FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2019

Published by MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business Shadow Assistant Minister for Autism Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council

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 2019

CONTENTS

Small Business...... 3 Economy and Infrastructure Committee...... 17 Sunbury roundabout removal...... 3 Station Street, Sunbury level crossing Autism education...... 3 removal...... 18 Energy supply...... 3 Governor’s Speech...... 18 Wyndham Vale gang violence...... 6 Brimbank police numbers...... 19 Tullamarine Freeway widening...... 6 Sunbury Road duplication...... 19 Climate change...... 6 Yarraville parking meters...... 20 Climate change...... 7 Bulla tip...... 20 Sunbury railway station parking...... 7 Federal Election...... 20 Economy and Infrastructure Committee...... 7 Guardianship and Administration Bill 2018...... 20 Williams Landing Railway Station...... 8 St Albans Leisure Centre...... 21 Sunbury former university site...... 8 Werribee South water issues...... 21 Integrity and Accountability Legislation Brooklyn air quality...... 21 Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, Appropriation (2019–2020) Bill 2019...... 21 Oversight and Independence) Bill 2018...... 8 Sunbury Fields Bus Service...... 23 Human organ trafficking...... 10 Professional Lobbyist Code Of Conduct...... 23 Sunbury railway station parking...... 10 Sunbury Road duplication...... 23 Family violence...... 10 World Falun Dafa Day...... 23 Parliamentary Committees Amendment Regional Landfill...... 23 Bill 2019...... 10 Point Cook police response...... 24 Calder Park Drive overpass...... 11 Tullamarine Primary School...... 24 Essendon North Primary School...... 12 Bulla bypass...... 24 Environment and Planning Committee...... 12 State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2019...... 24 World Naked Bike Ride...... 12 Kealba development...... 25 Acquire Learning...... 13 Ballarat Road–Perth Avenue, Albion, Western suburbs roads...... 13 traffic lights...... 25 Brimbank Community Event...... 13 Joint Select Committee...... 26 Wyndham traffic congestion...... 14 Hong Kong protests...... 26 Police...... 14 Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights (Truck Bans and Traffic Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Management) Bill 2019...... 14 Amendment (Reform) Bill 2019...... 26 St Albans Leisure Centre...... 15 Disability (National Disability Insurance Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury...... 15 Scheme Transition) Amendment Bill 2019...... 27 Member Conduct...... 16 Palliative Care government support...... 28 Taxi Fairness Fund...... 16 West Gate Tunnel...... 28 Sri Lanka terrorist attacks...... 16 Federation Village, Albion, Traffic Lights...... 29 Saltwater P-9 College...... 16 Sunbury CBD parking...... 30 Federal Election...... 16 Williamstown Bay and River Cruises...... 30 Newport and Laverton railway station parking...... 17

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 2019 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Members statements COUNCIL | Adjournment I suppose pleasure is not really the 05 February 2019 05 February 2019 word I should use, but it is part of my responsibilities to my constituents and to this house—to move: Small Business Autism education That this house notes— Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I (1) that the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the wish, in my first contribution to this wish to raise a matter this evening for the Honourable Lily D’Ambrosio, MP, made Parliament for 2019, to pay tribute to attention of the Minister for Education. a statement on 24 January 2019, which small business operators throughout I have been concerned for some years was broadcast on 3AW, that ‘we are the state. Small business men and about the standard and quality of absolutely confident’ the state’s power women are the true heroes of our state education for children with autism in supplies would hold up during the hot and indeed the true heroes of our Victoria. Make no mistake, there are weather on 24 and 25 January 2019; nation. These are people who risk their some teachers who teach children with (2) brownouts and blackouts—that is, homes and their futures to open and autism who are sensational—they are cuts to the power supply—occurred on run a business. They put up their own spectacular and they are superb in 25 January 2019 despite the minister’s money, often their life savings, to build every way—but unfortunately they are assurances, and these power cuts a business, and as I know personally almost few and far between. That is not negatively impacted on vulnerable there are no guarantees. There is no the fault of the teachers, I hasten to add; Victorians, Victorian families and definite payday, and that can be pretty it is the fault of an outdated system—a Victorian small businesses; daunting as the monthly mortgage system that regards autism education and expresses concern about the payment approaches. These people risk as second if not third rate and nothing Minister for Energy, Environment it all to create jobs and wealth in local to be too concerned about. What we and Climate Change’s mishandling of communities throughout Victoria. They need to turn our attention to is bringing Victoria’s energy supply. are champions who pay their workers the applied behaviour analysis system, I want to refer specifically to that last and their bills and then pay themselves. the behavioural-based system, into the paragraph of the motion, where we are Their sacrifices are enormous, but still autism education system. It is after all expressing concern— they power on. I fear to think where we a ludicrous proposition that we can Mr Gepp interjected. would be as a state without them. Liberal actually teach kids with autism if their Mr FINN: She is one of yours; she is leader Michael O’Brien has taken on behaviour is not under control. Once we one of yours. I would be very quiet if I the role of shadow Minister for Small get the behaviour under control then we were you; she is one of yours. I would be Business. The Liberal Party is and always can turn these kids’ lives around. embarrassed too, I would have to say. The has been the party of small business. As What I am very concerned about minister says that we had no problem the shadow assistant minister for small at the moment, and what I have been with the energy supply, that there was business I look forward to reaching out concerned about for some time, is that no worries at all. In fact the quote was, to small business men and women and a lot of these kids are not just slipping ‘We shouldn’t be talking about blackouts fighting for the interests of these people, through the cracks but being lost at all’. This is what the minister for who contribute so much to our state. I altogether. I have spoken to a number energy said: ‘We shouldn’t be talking want them to know we are on their side, of parents over the last number of about blackouts at all. Blackouts are and we are about to prove it. years, and that had obviously made me something that will absolutely not be a concerned, but then last year or the year feature of today, or a possibility’. Now COUNCIL | Constituency questions before I had my own personal experience that was before hundreds of thousands of 05 February 2019 and discovered for myself, unfortunately Victorians lost their power supply. That the hard way, that there are kids in the was the minister giving us a categorical autism education system who are not assurance that there was no way that catered for. It seems to me to be quite we would have power blackouts in Sunbury ludicrous when you have a system where what was, let us face facts, a warm day. autistic schools cannot handle kids It was not a particularly hot day; it was with autism. Now, when that happens 43 or 44 degrees. We have had hotter roundabout the system is stuffed and we need to do days than that. There was no heat something about it. I want the minister to wave. Some media outlets, particularly removal have a look at this as a matter of urgency. morning television, like to tell us it is all Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) In fact I am asking the minister to have a a heatwave. If you get beyond 30 these — My constituency question is to the complete review of autism education in days, it is a heatwave apparently. Minister for Roads. In April 2018 work this state. I do not want to give away too much began to remove the roundabout at the about my age, but I remember many Gap Road–Horne Street intersection One of my personal disappointments years ago getting the school bus back in Sunbury. The plan, we are told, is of the election defeat last year was that from Alvie Consolidated School to my to replace it with traffic lights. As of 5 many of the things that I wanted to do home, and that took us an hour back in February 2019 work is continuing, but in this area will now not be done for those days. Of course we did not have there is not as yet even a glimpse of traffic another four years at least, but I am air conditioning on the bus back then. It lights. This is the main intersection in hoping that the minister will join with was so hot that we actually stuck to the Sunbury. These never-ending roadworks me in showing his concern for kids with seats, and it was very difficult to get out are causing daily bedlam and Sunbury autism—and their families, I have to of the seat when it was time to get off the residents are exasperated. They are fast point out—and conduct a full inquiry or bus. Those days were days that were a approaching, in fact, the point of fury. review, call it what you will, into autism lot hotter than most of the days that we Minister, why is this seemingly simple education in this state. experience now. The temperatures that operation taking so long? COUNCIL | Motions we experienced back then— 06 February 2019 Ms Shing interjected. Mr FINN: Yes, that is right, absolutely. Mr Gepp: The records do not agree with you. Energy supply Mr FINN: This bloke over here, Mr Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It Gepp! I admire Mr Gepp’s taste in gives me a great deal of pleasure—well, football teams, and I look forward to enjoying a prolonged period of success

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 3 at Tigerland with him, but when it comes feature of today, or a possibility. blackouts that the minister assured to breaking records and all that sort of Having said that, with over 200 000 us would not happen—on average thing, well, he has got it just a little bit Victorians losing their power shortly Victorians, families and aged people. around the wrong way. Leading up to thereafter, how can anybody believe I would also like to touch upon the Day we had the media hysteria anything she says from that point on? impact that the blackouts had on small telling us—particularly the morning How can she possibly have an inch, an businesses, particularly those who television which I have the misfortune ounce—I am not sure how you measure are in the food industry. I recall being to view sometimes when I am at the credibility—of that credibility left? contacted by one constituent who said, gym—that we had a heat wave coming. We just have to consider the impact ‘I’ve just been sent home from my work. Now the heatwave at that time was that those blackouts had on ordinary I work at the supermarket. We have no comprised of 37 degrees in Adelaide. I Victorians—on families—many of whom power, and we have just had to throw out remember a few years back—it would were barricaded in their homes, given many, many thousands of dollars worth probably be six or seven years ago—in that they were expecting a hot day. of food because it has gone off’, because Adelaide they had something like 14 days Mums, dads and kids were barricaded obviously with no power there was no of 46-plus degrees. I would have thought in their homes with the air conditioning refrigeration, so much of the frozen and 37 was pretty calm and moderate on. It was not to get away from the refrigerated foods had to be thrown out. by comparison. Melbourne on that gangs—that is another debate, Mr Gepp. Apart from the criminal waste involved particular day was 23. Down in Hobart They were barricaded in their homes in that, we had a huge amount of cost they got up to 21. So this dreadful, with the air conditioning on, and all of a to the supermarket owners and to the dreadful heatwave that the media was so sudden there was no air conditioning— management of the supermarkets. keen on telling us about did not actually no lights, no fridge, no nothing. Ms Shing: How long did it go for? exist, but of course that is not something That is what happened in Victoria to Mr FINN: This is something that that would ever worry some sections of hundreds of thousands of people on obviously Ms Shing does not particularly the media before they reported certain 24 and 25 January this year. That was care about. It does not affect her; it matters. immediately after guarantees were does not affect her union membership, But the fact of the matter is that we given by the minister that there would I suppose—although it may be that her did have hot days on 24 and 25 January. be no blackouts. So you could imagine union members were sent home, it may We did have a hot day, and we do have if you had two, three or four kids inside be that they lost a day’s pay. Maybe hot days. Listen here, Ms Shing, I will the house with the air conditioning on, that will gain her attention. Maybe if give you the drum. Listen carefully; I thinking that you are going to protect it impacts the unions Ms Shing might shall say this only once, Ms Shing. What them from a particularly hot day, and all actually be concerned and show some happens around about this time of the of a sudden there is no power. Having concern about the impact of these power year every year? We have a thing called only relatively recently had young kids, cuts. summer, and generally speaking it gets in my experience having no television I have to say that when you look at hot in summer. Sometimes it gets very is to most children one of the most some of the quotes from— hot. In recent years it has not been devastating things that could happen to Ms Shing interjected. particularly hot. We have not had what them in their lives. Mr FINN: Many of them were out for I would describe as a hot summer for Mr Gepp interjected. probably close to a decade. We have had hours, actually. If you have fridges full of Mr FINN: Mr Gepp is not showing a lot frozen food on a 44 degree day, it does some relatively cool summers in fact. of sympathy to those families who were Those who like to holiday down on the not take very long at all for it to go off. affected by this loss of power. That is not Members interjecting. west coast—for example, down on the entirely surprising because, as we know, Surf Coast—would be demanding their the ALP does not have a high regard for Mr FINN: As Mr Ondarchie points out money back in recent years because the average Victorians. That has been the to me, any time is too long because there weather has just not been up to what way of the world for many, many years. are health and safety rules, guidelines you would like it to be when visiting and laws that must be followed. We all the beach. The fact of the matter is I would also like to point out that know that in our own homes if we take a that people were going down in their these blackouts had a profound effect chook, for example, out of the freezer or caravans and so forth—and I have had on many aged people. We know that on out of the fridge and we leave it out on a some experience of that in years gone hot days we are told frequently by people hot day, after about 5 or 10 minutes we by—and the weather was well under 30. on radio, television and so forth that we cannot eat it, because it may well be too That has been the case now for some should check on our aged neighbours. If dangerous. years. we have friends or family who are aged, we should check on them and make I note that whilst we are talking about But here we are, and we got two days in sure they are all right. If somebody is in the impact on families, on aged people a row. One was not even particularly hot, their 80s or their 90s and all of a sudden and on small businesses throughout but one was 44 degrees, and over 200 000 the air conditioning is gone and there is Victoria, members of the government in Victorians lost their power supply. Given no way to cool their drinks because the this chamber are laughing. I just want the assurances and the guarantees refrigeration is gone—there is no way for that noted, because I think that will be that the minister gave us prior to these them to cool down—that puts them in a instructive to a good number of people blackouts, my view is that the minister dreadful position. They are already very throughout the state as to the attitude of has no credibility left. How can you vulnerable Victorians, and this loss of this government towards Victorians. believe somebody who gets up and gives power supply puts them in a very, very Minister D’Ambrosio went on to the sorts of guarantees that she did, very dangerous position. say that those affected—and as I said, shortly to be followed by the sorts of many of them lost much of their stock, blackouts that we saw on that particular It has been known that heat, more often than cold, does impact aged particularly in the food area—on Friday day? How can anybody believe anything were not entitled to compensation for the that she will say in the future? And I people in a very adverse manner. For our aged population to be subject to ‘minimal disruption and discomfort’. will quote her again, because it is worth How out of touch is this woman? quoting again. This is what the Minister this particularly warm day without any support from a power supply, without How far away from reality was Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate D’Ambrosio when she talked about the Change said on the morning of Friday, any air conditioner, without any fans and, as I said, without refrigeration to blackouts causing ‘minimal disruption 25 January, the day of the blackouts. She and discomfort’? It might have been said: cool their drinks, there is no way that many of them would be able to cope. minimal disruption and discomfort We shouldn’t be talking about They would be struggling. This is the to her, because we know that we have blackouts at all. Blackouts are impact that these blackouts had—the generators here in Parliament House something that will absolutely not be a and no doubt she has generators in her

IN 4 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE ministerial office; the blackouts would We could go on for quite some time has not got a clue. She is incompetent. not have impacted or affected her. It quoting people about the impact the She is a pathetic minister, and she has would not be something that would power blackouts had on them, but I think no respect or credibility in the Victorian concern her at all. But for Minister it is safe to say—it is more than safe to say community. She should resign. Oh, I said D’Ambrosio to say that what happened in fact—that we had a situation where ‘she’! I am not sure what term I should on 24 and 25 January this year created most of us knew there was a chance have used; I am not sure. The Minister ‘minimal disruption and discomfort’ is we would have blackouts on that day. for Energy, Environment and Climate disgraceful and something that again There would have been a lot of people Change, Lily D’Ambrosio—and I am displays for the world to see just how who were looking to the government in not sure of her middle name or I would totally out of touch she is. It is rather sad particular to see what their view was—for have used that too—should resign. She that we have a minister of the Crown assurance perhaps, for warning perhaps, should resign, because she has failed the who would make such a statement. It just for some indication that the government Victorian community in a big way, in a goes to prove something that I have been either had this matter under control or huge way, and there is no guarantee that saying for some years—that is, if Premier did not. she will not do it again. were serious about the The minister, Minister D’Ambrosio, Here we are early in February, and power crisis that we face, he would have went out of her way to tell the people we know that there will be hot days. somebody better than Lily D’Ambrosio in something that we all knew—everybody February is always our hottest month. We the ministry. He would have somebody I think knew, certainly in this house and know there are more hot days to come who is actually competent, he would the other place—was blatantly false. On here in Victoria. Indeed yesterday was a have somebody who actually knew what the 3AW breakfast show they call it BFS, pretty warm day. I was surprised at how they were doing in that portfolio, but a blatantly false statement—that there warm it was when I actually went out of sadly he does not. Perhaps she is the was no risk of a blackout on 25 January. the building last night. We will have over only one that is silly enough to actually Everybody knew that that was nonsense. the next three weeks some very, very hot believe the stuff that is fed to her and she We all knew that there was a very days. When Minister D’Ambrosio comes spews it forth with conviction despite considerable risk on that particular day. out and makes a statement about our it being what most other people would It should not have come as a surprise power supply, the fact of the matter is regard as pure and complete nonsense. to anyone, including the minister, that that nobody is actually going to believe I refer to a newspaper article, again we did have blackouts. But she gave an her, because she has got the runs on the from Australia Day—26 January. The assurance nonetheless that there would board. Either she has painted herself as quote from that article is: be no blackouts—an absolute, 100 per an individual who does not know what Residents and business owners affected cent guarantee: ‘No blackouts today. No she should know about the power supply by power cuts in Melbourne yesterday possibility of blackouts today’. That is situation, or indeed she deliberately had say outages led to chaos and tension what she said. Clearly the woman has not a lend of the lot of us. I know that that amid the crippling heat. got a clue. could be seen as casting aspersions on Shane Kinch, who owns Kinch Fine It goes back, I have to say, to a year ago the minister—and I would never want Foods in Caulfield North— when there were significant blackouts to do that—but I do not think she is that a small business operator, in case across the— clever, to tell you the truth. anybody from the government is Mr Gepp: On a point of order, Acting I think there is a real concern in the wondering— President, Mr Finn has been his usual community generally that somebody can make statements of the nature said he had to turn hungry customers verbose self to date. The gender of the away during the lunch rush. minister is completely irrelevant in this that the minister did and just a matter debate. For him to stand there and say, of hours later have something exactly “We couldn’t serve them, we couldn’t the opposite happen. One minute give them food,” he said. ‘The woman hasn’t got a clue’, is quite frankly offensive. He should withdraw she was saying, ‘We will have no Mr Kinch said his cafe, which has an and respectfully identify the minister power blackouts, no chance of power electronic ordering system, was thrown with her correct title at all times. blackouts, not a possibility’; the next into chaos and he had to send his staff hour or so we saw massive blackouts. home. Mr FINN: On the point of order, Acting President, this is just getting It did cause significant disruption. It You would imagine that those staff caused significant discomfort, and it cost would not have been paid for the day, pathetic now. To use the word ‘woman’ is unparliamentary? God Almighty, what small business millions and millions of particularly if they were casual staff. He dollars. Indeed the figure that I saw for said: country are we living in now? This is just absolute nonsense. If I were referring just that one day of blackouts was $1.1 I’m not getting any money back, I had to the Premier, I would have said, ‘The billion—$1 100 000 000. And the minister all the fridges go off … man has no idea what he’s doing’, which says that is minimum disruption and So here is a small business operator is true, but the fact of the matter is that discomfort. who has invested in food for the day to we do have genders. I know there are What would you have to do to feed his clientele. That food is gone. Not members opposite who dispute that actually have maximum discomfort and only is that food lost but he does not get hotly, but we do have genders and I do disruption if $1.1 billion worth of losses any money from the clientele because not think it is unparliamentary to refer is to be dismissed by this minister? he is absolutely unable to serve them. to them. In fact it is quite a nonsense to Again, that is a strong indication that For him—and let us face facts, there are suggest that we should not. this minister is totally and absolutely a number of small business operators The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr removed from reality. who run a very fine line between making Melhem): Thank you, Mr Finn. I am not We could go back, as I said—in fact a profit and not making a profit—maybe interested in a debate about gender here, I should go back—to that time last that day was an economic disaster, just but what I will ask you, Mr Finn, is that year when we had the blackouts in the maybe. And certainly there would have when you are referring to members in western suburbs of Melbourne. I asked been numerous small business operators this chamber and the other chamber the minister, following her statement around Victoria who felt the impact in you refer to them by their title. I am not that the blackouts were caused by blown a very significant way on their finances. going to enter a debate about gender fuses, exactly how many fuses were I do not expect members opposite to arguments, but when you are referring blown to have caused the blackouts understand that because I do not believe to another member I expect you to refer across the west of Melbourne. I am still there are any members opposite who them by their title and name, not by their waiting for a proper response on that. have actually run a small business, gender. The fact of the matter is that the but this is something that will impact, Mr FINN: Minister D’Ambrosio has not government had the year before and does have an impact, on small got the first idea of what she is doing. She effectively closed a power station which businesses in a very, very real way. was giving us up to 25 per cent of our

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 5 power supply. You cannot pull out D’Ambrosio have done that. It has been COUNCIL | Constituency questions almost 25 per cent of our power supply, nobody else, they have done that. So let 19 February 2019 not replace it with anything and expect us think about that the next time that we that it will not have an impact. But that have blackouts. Unlike the minister, I am is what this government did. Obviously not going to go down the path of making they say they are working on alternative total and absolute predictions, but I Tullamarine forms of power. I would love to know would not mind having a few bob on the where they are. A lot of people would very strong possibility that our power Freeway widening love to know where these alternative supply will be blacked out at some stage Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) forms of power are, and certainly they over the next three weeks, if not beyond. — My constituency question is to the would love to have known on 25 January This motion is a very clear motion. It Minister for Transport Infrastructure. where they were, because they were is one that I think should be supported I had initially asked this question of nowhere to be seen then. by all members. I know that members the Minister for Roads, but much to I would have thought that if you are opposite in the government will not, my surprise the Tullamarine Freeway actually going to have alternative forms because they have a vested interest. is not covered by the roads portfolio. of power, it would be logical to have them They are not interested in ordinary The Tullamarine widening project has in place before you pull out the current Victorians. They are not interested been underway now for some years. ones. Instead of just having a 25 per cent in Victorian families. They are not Thousands of my constituents are black hole, which in fact is what we did interested in Victorian people who are heartily sick of the disruption it is causing get, it would have been good to have the aged. They are not interested in Victorian them on a daily basis. We all know that alternative forms of power. Let us face it, small business. The only thing they are sinking feeling as we see the speed limit some of those alternative forms of power interested in is protecting themselves, cut to 40 kilometres per hour or, worse, are up for debate as to their effectiveness, protecting their Premier and protecting those occasions when the freeway is but it would have been good to have their pathetic Minister for Energy, closed altogether. My constituents have them anyway just to see if they worked Environment and Climate Change. That had more than enough, and I ask the perhaps. is the only thing they are interested in minister on their behalf: when will work But on this occasion up to 25 per cent in this regard, and no doubt they will on the widening conclude and when will of our power supply was taken away and oppose this motion. travelling on the Tullamarine Freeway no replacement was made available. But I urge members on the crossbench return to a seamless journey? That is why we have the situation that to take into consideration the matters we are in today. That is why every time I have spoken about today and to take COUNCIL | Members statements we have a hot day, every time we have into consideration the impact that 19 February 2019 a day where the temperature gets to these power cuts have had on ordinary around 40 degrees, people start talking Victorians and the adverse impact they about power cuts, they start talking have had on families, on aged people about blackouts, they start talking about and on small business. These are matters Climate change making alternative arrangements for that we cannot just sweep under the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — their families, for aged members of their carpet; these are matters that we must As members know, I spend much of my families, and for their businesses. This is bring up. Indeed we have an obligation life defending children. They are our not something that is tolerable. as members of Parliament to bring these greatest asset and must be protected and As the Leader of the Opposition, matters to the fore and to make sure cherished at all costs. I was particularly Michael O’Brien, said, Victoria is not a they are addressed. If we are to fulfil our appalled to read in the media this week Third World nation, but it is being turned obligations, we will support this motion, of taxpayer-funded climate change into one by the Andrews government. It and I urge all members of the house to extremists infiltrating schools and should be automatic, and regarded as a do so. causing grave angst to kids at a time right in Victoria, to expect that when we when they should be enjoying the most turn on a switch, the lights will light up; COUNCIL | Constituency questions worry-free part of their lives. Terrifying that when we plug the fridge in, it will get 06 February 2019 our children with tall tales about the cold inside and will cool our food and end of the world does political activists will cool, perhaps more importantly, our no credit at all, and they should cease. drinks, that it will provide for what it is Left-wing extremists are way out of line meant to, protection of our food and our Wyndham Vale in using what is basically psychological drinks from the heat outside. But that is abuse of children to advance their dodgy not a given anymore in Victoria. When gang violence cause. I suppose it would be a bit much the sun shines and the heat comes on, as Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) to expect these duplicitous activists it does in what is a sunburnt country, in — My constituency question is to the of the left to actually tell children the Victoria we now expect power blackouts. Minister for Police and Emergency truth: that none of the climate change That is a part of the new way of life in Services. Over the Christmas-New Year industry’s outrageous predictions have Victoria. That is what we now expect is period there was an outbreak of further come to pass. The polar caps are still going to happen, that we do not have gang violence in Melbourne’s west. Of there, as Senator Janet Rice found out the power to run our fans or our air particular concern was the assault by a for herself when she went down south conditioners, that the power just will not gang at Wyndham Vale railway station, to see the impact of global warming and be there. And who is responsible for this? witnessed by two PSOs, who were totally had to be rescued from the ice. There It is the Andrews government. outnumbered and from all reports chose are polar bears still in abundance, no Let us consider that just four years to do nothing in that particular instance. Pacific islands have sunk and since Tim ago—it is quite remarkable— command later said they followed ‘Sandbags’ Flannery made his ill-fated had the cheapest and most reliable correct procedure. This clearly provided prediction about there never being electricity in Australia. And what have no protection for the victims but also enough rain again, Victoria, New South we got now? We have prices that have raises the issue of the safety of PSOs in Wales, Queensland and South Australia gone through the roof and we have a a situation like this. Does the minister have regularly suffered floods. Enough of supply which is patchy at best. We never have any plan to protect PSOs on railway terrorising our kids. Extremist loons from quite know when we switch on that light stations in Melbourne’s west from gangs the climate change lobby should leave switch if indeed the light will come on, in similar circumstances? our kids alone. and that is a direct result of the Andrews government being in government for four years. Daniel Andrews and Lily

IN 6 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Constituency questions and to their families over the last two or 19 February 2019 20 February 2019 three years. This also could have been avoided so easily. Those men could still be alive now if they had not been subject to the—I am tempted to say—almost Climate change Sunbury railway bastardry that they have been subjected Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I to over the last few years. I do get a little wish to raise a matter for the attention of station parking bit emotional about it because they were the Minister for Education. Earlier today Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) good people who are no longer with us I expressed my disgust at the actions — My constituency question is to the and they should still be with us. As I said, of extremist climate change activists Honourable in her capacity it could have been very much avoided, who had infiltrated schools in Victoria as the Minister for Public Transport. As and I just want to express publicly my and had indeed been brainwashing reported on Channel 7 news last night, condolences to their families and to their children into a state of near apoplexy and as some of us have known for quite friends, many of whom are in mourning as a result of the fear that they were some time, parking at Sunbury railway and obviously will be for many, many instilling into these children—fear of station is at a premium. In fact parking years to come. what climate change may do or what in generally in Sunbury has been for quite As I said, in the west of Melbourne fact climate change will do to them. Now, some time at a premium. Locals have to there are many taxi operators. I know I am not denying that climate change is get to the station before dawn in order to quite a few personally. I have known happening, because climate change has secure a car park. Anybody coming after quite a few for quite some years, but been happening for many thousands of that can well and truly forget it. With in recent years, particularly since I years and that is just a very natural thing. the continued growth in Sunbury and was chairman of the Economy and But I do remember when I was a kid I commuters from the Macedon Ranges Infrastructure Committee, I have got to grew up with the prospect of being blown travelling to Sunbury station to access know a lot more for obvious reasons. off the face of the earth by the Russians the train, the situation is getting worse These are good, hardworking, taxpaying and the Americans. I remember only on a continuing basis. During the recent Australians who did no more than work too well that as a kid it used to keep me election campaign the government hard to prepare for their retirement. They awake at night, and I think it is just so gave commitments to the Sunbury were working with a view to paying off wrong for these extremists to take to our community to extend parking at the their homes pretty much like the rest of kids in this way and fill their heads with railway station. Minister, when will work us—pay off their homes, put their kids the sort of unrealistic nonsense that they on this project begin? through school and eventually retire and do. That concerns me enormously. not be a burden on the taxpayer. They What does also concern me is that COUNCIL | Reference would be able to look after themselves in apparently next month there is due to be 20 February 2019 their retirement. a strike of schoolkids who will be leaving Then of course the changes came. their classrooms to protest against That nest egg, that retirement package climate change. Now what exactly a they had prepared for themselves, protest against climate change will Economy and was gone. Can you imagine that? I ask achieve I am not sure, but nonetheless members to imagine what that would they are planning to do this. It has come be like. I am sure there would be some to my attention over the last 24 hours Infrastructure members, particularly members who that in New South Wales the Minister were elected post-2004, who would be for Education has made it very clear that Committee in that situation, and I am one of them. penalties will apply for any teacher or Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I You work and you prepare for your any student who leaves the classroom for rise to support the motion moved so retirement. You put away money, and that particular purpose, and I have to say ably by Mr Davis this afternoon. This you do not want to be a burden on the that I support the action of the Minister is an area that I have taken a great deal taxpayer. You do not want to be on the for Education in New South Wales. It of interest in for a number of years. pension; you want to be able to look after is a nonsense that we send our kids to I think you and I, Acting President yourself. All of a sudden the government school to learn how to read and write Bourman, actually served on the legislates one day and all the money you and maybe even add up—most people Economy and Infrastructure Committee have got is gone. Imagine how you would around here can surely at least add up— when we reviewed this particular issue feel. Well, that is what happened to the and they are dragged out into the streets the first time. You will recall that we taxi operators in this state. to protest against something that they were in unanimous agreement that this matter should be revisited. We It was, I have to say, probably one of can really do nothing about anyway. the most diabolical things I have seen It seems to me that what we need to actually gave the government at the time an out if they wished to take it. The done by government. People talk about do is have the minister take a very firm big government being a danger and big stand on this and send a very, very clear government, opposition and crossbench members all agreed that this matter government being merciless when it message that the politicisation of our comes to the individual and to business. classrooms is something that cannot be should be revisited. Unfortunately the government—as we had come to know Is there anything that displays that more tolerated and something that he will not than in this particular instance? I have tolerate as the education minister. So I its bloody-minded ways—decided that it would push ahead regardless of the always been, as members of this house am asking the minister to make it very, would be aware, a very strong supporter very clear that he will follow the example impact on so many people who were going to suffer as a result of that. of small business. Small business is the of the New South Wales education backbone of this nation. Without small minister and will impose penalties on I would like to begin my comments this business we would be in a lot of trouble. teachers and on students who forsake afternoon by offering my condolences But here we had a situation where the classroom in order to participate in to the families of those people in the small businesses—and that is what they a strike on the issue of climate change or taxi industry who have either died as were—were just crushed into the ground anything else— (Time expired) a result of the pressure that they have under the jackboot of a government been put under or indeed have taken that was going to get its own way come their own lives. I know a number of those what may. That is what happened. As families personally—there are a number a result we saw the human tragedy, we of those families who live in the west saw the economic despair and we saw of Melbourne—and it is tragic beyond the financial ruin of many, many good words to see what has happened to them people. That is something that nobody in

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 7 this house or in the other place from the COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Constituency questions government should be proud of. 20 February 2019 21 February 2019 This government likes to get up and say, ‘Oh, we’re getting things done. We’re so proud of ourselves. We’re getting things done’. I would ask in this particular Williams Landing Sunbury former instance: at what cost? At the cost of human lives. At the cost of the financial Railway Station university site future and security of good hardworking Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Australians, many of whom I have to say wish to raise a matter for the attention — My constituency question is to the had come from perhaps Italy or Greece of the Minister for Public Transport, and Minister for Planning. As a regular visitor 40, 50 or 60 years ago—70 years ago in it concerns an email that I received on to Jacksons Hill in Sunbury, I frequently some instances. All they wanted to do Sunday evening from a constituent by drive past the historic buildings that once and all they knew what to do was to the name of Anita Battocchio. She wrote housed the Sunbury campus of Victoria work hard. Their view was that Australia to me in the following manner: University. Since Victoria University was a great land of opportunity. They Today my brother’s bike was stolen deserted the people of Sunbury some had been taught and had learned that if from the designated bike racks during years ago, the buildings have sat empty they worked hard, Australia would give daylight hours. The PTV Metro officers and are subject to vandalism and the them the rewards that were their due. claimed that this is getting worse and effects of the weather. The future of these They found out in the last few years that the amount of bikes being stolen is buildings has been the subject of much that is not the case in Victoria. That is a increasing daily, he also mentioned that speculation. The local community was particularly sad situation. there is nothing much that can be done, led to believe prior to the last election although they have CCTV cameras they I have spoken to a number of operators often cannot access the recordings— that a decision by the government was who, having lost everything, have also imminent. But, sorry, no appearance, lost faith in Australia. I am not sure which I have to say does seem a little Your Worship. Minister, how is the what is worse; I am not sure which is bit self-defeating, to understate things. government intending to ensure the the greater tragedy: losing everything The email goes on: former university site is put to good use? you have got or losing faith in your Following this incident a police file was nation, particularly one as great—or it logged, however I am concerned about COUNCIL | Second reading should be—as Australia. It saddens me the amount of bikes being stolen and vandalised; if we are to be encouraged 21 February 2019 enormously to see and to hear those to reduce carbon emissions and ride reports. our bikes then proper lengths need to So I support this motion, and I have to be taken to deter theaft/vandalism at say to members that I also support the these local train stations. Integrity and amendments from the crossbench that I personally ride my bike every day to have been put forward. I am delighted the station however on the Point Cook to hear the government will also support side of the freeway— Accountability the amended motion. I am particularly this is at Williams Landing station— looking forward to the committee’s Legislation there is no secure bike cage, like on revision of what has occurred over the the Williams Landing side. I am also last two or three years, because it is aware that there is a long waiting list for Amendment something that needs to be reviewed. bike spots in this cage. I feel that this It is something that needs to be looked is something that’s needs addressing; (Public Interest at with a little bit of retrospection, I if wider path ways were built along suppose. There were predictions of what plamers road to encourage walkers and would happen back before the changes. bike riders then the community needs Disclosures, Sadly, many of those predictions have to have the confidence and assurance come to pass. That is sad. We need to that’s their bikes won’t be stolen or Oversight and vanderlised while locked up at the look back over the last three or four years station. This concern is for the safety and see what has occurred, particularly and comfort of this community. Independence) to taxi operators, because whilst we may not be able to give them their assets back, Vandalism and theft should not be acceptable and certin lengths need to Bill 2018 we might not be able to give them their be take to ensure these incidents are Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) money back and we certainly cannot give minimised. I am concerned that this is — I rise this afternoon to speak on the them their lives back, we just might be just the beginning, crime always starts Integrity and Accountability Legislation able to give them some degree of justice small and then tends to grow until it’s Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, by highlighting the hardship that they hard to manage. Oversight and Independence) Bill 2018. have felt and are feeling—the hardship We have a major problem here, it I have to say when I read the title of this that they are going through. would seem, and I am calling on the particular piece of legislation for the I support the motion. As I Minister for Public Transport to call first time I laughed. I thought to myself, mentioned, we will not be opposing the a meeting of all parties, including the ‘How can the Andrews government amendments. I hope that we will get law enforcement side of things, Public talk about integrity and accountability? this motion through very, very quickly Transport Victoria and all of those who Is there anything more foreign to the and, when the committee system is up would be involved in a blitz on crime at Andrews government than integrity and and running, we will get this review Williams Landing station. It is clear that accountability?’. underway. I very much look forward to the problem needs to be jumped on from The problem is that the great mass of seeing the results of what I believe will be a very great height very, very soon, and people in Victoria and Australia believe in many instances a quite heartbreaking I ask the minister to call that meeting to that we are all the same. They think that review of what has occurred over recent emphasise the need to protect people politicians are all on the take. They think years. and their property at Williams Landing we are all crooks. They think we do not station. pay tax; well, they think a whole range of things about us. As a result of the actions of the Andrews government that have been disclosed over the last year or so we see that view becoming stronger. We see that perception becoming reality in

IN 8 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE the minds of the electorate. I find that early in the morning, arrested them, are speaking to me. Obviously I am not very sad indeed. But it is not surprising took them downtown, as they say in the a Victorian police officer. That is pretty that we would have that situation when classics. They interviewed them. They clear. If I was, you would not speak to me we have a government that set out to rip asked them questions, they demanded at all. That is his general rule, I gather. off the taxpayers—over $388 000, as I answers, and presumably they got them. Mr Jennings might like to enlighten recall. They tried to take that money out But when it came to getting answers from us as to exactly why. Mr O’Donohue of the pockets of the taxpayers to pay for the members of Parliament themselves, asked him the other day, and I would their election campaigning. So is it any ministers of the Crown included, the really love to know why he would wonder when people see that happening police were happy to say, ‘Well, we don’t not speak to the police. I have always that they wonder what the hell is going have to worry about that. We are very assumed that if somebody is suspected on up here in Spring Street and they have happy to accept that you don’t have to of doing something untoward, if they no faith in politicians? speak to us and we won’t bother you are approached by a police officer and I would like to see that turned around, anymore’. Now that seems a very, very they refuse to speak to the police officer, but unfortunately it is not going to be strange way of going about things, I have then an assumption can be made and turned around under this government, to say, and you have got to wonder about perhaps guilt can be apportioned. But not when we have 16 people under the thought processes that went into that. Mr Jennings over there, he still refuses suspicion, including some ministers It is almost as if a precedent has now to address the issues that need to be of the Crown, who refuse to even be been set that you can commit any crime addressed, that still are very much in interviewed by the police. The irony of in this state and if you refuse to cooperate the minds of Victorians and very much the minister responsible for integrity in with the police, they will let you go. That concern those who are concerned about this state being one of those—suspects is what happened with the Labor Party. integrity and accountability and respect I suppose you could call them?—who That is what happened with the Andrews for the law in this state. refuses to cooperate with the police! Well, government. The government members, We have over recent years had IBACC, white is black! Night is day! Everything ministers, they did not want to cooperate the Independent Broad-based Anti- is not as it should be. This is quite with the police, and the police said, ‘No corruption Commission Committee, to nonsensical and, as has been said in this worries, you’re exonerated’. What? How investigate corruption in this state, and house before, if the police want to speak does that operate? that was probably long overdue. It has to a minister or a member of this house, As I said, we really need a strong not found anything which you would say I think we have an obligation to speak to integrity regime in this state after what is going to set the world on fire, but it is the police if indeed they suspect that we has happened in recent times. There important that it is there. It is important might have done something we should is a very, very black and dark cloud that it has the powers to carry through not have. To not speak to the police of hanging over this building and hanging the investigations. course just confirms in the minds of over 1 Treasury Place, and that has Mr Jennings: He wasn’t on the the electorate that in fact a degree of been brought about by a government committee. Not you, nor Mr O’Donohue. shysterism has occurred, and I do not that does not have a high regard for Mr FINN: I certainly was not on the think there is any doubt in anybody’s accountability. It does not have a high committee. I am happy to be on the mind that a fair degree of shysterism has regard for integrity and it does not have committee if you want me to be—I am occurred on this particular occasion. a high regard for the rule of law. As a on just about every other committee. So it is really important that we do have state we have a good deal of reason to But I am delighted to see that IBACC is integrity bodies in place and that they do be concerned—and all the more reason there, and that is something that was have the powers to investigate and the for us to have a strong integrity body. established some years ago. I think that powers to prosecute if need be. It is really With a government like the one we have is in itself a reassurance that at least important that we have those bodies in Victoria, we need a strong integrity somebody is keeping an eye on this that have the capacity to ensure that our body. We need a body which will try and dodgy crew in Spring Street. You would system is clean. We have seen what has keep this government on the straight and hope that they would not do what they happened in Queensland in years gone narrow. I really wish them well on that. I have done in the past. There is the old by. We have seen what has happened think they have certainly got their work story that if you get away with it once, in New South Wales, and that is not so cut out for them. you are likely to do it again and again and long ago at all. In fact a couple of former It has to be said that justice must again, and I think you can almost say that Labor MPs are still in jail in New South not just be done, it must be seen to be they would be already planning to do it Wales as a result of what happened there. done, and the amendments put up by again after what has happened. So it is extremely important to have those Mr O’Donohue on the subject of public The opposition will not be opposing bodies. hearings are extremely important, this particular bill. I urge the house to A member interjected. because the people have a right to know support the amendments put up by Mr Mr FINN: Kevin Rudd probably should what is going on. If you have secret O’Donohue because I think they are very be in jail; I would agree with that after deals being examined behind closed important amendments. It is a matter what he did to the country. The fact of the doors in secret hearings, then again that is crucial to justice—that justice be matter is that in Victoria, whilst we have people are going to look at the whole seen to be done. It is, I suppose, almost a not had the scandals of New South Wales system and wonder exactly what is going truism, but at the same time it is one that and Queensland, over recent years we on. So it is important that we support is crucial to ensure that people realise have had a number of very dodgy deals Mr O’Donohue’s amendments, and I that we do have transparency, we do being done by this government. That, commend him for them. I have to say have accountability for all. I hope that I think, is something that reflects very that in my judgement, and I think the this legislation and the passing of the poorly upon its members, particularly judgement of a good many people, he amendments that Mr O’Donohue has those members who, as I said, were not would be an outstanding Attorney- proposed will provide exactly that. happy to cooperate with the fraud and General at some stage, hopefully in the extortion squad of Victoria Police when not-too-distant future, because he does they wanted to interview them about the have integrity, he does have respect red shirts rorts scandal—and it is pretty for the law and he does believe in clear why they did not want to do that. accountability, and that is not something I have to say on that subject that there we see a lot of from the Andrews is one thing that really makes me wonder government, as we have seen over recent what has happened here. Because when years. the police wanted to interview the staff Mr Jennings interjected. members of the members of Parliament Mr FINN: Look, I do have a lot of allegedly involved, they raided them regard for integrity, Mr Jennings. You

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 9 COUNCIL | Adjournment cooperate with the federal government in announced a $328 million package to 21 February 2019 its attempts—if indeed it goes ahead with fight this insidious evil. I commend the attempts—to crack down on human the Prime Minister on this program organ trafficking and ensure that Victoria which will improve frontline services, plays its role in stopping what is a pretty build or expand safe places, provide Human organ loathsome and despicable practice. more prevention strategies and allocate $35 million specifically for Aboriginal trafficking COUNCIL | Constituency questions Australians, every cent of which is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I 05 March 2019 needed given the appalling suffering wish to raise a matter this evening for which is being inflicted on Indigenous the attention of the Attorney-General. women and children in some places in It concerns a practice that I have been our nation. worried about and have expressed Sunbury railway I live in hope that in years to come opposition to for quite some years, and domestic violence will become that is the practice of the government of station parking something of distant folklore. Real men China having forcible organ harvesting Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — do not hit women. I know we will soon followed by human organ trafficking My question is directed to the Minister see one day when that reality becomes a and organ tourism. This might not for Public Transport, and I am very truism. seem like a state matter at all, but in hopeful that this is her responsibility and fact it does have state implications not that of the Minister for Transport COUNCIL | Second reading because the House of Representatives Infrastructure as there is a bit of 05 March 2019 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign confusion there, I gather. As reported Affairs, Defence and Trade’s human on Channel 7 news recently—and as rights subcommittee has delivered some of us have known for quite some a report entitled Compassion, Not time—parking at the Sunbury railway Parliamentary Commerce: An Inquiry into Human station is at a premium. In fact parking Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant generally in Sunbury has been for quite Tourism. Of the 12 recommendations some time at a premium. Locals have to Committees that the subcommittee makes, three get to the station before dawn in order to have very strong state implications. secure a car park. Anybody coming after Amendment Bill Recommendation 5 of the subcommittee that can well and truly forget it. With is: the continued growth in Sunbury and 2019 … that the commuters from the Macedon Ranges Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I works with the States and Territories, travelling to Sunbury station to access listened to Ms Shing in particular with transplant registries, and the medical the train, the situation is getting worse increasing bemusement, I have to say, community, to consider the appropriate on a continuing basis. During the recent as her contribution continued. She parameters, protections, and other election campaign the government spoke about resources of the joint house considerations, to support a mandatory committees versus the resources of the reporting scheme whereby medical gave commitments to the Sunbury community to extend parking at the upper house committees. I have to say professionals have an obligation to that I have been chair of both kinds of report, to an appropriate registry or railway station. Minister, when will work authority, any knowledge or reasonable begin on this project? committees. As the chairman of a joint suspicion that a person under their care house committee, we were given the has received a commercial transplant resources, we were given the staff and the or one sourced from a non-consenting COUNCIL | Members statements ability to do a proper job, to investigate donor, be that in Australia or overseas. 05 March 2019 the topic of an investigation. We did a Recommendation 6 of the very thorough job. I see Mr Somyurek subcommittee is: over there. I am sure he will join with me in saying that when he was deputy … that the Australian Government Family violence chair of the Electoral Matters Committee sign and ratify the Council of Europe Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Convention against Trafficking in whilst I was the chair we did an Domestic violence is a blight on every exceedingly thorough job of investigating Human Organs, and works with society in which it is found. It creates the States and Territories to make the electoral system from every angle. the requisite amendments to physical and mental pain and destroys That was because we were given the Commonwealth and State and Territory families. It is abhorrent. As the father of resources in order to do that. three daughters, one of my greatest fears legislation and ensure non-legislative I then switch over to when I was obligations are met. is that one day they will find themselves in an abusive relationship, but at least chairman of the Economy and Finally, recommendation 12 of the Infrastructure Committee of the subcommittee is: they know they will have the support necessary to protect them if that were Legislative Council. We could not get … that the Australian Government to occur. It is a national tragedy that so even a glass of water half the time—that works with the States and Territories, is how bad it was—much less staff, much as a matter of priority, to ensure many women face violence on a daily basis, with little support and often less research, much less money for that any person or body corporate anybody wanting to travel. You could not importing human tissue into Australia nowhere to turn. for commercial purposes produces even get a tram ticket down to Flinders Of course domestic violence should Street. It was just hopeless. So you can verifiable documentation of the not exist. Attitudes need to change, and consent of the donor person or their understand why the government is really respect for all must become a priority for keen to dump the joint committees. You next-of-kin. This could include our communities across Australia. Those appropriate legislative changes at the can understand why they are very happy Commonwealth or State and Territory who do not show that respect should feel for some of these Legislative Council level where required. the full wrath of the law. As Dr Martin committees to continue—because it Obviously, as I say, most of that Luther King, Jr, once said, ‘It may be is all about lifting the scrutiny on the will revolve around commonwealth true that the law cannot change the government. Quite frankly, with this government activity, but there is a heart, but it can restrain the heartless’. As government, who can blame them? significant section of this report which legislators, we should always keep those words in mind. I was chairman of the Economy and deals with activities that will have to Infrastructure Committee in the last be dealt with by the states. What I am I was particularly pleased to see that Parliament, and we went to extraordinary asking the Attorney-General to do is to Prime Minister recently lengths to try and find out what the

IN 10 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE hell was going on with the West Gate sure we actually know who that is going finished, but we have not seen anything Tunnel. To this very day nobody is any to be; perhaps Mr Somyurek could tell quite like it yet. the wiser. But I will say it again—I have us about that at some stage because I am I have served on family and said it before, and I will say it again—do sure he has got the numbers locked away community development committees not be surprised if at some stage in the somewhere; he will know which faction now on three occasions in my future the West Gate Tunnel deal is in has got that worked out—is going to get parliamentary career over the past 20 fact referred to IBAC, because quite an extra $58 003. The chair of the Scrutiny years, and I would have to say that on frankly that stinks. If indeed it was to be of Acts and Regulations Committee, Mr at least two of those occasions they investigated by a joint parliamentary Gepp, well, he is in for an increase of $34 were particularly good committees committee, I think we would have a very 945. I tell you what, if I was him I would and particularly important ones. Last different result from that given by the not be going to show my face in this year we reported on autism with a very very sparsely resourced and very sparsely debate either. He knows he is on a good wideranging report on autism services— staffed investigation that we saw in the thing, but the people of Victoria know on what we need to do as a community last Parliament. that they are not. The people of Victoria and as a government to make life better What Ms Shing was saying, if anybody know they are on a hiding to nothing, for families living with autism. It was cares to actually go through Hansard, was and that is the reality of the situation. one of the proudest days of my life that consulting the community is a waste The government is very happy to get when that report was presented to the of money. That is basically what she was rid of the committees that we need to Parliament. I think Ms Edwards, the saying. She was opposing the fact that we investigate the problems and the issues member for West in the other actually spent resources on going around that we have in Victoria—committees place, and other members, including talking to people, speaking to Victorians that have for many, many years served , the member for and finding out what their views were on this Parliament and the people of Geelong, and Cindy McLeish, who is now the subjects that the committees were Victoria very, very well. The government the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, investigating. It is quite extraordinary, will not spend money on that, but it will would all agree that the report will have the performance that we have seen here spend a couple of hundred thousand a longstanding impact on how we deal this afternoon from Ms Shing. She let the dollars on its mates in the Assembly with autism, how we face the problems cat out of the bag well and truly for all the and one in here. So we have a fair and how we encourage people who have world to see. She wants far less scrutiny inclination, and I think the people autism. on the government. She wants to take of Victoria are pretty much aware of Under this legislation that committee away the power—in fact she wants not what this government’s priorities are. is dead; it is gone. There will be no more just to take away the power of the joint This government is an extraordinarily reports of the nature of the autism report committees; she wants to take away most arrogant government. Even after such that I have described. That is what we are of the joint committees anyway—and a short period in a second term it has talking about here. We are talking about give that responsibility to committees shown what an arrogant government it is. taking money from committees that that, as I say, do not have the resources Nothing proves that more than this prize actually provide recommendations and to maintain the level of scrutiny that is piece of arrogance here, where they will a service to the people of Victoria and necessary. take money away from the committees giving it to mates. It is a pretty shabby We heard Ms Shing talk about how it of the Parliament and where they will and might I say mighty sniffy way of is a waste of resources to get around and hand that responsibility to committees running a government. We have sadly speak to people in the community. What that do not have the resources to do seen a fair bit of that over the past four do you think Ms Shing’s solution to all the job. And where will the money go years, and clearly that is not going to of this is? Instead of spending money from those committees? To a handful of change. As I said before, I suspect it will going around talking to Victorians, members of the . get worse. It is a very sad state of affairs. finding out what they want, finding out It is quite extraordinary. For that total of I very much hope the government what they need, she is going to give it to $248 792 it is worth noting that Victorians will rethink its position on this bill. I Danny Pearson. She is going to give it could get one ambulance, two maternity certainly hope the crossbenchers will to . She is going to nurses, three classroom teachers, four join us in voting it down. I believe it give it to the Deputy Government Whip, child protection support workers or is something that common decency whoever that might be, in the Assembly, five Victoria Police recruits. So where demands we vote against. I do not think and indeed she is going to give it to do you reckon the value for money is this is particularly a matter of partisan Mr Gepp here in the Council. What a there? Where do you think the people politics. This is actually a matter of what brilliant move. She talked about people of Victoria would prefer their money is right and what is wrong, and we can having a very low opinion of politicians. to be spent—on an ambulance, on two clearly see that what the government is Does she really think that that is going maternity workers, on three classroom proposing here is totally wrong. What to be improved by taking funding away teachers, on four child protection the government is proposing here is from a committee that is talking to the support workers, on five Victoria Police something that is going to allow the community and giving it to a handful of recruits or would they like it to go into people of Victoria to come off second government MPs? Does she really think Danny Pearson’s pocket? best. I urge members of the crossbench that is going to increase the standing Let us do a survey, shall we? Let us to join members of the opposition in of members of this house, or indeed go down Bourke Street, and if we can voting down this bill. members of Parliament? find one person who is going to go It is worth noting that as of 1 July with Danny Pearson’s pocket, we have COUNCIL | Petitions this year until the next election, the probably stumbled into a faction meeting 06 March 2019 Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, of Unity. That is the only group that will Danny Pearson, will receive an increase say, ‘Give the money to Danny Pearson’. of $108 510. You may well be shocked, The audacity of these people is absolutely Mr Acting President. It is a staggering staggering. They come in here and say, figure: $108 510 into the kick of Danny ‘We will take the money off people who Calder Park Drive Pearson, and I bet you he will not even are actually doing their jobs and who are serving the people of Victoria in a proper overpass shout! I then go to Bronwyn Halfpenny, Legislative Council Electronic Petition: the Government Whip in the Assembly. way and we will give it to our mates’. Is She is going to be pocketing $47 334. It there anything more audacious? Is there The Petition of certain citizens of is a pretty good gig, isn’t it. I am not sure anything more appalling than what we the State of Victoria draws to the what she is doing, but it is a good gig have seen in the life of this government attention of the Legislative Council so far? I have a suspicion that we are on the need for a grade separated nevertheless. The Deputy Government intersection on the Calder Freeway at Whip in the Assembly—and I am not going to see a lot worse before we are Calder Park Drive in Keilor. A business

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 11 case for this project, including design management, and provide a final’. that we are addressing today. So it is detail, environmental approvals and If you could circulate that, that would important that the committee have the acquisition overlays has been withthe be a marvellous thing. capacity and the wherewithal to examine Minister for over 12months, but no the sorts of issues to which I refer. priority has been publicly allocated Dr Cumming interjected. nor has any construction funding been Mr FINN: We have Mr Jennings’s best I speak on a regular basis to people in approved. As the safety risk remains, interests at heart, so he will be pleased the west of Melbourne, in my electorate, and local and regional population to hear that. We would not want to do about the problems that they face growth continues apace, the lack anything which would cause him any with tips and with landfill, and they of this intersection will become a grief or concern. are demanding an answer. They have serious community safety hazard and Dr Cumming: Let’s hope you’ve got been demanding an answer for a very economic penalty.The petitioners long time. There is only one sure way therefore request that the Legislative Victorians at heart. Council call on the Government to of getting a big crowd in the west at a Mr FINN: Indeed. Well, Mr Jennings of meeting, and that is to talk about waste urgently reconsider their refusal course is a Victorian, report has it. Thank to approve funding for the Calder dumps, to talk about landfill. People will you very much. It does seem to me that, if come from everywhere, because this is a Park Drive Overpass Project so that Daniel Andrews, the Premier, was serious construction can be undertaken at the major issue in the west. Indeed it should earliest possible date. about this recycling crisis that Victoria be a major issue across Victoria. I know faces at this current time, he would sack By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Mr Ondarchie has expressed to me his Minister D’Ambrosio and he would concern about what has been going on (259 signatures). appoint somebody who actually knew Laid on table. in the north of Melbourne as well, where what they were doing, because clearly these huge tips are being built, and of the way things are going at the moment course we have had the situation where COUNCIL | Constituency questions we do have a major crisis on our hands. in recent years we have had a couple of 06 March 2019 We have a minister who has not the first fairly substantial fires in those landfills idea what to do about it—she has not any that have caused major problems. These ideas. She is seen on television or heard are issues that need to be examined on radio from time to time in a dithering carefully and in terms of the recycling Essendon North manner trying to explain what she need to be examined as a matter of believes is the situation, but nobody is urgency, because we cannot be having a Primary School any the wiser as a result of that. So I think lend of ourselves, as it were, saying that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) it would be a very, very good thing if the we are the clean, green recycling state — My constituency question is to the Environment and Planning Committee and dumping the recycling in landfill. Minister for Education. I refer the was to report on this matter and to That is not going to work for anybody. minister to the shocking situation at provide some solutions, because quite So I commend the amendment to the Essendon North Primary School where frankly we know the problems, and the house, and once it is amended I am last week children were exposed to problems are getting worse by the day. hoping the house will see fit to pass this asbestos dust. It is a disgrace that this I put out my recycling bin every particular motion so that we can have a was allowed to occur, and I am sure the fortnight, and I know there is a fair proper and a thorough examination of minister will understand how distressed chance that that is all going into landfill. this issue. and concerned parents are. It is a pretty It is a real concern to me, particularly It might surprise some in this house basic expectation of any parent to think given that there are some people who to see me agreeing with the Greens, but that they can send their children to would like to turn the western suburbs on this occasion we do indeed agree. school without them being exposed to of Melbourne into a dirty great tip. We This is something that is very basic. This potentially life-threatening substances. have seen the Ravenhall expedition—it is the sort of environmental issue that Minister, what actions are you taking to would certainly take an expedition to get we should be addressing, not the other ensure these children have the highest around it. If the plans for the Ravenhall airy-fairy stuff. We need to talk about level of medical care to ensure they are tip expansion go ahead as is suggested, the real everyday practicalities that we not adversely impacted by the appalling it will be a tip that we will be able to see face in dealing with waste, particularly exposure to asbestos? from the moon. This thing is absolutely recyclable waste, and I am very, very huge, and of course the smell is equal to hopeful for a proper inquiry by this COUNCIL | Reference it as well. So we have to accept the fact committee. Looking at the wording 06 March 2019 that more recycling is urgently needed, of Dr Ratnam’s motion, which pretty not less. We have to find ways of dealing much covers everything known to with our recycled waste, and indeed we humanity, I would say that this is a wide have to find ways of dealing with waste, and thorough examination and one Environment full stop, because just dumping it in the that I look forward to seeing. I certainly ground is not a proper solution. I know commend my amendment to the house, and Planning that some places overseas have high- and once amended, as I say, I strongly temperature incinerators where waste commend the motion to the house. can be incinerated, and it seems to work Let us get this inquiry underway, and Committee well for them. Maybe that is something let us find the sort of solutions that the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) that the committee could look at. There — I rise on behalf of the opposition government has been unable to come up are a number of possibilities, and I am with to this point. to support the motion moved by Dr sure a number of possibilities that I am Ratnam. We need to address this issue as not aware of, that need to be examined a matter of some importance. In fact my by this committee. But it is important COUNCIL | Adjournment concern about this motion is that it does that we do come up with a solution. 06 March 2019 not express the sort of urgency that we As we know, and as Dr Ratnam need. For that reason, at the beginning referred to, the Sustainability Fund of my contribution I am proposing to is there, at somewhere around half a amend the motion of Dr Ratnam. I move: billion dollars. It is controlled by the World Naked Bike That after the words ‘inquire into, Treasurer, and as we know, we should consider and’ insert ‘provide never get between this government and Ride an urgent interim report, as the a dollar. But he is sitting on that vast sum Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I committee deems necessary, on the wish to raise a matter this afternoon in current circumstances in municipal of money, and it is probably time that he used some of it to address the issues the adjournment for the Minister for and industrial recycling and waste Police and Emergency Services. I have

IN 12 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE been contacted by a mother of four Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I COUNCIL | Adjournment young children in my electorate who is am sure, Minister, Mr Demetriou would 07 March 2019 very concerned about a gathering that have applauded you in his previous will be held here in the city of Melbourne occupation as having handballed that on 16 March. It is being billed as a naked one. Minister, what steps will you take to bike ride, and whilst it might be amusing ensure Mr Demetriou repays this money? Brimbank to some, I think it is a fair and reasonable The PRESIDENT: The issue I have is thing for parents to be able to take their that I am not too sure if that comes under Community Event children to the city, to a park or to a the minister’s responsibility. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) movie or to lunch or whatever without Members interjecting. — I wish to raise a matter this evening being confronted by blokes on bikes not The PRESIDENT: Order! I stand for the attention of the Minister for wearing any clothes. by my ruling that I do not see the Tourism, Sport and Major Events. I have I have to tell you I have actually question coming under the minister’s recently received correspondence from a witnessed this before myself, and it is responsibility in this term of gentleman called Emmet Monaghan. He not the most pleasant experience one government—or her administration. We writes in the following terms: could possibly endure. I had my three will move on. I am organising a community festival in daughters with me on this particular the Brimbank area on March 30 2019 at afternoon. We were going down to see a ______JR Parsons Reserve Sunshine. show downtown, and unfortunately we The planned event is going to be saw a show up this end of town. Quite The PRESIDENT:I have considered the a fully inclusive, multisport and frankly, they did not know which way to striking out of Mr Finn’s supplementary multicultural day. The event is being look. They were horrified. The twins were and I stand by the ruling I made, but in supported by AFL Victoria and the eight and our oldest was, I think, about line with cooperating with the chamber Western Bulldogs Football Club, also 11 at the time, and they did not know and allowing people at their best to confirmed participation from Albion which way to look. I was particularly actually ask things they want to ask Football Club, Sunshine Baseball Club amazed that day because there were ministers, I would invite Mr Finn to and the Community Soccer Hub … police officers who were facilitating this rephrase his supplementary question to We have also arranged a lot of other non-sport activities, food trucks and exhibitionism— the minister. entertainment all with a diverse and A member: What were they doing? Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — inclusive mindset. Mr FINN: Facilitating it. They were Thank you, President. I am certainly We have recently had a bit of a setback pushing people back and facilitating happy to try. Minister, will you take a and are now seeking desperate funding the bike riding by the bare-butted public stand to pressure Mr Demetriou for our inflatables which will cost bikers onto the steps of this building. to pay this money back? $2540. Please bear in mind that this It occurred to me at the time: surely to event has been organised with $0 God, if you or I, President, ripped off our COUNCIL | Constituency questions funding and will proceed as planned clothes on the steps here, we would be 07 March 2019 but not having the inflatables will leave arrested. Why wouldn’t— us with a big gap in our free activities. Members interjecting. I am sure you would understand that a lot of work, a lot of effort and a lot of Mr FINN: It is clearly a breach of the time goes into organising an event such law, and here were police officers on this Western suburbs as this, and it is events like this that really particular day facilitating the breaking are a cornerstone of many communities. of the law. Now, I am not asking the roads The local sporting clubs in the west are minister to interfere in police operational Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) a very big part of communities, and I matters—not at all—but I am asking the — My constituency question is to the commend Mr Monaghan for the work minister to ensure that police on this Minister for Roads. On two separate he has done in bringing the sporting occasion actually enforce the law. This is occasions during the brief course of this clubs together and indeed bringing the illegal activity that will take place, and I Parliament I have raised matters with the communities together to make this event merely ask the minister to ensure that the minister which she has later informed possible. But, as he says, it would be far, police do their job and enforce the law me by way of response are apparently not far better if he did have the money for the on this occasion. within the scope of her responsibilities. inflatables. He is not in a position to raise The PRESIDENT: I hope they at least To say that the Tullamarine Freeway and that himself at the moment given that we had helmets. Duncans Road in Werribee South are not are only a little over two weeks, maybe within the responsibilities of the Minister three weeks, away from this event. for Roads is a little perplexing but is COUNCIL | Questions without notice I am asking the minister to provide 07 March 2019 somewhat of an understatement, and I will take the minister’s word for it. Roads that funding. We have heard from the are a significant issue in Melbourne’s government that it will provide many, west, and I will be raising this issue with many millions of dollars for the AFL and the minister on a regular basis during for other major sporting groups. I think it Acquire Learning is only fair and reasonable that the little Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the course of this Parliament. In order to avoid any further confusion, will the folks, the little people, get a go as well, — My question is to the Minister for and particularly those in the western Training and Skills and relates to Acquire minister provide me with a definitive list of roads in the western suburbs suburbs, many of whom are battlers. Learning, which is in administration, This gentleman, Mr Monaghan, is to be having accumulated a $145 million debt. that are not within her ministerial responsibilities? commended for the work that he has Minister, given Acquire Learning is in done. I believe he is deserving of the such huge debt, is it now the industry support that the government certainly standard for Andrew Demetriou to has the capacity to provide, and I ask be paid $900 000 per annum, plus fat the minister for sport to contact Mr bonuses, for three days work each week Monaghan and provide him with the as chair of its advisory board? $2540 that he requires. Members interjecting. Supplementary Question

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 13 COUNCIL | Constituency questions contempt. Gilbert and Sullivan told us constituents are going to be slugged 19 March 2019 a policeman’s lot is not a happy one. In $37.3 billion on top of what we were Daniel Andrews’s Victoria that lot is all already going to pay. That is $37.3 billion too often totally miserable. to pay for a road that we may never use. It has to be said that—and those with Wyndham traffic COUNCIL | Second reading a decent memory will remember—in 19 March 2019 my first term of Parliament I had a pretty congestion decent stoush with the then Premier of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the day, , over whether we — I am not entirely sure who this would toll the Tullamarine Freeway. Yes, constituency question should be West Gate Jeff got very, very upset with me, and directed to, but I will take a wild punt we had some lively exchanges, I think and direct it to the Minister for Transport it would be safe to say. But in the end I Infrastructure, the Honourable Jacinta Tunnel (Truck had to accept that tolls were necessary, Allan. Traffic on Palmers Road, Sayers because I could not imagine what Road and Point Cook Road has never Bans and Traffic Melbourne was going to be like without been great, but it is now way beyond CityLink. And I was right. Could anybody a joke and is getting worse every day. Management) Bill imagine today what Melbourne would Even during non-peak times traffic on be like without CityLink? But that was these roads is often horrendous. One 2019 a road that was built by the tolls of the constituent contacted me today with the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — If users—so that model was user pays. But news that her commute from Point Cook there is anybody in this Parliament who here we are talking about a road being to Sunshine took over an hour and a half. can give Daniel Andrews a run for his paid for by people who may never go Minister, this is insanity and cannot be money for the title of Mr Arrogance 2019, near the thing. They may never actually allowed to continue. Maybe we need a it has to be Mr Melhem. Mr Melhem got clap eyes on the West Gate Tunnel. That west–west link. When can the people of up here today and said to us, ‘We won is an extraordinary prospect that the Wyndham expect to receive desperately the election. You lost, we won. We can government has put forward. This deal is needed relief from hopelessly crowded do whatever we like’. That is basically a rip-off. roads in the Western Metropolitan what he said. He said, ‘We won; we can Mr Melhem said the people had their Region? do whatever we like’. Well, if that is the eyes open: ‘They knew all about it before attitude of this government, the people the last election, and they voted for us. COUNCIL | Members statements of Victoria are in for a pretty rough four We won; you lost. We can do anything’. 19 March 2019 years ahead. He even questioned the Remember that? That is what he said. Parliamentary Budget Office, which is And I will give you the drum: I will tell an independent body that is designed to you that nobody in Western Metropolitan provide figures for the community. He Region knew that they were going to Victoria Police even questioned a body such as that to be ripped off for $37.3 billion—$37.3 Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — justify his arrogance and the arrogance of thousand million. Nobody knew that From the day I first entered this house, the Andrews Socialist Left government. was coming. I tell you what: if it had I have been a staunch supporter of the Unfortunately we have come to accept been known, we might have got a very men and women of Victoria Police. I am over the last few weeks that that is different result. Maybe the arrogance of not talking about police command; I something we will see over the next four Mr Melhem might have been pricked have had plenty to say about it over the years. in a way that he so richly deserves. I do years, and I might have a word or two The fact of the matter is that what we not intend to speak for long on this bill. more yet. No, my support is for Victoria’s are proposing tonight will not stop the I support the reasoned amendment of finest—the police men and women who West Gate Tunnel. That horse bolted a Mr Rich-Phillips. After every meeting make up the thin blue line, the men and long time ago. I wish it had not, but it of the Economy and Infrastructure women who put themselves on the line has and it is gone. There is no way that Committee over the last few years, when to protect the community, the men and anybody is going to stop the building we discussed the West Gate Tunnel women who risk injury and trauma every of the West Gate Tunnel now, but we project, there were more questions than day and night to make us safer. have to look at the facts of the matter. answers. We had people lining up to I know far too many police officers The deal that was put together by the tell us nothing. They were deliberately who have had their families and lives government and Transurban is as dodgy obfuscating what they were trying to destroyed as a result of physical and as all get out. I go back to my term as do. All we were trying to do was to shed psychological wounds suffered on the chair of the Economy and Infrastructure some light on what was going on with job. Just this week I was contacted by a Committee. Mr Gepp is over there, and this project. We knew something was constituent who had suffered broken he will remember this, as he was deputy going on because we knew that they ribs after he was assaulted last weekend. chair. We had the CEO of Transurban in were starting to build the thing. But they He told me it was the third time he had on a regular basis. We had the secretary were not going to let on about contracts suffered the same injury on uty. He was of the department in on a regular basis. or about deals; they were not going to punched and kneed during a domestic I tell you what, they could both give let on about anything. It is about time violence incident he had been called to. Mr Melhem a run for his money for that the Victorian public was allowed to The female sergeant who accompanied Mr Arrogance 2019. I will never forget know what went on behind closed doors him was kicked in the face, and another the secretary of the department just between Transurban and the Victorian female officer was also injured. leaning across the table looking at us Andrews government. It is about time What hurt probably more than the and smirking with a dirty, great grin as if that people were allowed that knowledge injuries is what followed. On Monday to say, ‘I know something that you don’t so they can make a decision on whether of this week the offender appeared in and I’m not going to tell you’. And it was this is a fair and reasonable deal. As it court and was sentenced to just three the same deal. That typifies the attitude stands at the moment, I think they can months jail. That is one month for each of this government to this project. But fairly say that Victorians have not got a police officer he assaulted. This is a what we did not know—there were a lot good deal and that motorists have not got disgrace and should never be repeated. I of things we did not know—was exposed a good deal. have to wonder how the community can today. What we did not know was that in I again ask the question that I have be expected to give police the respect order to fulfil the extraordinarily dodgy asked after every meeting where we that is their due when some sections deal that has been done, my constituents, have discussed this over the last two of the judiciary treat them with such Mr Melhem’s constituents and Ms Stitt’s or three years: why won’t they answer

IN 14 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE the questions? What have they got to heavily with this. I would have thought has gone into it from the council’s point hide? It led me to believe in fact that it that they—whether it be Mr Melhem of view. They just need the money. I may well be that in the future we have or Ms Stitt—would want to be involved know that everybody needs the money, a situation where this matter will be in uncovering exactly what dodginess but given St Albans is an area that is looked at by IBAC. It is something that is is involved in the deal that has been somewhat disadvantaged and in need of surrounded by mystery. It is something struck between Transurban and the resources, I would have thought that the that I believe could be dodgy to the government. government would see fit to contribute to point that IBAC could get involved, I urge the house to support Mr Rich- this very important project. because this whole project has been Phillips’s amendment. I believe it is a I have visited the leisure centre led by Transurban. It has grown like very worthwhile amendment, given twice now, perhaps the second time Topsy. It started off, as Mr Rich-Phillips that it is only postponing what I think to convince myself that it was actually said, before the 2014 election as a $500 is inevitable for a month. It is not too as bad as I thought the first time. million project that was ‘shovel-ready’. much to ask, given that there are so many Unfortunately it is. What I would like to It was all ready to go. That is what the questions that need to be asked and do now is invite the minister to visit the St Premier, the then opposition leader, Mr even more that need to be answered. It Albans Leisure Centre with me, and I will Andrews, said—a $500 million project is not too much to ask to send this bill to personally show him just how bad this that was ‘shovel-ready’. I think it was the the committee so that those questions particular centre is. I will show him that West Gate distributor then. It had about can be asked, answers can be given and people are squashed in beyond all realms three or four different name changes we as Victorians can know what has of human decency. There are cracks in and incarnations, and every time it had a gone on between our government and the outdoor swimming pools. There is different name or a different incarnation this huge multinational company that, just no room within the compound for an it came back as a bigger project, and quite frankly, has got us by the short and area which is growing, and Brimbank is guess who was getting the money out curlies for the next however many years. still very much a growing municipality. of that. You cannot blame Transurban. It is pretty horrifying when you look at So I ask the minister to perhaps put his They saw Daniel Andrews coming, and the figure of $37.3 billion. chequebook in his back pocket, jump in they would be idiots if they saw this The socialists of the Labor Party are the his ministerial limousine and come out bloke coming and they actually knocked ones who cooked this up. I tell you what: and visit us at St Albans, and I will give back the opportunity that he gave them. there would be a few people in the Labor him a personal tour. I might invite the They are in the caper of making money, Party from years gone by who would mayor along as well, but I will give the and this deal gives them more money be turning in their graves right now. minister a personal tour of the St Albans than they could ever have hoped for. Would you ever think that we would see Leisure Centre. This cements them in the landscape the Socialist Left of the Labor Party and A member interjected. of Victoria for decades to come to the their cohorts rolling in the mud with the Mr FINN: You can come too, brother. tune of billions of dollars—all paid for capitalists from Texas? Can you believe That will be well worth looking forward by Victorian motorists. We really have to that? But that is the situation that we to, and I ask both ministers to do so. expose what has gone on here. have. It is well past time for us to find out As I said, it is too late to stop the exactly what has gone on here. The only project—nobody is even attempting COUNCIL | Adjournment way that we can do that is to support Mr 20 March 2019 to stop the project—but we do need to Rich-Phillips’s amendment, and I urge know exactly what has gone on here. We the house to do just that. do need to know if indeed there has been a degree of shysterism involved between COUNCIL | Adjournment Elizabeth Drive, Transurban and the government. I 19 March 2019 believe that in supporting the reasoned amendment to refer this bill—now that Sunbury we actually have a bill, because before Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I we were just talking about a project; wish to draw a matter to the attention we actually have a piece of legislation St Albans Leisure of the minister for transport—sorry, to examine, which will make it easier Minister for Roads. I say that with a for the committee—it is more than an Centre little bit of trepidation because there appropriate time for the Economy and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I is some confusion as to the ministerial Infrastructure Committee to examine wish to raise a matter this evening for responsibilities of a number of ministers, this bill and to get back to us in the the attention of the Minister for Tourism, but I believe that this would be covered next sitting week of Parliament. It is not Sport and Major Events. I have raised by the Minister for Roads. It concerns in the never-never. It will give us the now on, I think, three, four or maybe the extension of the dual carriageway of opportunity to examine this properly, even five occasions the situation with Elizabeth Drive from Vineyard Road in come up with some questions and find regard to the St Albans Leisure Centre, Sunbury to Racecourse Road. This is to out answers for the people of Victoria— obviously in St Albans. The Brimbank some people a very great thing, but to the people who employ us. We need to City Council has been fighting very other people it has caused a great deal of find out for them what has gone on in hard now for a number of years to bring angst. I have received an email from Mr this deal. I urge members of this house to some improvements, to understate Hill, who lives in Sunbury. He says: support the amendment that has been so what is needed, at that particular leisure Sadly, not many benefits, but several ably moved by my colleague Mr Rich- centre. To be brutally honest, the St disadvantages, for existing Elizabeth Phillips. This is a very, very important Albans Leisure Centre is clapped out. Drive residents of around 40 years. matter. Its best days are behind it. It needs to be bulldozed and it needs to be rebuilt. I am now wondering what you— I have to say I am just staggered that we We have been fighting hard for this. the government— have got Western Metropolitan Region Unfortunately the local state member, Ms may have in mind to make life a little members who are actually supporting Suleyman, has been totally ineffective in more enjoyable for older Elizabeth this deal, because a lot of our people— supporting the push for getting money Drive residents, who now can’t open whether they live in Keilor, Essendon, for the new centre. Of course it is not just windows due to the traffic noise and are Sunbury, Gladstone Park or wherever often finding difficulty in entering or the leisure centre that the council wants, leaving their driveways. they might be right through that north- but they want a health and wellbeing west area—are the ones who are going centre, which will involve a whole range I also fail to understand why the new to be slugged in the neck with this deal. of services coming together under the section is not dual carriageway, as Right through that north-west region when the new shops, along with new one roof at the building on Taylors Road. Child Care and Schools, will only create they are going to be slugged very, very There is already extensive planning that

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 15 a busier and noisier environment. COUNCIL | Constituency questions What happened in Sri Lanka on Easter Maybe, you could at least arrange 21 March 2019 Sunday was a part of the ongoing war service roads for the older parts of against Christians by extreme Islam. I Elizabeth Drive and allow us safe access note a number of Islamic leaders have to our homes. publicly condemned this evil act, and At peak times, it is not unusual for Taxi Fairness Fund I thank them and indeed congratulate traffic to be banked back from Gap Rd Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — them for that. I take this opportunity to to Mitchell’s Lane— My constituency question is directed declare my solidarity with Christians which I can assure you is some to the Minister for Public Transport. under threat, wherever they may be. My considerable space— Last week I met with a constituent, prayer is that extremist Islamists will And also heavy queues are waiting at and that is certainly not unusual, but see the error of their ways and adopt the Riddell Rd roundabout. this particular constituent was a taxi tolerance as a part of their lives and that This is something that obviously has operator who, as he told me, had lost the world will speak out against this evil. not been taken into consideration by everything. He had been to the Fairness My message to the families of those lost VicRoads or perhaps even by Hume Fund to ask for assistance; they had in this outrage is simple: we are with you; council in putting this particular plan given him nothing. He is in a particularly we wish you peace. together. I believe that we must take into bad way, and unfortunately he is not consideration the welfare of all residents alone. His problems are shared by COUNCIL | Constituency questions of Sunbury, not just the new ones who many in Melbourne’s west as a result 30 April 2019 are joining at either end of Elizabeth of the changes brought about by the Drive but also those residents of the Andrews government. The misery the Sunbury section of Elizabeth Drive who government’s changes have caused have been there for many, many years. is widespread, particularly in the Saltwater P-9 I used to live just around the corner west. Minister, when I am faced with from Elizabeth Drive some years ago, constituents who have lost the lot as a result of the taxi changes, who have College so I can fully understand the problems Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — received no assistance from the so-called that they would face.I am asking the My question this afternoon is for the Fairness Fund and who have asked me minister to speak to her department and Minister for Education. I have received a for urgent help, what should I tell them? provide some real solutions to these letter from Geoff Davis, president of the problems faced by Sunbury residents. It The PRESIDENT: That is related to Saltwater P–9 College school council. would be of enormous benefit to a good your discussions with taxi drivers in your His letter on behalf of the school council many people, and I ask her to turn her electorate? reads in part: attention to this important matter. Mr FINN: My word it is. We are currently fielding a large number of questions from concerned COUNCIL | Questions without notice COUNCIL | Condolences parents of the school with children 21 March 2019 30 April 2019 currently enrolled, and from the broader community. The main concern is that Grade 7 will not be ready to commence in 2020. Member Conduct Sri Lanka terrorist … There are currently 35 students Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — enrolled in Grade 6 at Saltwater My question is to the Special Minister P–9 College, who will be caused attacks unnecessary hardship if forced to move of State. After being questioned last Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I month on why he was still a registered to another school—their 3rd in as many rise this afternoon to offer my heartfelt years. Parents of our Grade 6 students lobbyist, one week later the member for sympathy to the families of the victims are becoming increasingly anxious, Burwood removed his company, Piper of this dreadful attack and to the Sri without certainty and stability for their Communications, from the Victorian Lankan community, both in Sri Lanka children in 2020. lobbyists register. Can you advise on and here in Australia. I also express my … We have recently (in the last day or what date the Victorian public sector horror at this appalling act of terrorism two) received verbal notice from the commissioner received advice from that has caused so much death, so much Department of Education, that Year 7 is the member for Burwood, , destruction. unlikely to proceed. that he wished to be removed from the Peacefully praying in church on Easter This, as you could imagine, has caused register? Sunday should be the safest place in a great deal of distress and anxiety for Supplementary Question the world. Not so in Sri Lanka this year. parents in the community. Minister, will The hundreds of people slaughtered on you intervene to alleviate the previously Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Easter Sunday died not for what they mentioned anxiety in the Saltwater P–9 Minister, throw in tonight and I will take had done or who they are; they were College community and ensure that the trifecta. Section 5.3 of the lobbyist killed because of their beliefs. They were grade 7 goes ahead in 2020? code of conduct states, and I quote: killed because they were Christians. A Lobbyist shall submit updated The most persecuted people on earth COUNCIL | Members statements Lobbyist’s Details to the Public Sector are Christians. Christians suffer death 30 April 2019 Standards Commissioner in the event on a daily basis because they believe of any change to the Lobbyist’s Details in Jesus Christ. Just yesterday we saw as soon as practicable, but no later than another slaughter of Christians in 10 business days after the change. Nigeria, although I anticipate few here Federal Election Given it is now more than three in Australia would have heard about Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) months after his election to state that. Coptic Christians in Egypt have — Wherever I have gone over recent Parliament, well past the 10 business grown to fear Christmas because of the weeks people have asked me the same days required, what sanctions will the terrorist acts that occur in and around question: just how arrogant and how now member for Burwood, Will Fowles, their churches at that time of great corrupt is the Andrews government? I face for this breach of the code of celebration. Christians in the Philippines, have to tell them that I am not at all sure. conduct? Indonesia and many other parts of the Every time this government reaches what world suffer terrorism and death because I regard as the peak of either, it goes out of their faith. of its way to reach new heights.

IN 16 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE It should not surprise anyone that a The Paisley railway station was closed moon about an inquiry of this nature. I government which came to office by in 1985. It is approximately halfway would have thought that if you have got ripping off the taxpayer and blowing over between the Newport and Laverton the facts, if you have got the argument, $1 million in public money in arguably stations. There is an abundant area for you would want to put them forward. the most outrageous cover-up attempt parking, and it would be well used as it I would have thought, ‘Here’s an in this state’s history is at it again. We would capture a very densely populated opportunity’. If I was in their situation, knew Daniel Andrews owed area, and it would ease both the Newport I would be supporting this motion big time after the Premier’s ham-fisted and Laverton parking problems. wholeheartedly—100 per cent. attempts to bully volunteer firefighters Certainly Laverton is one of the stations Now, we know that Ms Bath has a very cost Labor government at the last federal I have been to, and I have seen just how different view, but that is what inquiries election, but little did anyone think the bad the parking situation is there, with are about. They are about putting one poor old Victorian taxpayer would be cars parked illegally on both sides of the view, two views—maybe more—and forced to foot the bill. road. It is a real dog’s breakfast. they are about getting facts and making There is general disgust across this I am suggesting to the minister that decisions. I know that if this motion is state at the unprincipled, indeed she take into consideration the fact that passed, Acting President Elasmar, you corrupt, decision of the government the former Paisley station may well be and I will be intimately involved in this to run a multimillion-dollar campaign available for parking. This would be a particular inquiry. And I have to say I supporting the federal ALP in the big plus for the people of Newport and am quite looking forward to it, as deputy lead-up to 18 May—all paid for by the Laverton and surrounding areas. Given chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Victorian people. It is an act of a despotic that so much of that area is growing Committee, because this is something government that has no respect for the at a rapid rate, it would be a very, very that goes very much to my roots as taxpayers of Victoria. In fact it is the act welcome decision if the minister were to the son, the grandson and the great- of a government that has no shame. give this the go-ahead. I ask the minister grandson of farmers who go back to Add to that the further unprecedented to take this into consideration and, if it when they came here from Ireland many, decision to postpone the state budget meets the requirements set out by her many years ago and started farming until after the federal election. What department, to get hold of the Paisley down in the Western District. Members enormous contempt for the people who railway station and turn it into a car park. might have some difficulty believing this, gave Daniel Andrews the high honour of but I grew up actually milking cows, and I being . As far as this COUNCIL | Committees recall very well— government is concerned, Bill Shorten’s 01 May 2019 Ms Bath: You don’t forget that. electoral prospects are far more Mr FINN: As Ms Bath points out, important than the welfare of Victorian you don’t forget that in a hurry. If Mr families. Victorians deserve better. Meddick wants me to go into some of Economy and the gory details of that—and it was not COUNCIL | Adjournment directed from me to the cows but the 30 April 2019 cows to me—then perhaps I can do Infrastructure that, but that might be just a little too Committee messy for the house today. What we are Speaking on the motion of Ms BATH talking about here, and what Ms Bath Newport and (Eastern Victoria) who moved: alluded to, is not a question of activists. Political activism is great. I love political That this house requires the Economy activism. I am a political activist myself Laverton railway and Infrastructure Committee to who just happens to have found himself inquire into, consider and report by station parking Thursday, 28 November 2019, on the in Parliament. But we are not talking Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I effectiveness of Victoria’s current about activists here; we are talking about wish to raise a matter for the attention of legislation in terms of deterrent, penalty criminals. We are talking about people the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. and remedy for illegal on-farm animal who break the law. That is what we are activist activity, and in particular the talking about. We are not talking about I have actually checked out that she is committee should: responsible for this, because I know activism. We are talking about people there is some confusion between the (1) consider: who inflict terror on their victims, and they are called terrorists. That is the responsibilities of the Minister for (a) the illegal activity of animal Public Transport and the Minister for activists on Victorian farms; definition of ‘terrorists’. The definition is those who inflict terror on their victims. Transport Infrastructure. I understand (b) illegal farm activists’ that the matter I am raising tonight is compliance with Victoria’s stringent When we talk about farms we are not the responsibility of the Minister for animal welfare laws; just talking about businesses. We are, as Transport Infrastructure. has been pointed out in this house by a (c) the appropriateness of Victoria’s couple of people, talking about people’s It concerns the issue of parking at trespass, biosecurity, surveillance, railway stations in the western suburbs. privacy and nuisance laws; homes where mums and dads and kids live, and we have the situation where One of the biggest issues that we face in (2) analyse the approach of other the west is the matter of people finding they are forced to live in terror because jurisdictions in Australia and of the illegal activities of a few. That is a park when they seek to use the train to internationally; go into town. It is exceedingly difficult at why we need this inquiry—to find out (3) consult with relevant stakeholders; what exactly is going on and to make the most railway stations, if not indeed at all and railway stations, to get a park much after appropriate recommendations. If, as I 6.30 a.m. or 7 o’clock on most mornings. (4) provide recommendations on how say, others have differing views, they are Victoria’s laws could be improved to entitled to come to the committee and I have actually been to a number of the protect farmers’ privacy, businesses railway stations in the west and I have offer those views. and the integrity of Victoria’s I am not opposed to protest either, seen this for myself. It is a race to the biosecurity regime. I have to say. As many members will finish to get there first to get that last Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — parking spot. know, I lead a very big march here I just have one question: what is the in Melbourne every year, and I will I will put forward a suggestion to problem here? This motion is calling the minister and ask that she consider continue to do that probably for some for an inquiry. I would have thought time, I would imagine. I will be back this and that, if indeed it meets her the animal activists—if that is what they approval and meets the standards set in the streets on 12 October this year if are, the people who are supporting Mr anybody would like to come along. by her department, it be put into action. Meddick’s position—would be over the

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 17 Ms Crozier interjected. COUNCIL | Address-in-reply to people to find out what their issues Mr FINN: No. Ms Crozier points out 01 May 2019 are and to find out what their problems that they do not all agree with me, but are. Indeed in the west there are quite that is the joy of democracy and that is a few issues that need to be addressed. the joy of freedom—that we all have a Melbourne’s west has been my home for say. But I do not break the law. I think Governor’s almost my entire adult life, so it is an area violent direct action is not on. I am not that I have a real commitment to—not even opposed necessarily to peaceful Speech just a political commitment but a deep direct action, but violent direct action is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — personal commitment as well. not on. Any action which causes damage Thank you, President, and first of all When I see the traffic problems, and causes violence in the way that we allow me to congratulate you formally for example, that are a nightmare for have seen some of the criminals act in on your election as President. You hundreds of thousands of motorists recent times is not to be tolerated at all. have already shown I think a capacity in the west every day, it angers me. We have heard today that farmers to be an exceptionally good President, The east–west link, if it had not been mistreat animals. Why would they do and I anticipate that will continue, so I scrapped at a cost of $1.3 billion by the that? The animals are their livelihood. congratulate you on that. I would also current Premier, would probably now Without the animals they have no like to express my loyalty to Her Majesty. be half complete and we would have a livelihood; they cannot make a living. She is an extraordinary individual and solution to the woeful traffic problems Why would farmers mistreat them? It an amazing leader. I cannot help but that we suffer in Melbourne’s west. That makes absolutely no sense at all. This think how fortunate we are to have as our is just one of a number of issues that I argument is very, very simple: you have monarch such an amazing human being will be raising in this 59th Parliament. got to obey the law. The minister raised and for us to have lived at a time when I am very hopeful, not necessarily the issue of a range of penalties, and that Her Majesty has been on the throne. confident, that the government might is all very well and good but clearly the I have to say that she has been on the actually listen to me on this occasion. penalties are not working because we still throne for the entirety of my life, and I It concerns me that the hardworking have this problem. We need the inquiry am sure most members will have had a people of Melbourne’s west are about to to look into that and to find out exactly similar experience. When the day comes, be slugged with massive taxes. The fact why these penalties are not working. and hopefully it is a long way away, when that the Premier and the Treasurer have I am very, very keen indeed to support she is no longer there, it will be a very, postponed the budget until after the Ms Bath’s motion today. I urge all very strange feeling indeed. But I would federal election tells me that something members of the house—those who have like to express my loyalty to Her Majesty stinks in Spring Street, something stinks a view one way or the other—to support and my support for the continuation in Treasury. It concerns me that there is this motion because what this motion is of Australia’s constitutional monarchy. something coming that is going to make doing is not even expressing a view one The great thing about the constitutional us all very, very unhappy. way or the other; it is merely calling for monarchy is that it is the system that Already today the Premier has refused an inquiry. It is merely establishing an counts; it is not the personalities. We are to rule out death duties. This is the most inquiry where everybody can have their very fortunate indeed to have had, as I odious of taxes—a tax on dead people. say. That is what this Parliament is about. said, such a marvellous queen, but when You pay tax all your life. You work hard, That is something that I strongly support we have a king then the system will not you pay your tax and you build up your and I urge all members of the house to change. We will still have that safety net. property, your home and your worldly support the motion today. Let us face it, the monarch, whether chattels. You go to your creator at the it be the monarch in person or the end of your life and the government says, COUNCIL | Constituency questions monarch’s representative, is in fact ‘I’ll have some of that, thank you very 01 May 2019 the umpire in this game that we call much’. That, let me tell you, is theft. That government here in Australia. Despite is straight-out theft. For the Premier to the fact that we might not like umpires be even contemplating that is something from time to time—and I may have that concerns me very, very much expressed my views on that rather loudly indeed. If the Premier and the Treasurer Station Street, at the MCG just last week—we have were to introduce death duties in this to have them. Remove the Governor, state, the exodus to the New South Wales Sunbury level remove the Governor-General, remove and South Australian border would be the queen or the king, and our system something that would have to be seen to crossing removal breaks down. We have already seen in be believed. Thousands and thousands, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the United States what happens when if not millions of people, would be out of — My constituency question is to the you do not have that independent Victoria before Daniel Andrews got hold Minister for Transport Infrastructure. umpire. They have the shutdown of of their money. But there is no doubt As the minister may be aware, the government on a pretty regular basis that there are tax increases. There are tax roundabout at the intersection of Gap actually, and I anticipate there will be slugs on the way. You cannot spend as Road and Horne Street in Sunbury is another one pretty soon. So I think much as this government spends without being removed and replaced with traffic we should be pretty happy with our taxing. Government has to get the money lights. Certainly everyone in Sunbury constitutional monarchy, and we should from somewhere, and the only place that is very aware of this operation, as it be very, very pleased that Her Majesty government can get the money from is is now in its second year, and we are and those who represent her do an people—workers and taxpayers. It is the hopeful that the intersection will be free outstanding job in their roles. only place that they can get the money of roadworks maybe by Christmas next I would also like to thank the people of from. When you see the government get year, perhaps the year after. There has Melbourne’s west, who have re-elected up and say, ‘We’ve spent $22 billion on clearly been a major blowout in the cost me to represent them for another term. this’ or ‘We’ve spent $15 billion on this’ of this particular project. Minister, what I get around the west and I talk to a lot or ‘We’ve spent $45 billion on this’, do you impact will this cost blowout have on the of people. It does not matter who they know who has really spent that money? planned removal of the nearby Station vote for, it does not matter what their Do you know where that money really Street level crossing? background is, whether it be a religious comes from? That money is coming from background or an ethnic background or the pockets of hardworking Victorians, whatever it may be, I am happy to go out people who go out there and work every and talk to everybody. I am not in my day, whether they be in business or office much because that is not where whether they be employees. Whatever people are. I prefer to get out and to talk they may be, they work hard, they pay

IN 18 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE their tax, and it is taken by a government Labor at this minute—and it is going to hospital with multiple stab wounds after and spent on their behalf. hit Victoria very hard. an aggravated burglary and assault on Interestingly we have a government The insanity of all this is that this policy Anzac Day. This man was in his home that tells us quite frequently how much will not achieve a damn thing, apart when police believe that four males they have spent, but they never actually from the human misery, the economic wearing balaclavas forced their way tell us what they got for it. This is a hardship and the social upheaval that into his home. His wife was home. His government that does not understand will occur. Apart from that, this policy three children were home as well. He value for money; it only understands will not solve a single thing. If every obviously resisted the miscreants, and the big, big figure at the end of how emission in Australia—every car, every they stabbed him multiple times, putting much they have spent. I want to know factory, every bus—and everything him in hospital in what I understand to what I am getting for it. I could go into a just closed down tomorrow and stayed be a serious condition. I send my very supermarket or a shopping centre and closed, it would make no difference best wishes to him for a speedy recovery spend up big too, but I want to know at all to the climate. It would make no and also to his family, because they too what I am getting for it. This government difference at all to world emissions. must be feeling a lot of pressure and a lot does not understand that, and I think Australia contributes around 1 per cent, of stress. To go through something like that is a real concern. maybe a little bit more, to the world’s that at any time would have an impact, What is also a real concern is what may emissions. If we stopped them all but to have somebody in the family so happen in this country in just two and tomorrow, it would make no difference severely injured in this attack would half weeks if Bill Shorten is elected Prime at all. Here we have a political party, the really impact not just his wife but most Minister of this country. You have got Australian Labor Party, that is proposing certainly his children as well for, I would to face facts; there is a very real chance that they go into government, completely imagine, quite some time. of that. We are in a lot of trouble. This destroy the economy, flatten business What I am asking the minister to do is nation is in a lot of trouble. If you thought left, right and centre and put people to provide the appropriate numbers of that Kevin Rudd wrought disaster on this out of work in their tens or hundreds of police to protect people in the Brimbank nation when he was elected PM, wait thousands, all for nothing. It makes no area. There is a fair crime problem there, until you see what Bill Shorten will do sense at all. it has to be said. I know the police at the if he is PM. His climate change policies Members interjecting. Sunshine police station are overworked alone will sink the economy without Mr FINN: A few members are scoffing beyond words. Anybody who goes into trace. There is no way that business will over there, but the fact of the matter is the Sunshine police station can barely stick around to cop the sorts of policies that if I come back here in a couple of get through the door just for people that this Labor opposition is proposing in years and say, ‘I told you so’, they will not walking in off the street and wanting to government federally, and it is going to be able to say too much at all, because deal with the police over the counter. hit Victoria hard. It will hit Victoria hard, what I am saying will have been quite There is a real problem in Brimbank and and it will hit the western suburbs hard. prophetic if you look back on it. What is one that does need urgent attention. That is what concerns me. being proposed at the moment I regard The fact that we do not have enough The interesting thing about the as very scary. It is a real threat to the police, and this issue continues, leads Labor Party is that when they stuff up future welfare of the nation, and it is to these sorts of dreadful attacks that I economically, which they inevitably something that does give me enormous talk about, such as on the gentleman do—and we all know the cycle—the concern. in Cairnlea on Anzac Day. I am asking Liberals come in and fix the economy. I am delighted to be the shadow the minister to, as a matter of urgency, The Liberals build up the money. Labor assistant minister for small business, provide the appropriate number of police comes in, they spend it all, they send the because small business is an area that to Brimbank to ensure that we do not see state broke and they put us in all manner I am passionate about and I am very attacks of this sort. of strife, and then the Liberals have to happy to be working with Michael come back in and fix it, and then a few O’Brien, the opposition leader and COUNCIL | Constituency questions years later on it goes. We know the cycle. shadow small business minister in this 02 May 2019 But what concerns me is that the mess particular area. I will be visiting every that Labor will produce if Bill Shorten part of the state over the next couple of becomes Prime Minister will hit those years to speak to small business people who are probably Labor voters more than right across Victoria. I am very much Sunbury Road anybody else. looking forward to that indeed. There is a degree of silliness in the I am hoping that we achieve a lot in duplication whole thing when you look at it in that this Parliament, but when you look at Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) way, because it will hit ordinary workers. what this government puts forward, — My constituency question is to the Labor will hit ordinary workers, as they maybe it is best that we do not achieve Minister for Roads. The dodgy decision always do. It will hit people in factories. anything at all. of the even dodgier Andrews government It will hit people who are perhaps at the to postpone the budget until after the lower end of the wage scale, because COUNCIL | Adjournment federal election may have one redeeming we are going to see huge numbers of 01 May 2019 feature. It gives the government the businesses get up and leave Australia. opportunity to withdraw any money We are going to see other businesses allocated for the partial duplication of that cannot afford to leave Australia go Sunbury Road and direct it to a project broke. They will go to the wall and just that will actually have some positive close up. If Bill Shorten becomes Prime Brimbank police effect. The government’s current plan Minister of this nation, we are going will merely relocate current bottlenecks to see massive unemployment. We are numbers and as such is a monumental waste of going to see massive recession, if not Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I money. Minister, will you cancel the depression. That is just as a result of one wish to raise a matter this evening for current flawed plan for Sunbury Road policy, and he cannot even tell us how the attention of the Minister for Police and redirect the savings into a project to much it is going to cost. He cannot tell us and Emergency Services. It is an issue duplicate it in its entirety, including the how much his climate change policy is that I have in various forms raised construction of the Bulla bypass? actually going to cost. I know how much over a number of years now, and sadly it is going to cost. It is going to cost the the crime spree in Melbourne’s west Australian economy everything. It will is continuing. I draw to the minister’s take us generations to recover from the attention a particular attack on a 50-year- policy that is being proposed by federal old Cairnlea man who was taken to

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 19 COUNCIL | Adjournment for decades. Its loss of licence last year most certainly the case in many of the 02 May 2019 led to a collective sigh of relief from situations where people with disabilities locals, but the recent restoration of the find themselves, particularly those on tip’s licence has also restored those the autism spectrum. Now, there are concerns. Minister, what efforts will many on the autism spectrum who are Yarraville parking the Environment Protection Authority absolutely brilliant, have no problem Victoria put into ensuring that this tip is knowing their own mind and make a meters in no way a threat to public health? very strong contribution to society as Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — we know it. Many, many do indeed, and My adjournment matter this evening COUNCIL | Members statements that is great to see. Sadly there are a good is addressed to Minister Somyurek 28 May 2019 many also who are not able to do that. in his capacity as Minister for Local Speaking from personal experience, that Government, but it also overflows into makes life—or can make life—very, very his other portfolio of small business. difficult. It is extremely important that I have recently had a meeting with Federal Election we have protection for those—well, I was traders in Yarraville. The minister might Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) going to say children but they are not just recall that over recent years a matter — Well, this was the climate election. children, many of them are adults—who of some considerable conjecture has The ALP, the Greens, a gaggle of are not able to think things through, who been the placement of parking meters Independents hoping to ride to electoral are not able to come to conclusions for in Yarraville. This was a cause of some victory on the back of climate change, themselves and who are without family considerable consternation for locals, the Australian Conservation Foundation, support or parents still on the scene. to the point that Maribyrnong council GetUp! and indeed every left-wing nut I remember that just prior to when I actually had to back down. The problem bag in the country told us the same was first elected to this Parliament in is that the actual parking meters are still thing: this was the climate election. As it 1992 we had the closure of the Caloola there. There are no expectations that turned out, Labor’s plan to put a $250 000 Training Centre in Sunbury. Whilst the people will be paying for parking, but electric car in every garage was rejected Caloola centre was not ideal—none of the parking meters are still there, which by the people—a good thing given the those institutions were ideal—it was leads some to believe that they could be Andrews government’s luxury car tax, I home to a good many of the people that fined if indeed they park near the parking suppose. I refer to. I recall a lot of elderly people, meters and do not put any money in Labor’s uncosted, unaffordable climate some in their 70s and 80s, coming to them. plan would have destroyed industry me after that centre closed and saying, Mr Jennings interjected. and jobs across Australia. It was just ‘We are too scared to die’. They were not Mr FINN: It is not good, Minister. The as strongly rejected at the ballot box. afraid of what was coming after death; traders are far from happy about this, Australians are not stupid, and they have they were afraid of who was going to look because of course it does lead a number woken up to the scam perpetrated by after their children, who of course were of people to go elsewhere. Yarraville the climate change industry. It is easy then adults. That is something that has village—I do not know if either minister for the climate change industry to terrify stayed with me—their comments and over there has been to Yarraville village— children and the gullible about the their fears—for all of those 27 years since. is an absolutely delightful place. You imminent demise of the planet, but the I certainly carry those worries and those would want to go there to actually shop. voters of Australia have shown that they concerns with me today, particularly as It is not on the way to anywhere; you do not accept these fairy stories. I may find myself perhaps in the same would have to make a firm decision to go Australians sent a clear message on 18 situation in a few years where, if we do there. A lot of people apparently are not May: they care about their families, their not handle these matters properly, I too doing that because they are concerned jobs and their homes. They do not care so may be afraid to die because of what will that they will get into strife with the much about those in the climate change happen to my son after that. parking meters. industry sponging off the taxpayer and It would be a very, very sad reflection So I am asking Minister Somyurek, in forcing the cost of living through the on society, on government, on us his capacity as local government minister roof by fighting something we Aussies all, in fact, if that situation were to but also in order to support local small can do nothing to stop. Despite the ever happen where elderly parents businesses, to counsel Maribyrnong zealotry of the left on the so-called were afraid for what was going to City Council to physically remove the climate emergency, Australians voted for happen to their children after they parking meters as a matter of urgency. common sense. Yes, this was the climate left this mortal coil. That would be a It is clear that that would help local election, and the people have spoken. sure condemnation of society, of this traders enormously, and they have Parliament, of government—of just expressed to me in no uncertain terms COUNCIL | Second reading about everything, I have to say—if that ever was allowed to happen again. We that it is something they would like to see 28 May 2019 happen yesterday. I ask the minister to have a real responsibility in this place have a chat to Maribyrnong council and and in the other place to protect those, to emphasise to them the importance as I said before, who cannot protect of getting on with it and removing the Guardianship and themselves. If we do not do that, if we parking meters. do not take on that responsibility, then we fail. We may as well get the hell out of Administration here because we are not fit to be sitting COUNCIL | Constituency questions in this Parliament. I sincerely hope this 28 May 2019 Bill 2018 legislation will go some significant way Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I toward ensuring that those people I rise to speak on the Guardianship and have referred to are protected, that their Administration Bill 2018. I note that rights are protected, that their living Bulla tip as we fast approach June 2019 it is a standards are protected and that they are Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) great pity that it has taken this long for not treated as a nuisance, as something — My constituency question is to the this legislation to get as far as it has. I to almost be done away with, as I have Minister for Energy, Environment and will not speak long because I want to said in this house before. In this society Climate Change. The history of the tip at see this legislation get through. Any that we live in there is a general view by 500 Sunbury Road, Bulla, is chequered, legislation of this nature must be about a good many people that people with to say the very least. It has been the protecting the rights of those who disabilities are somewhat less than centre of much community concern cannot protect themselves, which is

IN 20 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE human. Some even advocate quite ineffectual local members of Parliament COUNCIL | Constituency questions openly that they be done away with. in the history of the Victorian Parliament. 30 May 2019 Mr Ondarchie interjected. Mr Ondarchie: Who is it? Mr FINN: Indeed, Mr Ondarchie, Mr FINN: That is a good question. Most some are done away with. Let us face of them ask the same thing. facts: some are done away with, and that The condition of the St Albans Leisure Brooklyn air happens far too often. That is something Centre leaves so much to be desired that that I would hope this legislation might it is almost beyond description in parts. quality go some way toward changing. I would The staff there do a magnificent job with Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) hope the attitudes toward people with what they have got, but they need much — My constituency question is to the disabilities do change in our society. more. The Brimbank council has come Minister for Energy, Environment and It needs to change. It must change, in up with an idea to rebuild the centre and Climate Change. There is huge concern my view. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if to make it a wellness centre, to make it a among residents of Millers Road in we could just automatically assume centre which they would be more than Brooklyn about the very real prospect that people with disabilities would happy to put money into as well, but of a tsunami of trucks flooding local not be open to abuse, that people with the state government must also come to streets in an attempt to escape tolls on disabilities would not be open to being the party. At this point in time they have the West Gate Tunnel and the West Gate taken advantage of, that people with refused to. From what I can gather they Freeway. Air quality in Brooklyn and disabilities would not be treated in a have not even thought about supporting surrounds is already dodgy far too often, way that we would not treat our own the people of St Albans with regard to and there is very real worry by local children? Wouldn’t that be a great day if getting a new leisure centre. That has to residents that that air quality will worsen that were to ever happen? change. and indeed the noise levels will also I am an optimist—a born optimist, It is not good enough for the Andrews increase. Minister, what actions are you an eternal optimist—and I am very government to be treating the people of or the Environment Protection Authority hopeful that that will happen one day. the west of Melbourne in this particular Victoria taking to ensure that air quality I am very hopeful that one day we will way. It is not good enough for them to and noise levels are kept to a reasonable not need legislation such as this because treat the people of St Albans like dirt standard when the West Gate Tunnel everybody will do what they should do; under their feet. It might be good enough opens? everybody will show the basic respect for the local member to do that, but it is that every human being deserves by not good enough for the minister or for COUNCIL | Second reading virtue of their humanity. If somebody has the government. What I am asking the 30 May 2019 a disability, that in no way diminishes minister to do is a matter of priority. I their humanity or the respect that they know there was nothing in the budget should be shown. yesterday, which I have to say disgusted So I support this bill. I wish it a speedy me. I could not believe it. I went through Appropriation passage and sincerely hope it will go the thing three times before I actually some significant way toward changing a believed there was nothing there. I was (2019–2020) Bill lot of the attitudes in the country that we absolutely convinced there would be live in and the world that we live in and some money for this particular project. 2019 that people with disabilities will get the But, no, this Labor government is not Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — respect that they have coming to them, interested in helping the people of St In rising to speak to this budget I find the respect that they deserve and the Albans. But I ask the minister to allocate myself in unfamiliar territory, because respect that they need. the moneys necessary to rebuild the I am about to offer words of praise St Albans Leisure Centre and give that to a member of the government, to a COUNCIL | Adjournment community something that they can be member of the Labor Party. Having 28 May 2019 very, very proud of indeed. heard Ms Garrett earlier today I can well understand why Daniel Andrews wanted her well out of the Parliament. I can well COUNCIL | Constituency questions understand why he went out of his way St Albans Leisure 29 May 2019 to do everything he could to destroy her political career, because she is clearly his Centre biggest threat in this Parliament—in the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Labor Party anyway—and indeed if she wish to raise a matter this afternoon for Werribee South had remained in the Assembly, I think the attention of the Minister for Tourism, Mr Andrews might have found himself Sport and Major Events. I have previously water issues in a fair bit of strife. Instead we are still raised in this house the state of the St Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) stuck with him as Premier, and we are Albans Leisure Centre, and I have to — My constituency question is to the the ones who are in a fair bit of strife—I say that the condition of the St Albans Minister for Water. Over some years now say ‘we’, being Victorians. That is a very Leisure Centre is almost as disgusting as farmers in Werribee South have faced sad situation indeed. the attitude of this government towards increasing difficulties with the water I am not used to it, but I have to agree its rebuild. I am particularly angry supply to irrigate the vegetables that they with Ms Garrett when she talks about this evening about the government’s grow. The quality of this water continues the Greens. The Greens are no longer a attitude towards this particular issue. to deteriorate and many farmers are political party. The Greens are a single- We have been campaigning now—I say paying for water they do not actually issue pressure group that contests ‘we’ because I have been involved with get. Whichever way we look at it, it is elections. That is what they are. You the Brimbank council and a number of a deplorable situation that threatens just have to listen to the desperation in local people for a couple of years—and the future of what is often described their hysteria as they scream about the attempting to get some attention from as Melbourne’s food bowl. Minister, imminent demise of the world due to the Andrews government to have the St what action do you propose to help the climate change. To know that if people Albans Leisure Centre rebuilt. The people farmers in Werribee South with their actually found out the truth about of St Albans should not be punished urgent water issues? climate change, they would actually have because they vote Labor without no reason to exist. And guess what? They thinking, nor should they be punished do not, and the people of Victoria, and because they have one of the most indeed the people of Australia, seem to

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 21 have accepted that, because the Greens Mr Ondarchie would remember it well we could not get any answers on the have a certain climate change on their when I was the member for Tullamarine, West Gate Tunnel. We still cannot get any mind but it is the political climate change indeed the youngest member of the answers on the West Gate Tunnel. We that began in November last year when Kennett government. I remember what do not know who is doing what to whom 80 per cent of their membership in this Victoria was like back then. I remember and how many times. We do not know house was turfed out. There were five the disaster that John Cain and Joan how these decisions came about. We Greens over there in the corner, and Kirner inflicted upon this state. Anybody know that Transurban is doing very well when we came back after November who was around then would remember it out of the caper; we know that. If you are there was only one left. I do not recall a only too well. This state was broke. If this a Transurban shareholder, you have got it greater destruction of a political party in state had been a private company the made. , I think, did very nicely. my memory. The Greens have outdone liquidator would have moved in and sold Did he? I do not know. Well, look, he is themselves, I think, in this particular the lot—sold everything. It was a basket living his best life and he wants everyone instance. They have outdone themselves. case. else to get a life as well. Mr Jennings interjected. I have to say, having looked at this But that is just the arrogance of this Mr FINN: I understand that Mr budget: here we go again. Here we go government. I have to say, having been Jennings is a little bit touchy about me again. If we keep going down this path a follower of politics in this country and attacking his friends in the Greens. The there is no doubt in my mind that we around the world for some decades, Socialist Left and the Greens have their will go to the exact same point that we this government that we have here in very own sort of political umbilical cord were at in 1992. We will go back to those Victoria right now is the most arrogant that connects the two. I can understand horror days when the jokes around government that I think I have ever why Mr Jennings would be getting very the place were, ‘What’s the capital of seen—ever. I mean, it almost puts Gough upset that I am speaking the truth on Victoria?’. ‘About 27 cents’—those sorts to shame; that is how bad it is. That all this particular occasion. Let me tell you, of jokes. We were quite literally the started off with the red shirts, when they that political climate change that began laughing-stock of Australia. I remember thought that they could cheat to win in November last year flowed through the difficult times—and they were government. Then we saw it again in the to 18 May this year when Bill Shorten difficult times, let me assure you—that lead-up to the federal election when they attempted to take us down a path which we went through as a new government used taxpayers money to buy television would have destroyed the nation. He had after 1992 to get this state back on its advertising, radio advertising, newspaper a climate change policy that he could feet. We did some things—we had to do advertising—even advertising around not even tell us the cost of. It was totally some things—which were exceedingly the fence at the footy—to promote their uncosted. He had absolutely no idea, but unpleasant, things that we did not want mates in the federal ALP. Again, I have he was going to do it anyway. It would to do. But we had to do them to save to say, they did not get value for money, have actually changed Australia forever. this state. I do not want to go back there did they? They spent the money, whether It would have destroyed our industry, it again. I do not want to have to go through it be $1 million or $2 million, one or would have destroyed our agriculture the sorts of things that we did in 1992 the other, but they did not get value for and it would have destroyed the way of and 1993 again. But this government is money. life that this nation clings to and is so well on its way to sending us to that very Mrs McArthur: Taxpayers money. very proud of indeed. Thankfully the point. Mr FINN: They did not get the result people of Australia said, ‘No, we are One of the mildly amusing things when they were after in classic Labor style. Oh, not going to have any of that’. They put I hear Labor members speak is their the taxpayer, Mrs McArthur, was hit in Scott Morrison—who shows enormous constant reference to things being free, as the neck once again. common sense and enormous rapport if it just sort of happens somehow—that I just want to mention briefly before with the people of Australia—back in the nobody pays the teachers, the money I finish that there is a truism that I have Lodge, and I think it is a very good thing just arrives. There is nothing free. There used before in this house—that is, ‘Labor indeed for the people of Australia. is only one place that any government neglects the west’. If there is a symbol of I have to point out at this point that can get its money from and that is out of that neglect it has to be St Albans, where the biggest swings in Victoria against the taxpayers pocket. So do not try to tell for decades there was a level crossing, Labor were in fact in Melbourne’s west. anybody that it is free because all you are which was an extraordinarily dangerous In the seat of Gorton, with Nathan doing is picking the pocket of somebody level crossing, and it was only when the Di Noia, there was over a 10 per cent else and carrying it over. It might be Liberals got in that they fixed it. They swing against Labor, which was quite free for some, but it is not free for a lot allocated the money and they started extraordinary. In Fraser, with Peter Bain, of others. That is one of the problems. things rolling to remove it. next door, there was a swing of over 6 That is the mindset of the ALP, the For decades—going back to I think per cent. In Calwell, with Genevieve same mindset that got us into dreadful actually before I was born—the Labor Hamilton, there was a swing of almost trouble in the 1980s and early 1990s. It is Party were promising to get rid of it. 5 per cent. These are what you would the same sort of mindset that does not They had been in government for years call traditional Labor seats. I think the understand the value of a dollar. It is the and it had not happened, but Denis Labor Party claims to have the ownership same mindset that does not really care Napthine came out one Sunday morning, papers to the western suburbs of what it gets for the money that it spends. as I recall—I know that because I was Melbourne. Well, I really think that they It is just happy to spend money. What we there—and he announced that that level should start to rethink that, because hear from the Labor Party is, ‘We spent crossing was going to go. $200 billion; we spent $300 billion; we the people of the west have had enough But now we have another symbol of of a party that is so totally out of touch spent $400 billion’. We never hear from the Labor Party what value we got for Labor neglect in St Albans, and that is the with them, their needs, their families St Albans Leisure Centre. The Brimbank and their aspirations that they stood up that $200 billion or $300 billion or $400 billion. We never hear from the Labor City Council wants $60 million to rebuild and said, ‘On your bike, son. We are not that leisure centre; to say it has seen putting up with that anymore’. So that is a Party that they are proud of the value that they got. better days is the understatement of the lesson, if I may be so bold as to point out year. It is clapped out, in other words. to the Labor Party, that they should take We have seen in recent years that sort It is not at all good. But they need some on board. of scenario blow up in the face of the money to rebuild it for the people of St Now to this budget. I have to say this taxpayers. My very great concern is that Albans, and what has this government week I have had a couple of nightmares. it will happen again, particularly with given them? What has Daniel Andrews I have had a couple of nightmares this regard to the West Gate Tunnel Project. given the people of St Albans? Absolutely week. I have had flashbacks to 1992. I As members will know, I was chairman nothing. Not a cracker. The only thing remember back to 1992. I was actually of the Economy and Infrastructure that Daniel Andrews has given the elected to this Parliament in 1992. Indeed Committee in the last Parliament, and

IN 22 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE people of St Albans is the middle digit. COUNCIL | Questions without notice COUNCIL | Members statements That is the only thing that he has given 04 June 2019 04 June 2019 the people of St Albans. As I said the other day, just because they vote Labor without a thought, just because they have an entirely useless local member, it Professional World Falun Dafa should not mean that they be neglected in the way that they are. I am very Lobbyist Code Of Day hopeful that the government might have Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I a rethink on that and kick in as well. Conduct recently had the very great honour of I love Victoria. I do not want to see Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) again addressing World Falun Dafa Victoria go through the pain that we — My question is to the Leader of the Day festivities on the banks of the Yarra appear to be going through, but this Government. Minister, I refer to your River here in Melbourne. For those government and this budget are going to responsibility for the lobbyist code of who may not know, Falun Dafa arose make that very, very possible. conduct and note that in October 2018 out of the so-called qi gong boom of the Minister for Planning, Richard the late 1980s. Qi gong is an umbrella COUNCIL | Adjournment Wynne, gazetted the extraordinary term for a number of practices involving 30 May 2019 windfall amendment opening the meditation, slow-moving exercises way for the convicted Corkman hotel and regulated breathing. Falun Gong demolishers to potentially achieve differs from most qi gong groups in that planning approvals for an apartment it combines exercises with moral and Sunbury Fields block up to 40 metres in height. spiritual teachings. Adherents claim to Will Fowles, now the member for cultivate truthfulness, compassion and Bus Service Burwood, was the paid lobbyist for the forbearance and refine their ‘xining’ or Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I reprehensible Corkman demolishers. ‘moral character’. wish to raise a matter this afternoon Did Mr Fowles, Minister, in his former While not a practitioner of Falun Dafa for the attention of the Minister for role secure this crooked and grubby myself, it is with considerable pride that Public Transport. As I am sure the deal for the developers for which he was I support those who are, particularly in minister would be aware, there is quite officially listed to act under your code? the face of appalling persecution by the a growth spurt happening in the outer Chinese communist government. This west of Melbourne, particularly in the Supplementary Question persecution involves arrests, executions area of Sunbury. At the moment in the and forced organ donation. The Chinese Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — government’s treatment of Falun Dafa north-west of Melbourne we are seeing Yes, it is confident indeed. Minister, does subdivisions popping up pretty regularly practitioners shows the world it is a the code of conduct under which you barbaric regime with no respect for and there is a need for a catch up, if you have indicated Will Fowles was registered like, in transportation services. I have its own people or basic human rights. until February 2019 allow lobbyists Indeed the comments of the Chinese been approached by a constituent who to advocate for those who have had lives in the area of Sunbury known as defence minister this week justifying criminal convictions, as appears to be the the Tiananmen Square massacre in the Sunbury Fields. This is a relatively new case for Mr Fowles? area of Sunbury and it has no bus service. interests of ‘stability’ display just how evil This leads my constituent’s daughter the communist regime is. to have to walk some kilometres to get COUNCIL | Constituency questions Practitioners of Falun Dafa are a bus. The daughter is 13 years old. It 04 June 2019 peaceful and compassionate and is not ideal at the best of times, but it is are most welcome in Australia. Their certainly not ideal these days when it is presence adds much to this nation. It getting darker earlier and quite often is is my fervent hope that the Chinese cold and wet as well. Sunbury Road government will one day set aside its What I am asking the minister to do is barbarity and stop the persecution of to ensure that a bus service is provided duplication these good and honourable people. for people in Sunbury Fields, to ensure Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) that bus stops are provided for those — My question is for the Minister for COUNCIL | Adjournment people who wish to use the service and Transport Infrastructure as part of my 04 June 2019 to do that expeditiously. Clearly in a lot ongoing plan to find out which roads of the new areas there are a lot of young the Minister for Roads is responsible families and a lot of kids who use the for and which she is not. I referred in bus service and they need a service that my previous question to the Minister Melbourne is regular, they need a service that is for Roads to the delayed budget in punctual and they need a service that the hope that we may be able to get a Regional Landfill they can access relatively easily. It is in changed outcome to the duplication of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I my view not good enough to say, ‘Well, Sunbury Road. I was suggesting that the wish to raise a matter for the attention let them walk 4 or 5 kilometres’. That government’s current plan will merely of the Minister for Energy, Environment is just a nonsense in this day and age. relocate current bottlenecks and as such and Climate Change, and it concerns a So I ask the minister to do whatever is is a monumental waste of money. I ask running sore in the western suburbs— necessary to provide that bus service the Minister for Transport Infrastructure that is, the Ravenhall landfill. Now, for Sunbury Fields. There will be, I have the same question that I asked the for some years the people of Caroline no doubt, an enormous cry of gratitude Minister for Roads before I found out Springs, Deer Park and surrounds have from the people in that area if that were that she is not actually the minister for put up with this landfill, and quite to occur. that road: will the minister cancel the frankly, as I have referred to it before, current flawed plan for Sunbury Road it is nothing but a stinking hole in the and redirect the savings into a project to ground. Unfortunately the plan is to duplicate it in its entirety, including the make it a very, very big stinking hole in construction of the Bulla bypass? the ground that will affect many, many thousands of people throughout the western suburbs.

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 23 Locals have made their views very, they need it. Minister, what are you doing Bulla bypass continues after many years very clear, and I have in years gone to ensure this sort of appalling situation of fighting. As the population of Sunbury by spoken at public meetings—very never happens again? continues to grow, with the government large public meetings—on this subject planning a population explosion in the with the Honourable COUNCIL | Adjournment town, traffic congestion on Sunbury from the other place and also with 05 June 2019 Road grows ever worse. I am informed my colleague Mr Melhem. We have the Minister for Planning is responsible on various occasions been in furious for blocking this much-needed project. agreement on this particular subject. Where exactly is the minister with regard However, there still remains the very to his deliberations on this matter, and real concern held by many thousands Tullamarine when can we expect the minister to give of people throughout that region about Primary School the Bulla bypass the green light? what is going to happen with this landfill. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Is it the government’s intention to allow — I have a matter this evening on COUNCIL | Second reading the expansion of this landfill, or is the the adjournment for the Minister for 06 June 2019 government actually going to sool the Education, and it is a matter that has EPA onto the owners to ensure that local come to my attention as a result of an residents are protected? email from a constituent who has a child What I am asking the minister to do at Tullamarine Primary School. The State Taxation tonight is to provide some certainty. This constituent has explained to me that her has been going on for a very, very long son is on the autism spectrum, as indeed Acts Amendment time—certainly more than a decade. The are a number of students at Tullamarine local people have had a gutful, I have Primary School, and she has expressed to tell you. They have had more than some very, very grave concerns about Bill 2019 enough of waiting for some certainty on Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — their safety in the playground. It seems Does it give me a great deal of joy to this matter, and it is decision time. The that a number of works have recently time has come for the government to get up here today to speak on the State occurred and the playground and indeed Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2019? make a firm decision on this one way or the grounds of the school itself have the other. Sadly, no, it does not, because not only been upgraded. Parts of the upgrade, in is the bill a flawed bill, introducing a Obviously I would much prefer the my constituent’s opinion, have created number of taxes that this state does not government to make a decision which dangers for children, particularly need, taking the hard-earned money of would stop the expansion of this tip. In children on the spectrum, and she is the Victorian taxpayer off them— fact, as I have said before, I would like to very concerned that despite complaints Members interjecting. see the closure of this tip. Whoever was to the principal, the deputy principal responsible for the opening of this tip and the school council, nobody seems Mr FINN: I know the members so close to residential housing should to be taking the necessary note of her opposite believe that it is their right to be ashamed of themselves. We need a concerns. have their hands in the pockets of every Victorian. They think that. But let me tell decision from the government. The time This obviously is something that we has come to bite the bullet and to let you that Bill Shorten tried that and look cannot allow to occur if indeed my where it got him. You can understand local people know exactly what is going constituent is right. I am not saying on and allow them to make plans for the why the budget was postponed until one way or the other that she is right or after the federal election, because in the future. I ask the minister to provide that wrong, but I am saying that what we need certainty, to make the decision and to previous federal election Daniel Andrews to do—and I am asking the minister to cost Bill the election. I think Bill cut Dan allow local people to get on with their do this—is to send in an inspector, send lives. from his Christmas card list—if he still in somebody from the department, to believes in Christmas—and he said, ‘If inspect the new playground and the new you ever do that to me again, I am going COUNCIL | Constituency questions school grounds to see if the new works to come after you with a machete’. So 05 June 2019 do provide a danger for any child, much he made a very firm commitment to less a child on the spectrum. As I am sure himself, did our Premier, not to do that every member would be aware, schools again. should be safe havens for children. Point Cook police They should not be posing any threat He knew this was a shocking budget. or any danger to those children. Given He knew this was a budget that would go the concerns that have been expressed down like a tonne of bricks, so he put it response to me by my constituent, I am asking off until after the federal election—not Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) that it helped his federal leader at all, — My constituency question is to the the minister to, as a matter of urgency, find out the truth of the concerns that because he did himself in. He did not Minister for Police and Emergency need the help of Daniel Andrews. Services. I refer the minister to the case my constituent has, particularly as I of a family in Point Cook, as highlighted understand and she understands more Mr Melhem interjected. on Neil Mitchell’s 3AW program this works are underway or will be underway Mr FINN: I see the Australian Workers week. The family woke in the early hours very shortly for upgrades at the school. I Union faction over there is really of Sunday morning to the sound of am asking the minister to ascertain the arcing up about this, because there are someone trying to break into their home truth of this matter and to ensure that connections here and sensibilities that through the front door. They rang 000 that schoolyard at Tullamarine Primary perhaps I may be treading on. Perhaps I and were told to barricade themselves School is safe for all children. should apologise to Mr Melhem before I inside their house, which I presume go any further. they had done already. It was fortunate COUNCIL | Constituency questions What this government is is a pack that the offender turned his attention to 06 June 2019 of thugs. They are a pack of political cars outside, because the police failed thugs, and what we are seeing in the to show up at all, and despite another Parliament this week is a classic case of phone call from the residents there has that thuggery. They have used the other been no contact from Victoria Police to Bulla bypass place as a place where they can abuse this point. It is bad enough that residents Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) and use thuggery against their political of Point Cook cannot feel safe in their — My constituency question is for the opponents, and they are trying to do it own homes, but it is deplorable that they Minister for Planning. The battle for the here as well, and I suspect we are going cannot receive police protection when to see a little bit more of that before we

IN 24 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE are finished this week. This government, with the site had not been notified of the Avenue. Locals have been concerned the Andrews government, has total application for a planning permit. They for a very long time about the dangers contempt for the people of Victoria and said they found out via a letterbox drop. posed by the intersection. Indeed a very we know clearly total contempt for this The residents, I am told by this serious accident may well have been Parliament. Despite what they say about constituent, are happy for the site to be avoided if traffic lights were already respect for the upper house and making developed into approximately 75 house operational. VicRoads has announced it relevant and all that nonsense that blocks, which fits in with the community that traffic lights will be installed, but that they talk about, they have no respect for and the surrounding area, but they are announcement was last year and we have the Parliament. They have no respect for not accepting at all of the intense and not heard anything since. Minister, when this upper house. They are showing it over-the-top development plan which can the people of Albion expect these here today, and I suspect they are going last week showed 214 townhouses and crucially important lights to be installed to show it tonight and they are going to 18 one-bedroom apartments. It has and operational at the Ballarat Road and show it again tomorrow. since been amended to 208 dwellings. Perth Avenue, Albion, intersection? This budget that these taxes spring However, this is still excessive in the view from is a classic Labor budget, as we have of my constituent. The constituent says to COUNCIL | Adjournment been told by many people, particularly me that: 07 June 2019 on the other side of the house. They say This intense over-development it is a classic Labor budget, and I have to does not suit the Kealba community agree. Tax and spend, tax and spend, tax character, nor do we have infrastructure and spend—that is your classic Labor and resources to accommodate the Ballarat Road– budget. If you are going to spend every number of residents that will come cent that you have got, every cent that with it. you have ever had and every cent that There will be an extra 500 cars in Perth Avenue, you are ever likely to have, then you have peak times, yet people currently have to to hit people with taxes. There is only one wait at least two cycles to get out from Albion, traffic place that government can get money Driscolls Road into Green Gully Road. from, and that is from the pockets of The developers’ traffic report is very lights Victorian workers and businesses. That misleading, and they have not even Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I is the only place that government gets acknowledged the difficulties residents wish to raise a matter this afternoon for money from. So people should be aware on my constituent’s street will face trying the Minister for Roads, and it concerns in future that when Labor gets up and to get into Driscolls Road if this intense the proposed traffic lights at the corner promises the world, they are going to development is approved. Just this week, of Ballarat Road and Perth Avenue have to pay for that at some stage, and she says, they have seen traffic counters in Albion. I may have mentioned unfortunately this budget presents the installed near the site, conveniently over this recently, but I believe that this is opportunity for them to pay for that, and the long weekend. something that needs urgent attention we will be paying for it for decades, if not This obviously is something that from the minister. There was an accident indeed for generations to come. needs to be addressed by the minister there not so long ago—a very serious This is a budget of theft really. It is at some stage as I am sure there will accident that could well have been theft. I mean, let us face it. Let us not be some considerable objection to avoided if the lights had been there. In beat around the bush here. This is a this development even if the council fact I have almost been a victim of an government that is largely comprised of approves it. What I am asking the accident there myself because it is one thieves, and they have no compunction minister to do is take on board the of the scarier places in Melbourne to try whatsoever about rifling through the concerns of the residents in Kealba, and traverse. This is a view that has been pockets, the wallets, the purses of as represented by my constituent, and put forward by the local community for Victorian taxpayers, and they are doing ensure that when the time comes for quite some time now, for quite some it again with this legislation. This is an him to make a decision on this the years, and I have spoken at rallies, at appalling piece of legislation for the new development plan that is currently meetings and I have certainly been a taxes that it is imposing. I am a very, very before the council is rejected and participant in the campaign for most strong and very, very keen opponent of a more community-friendly and of that time. It is well and truly time for high taxation, and clearly that makes neighbourhood-friendly plan is the intersection to get the protection of me a very strong opponent of this approved. This would be, I think, a traffic lights. In fact the minister might government as well. This bill deserves to very, very good decision for the local like to come out and have a look herself, go down, and I ask members to consider community in Kealba. I trust that the because she would find, I am sure, an that during the committee stage. minister will take this on board and urgent need to ensure that those lights make the appropriate decision at the are installed immediately. As traffic appropriate time. increases to the west of Melbourne COUNCIL | Adjournment and beyond—to Bacchus Marsh and to 06 June 2019 Ballarat—there is more and more traffic COUNCIL | Constituency questions on Ballarat Road all the time, and Perth 07 June 2019 Avenue, while you would not call it a major route, is certainly one of the major Kealba routes from the suburb of Albion onto Ballarat Road. It can be a hair-raising development Ballarat Road– experience to try and get across there just Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) at the minute, so the lights are needed. — I wish to raise as a matter for the Perth Avenue, My understanding is that VicRoads attention of the Minister for Planning. have made a commitment to installing I have received a representation from Albion, traffic those lights. That commitment was a constituent in the Kealba area. She made, I understand, last year, but we has expressed concerns on behalf of lights have heard nothing since. As we are a number of her neighbours about a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) now approaching the middle of 2019, it development plan for 27 Driscolls Road, — My constituency question is to the seems to me more than an appropriate Kealba, which is the old secondary Minister for Roads. For some years I have time to raise this matter for the attention school site. Last Saturday, she tells supported residents in Albion as they of the minister and ask her to take me, they had a meeting on site, which campaign for traffic lights to be installed the appropriate action to ensure that close to 100 residents attended. Many at the corner of Ballarat Road and Perth the lights are installed, that the lights residents whose properties share a fence

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 25 are operational and that the Albion be aware it faces universal, international government. It is a bullyboy attitude and, community and indeed those who travel condemnation if it attempts to use force as I said, an attitude that we have come on Ballarat Road are kept safe by the on the people of Hong Kong. For my part, to expect from an increasingly arrogant installation of these traffic lights. I stand for freedom and I stand with the government and an increasingly arrogant freedom fighters of Hong Kong. Premier. Speaking of which, you have COUNCIL | Constituency questions to ask the question—the question has 18 June 2019 COUNCIL | Second reading been asked and I will ask it again—what 18 June 2019 sort of lunatic declares war on volunteer firefighters in one of the most fire-prone places on earth? Who does that? What Joint Select sort of nut bag does that? We have got a Firefighters’ place that could go up at any time. It is Committee tinder dry, and the place could go up at Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Presumptive any time. We have had a long history— — My constituency question is to the decades since Europeans got here, Minister for Police and Emergency indeed probably before then—of fires, Services. Last week on no less than Rights massive fires. So what do you do? Pick three separate occasions Sunbury a fight with the volunteer firefighters. Road was closed, apparently by the Compensation Extraordinary. I would ask members of department of justice, for the purpose the government to explain that, but they of ‘speed camera testing’. I do not and Fire Services have decided that they do not want to doubt that speed cameras need to be participate in this debate. And you can tested, but Sunbury Road is a very busy Legislation understand why. If I was supporting road carrying thousands of vehicles this legislation, if I was voting for this each day. Closure of Sunbury Road legislation, I would be embarrassed too. is a major inconvenience for locals Amendment I would not be getting up to support this and visitors alike. Will the Minister for legislation because, quite frankly, it does Police and Emergency Services direct (Reform) Bill 2019 not have much going for it at all—very, her department to find a less populated very little. road the next time it needs to test speed Speaking on an Opposition motion to There has been much said over the cameras? adjourn the debate (and in reference last three, maybe four, years about the to the Disability (National Disability connection between Peter Marshall, Insurance Scheme Transition) the head of the United Firefighters COUNCIL | Members statements Amendment Bill 2019): Union (UFU), and Daniel Andrews, 18 June 2019 the Premier of Victoria, and there is a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) very, very clear correlation between — I am just staggered by what I have the two—they are both political thugs. just heard from the Leader of the That is the simple fact of the matter. I Hong Kong Government. He got up in this house have seen Peter Marshall in action and and said a motion to bring on a bill about he does not muck around. I remember protests people with disabilities is a waste of time. being at the Sunshine pool meeting some Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — That is what he said. That is the policy years ago before the 2006 election. I had We hear a great deal from a wide range of the government of Victoria—that never seen him before; I had never met of people about their love of freedom. supporting people with disabilities is a him before. He was throwing his weight Almost always it is in a setting where waste of time. What a despicable, low-life around all over the place. He was actually they are free to express their view and accident of a government they are. It is representing on that occasion Justin where their own personal safety is in absolutely disgraceful that they come in Madden, who went on to become the— no way compromised. It is therefore here and try that on. Ms Crozier interjected. quite remarkable to see so many in Hong Kong stand for freedom in spite ______Mr FINN: Indeed, Ms Crozier. He was of the menacing danger of the Chinese there, throwing his weight around and communist government—indeed in being quite the bullyboy that night. And Speaking on the Firefighters’ Presumptive we have of course seen Daniel Andrews spite of the very real threat to the lives of Rights Compensation and Fire Services those standing up for their basic human refine his attitudes or refine his ability to Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill be a bully—he is now a master. rights. As a lover of freedom I express 2019 (second reading): my strong support for those taking to I have to say to you that my respect is the streets of Hong Kong to fight for for both career and volunteer firefighters. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It Being a member representing the their freedom. I call on the Premier of is very sad circumstances that have led Victoria to do likewise and for every western suburbs, I come across quite a to this bill being debated today. I have to few career firefighters and I come across member of this Parliament to express say that I was disgusted beyond words at their solidarity with the people of Hong quite a few volunteer firefighters. I recall the behaviour of the government earlier in the lead-up to the last election I was Kong in the face of a bully that, as we this afternoon when it put the rights and have seen before, is capable of just about doorknocking in Sunbury one day—it the welfare of people with disabilities happened a fair bit as a matter of fact— anything. Last week marked 30 years to one side while it brought on this since the Tiananmen Square massacre, and I knocked on the door of a chap who legislation, which was not urgent in any identified himself as an MFB captain and which saw tanks crush freedom and, way, shape or form, whereas indeed the quite literally, those fighting for it. We who was also a very active member of the national disability insurance scheme UFU. He in no uncertain terms told me still do not know exactly how many legislation is urgent. It must be passed were killed. The world is now watching where I could go, so I did—I kept going. by 1 July, and of course the Parliament A little bit later on he chased me up the to see if China has learned anything in will not sit before 1 July after the end the past three decades. We are watching street, and I thought, ‘This’ll be good’. He of this week. It was very much a case of chased me up the street and he called me to see if, despite its appalling record on this government, the arrogant Andrews human rights and its brutality toward in and we had a chat. government, screwing over people with Members interjecting. dissidents, the Chinese government will disabilities to enable them to screw respect the 2 million protesters in Hong over volunteers throughout Victoria. Mr FINN: No, he’s not there today. He Kong. The Chinese government should That is a despicable attitude of any called me in and we actually sat down

IN 26 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE and had a chat. He apologised for being Of course the seat of Burke is gone now, career firefighters. Over the other side, rude—so there are a few lessons there but the seat of Burke did contain the the Labor Party have voted it down. for a few people—and we sat down and Macedon Ranges. I recall driving down Presumptive rights would already be in if we had a chat. I explained to him that the road through the Macedon Ranges we had had our way. I have not got it in for the MFB. I have with trees still burning on both sides Mr Quilty has stolen what I was going not got it in for career firefighters, not of the road. I thought to myself, ‘If it’s to say, because my very great concern is at all. What I am concerned about is the like that now, what was it like yesterday that volunteers are going to walk. In fact bullying of the volunteer firefighters that at the height of this fire?’. These people they have already started to walk. When is going on and the way that the MFB and went in, these men and women, and the surge capacity is needed, and it will the career firefighters are being used as they put their lives on the line to protect be needed at some stage because we will political pawns in this campaign against the community and to protect their have another Ash Wednesday or Black the volunteer firefighters. He said to neighbours. What extraordinary bravery, Saturday or Black Friday or any of those me, and I will never forget this, ‘Well, what extraordinary commitment to do really big fires, it just will not be there. what can we do to improve our image as the right thing, to do the decent thing, The volunteers will not be there. The career firefighters?’. I said, ‘The best thing these CFA volunteers have. But of course surge capacity will not be there. People that you can do to improve your image that means nothing with this legislation, will die as a result of that. I can only as a career firefighter is to get rid of Peter because Dan has decided that he is going repeat what Mr Quilty said: everyone Marshall. Get rid of Peter Marshall. That to do the CFA volunteers in. What a who votes for this legislation will have would be the best thing that you could tragedy that will be. the blood of those people who die in do’. As head of the UFU he has dragged It is also worth noting that these those fires on their hands—each and the image and the reputation of a fine volunteers—unpaid, of course—will drop every person who votes for this. group of men and women down into everything at a moment’s notice to go out I wish I had time to talk a little more the gutter. That in itself is a tragedy. It is to fight a fire, to help with a car accident, about what happened on Good Friday, so sad to see career firefighters become to do whatever it may be. I am reminded but I see I have almost run out of time. political pawns in the way that they have of the Christmas Day fire at Wye River I just say that I back up Ms Lovell’s been and being dragged into slime that a few years ago. We saw volunteer recollection of what occurred, but it the UFU and the ALP have dragged them firefighters just get up in the middle of might be worth pointing out that Mr into. It is very, very sad indeed. Christmas dinner, walk out and some Ondarchie and I were actually ordered Like many in this house, I come from of them not return for days. They were back to vote on that bill. But I would do a family of CFA volunteers. One of my out fighting that fire, which was a pretty the same thing again. This bill stinks. I very first memories was when my mum pesky fire, as I recall, and a particularly urge the house to vote it down. was cooking multitudes of scones for the dangerous one to fight. These are the firefighters who were fighting the Cressy people that are being beaten around by COUNCIL | Second reading fire a long time ago. I think it might have this legislation. 18 June 2019 been back in the 60s, to tell you the I think it is a very great pity that the truth. It was a big fire. It was a huge fire. government members are not prepared I remember my father being out literally to get up in the house and defend for days fighting this particular fire. My this legislation today. I would like to grandfather was also a firefighter, and hear from . I would love to Disability of course I had a number of uncles who hear from Ms Garrett because she is were also volunteer firefighters. somebody who can tell us a great deal (National Where I live now in Bulla I am not about how this legislation came about, all that far, just around the corner in what this legislation would do to the Disability fact, from the Bulla CFA. It is quite CFA and what this legislation would do remarkable, as I think I have said in this to volunteers. Of course Ms Garrett was Insurance Scheme house once before, to hear the siren so opposed to this legislation, this move go off at various times of the day—and by the Premier, that she put her career sometimes at night, but mainly during on the line—and she was sacked. She Transition) the day presumably because they have was sacked by the Premier for wanting got some sort of messaging system to do the right thing. It is very rare that Amendment Bill so as not to disturb the punters after I will give anybody in the Labor Party a dark—and you could almost back it in pat on the back, at least publicly, but on 2019 that within 5 minutes you would hear this occasion I will because I think Jane Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I the siren of the local fire truck heading Garrett really did the right thing. It was a have to say up-front it is a very great off. Not necessarily to a fire but to any gutsy thing, and she is to be commended pleasure to speak on this particular bill. number of emergencies, including car for that. I think it is a great pity that she It is an even greater pleasure to have the accidents and those sorts of things that has not been allowed in the house today government allow me to speak on this they also do a lot of work with. The local and she has not been allowed to tell us bill, because you might recall that earlier CFA is about more than just fighting exactly what happened behind closed in the day when I tried to speak on this fires. They are really important parts of doors when the Premier did what Peter matter I was gagged by a government any country community. I pay tribute to Marshall wanted done to her. that clearly has a very, very low sense of CFA volunteers here today and express Then of course there was Lucinda priority when it comes to people with my very deep fears and very deep regret Nolan, who we know served Victoria disabilities, their families and carers, and at what will happen if this legislation is Police for many, many years very, very that is a very disappointing thing indeed, passed. I am delighted to see that there well. She was sacked as the CEO. We had from my point of view. are many members of the crossbench the board sacked. We had a whole range Now, I have to say to you that from the who have already expressed their of people sacked. Anybody who crossed, very beginning I was very, very sceptical opposition to this bill, and I am hoping anybody who opposed, Daniel Andrews about the national disability insurance that there will be at least another one or was sacked. It was a bit like being a scheme (NDIS). I am very, very sceptical two who will do just exactly that. Another dissident in China. You disappeared about any multibillion-dollar program very vivid memory was Ash Wednesday. in the middle of the night and were based in Canberra. It seems to me that I was running for the seat of Burke back never seen again. That is what we have nine times out of 10 you are heading for in 1983 as the youngest member of the seen. Presumptive rights is something trouble. If you base anything in Canberra, Liberal team. I was very young. The that we on this side of the house have to start with you are heading for trouble, day after Ash Wednesday I recall being been pushing for for years—equal but if you are spending billions of dollars driven through the Macedon Ranges. presumptive rights for volunteers and of taxpayers money on a social welfare

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 27 program, then you are really heading for beginning by saying, ‘I am going to be Mr FINN: Get out of here, you lunatic. tough times. But I have to say I have been brief’, but I missed the opportunity, so I Members interjecting. proven wrong, and I am delighted to say will say it now: I am going to be brief. I Mr FINN: Well, I tell you what, I would that I have been proven wrong on this, do support this legislation. It is, I think, not mind getting some professional because the NDIS has provided services a piece of legislation that will go some advice on the subject. for people who, up to this point, have not significant way towards making the Dr Cumming: On a point of order, been able to access services. I think that lives of a lot of people so much better. Acting President, obviously that is not is a very, very good thing. It is very rare that I can say that about parliamentary, calling me a lunatic and I know in our situation—and I am a government program, but on this requesting me to leave because I am a sure most members know we have a occasion I can, and I am delighted to be lunatic. able to do so and am very, very happy son with severe autism—we had not Ms Crozier: You gave him the finger. accessed any services at all. We thought indeed to support this bill. we could do it on our own—silly us. And Motion agreed to. Dr Cumming: I did not give him the finger. we have now accessed some degree of Read second time. Members interjecting. service. We now have some degree of Committed. support via the NDIS, and that has made The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr the world of difference, I can tell you. It Bourman): Dr Cumming, are you really has made the world of difference. COUNCIL | Constituency questions requesting that Mr Finn withdraw? Scott Morrison, thank you. You are a 19 June 2019 Dr Cumming: Yes, please. champion, and I really am so very, very Mr FINN: At the risk of misleading the glad that I voted for you and Josh and all house, I withdraw. the rest. They are wonderful people. As Mr Melhem was saying, there is The sense of excitement through the Palliative Care quite a track record on this particular autism community when the NDIS was subject and he has quite a track record up and running was, in my experience, government himself, because it was in only about unparalleled, because unfortunately in 2007 or thereabouts that he and another this country people with disabilities are support Australian Workers Union official at the regarded as second-class citizens. We Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) time, a bloke called Bill Shorten—you saw a bit of that in here this morning, in — My constituency question is to the might remember he had a particular this house in fact, from the government. Minister for Health. As the minister incident lately that did not work out That is the simple fact of the matter—that pointed out in her ministerial statement all that well for him; back in 2007 Bill people with disabilities are regarded a little bit earlier, today the voluntary Shorten and were officials as second-class citizens and, generally assisted dying law is enacted. During the of the AWU—signed off on 1000 tonnes speaking, are not to be worried about course of the debate on this legislation of fabricated steelwork from China for too much. But the NDIS gives families some pretty grandiose promises were the EastLink project of course. So when and carers and people with disabilities made by the government with respect Mr Melhem gets up to talk on this subject themselves the power to actually live a to the provision of palliative care. It is all he should tell us what his history is with life that they believe they should live and very well to offer a locked box of poison regard to this particular matter, because they want to live, and that is a great thing. to the people of Melbourne’s west, but it is not surprising that Mr Melhem has On the eve of the introduction of where is the promised boost to palliative not a problem with selling or buying an appalling law in this state that will care? Minister, exactly how much more Chinese steel, because, well, he is used to see doctors have the ability to send palliative care has been provided to the it. He has got the runs on the board. He people into the next life, it is really, western suburbs since the passing of the has done it himself before. I think, just really important—even more so than suicide bill? briefly, we should have a look— ever before—that we give people with Mr Melhem interjected. disabilities a sense of purpose and a COUNCIL | Motions Mr FINN: Well, you go out and buy sense of joy in living. Certainly with 19 June 2019 some more, Mr Melhem. In fact you the new euthanasia laws that come in might like to speak to Mr Shorten, tomorrow, they will be targets, I have because he could be looking for a job no doubt, for some who regard them as very shortly, particularly given the having lives that are not worth living. West Gate Tunnel union, let us say—I would not say There are people around like that, and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I rivalry—dummy spit that is going on we know that. We have seen people like rise to support the motion moved by at the minute. It was interesting to that with the law as it is now; what it is my friend and colleague Ms Wooldridge hear Mr Melhem talk about the union going to be like tomorrow, I fear to think. this afternoon. It is interesting to hear corporation, because at lunchtime So it is really, really important that we Mr Melhem talk about a track record, today I heard that the ETU, the Electrical make people with disabilities feel that because Mr Melhem in this area has Trades Union, which is known to their lives are important and that they are somewhat of a track record himself. If we someone in this house, is actually important, and that we give their families go back to about 2007— threatening to conduct an audit of every and their carers the sort of support that Dr Cumming: Acting President, do we Labor federal and Victorian member of they need to ensure that they live happy have a quorum? This is the opposition’s Parliament to ascertain whether they and productive lives. motion, and there is only one of them have any history of family violence. Now, That is something that I certainly hope here. that I would have thought is going to for for my son, and I know that there are Quorum formed. throw the cat among the pigeons in a thousands of parents throughout this Mr FINN: I thank Dr Cumming for whole range of ways within the ALP, but country who feel exactly the same way. her support and her new-found love of that is just purely with reference to what Unlike Scomo, we are not looking for a the Labor Party. It is interesting. She is Mr Melhem was saying about how well miracle; we are just looking for a bit of someone who spent 20 years fighting the the unions are getting along with the a hand to keep things on the up and up Labor Party on the Maribyrnong council, Labor Party these days. I am glad he said to ensure that the family keeps bubbling and now she has joined them. I suppose it today, because it might not be the case along and that the child or the person if you dump Hinch after two days, you tomorrow. with a disability has the opportunities join the Labor Party after a week, so good Looking at the history of this project, that he or she deserves and indeed needs on her for that. As I was saying about Mr I have had a fair bit to do with it as to thrive. Melhem and his contribution— a former chairman of the Economy So I am delighted. I should have Dr Cumming interjected. and Infrastructure Committee of the quoted my colleague at the very

IN 28 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE upper house and now as deputy chair near as good as the Australian steel, and steel as is happening with the West Gate of that particular committee. We have unfortunately we may yet find that out. Tunnel. investigated this at length, to say the The West Gate Tunnel itself, as I The West Gate Tunnel is a dud deal very least, and of course prior to the said before, brings benefit only to whichever way you look at it—whether 2014 election I think it was the West Transurban. It brings no benefit to the it be buying Chinese steel or whether it Gate diversion. It has had a rich history people of the western suburbs, I assure be providing another access point to the of name changes over the years. I think you. We are going to have a situation city from the west. Whichever way you it was the West Gate diversion—it was where tolls are going to be reimposed look at it, it is a dud deal. Whichever way certainly a diversion, there is no two on the West Gate Freeway for the first you look at it, the only people that are ways about that. We were told by the time in many, many decades. I think going to be laughing all the way to the then opposition leader, Mr Andrews, that it was John Cain who removed tolls bank are Transurban. We have seen on that was a shovel-ready project. That was on the West Gate Bridge. Well, Daniel our committee the CEO of Transurban, a shovel-ready project that was going to Andrews is reimposing them on the West Scott Charlton, very relaxed and very cost the taxpayer $500 million. That was Gate Freeway for trucks and for heavy happy to be with us on that occasion, ready to go. The day after the election vehicles, so that will be something that and why wouldn’t he be relaxed? Why they were ready to start building this will cause mayhem, absolute mayhem, wouldn’t he be happy? He is taking us West Gate diversion. And of course it as trucks and heavy vehicles head inland all for a ride, and I suppose that is what did not happen. They were elected and to escape the tolls. I know that the people any good road company will do: they they said, ‘Oh, well, maybe we got that in Millers Road, the people in Brooklyn will take you for a ride. So I support this wrong. Maybe we don’t have a West Gate and the people in Altona are desperately motion put forward by Ms Wooldridge. I diversion after all. Maybe we don’t have worried about what is going to happen urge the house to likewise put their votes it shovel-ready after all’. with the number of trucks that will flood to passing this motion today. So along came Transurban. Now, their streets as a result of tolls on the you have got to say one thing about West Gate Freeway. COUNCIL | Adjournment Transurban: they can smell money from Then of course we have the West Gate 19 June 2019 a mile off, and they smelt it not just from Tunnel as well, which does not really go a mile off; they smelt it from Texas. They anywhere. Why would you build a tunnel know a mug when they see one, and they that does not really go anywhere? Then of saw Daniel Andrews and they went up course what the government is doing in Federation Village, to him and they said, ‘Brother, have we fact in the west is replicating the Hoddle got a deal for you’. And indeed they did Street set-up that is already causing so have a deal for the Premier, but the deal many problems in the east. Not only are Albion, Traffic is purely for the benefit of Transurban. they replicating that particular situation, They put forward a project called the but they are also adding a further tax—a Lights western distributor, which was, to say the city admission tax, if you will—to people Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — least, somewhat of a mystery as to what in the western suburbs. People in the My adjournment matter this evening that did involve. The locals could not find east, people in the north and people is for the attention of the Minister for out. The committee that I chaired—and in the south will be able to access the Roads. Last sitting week I am sure the indeed I think you, Acting President city without paying a tax. People in the minister will recall that I raised the issue Bourman, were on that committee as west, we have to pay tax. Where is the of the need for traffic lights at Perth well—could not find out for love nor anti-discrimination commission now? Avenue and Ballarat Road in Albion. money what it was about. We could not That may well be a case that we might Tonight I raise the just as important, find out who was doing deals with who, see brought to the anti-discrimination if not more important, need for traffic who was paying the rent or anything else. commission at some stage. It does seem lights outside Federation Village at 639 It was quite a mystery. to me to stink to high heaven that people Ballarat Road, Albion. I have received a Then all of a sudden one day we had in the west, my constituents, would have letter from a constituent who writes as the West Gate Tunnel appear as the latest to pay to get into the city when nobody follows: project—the latest incarnation of what else does. That seems to me to be a putrid As you know Federation Village is a presumably was once the West Gate deal indeed. retirement village that houses well over 100 homes. diversion, which was the $500 million If anybody thinks that having a shovel-ready project before the election T-intersection at the end of the tunnel My mum and dad recently moved there but transformed into a huge project or off the tunnel is going to solve the and my seven-year-old son stays with that will bring Transurban many, many traffic problems that we have on the them on weekends. billions of dollars for very little outlay. West Gate now, they have got another … In fact I think they will earn something think coming. We are going to see the … not far from Federation Village a like $47 billion for a $4 billion outlay. If same degree of traffic problems. We are woman was killed a few weeks ago on you were a gambling man, you would going to see the same degree of bank-up. that same stretch of road as she tried have to say that that is not a bad pay With all of this, despite the fact that we to cross the 6-lane highway which is back. It is not surprising that Transurban are being told from the government’s Ballarat Road. have jumped into this—indeed not just own agencies that the east–west link is … there had been 2 fatalities on that jumped into it; they have led the field. the answer, this government refuses to stretch of road and 1 pedestrian is on They have led the government by the even think about the east–west link— life support in intensive care since April nose into this, and it is not surprising that even when the federal government and 2019–that’s right in the last few months. we have a situation where questions are Scott Morrison say, ‘I will put $4 billion In the village is an elderly man … struck being asked about the costs. Questions on the table. There’s your road. Have it by a car just outside the village as he are being asked about whether there for nothing’. Even when that occurs this crossed the 6-lane highway to catch a is a blowout already, and I understand government is too pig-headed to do the bus. This occurred 2 years ago and he there is already somewhere in the right thing by the people of Victoria. It still hasn’t recovered. vicinity of around a $130 million or $140 just quite astounds me. I would reckon … million blowout and they have barely for the $4 billion that the Prime Minister … there is a 2 km stretch which includes broken ground on the thing. Questions is putting up for the east–west link we the section outside Federation Village of course are also being asked about the could actually afford to have Australian which is very dangerous. government’s promise to use Australian steel as well. We could afford to have The local police have been working steel when in fact it is far, far cheaper Australian steel, and we would not have with VicRoads and the council, to use Chinese steel. The trouble is that to worry about buying cheap Chinese Brimbank council, to make that stretch the Chinese steel quality is nowhere of road safer. In fact VicRoads have

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 29 designed a solution which requires three parts of the Sunbury CBD. It has caused Cr Peter Hemphill, who I know quite intersections to be fitted with lights: major problems for business owners and well and is very well known in the … the project gets held up when the workers and has done precious little to Williamstown area, has described this bean counters at VicRoads put the ease the shortage of parking. Sunbury as ‘an absolute disgrace by Park Victoria’. project on hold each time it moves up needs more parking, not more parking He said: the list of roads to be worked on. This restrictions.Will the minister initiate a It is anti-competitive and Williamstown is despite the fact that VicRoads has conversation with Hume City Council tourism has been the loser out of it. admitted that it is a dangerous stretch which would lead to a solution to the He said: of road. parking crisis in Sunbury? Well, I am here to tell you that indeed Parks Victoria’s action has also discriminated against disabled people, it is an extremely dangerous stretch of COUNCIL | Adjournment road. I have almost come to grief myself as WBRC has the only boat with 20 June 2019 wheelchair access. as I have crossed it. Indeed when I visited Federation Village—I think it was last This is just appalling, and year—I was nearly collected by a car that unfortunately we are seeing it came around a corner at me in the very more and more where government same spot where the lights should be Williamstown Bay instrumentalities and indeed installed. So it is a very dangerous place, government itself have decided that they and when we get a bit older we are not as and River Cruises will treat small business—all business in quick, not as agile, as we used to be and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I fact—with total and absolute contempt. we really do need the lights, particularly wish to raise a matter this evening for Westgate Punt director Rob Horner, who those people in the retirement village, the attention of the Minister for Energy, has operated for the past 25years under Federation Village. So I am asking the Environment and Climate Change, and the West Gate Bridge, said that omitting minister to direct VicRoads to install it concerns Parks Victoria’s decision to WBRC from Southbank was a great those lights—in fact she can do all three deny a pioneering Williamstown ferry disservice to the city of Melbourne and to if she likes—outside Federation Village business access to the Southgate berth Hobsons Bay. He said: as a matter of urgency before somebody it has used for 13 years. This is just They are the only operator I see, who else is killed. an appalling attack by a government run regularly on the river, come rain instrumentality on a small business, hail or shine, the only operator who which up until this point had been pick up and drop off at Scienceworks... COUNCIL | Constituency questions doing pretty well. As reported in the 20 June 2019 Down river, I’m the troll under Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly the bridge—I see everything and this week, the Williamstown Bay and Melbourne needs WBRC. River Cruises (WBRC) owner, Mark Davy, And I totally agree. It is a disgrace who started the tourist ferry services to that this company faces being put out Sunbury CBD Williamstown in 1984—this bloke is not of business as a result of a decision for a fly-by-nighter; he has been around for which there has been no explanation. parking quite some time—said his business was There has been no logic behind it that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) in danger of folding as a result of Parks I can see, and I am asking the minister — My constituency question is to the Victoria’s decision. He said: to tomorrow reverse this decision Minister for Local Government. Parking We just need to have a spot on the and direct Parks Victoria to reverse has long been a big issue in the Sunbury Yarra—we deserve to be here. this decision to ensure that this ferry township, and it is again featuring in He said: company can get back into business and locals’ concerns. Hume council—a Why we have been excluded, I don’t can get back to providing the service that council not necessarily known for doing it has for a very long time. the right thing by Sunbury people—has know. imposed severe parking restrictions in

IN 30 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2019 FINN THE HOUSE

FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2019

Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business Shadow Assistant Minister for Autism Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council

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