated on in utero they an antibullying program with credibility, word ‘care’ is not there because we could are anaesthetised to prevent them from an antibullying program that caters for all not find another word. It is there because feeling the pain, so why would we assume children and young people who are being we are supposed to be ‘caring’ for these that a baby from 24 weeks on would not bullied for myriad reasons. people, and if we are abusing them, if we feel the pain as they are cruelly killed in an are neglecting them, we are not caring for abortion? Partial birth abortion is one of them. These people in many instances COUNCIL | Family and Community need every bit of support and every bit of the most evil ways that man has invented Development C’tee, 26 May 2016 to kill another human being. It is evil help that they can possibly get. As I say, beyond words but legal in Victoria. I am very, very hopeful that we will, as a result of this inquiry, come to a situation This is the first attempt to give Victorian where the sort of abuse that I heard about babies the rights that they deserve and Abuse in disability during the course of this inquiry will be Victorian women the support that they no more. need, but I assure you it will not be the services I would like to congratulate my fellow last. Abortion until birth is a blight on Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Victoria. It is a stain on our state and it is a committee members from the Legislative presented report, including appendices, Assembly on putting this report together: stain on its people. One day that stain will together with transcripts of evidence. be removed. Let us begin that cleansing the chair, Maree Edwards, the member for Bendigo West; the deputy chair, Cindy today. Win, lose or draw on this bill, the Laid on table. battle will continue and justice will one McLeish, the member for Eildon; Paul Edbrooke, the member for Frankston; day prevail. Thousands, maybe millions, of Ordered that report be published. babies lives depend on it, and we will fight Emma Kealy, the member for Lowan; for them. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Christine Couzens, the member for move: Geelong; and Suzanna Sheed, the member for Shepparton. I also offer my That the Council take note of the very heartfelt thanks to the staff of the report. committee, Dr Greg Gardiner, Dr Kelly Butler and, perhaps in particular, Helen

IN 28 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Ross-Soden, for dealing with the members the authority to confiscate what we are say, just are not doing their job. Their job of the committee, which was in many talking about. is to protect the community and their job cases on a par with herding cats. Trying We are also talking in this bill about is to ensure that justice is done, and I do to get everybody together in the one spot the powers with relation to bikie gangs. not think they have been doing either. at the one time was a challenge. I offer My view is that we cannot go in too hard While the police have increased powers as my heartiest thanks to all those staff against the bikie gangs; we have to go a result of this legislation, and whilst they members, and I sincerely hope that this in much harder. Perhaps I put that the have a clear responsibility to go in and I report will be picked up and used by the wrong way — we should be going in have to say put their lives at risk against government. much harder against the bikie gangs. I these people, because some of these note that when Campbell Newman was mongrels have no hesitation in shooting Motion agreed to. Premier of Queensland he introduced off a volley of gunfire or using other legislation up there that did cause a fair weapons, I would hope that the judiciary, bit of consternation in parts, but he most particularly in Victoria, is also clear about COUNCIL | Constituency questions certainly got rid of the criminal elements its responsibility and upholds its end of 26 May 2016 that pose as bikie gangs in that state. the bargain to ensure that our community We have to remember that it is bikie is protected, that justice is done and that gangs in Australia generally that are people who threaten the lives of our young to a large degree responsible for the people, of our children, are put away for a Deer Park rail level manufacture of ice and various other very long time. drugs. People following what I have said I see that out in the western suburbs. crossing about this over the years will know that I Unfortunately we see it in a lot of suburbs Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My have a very strong view on what should — quite a few suburbs. I am told that it is constituency question is for the Minister happen to people who conduct business very rare for a school to exist where drugs for Public Transport. The minister has in the dealing of drugs, particularly the are not readily available, and I am not publicly stated that the Deer Park level manufacture of drugs. Quite frankly, I just talking about government schools, I crossing that I have previously raised think that our police forces, whether they am talking about private schools. In fact with her is not a part of the government’s be federal or state, should have the power, in some ways it is more likely to happen program to remove level crossings. the authority and the resources to smash in a private school because the market Despite pleas from the community, the these bikie gangs — to actually destroy perhaps is there for it. That is something best the minister can come up with is to them and make sure that they do not that — — say that minor changes to the timetable come back. I do not think that we should Mr Herbert interjected. will create stable services. I ask the be too worried at all about the civil rights Mr FINN — No, it is true. The minister minister: what on earth does that mean, of those involved in the manufacture of laughs. I am not sure — — and how will it improve the Deer Park drugs. When we consider the damage, Mr Herbert interjected. level crossing? the destruction and the death that these people cause, particularly among our Mr FINN — It is not outrageous at all. young people, I have no hesitation in The minister should go out and talk to COUNCIL | Second reading the kids, and they will tell him where the 26 May 2016 saying go in hard, and the harder the better, because these people are scum. drugs are, they will tell him how to get They are the lowest of the low. them and they will tell him how much they are. I really believe that we have to show Confiscation and that we are fair dinkum. We have to show We have a minister of the Crown over that we are serious when we take on these here who says that is outrageous. I agree people, because they are members of vast with him that it is outrageous that it is Other Matters criminal organisations that do not have happening; it is absolutely appalling that any qualms about rubbing our noses in it it is happening. The minister is not even Amendment Bill and rubbing the police’s noses in it if they prepared to accept that it is happening, get the opportunity. That is not something but it is happening on a daily basis right 2016 that we should allow to happen. I think if around the state. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the police know what is going on and they Mr Herbert interjected. — I rise this afternoon to speak on know where it is happening, then they Mr FINN — I am not suggesting that the Confiscation and Other Matters should have the authority to go in and the teachers are selling drugs, but there Amendment Bill 2016. In doing so I stop it and to arrest those who are doing are lowlife scumbags who use schools as indicate that the opposition will not be it. And you would hope that at some stage marketplaces for drugs. That is the fact. opposing the bill. It seems to be legislation the judiciary might actually catch up to These people use schools as marketplaces which is aimed to make the job of Victoria what the police want to do as well. It is all for drugs. That is where the market is. That Police easier, and that to my way of very well to tell our police to do their job, is where the kids are, that is where the thinking is a very good thing indeed. I to go in and to smash these bikie gangs market is and that is where they go. That is have often spoken in this house of the and smash these criminal organisations. It a fact of life. If the minister does not want need to give our police the authority they is all very well for our police to bring these to accept what is happening in the real need to do their job. It is all very well to people to a court of law and have them world, then perhaps he should step aside send our police out onto the streets and charged, to prepare briefs and to prepare and allow somebody who is in the real tell them to protect us, but if they do not a case, only to have a judge sitting on the world to have some authority over what is have the authority of the Parliament to do bench give the offenders a tap on the hand happening in his portfolio. that, they are pushing a very unfortunate and let them go. That is not something It is, I have to say, quite distressing substance up a very steep incline. that I think is sustainable in our society. to hear a minister of the Crown just I think something that we as legislators It is certainly not acceptable to the refusing to accept what is going on. It is should take very seriously indeed is the overwhelming majority of people, and just unbelievable in every way that this authority that the police have to do their certainly here in Victoria that is something minister — — job. The confiscation powers that are that happens far too often. Mr Herbert — On a point of order, already in the Confiscation Act 1997 and That, as I have pointed out many times Deputy President, Mr Finn just makes the Criminal Organisations Control Act over the last number of years, is a direct allegations out of thin air. When he said 2012 are a good start. I think to be able result of the legacy that Rob Hulls left drugs in private schools were far more to disrupt criminal activity by way of as ours after his 11 years as Attorney- rampant I said that was outrageous, and confiscating various goods is indeed a General. We have heard about branch if he really thought that he should name very worthwhile and very helpful thing. A stacking from the ALP. Rob Hulls took the statistics and name the schools. It was lot of these criminal organisations build it a little bit further — he was actually nothing to do with what he is accusing me up significant wealth — I suppose ‘wealth’ involved in bench stacking — and as a of. is the word — over a period of time. It is result we have been stuck with magistrates very good indeed to give Victoria Police and judges who, quite frankly I have to

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 29 Mr Ondarchie — On the point of presiding over the house, not you, so if COUNCIL | Second reading order, Deputy President, that is not a you don’t mind. 7 June 2016 point of order by the minister. He should The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) know better than that with his time in — Order! Mr Melhem, on a point of order. Parliament. It is not a point of order at Mr Melhem — I did not hear Mr Finn all. I do not know why he wastes the talking about a matter relating to his Appropriation Parliament’s time. electorate. It was a general question. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! Mr Finn — On the point of order, Acting (2016-2017) Bill That was not a point of order. Mr Finn, to President, I am aware that Mr Melhem is continue. not completely au fait with the western 2016 and Budget Mr FINN — The point that I was making suburbs, but I assure him that Hoppers was that perhaps — I said perhaps, by the Crossing is in our electorate. If he would way — the market is greater in private Papers 2016-17 like me to present him with a map, I am Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — schools because as a general rule there happy to do that at any time. is a bit more money there. Kids are a bit It is indeed a delightful surprise to be The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) called to address the house. It is amazing more flush with funds, and people who — Order! There is no point of order. are selling drugs will obviously move to what happens when you are not paying where the money is. That was merely the attention sometimes. I was interested, I point I was making. It disturbs me that the COUNCIL | Members statements have to say, to hear Mr Dalidakis rejoicing in this budget, because he said that lots minister has difficulty seeing what is going 7 June 2016 on out there, so it is not surprising that our and lots of money was coming his way. judiciary would fail to be impressed by That seems to be the Labor Party attitude the case that the police make on a regular to a lot of things — ‘Lots and lots of money basis with regard to these matters. Country Fire is coming my way’. This bill, I think, is a step in the right What he did not mention, and what very direction. I think it will go some way to Authority few Labor people mention, is that that providing some protection to our children money is not his. That money is taxpayers from bikie gangs, from those criminal money; that is Victorians’ money — organisations that sell their deathly enterprise people have worked for that money and chattels on our streets, in our schools and have had it taken out of their pay or have wherever they can possibly sell them. I bargaining had to hand it over to the government at think that is a very, very good thing, but some stage. So I think it would be a fair I just hope that the government will take agreement and reasonable thing for Mr Dalidakis this matter even more seriously in future. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I to at least acknowledge the taxpayers of We have to take a very, very strong stand have often spoken in this Parliament of Victoria who made this budget possible. against these people. Bikie gangs are my enormous admiration and respect Without the taxpayers of Victoria indeed not just fat men on motorbikes wearing for the volunteers of the Country Fire there would be no budget because there leather. More often than not they are Authority (CFA). Their self-sacrifice and would not be lots and lots of money for active criminal gangs which are a danger courage are a part of this nation’s fibre. Mr Dalidakis to fly around with and go to to our community and a danger to our The CFA has contributed and continues conferences overseas. What was he doing? kids, and, as I said before, we have to give to contribute to Victoria in a way that few Mr Ondarchie — StartCon was coming. the police every power that they require to other organisations can. Mr FINN — Well, I think there are a lot smash these gangs, to destroy them. I have been stunned by the attack in of cons going on here at the minute, to tell The opposition will not be opposing the recent times on our volunteer firefighters you the truth. Was it not Mr Dalidakis who bill. I hope that the spirit of this legislation by the United Firefighters Union (UFU) told us that he was getting a conference will continue on to other pieces of and the Premier, Daniel Andrews. Who in to Melbourne, and it was in Sydney? Yes, legislation which will give the police and their right mind would want to effectively that was good. You know, I thought I had perhaps other law enforcement agencies close the CFA as we know it? The Premier trouble with my GPS; his is obviously, as well the power and authority they need owes Peter Marshall big time and is now well, not all that flash at all. to do their jobs properly. endeavouring to pay that debt, but why at I hope that at some stage the Labor the expense of the CFA? CFA volunteers Party will come to the realisation that are being bullied by UFU members every it is only here by virtue of the Victorian COUNCIL | Constituency questions day, and the Premier has joined that taxpayer and that the people who are 7 June 2016 bullying at a statewide level. The treatment working — everybody here, everybody of our CFA volunteers by this Premier and down there, those out in the suburbs his union cronies is despicable. These and out in the country areas, farmers, people serve the community on a daily milkmen and everybody — all work hard Hoppers Crossing basis. It is not just in times of great peril and pay their taxes to ensure that Mr by way of bushfires; the CFA is vital to the Dalidakis can get lots and lots of money CFA flag proper functioning of Victoria. to get him overseas. Of course there are Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My Its members deserve our eternal many, many taxpayers who wish he would constituency question is to the Minister gratitude. They most certainly deserve stay overseas. There are a good number for Emergency Services. During the course so much better than the foul betrayal indeed. of this current Country Fire Authority Premier Andrews has cruelly and unjustly I come to debate this budget with (CFA) crisis both the government and the delivered to them. I stand proudly — very, extensive notes. I have to reflect on the United Firefighters Union have denied very proudly — with CFA volunteers. impacts of recent budgets on the western the enterprise bargaining agreement as suburbs of Melbourne, because it is an attempt by the union to take over the interesting that the only decent budget CFA. If that is so, can the minister explain — the only budget that has actually given why the CFA flag has been removed from the western suburbs of Melbourne any outside the Hoppers Crossing fire station sort of fair go at all — was the budget that and in its place flies the flag of the United was brought down by Michael O’Brien, Firefighters Union? and that is a simple fact of the matter. It Mr Melhem — On a point of order, is quite extraordinary that it was, in fact, Acting President — — a Liberal Treasurer who brought down a An honourable member interjected. Liberal budget that provided the western Mr Melhem — Have you got a problem? suburbs residents with the sort of support There is a person in charge who is and the sort of assistance that they had longed for.

IN 30 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE We never, ever get that sort of go from are moving in on Labor at a pretty rapid must always keep in mind. The treatment the Labor Party, because we know and rate. I think probably Mr Feeney this time of the people of Melbourne’s west by the everybody in the western suburbs knows next month will be out of a job as a result Labor Party is historically atrocious, and that the Labor Party takes the west for of that and possibly others as well. nothing has changed. As I say, that is a granted. Everybody knows that the As a result of this absolute tragic fact of life. Labor Party uses and abuses the western preoccupation with inner Melbourne Out my way, in the Sunbury electorate, suburbs. That is a fact of the matter. I have the Premier, Daniel Andrews, said to the we have seen — — to say it is encouraging, from my point of outer west — and to the outer east for that Mr Morris interjected. view as I travel around talking to many matter — ‘You can all go to hell’. He said, Mr FINN — ‘No Bull’ — that is the different people, that people are actually ‘You can all get stuffed, the lot of you’, and starting to realise this and they are starting slogan for the next election. ‘No Bull in quite frankly, they did. Sunbury’. We saw the Labor Party betray to realise that until such time as we have An honourable member interjected. some marginal seats out in the western the people of Sunbury by reneging on its suburbs we are still going to be treated Mr FINN — I am not sure if it is a promise, breaking its promise and lying abysmally by the Labor Party — forgotten parliamentary term, but that is what he in fact to the people of Sunbury about indeed. said. I wish he had not, but he did. giving them their own municipality, the city of Sunbury, after it had said before The Labor Party attitude is, ‘They’re An honourable member interjected. Mr FINN — He did say, ‘Go forth’. I have the election that it would go ahead. After going to vote for us anyway, so why would the election it was a very, very different we give them anything?’. That is why Labor to say it was a very dark day indeed in Victoria’s history when we had a Premier matter. That is something that the people does not give us anything, and that is a of Sunbury are not happy about at all. simple fact of the matter. treat the people of Victoria in that way. As a result we have people travelling in Something else that they are not happy The greatest outrage, I think, in recent about is that we saw earlier this year the history of course was the scrapping of the from Werribee, Point Cook, Laverton and even from Altona and Williamstown who Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta east–west link, the $1.1 billion of taxpayers Allan, try to rip V/Line services out of money that went down the S-bend are stuck on the West Gate sometimes for hours. Sometimes when it is particularly Sunbury, and that did not go down well courtesy of Dodgy Dan and his so-called with Sunbury people at all. Such was the election pledge, that we might recall he bad people just turn around and go home, if indeed they can turn around. If outcry that that decision had to be almost told us would not cost a cent. He was right entirely reversed — not quite all, but there: it did not cost a cent — it cost $1.1 they get the opportunity to turn around, they will turn around and they will go almost entirely reversed. But I understand billion. As a result of that the people of the that will be reviewed after the federal west are stuck in the traffic every morning, home. That is how bad the traffic is in the western suburbs of Melbourne. But does election, as indeed a number of things every night and quite often during the day will be reviewed after the federal election, as well. the Premier care about that? Not on your nelly! Does this Labor government care including Dodgy Dan’s leadership, as I I remember last year on the grand final about what the people of the western hear it. There are numbers being counted holiday — Mr Dalidakis’s eyes lit up when suburbs have to put up with on their roads as we speak, with the knowledge that the I spoke about the grand final holiday. He every day? Not even slightly does the federal election is less than a month away. is obviously not running a small business, Labor Party care about the people of the I hope that those in the government or that would change very, very quickly. west. will take their responsibilities seriously. The great thing about Mr Dalidakis is that I understand they are under a lot of he does not really like small business. I say to the people of the west, ‘If the Labor Party doesn’t care about you, don’t pressure at the moment. I understand He wishes he had something maybe like there is going to be a lot of fun and games tourism that would allow him to get on a you care about the Labor Party. You give it the same treatment. You turn your back coming up over the next few weeks, plane a bit more often and fly around, as but I sincerely hope they will take their is his wont. I recall it was a public holiday on the Labor Party in the same way that the Labor Party turns its back on you’. jobs very, very seriously. They have an on the day before the grand final last year enormous responsibility. They have a job and I was going to the grand final lunch in That, I think, would be of huge benefit to the people of the western suburbs. to discharge, and this government owes Williamstown, as I said, the day before the the people of Victoria. grand final. It is a big day too, I have to say. I am just staggered that we have seen It was a very, very entertaining afternoon. the scrapping of the east–west link and the I suggest to anybody who is keen on a big government has presented us apparently COUNCIL | Adjournment afternoon that they might like to head — 7 June 2016 down to Williamstown later this year on An honourable member interjected. grand final eve, because it is a ripper. Mr FINN — Has there been a deal done? I was travelling on the Western Ring Is something signed? Has there been a Road, and well before the interchange the nod and a wink? Has there been some sort Country Fire traffic was banked back. We just came to of elbow in the ribs? What is going on with a complete standstill. This was at 11.30 Transurban and the western distributor? Authority in the morning. We are not talking about From what I can see the western peak-hour on a work day; we are talking distributor is a real woofer. It is a dog of a about 11.30 in the morning on a public project. It is a shocker. It will do nothing enterprise holiday. The ring-road was a complete for anybody except Transurban. If I had disaster, and much of the West Gate shares in Transurban, I would be one of bargaining Freeway was as well. But this is what the most enthusiastic western distributor we have come to expect in the western supporters imaginable, because I know agreement suburbs. The people in the west were money is coming — big, big money, as Mr Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I actually very excited about the prospect Dalidakis was talking about earlier. More wish to raise a matter this evening for the that we might be getting some assistance money than Mr Dalidakis could ever hope attention of the Minister for Emergency with the east–west link. There was a great for in any budget would come my way if I Services. It has been a somewhat deal of excitement about that. But no. was running Transurban or indeed if I was concerning and perhaps even distressing Our Premier decided for reasons that a shareholder in Transurban. experience for me in recent times as I have are probably best known to him, but This project will do nothing to help travelled around my electorate to speak one suspects have more to do with the the people of the western suburbs. This to a number of people, many of whom preferences with the Greens in the inner project will indeed provide for the western have been volunteers with the Country suburbs than anything to do with traffic side of Melbourne what Hoddle Street and Fire Authority (CFA) for a very long time. — — the Eastern Freeway provide for the other While my region is Western Metropolitan Mr Barber — They were losing seats to side of Melbourne. We know what that is Region, it reaches into areas which have the Greens. like. Why the hell would any government long been covered by the CFA — places want to go ahead and push that onto the such as Sunbury, Caroline Springs, Mr FINN — Yes. Mr Barber’s eyes lit up Werribee, Point Cook and Truganina. then, because he knows that the Greens people of the west? Unless of course they did not care, and that is something that we Everywhere I have gone during the last

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 31 few weeks there has been an enormous discovered over the last week or two is that Ms Mikakos interjected. amount of concern expressed to me there have been some people who when Mr FINN — I am a feminist, absolutely; about the future of the CFA. Volunteers in they used that sort of language actually no question about that. I have three the CFA are genuinely concerned about meant it and there have been some who daughters. I tell my daughters there is whether they will have a role in the CFA did not. It seems the Premier of this state nothing they cannot do. going forward. In particular it has been is somebody who does not mean it at all. Ms Mikakos interjected. reported to me that volunteers have been I cannot believe what is going on in bullied and intimidated by members of Mr FINN — They can speak for another Victoria at the moment. Who would ever 15 minutes if they want to; that is what the United Firefighters Union. That has think we would see the Premier of this significantly added to the level of their I say to them. I just say in conclusion state attack the Country Fire Authority? in supporting this motion that the CFA concern, and I can certainly understand Who would ever think we would see that. volunteers have my respect and they the Premier of Victoria attack volunteer have my admiration. I salute them and The CFA is far more than a firefighting firefighters? Who would ever think that the work that they do — not just, as I said outfit. I live just around the corner from that would happen? But that is exactly in the Parliament yesterday, during the the Bulla station. I often hear the siren go what has happened. bushfire season but right throughout the off at various times of the night and day, What Daniel Andrews is trying to course of the year. I live around the corner and within 4 or 5 minutes the truck’s siren push through at the moment is nothing from a CFA station, and quite frequently I is heard as well. CFA units attend many, new. The United Firefighters Union hear the siren go off and the truck hitting many road accidents. They go to clean- (UFU) has been trying to control the the road shortly thereafter. They are a ups. They go to a whole range of incidents CFA volunteers for a very long time. magnificent group of people who make a around the place, which I think would Volunteers are something that the left — magnificent and huge contribution to our be regarded by normal people as pretty the Labor Party and the unions — have society. They should be respected, and the important to our community. some trouble grasping. The trouble is Premier of this state should stop his war This degree of concern that has been that you cannot unionise volunteers; on the CFA. expressed to me is a real worry to a great that is the problem. You cannot unionise many people. We are not just talking about volunteers, so they immediately have the volunteers; we are talking about their a problem. This has been going on, as I COUNCIL | Adjournment families, we are talking about those who said, for a number of years. In the Herald 8 June 2016 work with them and we are talking about Sun yesterday a former colleague of mine those who are associated with them on in the other place, André Haermeyer, a a daily basis. We are talking about many, former Minister for Police and Emergency many tens of thousands of people. Services in the Bracks government, Sunbury police I ask the minister, who I know has gone related the story of how he had to offer into battle in cabinet for the CFA as we his resignation to stop a similar situation numbers know it, to continue her efforts to fight for developing back in the year 2000. So this Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — The respect for the CFA volunteers, and indeed has been going on for a fair while. house may recall that in the last sitting I ask her to keep up her efforts to fight to You have to wonder what Jane Garrett, week I raised a matter for the attention of keep our CFA. the Minister for Emergency Services, is the Minister for Police. I raise this matter The PRESIDENT — Order! I am inclined going through at the moment. Whilst I for the Minister for Police as well. The to rule the matter out of order. As the have some obviously significant political matter I raised in the last sitting week was member would know, the adjournment differences with Minister Garrett, I have to ask the minister to facilitate the transfer debate does not allow a member to urge to say that my opinion of her has been of Diggers Rest into the Sunbury police a minister to continue doing something. I lifted significantly over recent times. She is region. will give Mr Finn a chance to rephrase the somebody who has shown a great deal of Mr Morris interjected. final action. guts, to put it quite bluntly, in standing up Mr FINN — Indeed, Mr Morris, it does Mr FINN — Thank you for that, to a bully Premier and members of a bully make sense. But what I had not taken into President. I ask the minister to redouble trade union movement who are trying account was something that the police her efforts to fight for respect for the CFA to shaft the CFA, so I commend Minister association brought to my attention very, and to find new ways to impress upon the Garrett. very quickly. Mr Iddles was on the front Premier the importance of her argument. Whilst Mr Leane was speaking before page — or it might have been page 3 — of I was attempting to get him to comment the local paper last week to inform me on why Ms Garrett was so very much that in fact that would be an outrageous COUNCIL opposed to the agreement that he was thing to do because already the police in 8 June 2016 telling us was all fine and dandy, that Sunbury are stretched beyond breaking the Premier tells us is all fine and dandy point, as indeed are the police in Melton. I and that the Deputy Premier tells us is know for a fact that the police in Werribee all fine and dandy. I wanted to find out have been stretched for a very, very long Country Fire from Mr Leane — and if anybody wishes time. to enlighten us, I would be very pleased This seems to me to be a pretty Authority if they would — as I would really love appalling situation, particularly given to know why Ms Garrett has the sorts that Sunbury is an area that is about of problems that she does with this to experience a population explosion. enterprise agreement when everybody else in the There are a number of developments Labor Party seems, or most other people that are about to go ahead, and we are bargaining in the Labor Party seem, to think it is all a about to see, over the next few years, an wonderful thing and certainly will do no extraordinary growth in the population of agreement harm to the CFA or the volunteers at all. Sunbury. Obviously that growth will bring Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Ms Garrett is somebody who many in the problems — perhaps problems with the It does indeed give me a great deal of Labor Party have now turned their backs law. I am not suggesting that the minister pleasure to rise to speak to support Mr on. She is somebody who is referred to should interfere in operational matters of O’Donohue’s motion. I commend him as ‘She who must not be mentioned’. She the police — I would never suggest that on bringing this matter before the house is somebody who is on the outer limits. for a moment — but clearly we have a today. I was just thinking over the last It is disappointing, I have to say, to see problem in the Sunbury area with a lack of few days how many times I have heard in members of the sisterhood in the Labor police. I certainly take on board the views this house and the other place members Party turn their backs on Minister Garrett of the police association on that one. rise and speak using very extravagant in this way. They say one thing when they So I ask the minister to provide for language to praise the Country Fire want to and they do exactly the opposite Authority (CFA) and to praise the Country the chief commissioner sufficient police when it is convenient for them — and they numbers to protect the Sunbury area and Fire Authority volunteers. Indeed I have certainly are doing that on this occasion. to say I have done it myself. What I have the people in it so that perhaps in future

IN 32 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE we might be able to get to a situation school’s viability and in ensuring it COUNCIL | Members statements where Diggers Rest can come into the secures funding each year. The problem 21 June 2016 Sunbury region. In the meantime we just is, as has been explained to me by parents need sufficient numbers to protect the of children who attend the school, that people of Sunbury and surrounds, and I on 12 August this year Catholic Education ask the minister to do that as a matter of Melbourne has announced the school Australian Labor urgency. will close and teachers will be let go on 26 August. This seems to me to be Party an absolute tragedy, and it is obviously Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — COUNCIL | Constituency questions causing enormous grief for parents and 9 June 2016 There was a time when the people of this students alike. state had some respect for the ALP, but I know that there is nothing that we that is all now a distant memory. It goes in this place nor the minister can do back to a time before the Premier of this to impress upon Catholic Education state cancelled a vitally important piece Sunbury Melbourne the need to keep this school of infrastructure to Victoria and billed open — I am well aware of that — but I the Victorian taxpayers $1.1 billion to municipality really think that once this asset is lost, not build the east–west link. It goes back Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My it will be very, very difficult indeed to constituency question is to the Minister to way before the factional hit that set replace, and I see enormous potential up then Minister Somyurek and left him for Local Government. I refer the minister for this school in the state education to her response to my constituency lying face down in the cabinet room. It system. We need more resources, not less, goes back to before the time when then question of 9 February 2016. While I am for families with children with autism, grateful for the history lesson — and I find minister Jane Garrett tried to do her and if Catholic Education Melbourne job and was bullied into offering her the minister’s particular bent on recent will not keep this school open, and I events relating to the government’s big lie resignation as a result. It goes back to think it is pretty clear that it will not, the before the Country Fire Authority board to the Sunbury community interesting to government, I believe, should buy it and the say the least — her response in no way was sacked and this wonderful volunteer make it a very, very exciting and viable organisation that has done so much answered my question or went anywhere part of education for children with autism near doing so. I therefore ask again: what for this state was handed lock, stock here in Victoria. So I ask the minister to and barrel into the hands of the United role did the member for Broadmeadows direct his department to open discussions in the Legislative Assembly; the Labor Firefighters Union. with Catholic Education Melbourne to Before all that Labor had some respect councillor for Sunbury, Cr Ann Potter; purchase Larmenier specialist school so it and/or the Australian Services Union play in Victoria. What really destroyed any can continue providing a very important respect anyone might have for Labor is in the decision to leave Sunbury shackled extra service for families with children to the City of Hume? its decision to direct second preferences who have autism in Victoria. in the Senate in the current federal election to a party that was formed to COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Questions without notice fight Christian influence in society and 9 June 2016 21 June 2016 has recently declared war on the Catholic Church. The founders of the once great Australian Labor Party must be turning in their graves. By openly embracing Larmenier school religious bigotry Labor has sunk to a new Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Country Fire low, one from which it will not easily rise wish to raise a matter this evening for the again. attention of the Minister for Education. Authority chief It concerns the imminent closure of Larmenier specialist school in Hampton executive officer COUNCIL | Adjournment East, Victoria. This is a school which Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) 21 June 2016 caters for children with autism and similar — My question is to the Minister for disabilities, and it has a particularly good Small Business, Innovation and Trade record. It has been operated from various representing the Minister for Emergency sites throughout metropolitan Melbourne Services. Given the short time frame, it Point Cook police since 1976 and was originally set up by the appears that there is likely to have been Sisters of Nazareth. significant ministerial involvement in resources The school is a unique model within the appointment of the new CEO of the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I the entire education system and serves Country Fire Authority (CFA), so I ask: wish to raise a matter for the attention of to support and educate disabled children did the minister or the Premier direct the the Minister for Police in another place. I with severe social, emotional and incoming CFA board to appoint Frances have many times raised concerns about behavioural issues. The school focuses on Diver as the new chief executive officer of the number of criminal activities in the two key areas: enrolment and outreach the CFA? western suburbs. Once again tonight I support. Firstly, students are removed was horrified to see on the television news from their mainstream schools and Supplementary question activities in Point Cook that involved enrolled at Larmenier for a set period — Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I hoons; that involved violent, vicious generally 12 to 24 months — in which thank the minister. I am particularly assaults; and that involved threatening time an intensive intervention program looking forward to the answer to that one. the burning down of houses and general is undertaken to modify behaviour and to Did the minister, the Premier or any staff lawlessness. This, unfortunately, I am support the family and the mainstream in their offices talk to Frances Diver about told, is nothing new. Unfortunately for the school to finally enable a successful the CEO role at the CFA prior to Lucinda good people of Point Cook, they had some transition back to the child’s mainstream Nolan’s announcement of her resignation? difficulty in actually getting the police school. there. If you are being attacked, if you are Secondly, the school, with its being harassed in the way that we talk knowledgeable and expert staff, also about, then clearly you need the police, provides outreach support to Catholic and they were unable to get there. schools within the Catholic Archdiocese It is not surprising we have the sorts of of Melbourne. This outreach includes crime figures we have seen over the last education and upskilling for staff and year rising significantly. For example, in provides support to the teachers and Hobsons Bay, in the western suburbs, families through parent support group they got off well; they were the lucky ones. meetings conducted each term. Both There was an increase of only 3.1 per cent. of these components are crucial to the Honourable members interjecting.

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 33 Mr FINN — ‘Only’ in inverted and fair thing that they be given some replacing level crossings at Puckle Street, commas. Moonee Valley is up 5.7 per assurances that when Cleanaway is Moonee Ponds; Park Street, Essendon; cent, Brimbank is up 10.8 per cent, finished with the hole in the ground it and Buckley Street, Essendon? Maribyrnong — — will not just walk away but that it has An honourable member interjected. put away substantial sums of money to rehabilitate the land. So I ask the minister COUNCIL | Adjournment Mr FINN — Yes. Well, Brimbank — that 23 June 2016 is just mainly the council! Maribyrnong is to investigate and report back on exactly up 14.1 per cent, Hume is up 18.4 per cent how much Cleanaway has put aside for and Wyndham is up a massive 19.8 per this purpose. cent. That is something that I find totally Bendigo Special unacceptable for the people of the western COUNCIL | Economy & Infrastructure suburbs. Something has to be done. Standing C’tee, 23 June 2016 Something has to give here. Something is Development just not right. I believe the thing that is not right is the fact that we have very, very few School police, comparatively speaking, given a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I very fast growing population. Infrastructure wish to raise a matter for the attention What I am asking the minister to do is of the Minister for Education. I have to projects say at the very beginning that this is a provide sufficient police for the western Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I suburbs. I am asking the minister to very serious matter. It is one that I gave also commend the chair, Mr Morris, and considerable consideration to before provide sufficient police so that lawfulness my fellow members of the committee. can be restored in the western suburbs — deciding to raise it tonight. It follows a We did meet frequently, it has to be meeting that I had with disability advocate throughout the west and particularly for said, and we did extensively examine a the good people of Point Cook. Julie Phillips last week, and it concerns the number of infrastructure issues. I thought Bendigo Special Development School and it particularly interesting to hear the allegations that first came to my attention COUNCIL | Adjournment comments from Infrastructure Victoria last year that children with autism were 22 June 2016 that it in fact could not examine any being locked in cages at that particular piece of infrastructure unless it was asked school. Since then an investigation by by the government to do so. I suppose Justitia has been conducted and a report in this Danocracy that we live in that is released on 18 March this year. Melbourne something that we have come to expect, The allegations that have been brought but I think the comment from Mr Leane to my attention I believe require another today sums it all up. He has summed up investigation — an investigation that Regional Landfill the attitude of this government. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I is independent of the department and wish to raise a matter for the attention of As people are wondering what impact indeed independent of the minister’s the Minister for Energy, Environment and the western distributor will have on their office. We need this at more than arm’s Climate Change. I am sure the minister lives, as people are wondering what length from the department because is aware of Cleanaway’s proposal to build impact the sky rail will have on their lives, — I hate to say it — I think it has a what will be one of the biggest tips in this government regards investigation of vested interest in ensuring that certain Australia, one that I am sure will be able to these issues as, to quote Mr Leane, ‘good things do not come out. We also have a be seen from the moon. This is a proposal sport’. Good sport! That is the attitude situation where guarantees were given that has generated enormous opposition of this government towards the people about confidentiality, only to have those throughout the western suburbs in places of Victoria. To government members it guarantees withdrawn. When those like Deer Park, Caroline Springs — as I is all just a bit of fun. I can assure you, guarantees were withdrawn, certain am sure Mr Melhem over there is only too President, that the opposition members of witnesses, including teachers, withdrew aware — and surrounding areas. this committee will continue to investigate their allegations and their testimony to the and to work very hard to get to the bottom inquiry. I can understand why, because the of exactly what this government has in current tip, which is only a fraction of Perhaps most important is that there mind with regard to these infrastructure were a number of matters that were not the size of what is proposed, is a stinking projects. hole in the ground which is causing investigated and a number of allegations enormous grief for residents of nearby I personally want to know what is going that were not investigated for reasons suburbs. Many will say that tip should on with the western distributor. I have that are not clear to anyone, including never have been built there, and I have asked, and asked and asked, and I am that in classrooms there were numerous to agree, but the fact is that it has been still none the wiser, because nobody can cages made out of pool fences and fitted built there within dry-retching distance of give me an answer and no minister will with locks; that some children spent 50 residential housing. It is something that appear before the committee to give us per cent of their time in a cage in the people should not be subject to in their the answers that we need. I assume they classroom; that external pens — read own homes. will not appear because they do not want ‘cages’ — were locked; that at least two to have good sport. The campaign continues against the students were tied to chairs; and that one current tip. The campaign against the child was restrained in a pusher and was extension of the tip is very strong. Many, COUNCIL | Constituency questions strapped when travelling in a vehicle in many thousands of people are supportive 23 June 2016 something akin to a straitjacket. These are of that campaign, but some local residents allegations that could not be more serious. have come to me and have a more We are talking about children who are far-reaching approach to this. They are extraordinarily vulnerable, who cannot wondering what will happen if indeed the Sky rail policy defend themselves in many instances and planned extension goes ahead and the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My who certainly need the protection of the landfill is used. Will Cleanaway just get up constituency question is to the Minister state in this instance. and walk away, or will it attempt in some for Public Transport. I thank the minister I ask the minister to instigate a further way to rehabilitate this extensive piece of for her response to my question of 12 inquiry, an independent inquiry, so that land? So they have asked me to ask the April regarding her intention or otherwise we can find out the truth about what is minister to investigate and report on how of using sky rail in the City of Moonee going on at Bendigo Special Development much Cleanaway has put aside for the Valley. Sadly, she has failed to answer the School. rehabilitation of this particular land. question. Indeed, she has failed to even I think it is bad enough that people face try to answer the question. This is a very the appalling stench from this stinking important matter that potentially impacts hole in the ground for many years to on thousands of people. On behalf of come, so I think it is only a reasonable those constituents, I ask: will the minister categorically rule out sky rail as a means of

IN 34 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2016 FINN THE HOUSE

FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2016

Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Melbourne’s West Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorder Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Electoral Integrity

Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] Web www.berniefinn.com