FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches August to December 2020

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

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 August to December 2020

CONTENTS

Standing and Sessional Orders...... 3 Environment and Planning Committee...... 20 Bulla toxic waste dump consultation...... 3 West Gate Tunnel...... 20 Sunbury green wedge...... 3 Police conduct...... 21 Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Hotel viability in lockdown...... 21 (State of Emergency Extension and Other Worker Screening Bill 2020...... 21 Matters) Bill 2020...... 4 Rothwell housing development, Tarneit...... 23 Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Adjournment...... 23 (State of Emergency Extension and Other COVID-19...... 23 Matters) Bill 2020...... 4 Toxic soil dump approval...... 24 Lockdown impact on small business...... 6 COVID-19...... 24 West Gate Tunnel...... 6 Remembrance Day...... 24 COVID-19 (Gyms)...... 6 Western suburbs tree planting...... 25 Government performance...... 6 Local government elections...... 25 Bulla Tip dust...... 7 Justice Legislation Amendment (Supporting COVID-19...... 7 Victims and Other Matters) Bill 2020...... 25 COVID-19...... 7 West Gate Tunnel...... 26 COVID-19...... 9 Responses...... 26 Altona North Landfill...... 9 China Trade...... 26 COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Sinclairs Road, Plumpton...... 27 and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020...... 10 Green New Deal...... 27 COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bulla Bridge...... 29 and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2020...... 11 COVID-19...... 29 March For The Babies...... 11 Parental attendance at schools...... 29 West Gate Tunnel contaminated soil...... 12 COVID-19...... 29 Hope for COVID affected families...... 12 West Gate Tunnel...... 30 Grand Final Friday...... 12 Energy Legislation Amendment (Licence Local government rates...... 12 Conditions) Bill 2020...... 30 Western suburbs medical community...... 13 Western suburbs tree planting...... 31 West Gate Tunnel...... 13 Secure Work Pilot Scheme...... 32 Cardinal George Pell...... 13 Return of school parent volunteers...... 33 West Gate Bridge Tragedy Commemoration...... 14 Secure Work Pilot Scheme...... 33 Health Minister’s lockdown explanation...... 14 Commercial passenger vehicle industry...... 34 COVID-19...... 14 West Gate Tunnel...... 35 COVID-19...... 15 Toxic soil dump public meeting invitation...... 35 COVID-19...... 16 Ravenhall landfill...... 35 Toxic soil dump health priorities...... 16 Tarneit train station...... 36 Ronald Alexander Best...... 17 Hume City Council...... 36 Local government elections...... 17 COVID-19...... 36 Small business support...... 17 Kealba landfill...... 38 AFL Grand Final...... 17 Felicitations...... 38 Small business COVID re-opening...... 18 Sunbury Road safety issues...... 38 Animal Shelters...... 18 Appropriation (2020–2021) Bill 2020...... 38 Bulla tip EPA protection...... 20 Autism education...... 39

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 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Business of the house issue that needs addressing. We have to come. Minister, this is a deplorable 04 August 2020 a range of other issues. It concerns me situation. Will you restore the rights of enormously that under the cover of my constituents to have their say and COVID we are seeing a government be heard? making decisions about a whole Standing and range of things and it is not open to COUNCIL | Adjournment parliamentary scrutiny. 04 August 2020 Sessional Orders That is why we need this house Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — sitting today, we need it sitting For months now I have been watching tomorrow and we need it sitting on a daily basis as the Premier has Thursday. That is why we need the Sunbury green addressed the state, in varying degrees other place sitting today and tomorrow of horror and sadness at some of the and Thursday. Anybody who thinks wedge that they know it all is digging a news that he has delivered. What he Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I hole for all of us. I fear that we have has delivered to the people of Victoria wish to raise an adjournment matter a Premier at the moment who is in this week is something that nobody this afternoon for the attention of the exactly that category. When I see him in Australia has ever seen before. If Minister for Energy, Environment on the television every day telling us, ‘I somebody can right me on this, please and Climate Change. I have been a am doing this; I have decided that’—I, do, but I am not aware that a curfew resident of or certainly involved in the I, I, I—I think to myself, ‘We have got has ever been in place anywhere in local Sunbury and Bulla communities trouble here’. When the Parliament Australia. Not even during the war was for many decades, and over the is dispensed with—and that is what there a curfew. I am not exactly sure years I have seen that space of land has happened, certainly in the lower why the curfew is in place, but I would between Bulla and Sunbury change house—that is when we have real be very keen to ask the Premier, and significantly. It used to be a green problems. certainly I would welcome the Minister wedge, we were told. It was a sacred for Health telling us at some stage as I will support this motion today, but place for the environment, if you well. I really cannot help but emphasise listened to the greenies around the But the fact of the matter is that strongly the need to respect the place, and nobody—nobody—could we have not been able to ask. Parliament, the need to respect our touch that. I think it was just prior These monumental changes in our democracy and the need to respect to the 2002 election that I got into lives—every Victorian’s life—have that every Victorian has a right to have terrible trouble for suggesting that we occurred, and none of us as members a say and has a right to be heard. That might like to have 5-hectare blocks of Parliament up until today have is just so important. For a Premier and with homes and caveats on them that had a chance to ask any questions at a few mates to turf that to one side is they be fully greened so that the green all. It horrifies me that one man and a recipe for a total, a complete—you wedge—which in fact was a brown a few mates have the power—total reckon it is bad now? That will be a real wedge back in those days—would power, absolute power—to do what is disaster. actually be a green wedge. But the happening. Now, it may well be that greenies were not at all happy about what is happening is necessary; it COUNCIL | Constituency questions that. may well be that what is happening is 04 August 2020 What we have seen of recent times needed. But I do not think it should be is truly horrifying. The Sunbury tip we up to one individual, with a few mates, are now calling out our way ‘Mount to let that happen. D’Ambrosio’, because it is a growing Now, we have seen the Premier close Bulla toxic tip that has come from nowhere. It is down the Parliament. We have seen now many, many metres high, and we him pretty much close down his own waste dump understand that if the owners get their cabinet. You have got to ask: who is way it will be even higher. That is an he listening to? If he is not listening to consultation appalling possibility, apart from the the people who are elected into this Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) fact that I have to tell you it stinks to place to represent their constituents, to — My constituency question is to high heaven. As somebody who drives express what is in the best interests of the Minister for Planning, and I refer past it almost every day, it just is a their constituents, to tell the Premier, the minister to the recent decision to revolting stench that often wafts its way to tell the government what is needed remove the rights of local residents in into the Bulla township. and how they are feeling—how difficult Bulla and Sunbury in the case of Hi- We have got that, and then of course it is for them, particularly during these Quality seeking to dump poisonous, down the way we have Hi-Quality, dreadful times—you have got to ask: toxic soil in its Sunbury Road which has put in an application to what is going on around here? operation. The local communities dump toxic soil—carcinogenic toxic I am a great supporter of the are furious they are being shafted by soil—from the West Gate Tunnel Parliament. I have been a member a government that has no interest in Project. So just 200 metres from a new of this Parliament now for close to 21 the health of their families. They are residential housing development and years, believe it or not, and I regard it genuinely fearful of what the dumping just up the road from Goonawarra and every day as a high honour to represent of carcinogenic PFAS material just another new housing development the people of the western suburbs in 200 metres from a new housing across the road from there, here we this Parliament. Apart from the COVID development and up the road from have people wanting to dump what disaster—and it is a disaster; I would established suburban housing will is a very, very poisonous, a very, very certainly go along with that—we have mean. Thousands of people live in carcinogenic, a very, very dangerous other issues. In my electorate we fear as the Andrews government plays substance on Sunbury Road. Obviously have got the prospective dumping of with their future, wondering if their that has dangers for everybody in carcinogenic toxic soil between Bulla children will be cancer victims in years Sunbury and also for the people in and Sunbury or at Ravenhall. That is an Bulla. So that piece of land or that area

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 3 that I spoke of between Sunbury and go through it and to make appropriate COUNCIL | Second reading Bulla is no longer the beauty piece amendments, to make appropriate 01 September 2020 that the greenies would have liked changes if needs be, to consider it it to have been some time ago. The as it should be considered, because decision is pending on a number of this is—and I will agree with the these developments, and I am asking government on this—a very important Public Health the minister to defer any decision on bill. There are millions and millions of environment-impacting developments Victorians who are depending on this and Wellbeing around Sunbury and Bulla until after bill being defeated, so we are very, very this state of disaster concludes. keen to ensure that the government and the Premier approach this with Amendment COUNCIL | Introduction and first appropriate seriousness, and that reading, 01 September 2020 clearly is not happening. That, to my (State of way of thinking, is just putrid. I have been around here for a while, Emergency and I have never seen a bill debated Public Health before anybody has actually seen it. Extension and We are still waiting for the final draft and Wellbeing to come back in and the government says, ‘We’ll debate it anyway. Doesn’t Other Matters) matter what’s in the bill, we’ll debate Amendment it’. Who is showing contempt for Bill 2020 the opposition? Who is saying the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (State of opposition is irrelevant? Who is saying — It has been a very big week, as the crossbench is irrelevant? The they say, and it is with a deep sense Emergency government is—very, very clearly— of responsibility that I stand here or should I say the leaders of the this morning to speak against this government. The Premier, the Minister bill, perhaps in the hope that we can Extension and for Health and the Leader of the amend it—but I fear, ultimately, to Government in this house are showing oppose this bill. That deep sense of Other Matters) total contempt not just for those with responsibility is there because I know a different view but for all members that there are millions upon millions Bill 2020 of the Parliament, whatever their view of Victorians who are looking at this Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) may well be on this piece of legislation. place today, indeed who are looking at — Members might remember just a I find it absolutely staggering. us today, for relief—who are looking couple of weeks ago the Premier of We have seen here today just how at us because they want their freedom this state got up in front of the media seriously the health minister takes back, they want their lives back, they of Victoria and told us that as far as all this. She was sitting in her seat want their jobs back and they want he was concerned the opposition there a little while ago interjecting their families back. They do not wish was irrelevant. Well, today he has mightily—she was like an interjection to be held in total contempt by a extended that view—he is also saying machine—without her mask on. Now government that wants to control their to the crossbench that it is irrelevant. we know, we have been told, that that lives—every minute of their lives—on a He is saying to the Parliament that sort of thing is exceedingly dangerous. daily basis. it is irrelevant. We all know what And she is the health minister; she Last night I had to console my own he thinks of his own party, because should know that. She is the health 14-year-old daughter as she cried on he does not even listen to his own minister. I mean, if somebody like me my shoulder because she had not cabinet. We know, with his gang of understands that and knows that, why seen her friends for months. That eight, the vast majority of the cabinet would the health minister not—the is happening in houses right across has no say in what the Premier does. minister responsible for fighting this Victoria. What a pity. What a pity That is something that has amazed pandemic, for fighting the Wuhan Daniel Andrews does not give a stuff. me this entire year, that members of virus? Why would the minister not I want to pay tribute to the people the government would actually let the understand that? But there she was of Victoria, because they have put Premier treat them in such a dismissive over there totally disregarding the rules up with a hell of a lot this year, an and contemptuous way. But I tell you of the Parliament, totally disregarding enormous amount this year, and it what, if members of the cabinet and the advice of the chief health officer. I has been exceedingly difficult. Ms members of the government are happy understand she regards everything he Patten over there is having a chortle to let him do that to them, I am not says as gospel, except of course masks about it, but it has been exceedingly happy to let him do that to this house in the chamber. We are seeing here difficult for huge numbers of people or indeed to this Parliament. today total contempt for the process, across this state, and the suffering that To come in here today to speak on total contempt for the Parliament and they have experienced has been quite a bill that we have not even seen— indeed total contempt for the chief phenomenal. normally there is a pile of bills on the health officer’s advice from the health But then last Monday the Premier statute books over there in the middle minister herself. got up at his daily press conference, of the chamber. Today: zilch, zero, where he tells Victorians that it is our nothing. Where is the bill? If this is fault and that we should be ashamed such an important bill, if this one is of ourselves and that he is going to going to decide the future of the state, punish us again. He stopped hectoring as the government tells us, where is the us for just a moment to just casually bill? We saw the final bill yesterday at 4 drop that he is going to extend his o’clock, and we were expected then to total control over everybody for

IN 4 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE another 12 months. Well, all hell broke that the government is trying to pass on Sunday when he got up and he loose—across Victoria, all hell broke the blame on to a bureaucrat here, announced, ‘We’re going to have a loose. And I would hazard a guess but this decision must have been at a plan for you tomorrow. We’re going to that in every electorate office of every ministerial level—they decided they have a plan, a comeback plan, for you member of this Parliament in Victoria did not want the ADF. They did not tomorrow’. Then he got up yesterday the phones went into meltdown. The want the Australian Defence Force and he said, ‘Oh no, no, no, that plan emails that I have received I have never protecting our quarantine hotels. that I was going to have for you today, seen a response like in my years in Instead they chose incompetent, no, in fact it’ll be next Sunday’. Now, if this Parliament. So I congratulate the unprepared and, as it turned out, the Premier was serious about a plan— people who felt compelled, some for randy security guards to guard people and let us face facts, there is no plan— the first time in their lives, to contact in the quarantine hotels. wouldn’t he have announced it before members of Parliament to express As a result of that, the virus was let the vote on this bill today? Wouldn’t their views—and more, to express their back into the community, and we he have told Victorians, wouldn’t he anger and their dismay. We had people have seen the bushfire that followed. have told this Parliament, exactly what on the phone in tears, hysterical, We have seen the deaths that have he had in mind before we voted upon expressing their fears as to what was followed. We have seen the new case this bill today? Of course he would about to happen. One of my electorate levels that have followed. It is only a have, but the fact of the matter is he officers used to be a social worker. couple of weeks ago we had 700 new has no plan. He is No Plan Dan, and She said, ‘I feel like I’m back at the cases a day—600, 700 a day, quite he has no idea apart from the fact he coalface’—and surely she was. extraordinary. That happened because wants to shut Victorians down. He Now, I have to say to you, Acting this government failed to protect the wants to keep families locked up. He President, I am not a COVID denier, community. This government failed wants to keep mothers from daughters. as they say. My wife is a nurse and to protect the people of this state. That He wants to keep sons from fathers. works in a hospital that has two floors is why we are in the situation that Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday. of people suffering from the Wuhan we are in today. That is why we are Millions of Victorians cannot see their virus, so I am perfectly aware that it holding this debate today: because the dad. Thanks, Dan. What a great job he is a problem. It is a threat. But I am Andrews government failed the people is doing! also aware that the government has of Victoria. It is just extraordinary when we handled this very, very badly. I am Now, I know that we have an inquiry consider that this government is asking acutely aware, as indeed are most at the minute, but let us face facts: the us to trust them when yesterday it was Victorians, that this government has terms of reference of that so-called announced that we had 41 deaths stuffed this up left, right and centre. judicial inquiry—it is not really a overnight. Now, when I heard that What this bill is about is trust. judicial inquiry, but that inquiry—were figure I was stunned—41 dead. It was What Daniel Andrews is saying to designed to protect ministers. The horrific. It was only later in the day this Parliament and to the people of terms of reference of that inquiry were that we discovered that 33 of the 41 Victoria is, ‘Trust me, and I’ll give you designed to cover up the truth. So I do who had died had passed away last a call back in March’. I do not think not think that we are going to find out month. Now, what is this government people are going to fall for that. Maybe from the state inquiry what is going on, trying to pull? What sort of figures people in here will fall for that, but but I am certainly looking forward to are as rubbery as the ones that the the people of Victoria are certainly the federal inquiry, when the ministers government is trying to shove down not going to fall for that. Because they and the Premier, I am hoping, will be our throats on a daily basis? know—and there are some members held to account and made to explain We heard just recently from the chief in this house who know—that Daniel exactly the decision-making process health officer, Professor Sutton—a sex Andrews cannot be trusted. They know that they were involved in. symbol in his own right, I understand, that. That is I think indisputable in This bill, as we discussed a little bit now—that anyone who has COVID-19 many people’s minds. earlier, is a crucially important one for and dies is automatically counted as Now, we have to go back to the point millions of Victorians. We saw it—the a victim of the Wuhan virus. It does where the trust broke down between opposition saw it, the crossbench not matter if the virus killed them or the Premier and the people. You might saw it—at 4 o’clock yesterday. We saw not; they are counted anyway. It does remember early this year, when we had the final draft after this debate had not matter about the comorbidity that the first outbreaks, I think the Premier actually begun. Now, I do not know they may have carried. It may have had quite a bit of support in what he how this government expects us to been cancer that killed them. It may was doing. In fact we saw a situation take it seriously when it treats the have been a heart attack that killed where community transmission had Parliament in the way that it has. It is them. It may have been a whole range been almost entirely eliminated. We only a couple of weeks ago the Premier of things that killed them, but as far as thought we had the virus beaten; we said the opposition is irrelevant. The the government and the chief health thought that it was over, and we were fact of the matter is today he has also officer are concerned it was in fact the pretty jubilant. told the crossbench that it is irrelevant. virus that killed them, and they will be I recall saying on Sky News that it He has told the government—his counted in the daily totals. felt a bit like George Bush on the deck own members, backbench and a So what we are seeing here is a of the warship—that we had this thing good number of frontbenchers—that government that is putting out figures beaten. Then of course something they are irrelevant. That is what we that are inflating death rates, inflating happened. Something happened are dealing with in this state at the community anxiety. We are seeing a in the quarantine hotels that the moment: a Premier who is so in love government that is not being honest Premier and the government had with himself, a Premier who is so with the people. We are seeing a organised. For reasons that are totally enamoured of his own power, that he Premier who refuses to be honest with beyond anybody’s understanding, can tell anybody to go away in not so the people, and that is what Victorians still, somebody in the government, pleasant terms. crave more than anything else. They some minister—and it must have The contempt for the people is just want this Premier to be honest been at a ministerial level; I know quite extraordinary, and we saw that with them. They want him to show

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 5 some responsibility. They want him COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Petitions to stand up, and they want him to say, 01 September 2020 15 September 2020 ‘I stuffed this up. I made a mess. Yes, I made a mistake. I’m sorry’. Now, if I live to be 300, I do not think I am going to hear those words from the West Gate Tunnel COVID-19 Premier ever. I am not sure he has ever Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I said sorry to anyone ever, and that is a wish to raise a matter this morning (Gyms) major concern. for the attention of the Minister for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — So far he has blamed families, he has Planning. I cannot begin to tell the Legislative Council Electronic blamed the multicultural communities house and indeed the minister of Petition: and, this week, he has blamed blokes the shock and the anger that has having barbecues. He will blame engulfed both Sunbury and Bulla The Petition of certain citizens of anyone, but he himself refuses to today at news of the EPA’s decision the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council accept the responsibility that is so to endorse Hi-Quality’s application that gyms are an essential service for clearly his. At the same time that he to store toxic soil at its Sunbury Road mental health, physical health and refuses to accept that responsibility, property. I am absolutely stunned wellbeing. at the same time he is pointing fingers myself. This property that we are The petitioners therefore request everywhere—‘It’s your fault, your fault, talking of, this particular facility, is that the Legislative Council call your fault, your fault’—he is asking us just a couple of hundred metres away on the Government to create and to trust him. He is asking us to believe from a new housing development. It implement a COVID-19 Safe Plan him when he says he will not use the is just up the road from yet another for Victorians to attend gyms in a power in the future that he has used so new housing development. It is just safe and secure manner. badly up until this point. He has closed up the road from Goonawarra. And of By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) down the Parliament, and he wants course it is on Sunbury Road, which (10 539 signatures). that to continue. He wants to give is an extremely busy road, and that the lower house another six months road—if this goes ahead—is about to COUNCIL | Members statements off. Well, wouldn’t that be great? be clogged with an avalanche of very 15 September 2020 Wouldn’t any Premier like to have a big, very loud and quite often very situation where they are not under any dangerous trucks carrying the toxic parliamentary oversight for another six soil from the West Gate Tunnel Project months? to Sunbury Road, dumping it there Government This government is putrid. It holds and then of course returning. So we the community in contempt—a are going to see a couple of thousand community which is suffering, a trucks a day on Sunbury Road, which is performance community which is in real pain just going to be absolutely horrific. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) and a community which holds this But the worst thing of all is of course — I remember in the years 1991 government in equal contempt. the soil is carcinogenic. This soil is and 1992 in the lead-up to my first capable of causing cancer, and it election to this Parliament there was just staggers me to think that a new real anger toward the government of COUNCIL | Constituency questions the day. I remember the 150 000 who 01 September 2020 housing estate, where young couples will be buying homes, starting their marched on this building calling for families, is just down the road from the resignation of the then Premier, this facility where they are going to be Joan Kirner. The anger then was very storing cancer-causing PFAS material. real, but it pales into insignificance Lockdown when compared to the anger of the Mr Ondarchie interjected. community towards the Andrews impact on small Mr FINN: It is not outrageous, Mr government today. I have been Ondarchie; it is bloody disgraceful that shocked by some of the language used we would even think about it, that we by everyday Victorians to describe the business would even consider it. It is just the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Premier. I have even had to take the most appalling thing that I have seen unprecedented move of deleting from — My constituency question is to the of recent years. I have raised this with Minister for Small Business. Thousands my public Facebook page comments the Minister for Energy, Environment describing, sometimes in graphic of small business operators across and Climate Change. I have raised it Melbourne’s west are in crisis. A visit to detail, what everyday Victorians would with the Minister for Health. I have like to do to the Premier. any strip shopping centre or mall will raised it with the Premier, of course, In most places around the world, show the telltale signs of empty shops and previously with the Minister for governments have had a choice and ‘For lease’ signs everywhere. Small Planning. And if anybody can suggest between mass deaths or economic businesses have been crushed by the anybody else that I can raise it with, Armageddon. Victorians are ropeable Andrews government’s lockdowns. please let me know. Because what I am because Daniel Andrews has given Many of those that have not already asking the minister tonight to do is to them both. They are angry about the closed are hanging on by the skin of knock this thing on the head, reject this hotel quarantine debacle that led to their teeth. This is severely impacting application and ensure that people in the second wave. They are angry about not just the bottom line of businesses Sunbury and Bulla are protected from the Andrews government’s contact- but the mental health and family life the sort of threat that this material will tracing regime that is so out of date and of operators now up against the wall. bring them if allowed. Minister, when can my constituents in inadequate indeed that the Mikakos small business expect some support health department is still using fax from the Andrews government, and machines. This is not the 1980s. Angry what will it be? Victorians have welcomed Michael O’Brien’s call for a royal commission

IN 6 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE into the Andrews debacle, but what that it would not be possible for the up at home—because you do not know they really want is the Premier’s club to reopen. The club would in fact where your kids are otherwise. Look, political head on a plate. After his remain closed if they were forced to if Mr Melhem has those problems, I comprehensive failure this year, they operate under those circumstances. sympathise with him, and I understand well deserve it. The general manager of the Altona that he would be frustrated by that, but Sports Club, Gavin Comport, is a good that is not an argument to lock down COUNCIL | Constituency questions bloke actually and he does a good job the entire metropolitan area—just so 15 September 2020 down there. I should also say that they you know where your kids are. That is do a lot of great charity work. I recall just quite a ludicrous position to take. one concert they had down there for Then we had Mr Leane. Mr Leane, as autism awareness. It was a gem, and we know, is a very entertaining speaker Bulla Tip dust a great deal of money was raised for at times, and he introduces aspects of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) a local family that was having some debate that perhaps, let us say, might — My constituency question is to the difficulty with a child with autism at not otherwise be introduced. He spoke Minister for Energy, Environment and the time. Gavin Comport, the general about it not being about Mr Andrews’s Climate Change. I have previously manager, says: leadership—about the Premier’s raised in this house with the minister The Altona Sports Club understands leadership. But I remember about a the emerging environmental disaster our COVID-safe obligations and week and a half ago—it might have in Sunbury Road between Bulla has a comprehensive COVID-safe been last week—there was a rumour and Sunbury. I will not go near plan in place. We are committed to that shot through Melbourne, shot the prospective dumping of highly opening with a safe environment through Victoria and then shot through carcinogenic toxic soil at Hi-Quality that allows our staff to be re- Australia that Tim Pallas was about to employed and our local suppliers to challenge— today because I am aware that it is get the economic boost they need. currently before Minister Wynne. My We are committed to opening. Mr Davis: Uncle Fester. concern this afternoon is the Bulla tip Now, that is great news for the local Mr FINN: Uncle Fester and Lurch up the road from there. Spring is in the community and great news for the club were at it, and Uncle Fester was going air and often we see days that are warm members, obviously, but they need to challenge Daniel Andrews. Now, this and windy. Such a day we experienced some assurance from the government rumour was jumped upon by millions last week, and the dust created by the that they will be able to open under the of people around Victoria who were so ever-growing mountain of crap at the right circumstances. What I am asking excited at the prospect. They obviously Bulla tip had to be seen to be believed. the Premier to do is to be aware of a do not know who Uncle Fester is or The dust was quite extraordinary, comprehensive industry plan that has they would not have been so excited. something straight out of Lawrence been put to him and to act upon that, Ms Stitt: On a point of order, Acting of Arabia. I could actually barely see because there are clubs—Altona Sports President, I believe that—consistent through it. And with summer just Club is one of them, obviously—right with your previous ruling—Mr Finn around the corner it is a real worry for across Melbourne who are suffering is straying off the very narrow nature us all. Given the sorts of dangers this in this way. I ask the Premier to take of this motion, and I would ask you to possibly toxic dust may pose, what on board this plan that has been put bring him back to the substance. Thank will the minister do to protect local forward and to allow these clubs to you. residents and passing motorists? open in a safe and COVID-protected The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr environment for the benefit of the Bourman): I will actually uphold the COUNCIL | Adjournment community and of their staff. point of order. Mr Finn, if you could 15 September 2020 at least, as I said to Mr Leane, keep it COUNCIL | Production of documents where we can all see it. 16 September 2020 Mr FINN: Yes. I was just very briefly making reference to arguments that Mr COVID-19 Leane had made. But I just make the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I observation in passing that anybody wish to raise a matter this evening for COVID-19 who was excited at the prospect that the attention of the Premier. I have Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Tim Pallas was about to be Premier received correspondence recently from It has been a fascinating day, hasn’t obviously does not know Tim Pallas. the Altona Sports Club, which is a great it? We have heard some extraordinary But anyway, I move on. community and family club down on arguments today. We heard a debate The situation with this curfew is one the foreshore at Altona. I have been this morning on a motion by Mr that I have said in this house before there on a number of occasions. In Limbrick to send our kids back to confuses me quite considerably. Now, fact it is near the dog beach at Altona, school. Ms Terpstra got up and was despite what Mr Leane has told us and I am sure there will be a number talking about the School of the Air, and today, I have not heard the Premier of of members who are aware of that. I am not exactly sure what the point this state satisfactorily explain why we It is one of the favourite spots for my was on that, but apparently it was some have to be at home between 9—8 as family, and particularly our dog, Bobby argument for keeping our kids home it was, now 9—and 5 in the morning. dog, on a hot summer’s day. from school. But that was something He has not explained that at all, and The club celebrates its 60th birthday that baffled me a little bit—and still now we can understand why. We this year, but unfortunately its 4000 does. can understand why he has not fully members do not have a great deal to Then we had Mr Melhem in this explained it—because he cannot. sing about. The club at this point in particular debate, who tells me—or That is the bottom line. We have now time is suffering, and it is suffering big- tells the house, indeed—that the discovered that this was not at the time. When clubs opened some time curfew is important because it keeps request or at the suggestion of the ago with just 20 per room, the club ran your kids at home. Now, that is hardly chief health officer. It was not at the at a considerable loss. Under similar an argument to keep millions and suggestion or the request of the Chief circumstances in the future, I am told millions and millions of people locked Commissioner of Police. And you have

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 7 got to ask the question: whose idea which undermines public confidence people of Victoria. My suggestion very, was this? Now, the Premier says, ‘Oh, I in Victoria Police, as far as I am very strongly is that if you are going don’t know’. That is his basic response concerned, is a bad thing, and it should to lock people up in their homes for to everything these days, ‘I don’t know’. go. This curfew is one such thing. This 8 hours a day, you had better explain Do any of these meetings that the curfew is actually undermining public why. You must, Premier, explain why government has have minutes? Do confidence in Victoria Police, and I you are doing it. You cannot lock they actually have minutes that record think that is a particular tragedy. people up and just leave them hanging what people say and what they do? Do Premier Andrews, as we know, is on saying, ‘You think about it. Work it they actually have minutes that record a power kick of some significance. I do out yourself’. No. Let us face it, this is who voted for what and what decisions not think there is any doubt about that. the first curfew in Australian history. were made and who made them? It I do not think there is anybody who We did not even have a curfew during seems to me that a government that would argue against that. He is on a the war. This is the first curfew in hides behind ‘I don’t know’ is either major power kick, and he has adopted Australian history, and if you are going entirely incompetent or entirely the attitude—and I am not sure who to implement this, if you are going to dishonest. I think this government said it years ago—‘never let a crisis go lock people up, you have got to tell has probably got a fair bit of both, but to waste’. He is certainly not allowing them why—and he has not done that. we as Victorians deserve a hell of a lot that to happen. He is jumping in, and And the reason, as I said before, that he better than that. I do not know whether he is fulfilling has not done that is—well, there is no Now, I am very, very concerned his childhood dreams or what it is, reason. about the public reaction particularly but he is cracking down on human It is quite extraordinary that we to the police. As members of this house rights. Now, I never thought I would are debating this motion here today. would be aware, I have been a very be talking about this in the Victorian I certainly commend Mr Davis very strong supporter of the Victoria Police Parliament about my fellow Victorians, strongly for bringing this motion force for a very, very long time. Going but we are having our human rights before the house. I was walking back 20 years I first expressed my very trod upon by a Premier who clearly through the city last night. I was deep concern about the actions of the does not care about the impact of his actually out looking for something to then chief commissioner, Christine actions. As long as he gets his way, as eat—in Melbourne! Can you believe it? Nixon, who began the politicisation long as we do as we are told like good I was looking for something to eat, and of Victoria Police. Since then, we have little boys and girls, then he is happy. there was not much around because had Simon Overland and we have Now, this is a classic example—this the shops were closed, the restaurants had Graham Ashton, and they have curfew thing is a classic example, were closed and so many shops had continued that process. I am hoping because as I said before, this was not at ‘For lease’ signs in the windows. I that Chief Commissioner Patton will the request of the chief health officer had my eye on the watch, because I reverse that, but I am not holding my or a suggestion of the chief health knew that come 9 o’clock the boys in breath, it has to be said. officer. This was not a request or a black might be out to escort me to the But the attitude of so many suggestion by the Chief Commissioner back of the paddy wagon if I did not Victorians now—as I have gone around of Police. This clearly came from the do the right thing. There I was, in a my electorate and spoken to people I Premier himself or those close to hurry, looking for food in the centre have detected a change in attitude of him. Where are the grounds for this of Melbourne, the culinary capital of the general public towards the police. curfew to continue? I do not see them. Australia up until recent times, and I A lot of people now see the police as I did not see them when it was first could not find anything. I ended up the enemy. They now see the police implemented; I do not see them now. going to KFC, can you believe it, which as being the enforcers for Daniel As I said earlier, the Premier has from is a pretty sad state of affairs. Andrews. That, to my way of thinking, time to time made some vague passing We have a very, very strange is a tragedy. It is a tragedy. People out reference to the need for this curfew, government which is doing some very, at night are racing home, possibly but the fact of the matter is there is no very strange things to the people of this breaking the speed limit, in order to need for the curfew. This curfew will state, particularly at the moment to the get home before 8 o’clock, as it was, not and does not do anything to fight people of Melbourne. It seems to have or 9 o’clock now. You see a police car, the Wuhan virus; it does nothing. So some sort of bent toward the people and normally you would say, ‘Oh, it’s why is it there? If the Premier wants to of Melbourne who are suffering under a police car. Good on you’. Now fear overstep the mark in terms of treading its jackboots. Mr Leane talked about grips the heart; the heart is in the on our rights, he is certainly doing it boots before. Well, we are talking about throat: ‘Are they going to pull me over? the right way. But I cannot for the life the jackboots of this government. And if they do pull me over, what are of me see how anybody can possibly There is no respect for the people of they going to do to me?’. I mean, we argue that this curfew is about fighting this state, and particularly there is no have seen a number of incidents over a virus, because it is not. The fact that respect for the people of Melbourne, the last couple of weeks where police I can go shopping at a quarter to 9 from this government. It is not good have apparently overstepped the but I cannot go shopping at a quarter enough. We should not have to tolerate mark. Now, we all know that in every past 9—what impact does that have that. We deserve better. Victorians barrel there is the odd bad apple, but on who gets a virus? What impact deserve better, and I hope to God it seems to me, particularly after the does that have? I can go for a drive at a the government will snap out of this comments by Assistant Commissioner quarter to 9 but I cannot go for a drive mindset that they have. One would Luke Cornelius, there is a general at a quarter past 9. What impact does hope that there would be somebody attitude now in certain sections of the that have on this virus? The fact of the over on the other side of the house, police force that they can get away matter is this curfew has no impact on somebody in the other chamber—the with anything, and it concerns me the virus at all. other place—who would have the enormously that this curfew gives This is about something altogether common sense, the cool logic to say to that attitude even stronger grounds different—something that is clearly the Premier, ‘You’re taking this in the to grow in the community. That in the Premier’s mind but something wrong direction. For God’s sake, will concerns me enormously. Anything that he is yet to fully explain to the you calm down’. You would hope that common sense would prevail.

IN 8 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE Now, as members know, and I staggered and deeply saddened by COUNCIL | Adjournment have said this quite openly, I am an what has happened to the CBD. I am 16 September 2020 optimist. A Liberal in the western used to Melbourne being a vibrant suburbs learns to be an optimist, and a very exciting place, particularly but the fact of the matter is I am not at night. We have certainly changed— optimistic that this government has well, we have changed—from the days Altona North the first idea what it is doing. It is back in the 1980s. You would hope appalling what it has done to Victoria, back then that the meeting finished Landfill to Melbourne, and I hope it changes before 10.00 pm so you could get a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) very, very quickly. quick beer before the pubs closed, — My adjournment this evening is for but these days—well, up until very the Minister for Energy, Environment COUNCIL | Motions recently—you did not have to worry and Climate Change. Pollution is not 16 September 2020 about that, because Melbourne was a new issue for the people of Brooklyn pretty much a 24-hour town. Not and Altona North. Air quality is a real anymore, and as a result of that we are issue, particularly being so close to seeing shops and businesses being left the West Gate Freeway. It has been a COVID-19 to die, basically. A lot of small business major issue for a very long time. But Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I operators are just throwing their hands this is something else tonight in this move: in the air and walking away. They are particular area that I wish to raise with just walking away. The Premier says, That this house: the minister. Now, I want to make it ‘Have $3000’. Now, what is $3000 going very, very clear I do not wish to cause (1) notes the very significant impact to do for any small business, I ask you? of the government’s enhanced any further difficulties for anyone in Nothing. It will do nothing. small business, particularly at this and broadbrush stage 4 lockdown Now, I have been in years gone by on businesses, especially small time—the government is doing quite businesses, across many sectors; a small business operator myself, a enough of that, and I do not wish to and sole trader, and let me tell you it is add to that—but there is an issue that tough. It is really tough. It is tough to is causing enormous distress to local (2) calls on the government to meet start and it is tough to keep going. And with relevant peak bodies and residents, and it revolves around a other representatives of individual I know back in those days when we rock-crushing machine at the Altona business sectors to work through had cheques how much I used to look North landfill site. This machine has the early evidence-based lifting of forward to those cheques arriving, been working quite consistently now complete closures, sector by sector, because those cheques would be used for about 15 years, I am told, and there where appropriate COVID-19 to feed my family. Those cheques have been numerous attempts to either management plans are in place and would be used to put food on the table remove it or at least just quieten it it is safe to do so. at home, to put clothes on the backs down but without success, and that is I think it has to be noted and should of my kids. There are thousands and unfortunate to say the very least. When be noted by this house and indeed thousands of small business operators it is operating and when the wind is by Victoria that there is a group of in this state right now who know that blowing the right way—or the wrong victims of the Wuhan virus that have that cheque or that transfer that they way, should I say—the noise and the not been given the respect or the desperately need is not coming. They dust are absolutely horrendous for acknowledgement that they deserve, know that financially they are stuffed. local residents. It does make locals’ and those victims are members of the And they know that it is the Andrews lives an absolute misery. They cannot small business community. I have government that has done this to them. open the windows, they cannot put never seen and I hope never to see I think it is just an absolute tragedy their clothes on the line, they cannot again the small business community that small business operators have felt sleep in certain instances. in this state smashed in the way that the wrath of this government in this They need help. The people of Altona it has been over recent months. It is way. I want to express my solidarity, North need your help. Now, as I said, tragic, and I must give some credit my sympathy, my empathy with they have attempted, the locals, on here to my electorate officer Marie, each and every one of them, and I a number of occasions to have this who has been taking phone call after want them to know that we are with matter rectified. I am sure that we can phone call after phone call from them, that we and the Liberal and the come to a satisfactory resolution that small business operators who are National parties are with those small will make both the residents and the desperate. Some of them are near business operators right throughout operator of the Altona North landfill suicidal, some of them are hysterical, Victoria. site happy. I am absolutely sure of many of them are in tears because Ms Crozier: They’ve been left high that, and I am asking the minister to they can see everything that they have and dry. do that. I am asking the minister to ever worked for, everything that they Mr FINN: They have been, as Ms personally intervene—to sit down have ever wanted—they can see all of Crozier says, absolutely left high and with the operator and with the local that—disappearing before their very dry. residents to see if we can come up eyes. They are losing their businesses, with an appropriate resolution to they are losing their homes in many this matter, something that will be to cases, they are losing their families. the satisfaction of both parties. It is This is a tragic situation, and it is all so something that clearly needs urgent avoidable. If the Premier had done this attention. This has been going on the right way, we would not have this for far too long. It needs to be fixed, situation where small business would and I am asking the minister to do be up against the wall in the way that everything in her power in order to fix it is. it now. Now, as I said earlier, I went through the city last night, I went for a walk through the city last night, and I was

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 9 COUNCIL | Second reading is a great pity—that from this house’s The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr 13 October 2020 perspective there is not one member Bourman): Mr Finn, they have been of this house in the politburo, not one put on the table, so you can continue. member of this house in the gang of Mr FINN: Excellent. That is just eight. It is a pretty sad reflection on marvellous news. I am delighted COVID-19 members of the government, members to hear that, because these are of the ministry in particular, who are in particularly good amendments, and Omnibus this house—very, very sad indeed. one in particular, 16A, which removes But of course the legislation has the 5-kilometre rule. Now, this is (Emergency not changed much at all. There is talk something that should not be up to about authorised officers being able to the opposition to do. This should perform the duties, I suppose, reserved have been done by the government. Measures) and normally for police officers. Now, In fact this should never have been who are these authorised officers? introduced by the government. This, Other Acts What training might these authorised as I say, is just another indication of officers have had? It does not matter. how much the Premier of this state Amendment Bill The Premier says it does not matter, wants to control the people of this because this suits his way of thinking. state. We have had people come in You have got to realise where this bloke here talking about civil liberties. We 2020 is coming from. Daniel Andrews is a have had people talking about how Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) hardline, really dedicated, committed they are libertarians and all this sort — Well, what an extraordinary piece leftie. In years gone by some might of thing. And then some of them have of legislation we have before this have even called him a communist, but voted to allow this to happen—quite house today—not as extraordinary he is undoubtedly as hard left as they extraordinary. I know I am using as it was last week, but extraordinary come. And this is his mindset: ‘You do that word a lot, but it really is, this nonetheless. It was Machiavelli who what I say or I will crush you’. That is legislation, and this whole process has was originally credited with saying, what he is saying to Victorians, and we been quite extraordinary from the first ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste’, have seen that with the curfew. day. So we in the opposition are urging and how appropriate it is. It could well Now, remember the curfew. We the house to support amendment 16A, be Daniel Andrews that came up with could not go out after 8 o’clock to which inserts new section 200AA, and that saying, because what the Premier start with. Then we could not go out also amendment 16B, which inserts of this state has done now for most of after 9 o’clock. Then somebody took new section 200AB. 2020 is use this virus, the Wuhan virus, it to court. Out went the curfew. And Ms Bath interjected. as something to advance his agenda— we found out then that there was no Mr FINN: Well, indeed, Ms Bath, something to advance his political medical advice that justified the curfew goals. as you quite rightly point out. I urge and there was no advice from police the house to take a favourable view I have to say that I, along with the that justified the curfew; this was of these amendments, in particular overwhelming majority of Victorians, something that Mr Andrews had come the removal of the 5-kilometre rule, have had a gutful. We have had up with all by himself. This is a part of because this, I think, will be wildly enough. In fact we have had more than a thought process of somebody who popular throughout the length and enough. This legislation in its original wants to control people, who wants to breadth of Melbourne. I do not know form was possibly the ultimate power keep people in their place. This is the anybody who has got a good word grab. Here was a government that mindset of a Premier who is totally to say about this. I was talking to a was telling people that they could be out of control, and it is just tragic that friend of mine last night who has a arrested and locked up not for what the people of Victoria have had to be new baby. She has no family within 5 they had done but for what they might subjected for almost the entirety of this kilometres of her home, and her words do in the future. This is the thinking year to this man who—well, you would to me were, ‘This is driving me insane’. that this government has. Irrespective have to say—is quite mad at times. She has got a new baby at home. She of the fact they were forced into a Of course we then have the cannot have anybody come to see backdown, this is the thinking that the 5-kilometre rule. We all know about her. She cannot have friends and she Andrews government brings to this the 5-kilometre rule: you cannot go cannot have relatives and family come Parliament: they will lock you up for beyond 5 kilometres from your home to see her to give her a hand because what you might do in the future. We are unless you have a really, really good of this 5-kilometre rule. Now, what the all clairvoyants now, presumably. What reason, and if you do not have a really hell is going on in this state when new an extraordinary proposition. What an good reason, the police will stop you mums cannot be helped because of a appalling proposition. and they will take you away and they government regulation? What is going It just goes to show just how much will fine you vast sums of money. This on in this state? What insanity is going the Premier has totally lost the plot. 5-kilometre rule is another piece of on in this state? So I urge the house It just goes to show how out of touch nonsense from a very nonsensical when the opportunity arises to support this Premier is with average Victorians. government. It has got to go. the amendments, in particular 16A, Indeed it goes to show how out of As a part of that process what I because that is a very important one. touch Daniel Andrews is with his would like to do at this point in time Now, I suppose this bill begs the backbench, because his backbench is to circulate the amendments that question: do we trust the Premier? did not want it, let me tell you. the opposition will put forward in Now, I reckon if the pubs were open They were furious. And most of his committee. and we were able to participate in the cabinet did not want it either, but of Opposition amendments circulated pub test we could walk into any pub in course they were not consulted. They Melbourne, any pub in Victoria, and were not consulted because Daniel by Mr FINN pursuant to standing orders. say, ‘Do you trust the Premier?’. And Andrews has the gang of eight; he has the answer would be an overwhelming, got the politburo that makes all the ‘Not on your nelly’. No way known do decisions for him. And it is a pity—it

IN 10 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE Victorians trust the Premier. I have had months. They have been traumatised COUNCIL | Committee emails that would curl your hair with by a government that just does not 13 October 2020 some of the language that has been care. And as I said before, for the rest of used about the Premier by Victorians. us, we do not seem to matter. The rest On my own Facebook page I have had of the community just does not seem to remove comments from people to matter, as long as Daniel Andrews COVID-19 who have in very colourful terms can flex his muscle and show what a described what they would like to do to big he-man he is, how strong he is and Omnibus the Premier, and I have taken it upon how he can tell people what to do and myself to remove those because I do how to live their lives. That seems to be not want to be promoting violence. But his ultimate. (Emergency that is the sort of thing that is going on. As Ms Crozier says, his party is not People are really, really angry. I have happy with him at all, as I mentioned Measures) and never seen Victorians as angry as they earlier. It is very, very true indeed. We are now. I am old enough to remember have a situation where members of Other Acts what it was like in the lead-up to the his own party are openly speaking to 1992 election, and that was pretty bad. the media about how they want him Amendment Bill But now I reckon it is 10 times as bad. to go. Labor members of Parliament I was going down to get some lunch are openly speaking to the media now today, and a bloke stopped me in the about how they want a new leader. 2020 street and said, ‘Do you know where They are talking about the need. They Contributions duing the Dan Andrews is?’. He said, ‘I want to want him gone by Christmas. I reckon Committe stage of the Bill see him’, and I thought to myself, well, they would want him gone by about I am not sure whether I should point dinnertime if they could. They would Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) that out. But I said, ‘He’s up there’, and have him out the door now if possible. — Minister, I have only one question. off he wandered. People are walking I am told that the meetings around I think you will probably want to the streets looking for the Premier now. the corridors of this building today answer this. I am hopeful that you will It is quite an amazing situation that we have been, I think, instructive to say be wanting to answer this as much as have in this state. the very least, because you have had I want you to answer it. I have been Do we trust the Premier with little groups here and little groups asked on a number of occasions to ask the powers that he wants in this there—and they are not talking about this question in this debate. This has legislation? Not in a million years whether Richmond is going to beat been widely reported in a number of would you trust the Premier to do Port Adelaide on Friday night, I have places, and I would just like to ask the anything. And we have seen him got a feeling. They are very much question: is there anything in this bill at the Coate inquiry. You know, we talking about whether Daniel Andrews which limits the liability of the Premier have seen him playing with the truth. will survive, and I do not think he will or ministers that are in the politburo or We have seen him manipulating the and I do not think he should. He does the gang of eight, or whatever you want truth. We have seen him tell out-and- not deserve to survive the job because to call them, for culpability under the out lies. We have seen him have no as Premier he has been an unmitigated industrial manslaughter laws? regard for the truth at all in regard disaster. Indeed he is an unmitigated to the Coate inquiry or indeed quite disaster, and I just hope, whether it ______often in these interminable press be the Coate inquiry or whether it be conferences that he has. It was quite Peta Credlin, that somebody gets to the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I extraordinary: last week the ALP truth. listened to what the minister had to put an ad out—or tweet, I think it A member interjected. say. Obviously she has advice. I ask her was—and said, ‘Congratulations—100 Mr FINN: Well, Peta will—I have to table that advice. press conferences’. That is 100 days got no doubt about that. But I just of misery for Victorians, 100 days of hope that somebody gets to the truth death for Victorians and 100 days of of this whole thing very, very soon COUNCIL | Members statements destruction for Victorians. That is what because, as I said earlier, the people 13 October 2020 that was, but the ALP thought it was of Victoria have had a gutful. They worth celebrating anyway. It just goes have had a gutful, and they are saying, to show, as I say, how out of touch ‘Daniel Andrews, you have already they are—totally and absolutely out of got too much power. We do not want March For The touch with reality. you to have any more, and we will’—I The fact of the matter is that this will—‘oppose this bill’. government and this Premier are Babies traumatising Victorians. They are Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — traumatising old people, many of Last Saturday was the 12th anniversary whom have been sitting in their homes of a truly tragic day in Victorian for the last seven or eight months history, when this Parliament removed without seeing another living or all legal protection for babies before breathing soul. They are traumatising birth. To commemorate this dark, little kids—and all they want to do dark day in our state’s history the 11th is go and see their friends. Now, up annual March for the Babies was held until yesterday they could not do that. in Melbourne. Now, like everything There is still a section of the school else in Melbourne this year, the March community who cannot, including for the Babies 2020 was indeed very two of my daughters who are still at different. This year an online event home. Now, they have not seen their carried the message way beyond the friends for months and months and borders of Victoria and indeed, as I

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 11 understand it, way beyond the borders the nearby Veolia organic waste COUNCIL | Questions without notice of even Australia. Feedback was strong facility that services horticulture and 13 October 2020 from those disgusted by the Victorian viticulture industries across Victoria abortion law that allows babies to be and a large network of farmers killed right up to the moment they producing our everyday food, is too great of a risk and there could would otherwise be born alive. The be unknown and unacceptable Grand Final March for the Babies will be back in community health impacts for its usual format next year. Thousands generations to come. Friday will again march on this building, The petitioners therefore request Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) calling on the Parliament to provide that the Legislative Council reject — My question is to the Minister for protection for children before birth all proposals made by Transurban, Small Business. Minister, regarding and support for their mothers. The Hi-Quality Victoria Pty Ltd., or any the grand final parade public holiday, current law is a matter of grave shame other organisation, to dispose of now scheduled for Friday, 23 October, to many Victorians, and I assure the contaminated soil at the Hi-Quality the day before the grand final is played house those of us involved in this Ecohub tip in the interest of the nearby large residential growth area, in Brisbane, former small business march will never go away until all minister Dalidakis—God, how could babies have full legal protection. to stop the current and planned excessive truck movements before we ever forget him?—said this public Babies and mothers in this state are holiday was about: important. They deserve far, far more lives are taken on a road that was planned and built for traffic … being able to spend quality time than the appalling, despicable abortion conditions that existed 140 years law that we have in this state. with our loved ones, our friends and ago and to call on the Minister our family … for Planning, the Hon Richard COUNCIL | Petitions Wynne MP, to refuse any changes … 13 October 2020 to the Hume Planning Scheme It is to allow family, friends and or the current operators’ permit loved ones to have more time conditions. together. It is to allow small business By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) owners … that are either mum-and- (3511 signatures). dad operators or sole traders, to West Gate Tunnel know that they can take time off and spend it with their loved ones … contaminated COUNCIL | Constituency questions 13 October 2020 And of course other Labor spruikers such as former member Khalil Eideh soil said the public holiday: Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — … will deliver important benefits Legislative Council Electronic Hope for COVID across the state. It will boost Petition: regional tourism and give Victorians more quality time to spend with The Petition of certain citizens affected families their families and friends. of the State of Victoria draws to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Minister, given the Andrews the attention of the Legislative — My constituency question is to the Council the community concerns government’s tough restrictions, what for the proposal to transport and Premier. A constituent has written to exactly are you expecting Victorians to store contaminated soil from the me in the following way: do on this grand final public holiday? West Gate Tunnel Project at the I am writing out of sheer Hi-Quality Victoria Pty Ltd. facility desperation. Supplementary question located at 570 Sunbury Road, Bulla. It is impossible to run my Newport Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Some 1.5 million square metres of business because of the restrictions. — It was a very good try, Minister. spoil will be generated from the I can’t visit clients and I have no You almost got there. Could I ask the West Gate Tunnel Project, with work to invoice for. My mortgage the West Gate Tunnel Authority repayments have commenced again minister a supplementary question: admitting that it is contaminated and I don’t know how long I can if this public holiday is so important with per- and polyfluoroalkyl pay them. I am a single mum of to business and tourism, why would substances (PFAS) and asbestos at three—both my adult sons have lost you not move the day to a time that varying levels. their jobs. They are despondent and will have less restrictions and provide Transportation is through the anxious spending their days staring opportunities for regional businesses? town of Bulla and over the historic at screens. bluestone bridge built in 1869. The My 13 year old daughter is deeply HiQuality Eco-Hub tip is located depressed. She spends her days in COUNCIL | Questions without notice across the road from the Villawood her bedroom and has developed 14 October 2020 Properties residential land and is 1.5 a fear of leaving the house. She kilometres from developed areas of is missing connection so much Sunbury, home to 40,000 residents that she has taken to self-harm. and another 19,000 dwellings which I am spending more money on have been approved. The facility psychology than groceries. Local borders Emu Creek, which feeds What the hell do I do Bernie? I am the Maribyrnong River system. It is beyond the tipping point, I have no also home to the growling grass frog government rates family here to rely on. endangered species. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Premier, when will you give my — My question without notice is to Hi-Quality Victoria Pty Ltd. have constituent some hope? the Minister for Local Government. a history of failing to uphold the requirements under agreements The minister may be aware that the with the Environment Protection Greens political party policy calls Agency. The state-wide risks of for, and I quote, ‘remuneration for potential cross contamination with councillors that reflects the diverse

IN 12 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE demands on their time’ and, I quote Minister, what hope can you offer to What I have to ask Mr Melhem, and again, ‘revocation of rate capping so the medical community in the western what I have to ask the government is: that … council can decide the level of suburbs? do they care? Do they care if the kids services and the level of rates’. Minister, in Sunbury or in Bulla or in Caroline if these policies were implemented, COUNCIL | Motions Springs or Taylors Hill or Deer Park there would be a surge in payments to 14 October 2020 end up getting cancer? If we get a councillors and a surge in the rates bill cancer cluster because of this PFAS to ratepayers. Are you at all concerned soil, what happens then? Do we get that Greens political party councillors an apology from the government like elected in the coming council elections West Gate Tunnel they normally give: ‘I am sorry’, says will use discretion available at local Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the Premier? He will be well gone by council level to engineer pay rises for — Sadly I have to speak all too briefly then of course; he will be well gone themselves? this afternoon because there are a probably by Christmas. Somebody will get up and apologise. It will be a bit Supplementary question number of others who wish to have their say, but it was fascinating to listen late then. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) to Mr Melhem, because Mr Melhem I wish I had more time, but I just — I hear what the minister says, and is alleged to represent the western want to put on the record that I totally, I share his concern that ratepayers suburbs. Here he was telling people absolutely completely, 100 per cent and indeed taxpayers money is spent that the western suburbs should oppose the dumping of toxic soil at in an appropriate way. Given that, be dumped upon from a very great Bulla and Sunbury and at Ravenhall. I ask: given that Greens political height by a government that loathes That is not on—and I know that party councillors are bound by the western suburbs. The Labor Party Mrs McArthur wants to talk about Greens political party policy, is the like to say, ‘The west is our own’. And Bacchus Marsh. But certainly from minister concerned that Greens will how do they treat their own? Mr my perspective in my electorate I am help themselves to the ratepayers Melhem spoke about a whole range vehemently opposed to the dumping chequebook? of things, but the thing he did not of toxic soil, and I am sick to death of speak about was the impact that this the west of Melbourne being regarded toxic soil will have on local people as the dumping ground of Victoria. COUNCIL | Constituency questions Enough. This government stinks as 14 October 2020 at Ravenhall, at Caroline Springs, at Taylors Hill, at Deer Park, at Bulla and badly as that tip at Ravenhall. at Sunbury. None of those people were mentioned. None of those people were COUNCIL | Adjournment Western thought about by Mr Melhem in this 14 October 2020 situation at all, and it is appalling. It is despicable that they would dump this suburbs medical stuff in highly residential areas. I find it quite extraordinary. Cardinal George community You look at what has happened Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) at Ravenhall over the years—the Pell — My constituency question is to stinking hole in the ground that has Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the Minister for Health, and it is as a been there for so long that it does not — My matter this evening is for the result of an email that I received from a matter. The government is very keen attention of the Attorney-General. One constituent, who writes: to keep that there, and now they want thing that I am absolutely convinced Please help us. Please protect us. to make it worse by dumping PFAS- of in this life is that the integrity of our Please save us. ridden toxic soil—poisonous toxic justice system is absolutely crucial to I am an emergency registered nurse. soil—at Ravenhall, across the road the survival of us as a civilised society. I’ve done my absolute very best to from residents, across the road from If the community has no faith in its make a change. I’ve been working large suburbs that will be impacted justice system, if it has no faith in its absolutely beyond my physical, severely by this toxic soil. Of course policing system, then we are indeed in emotional, and psychological the other possibility is Sunbury— a great deal of trouble. capabilities to fight the evil. It Sunbury or Bulla, one or the other; it I have previously expressed my used to be a matter of us, Victorian is about the middle—and you have healthcare workers, to regain our grave concerns about the occurrences got a new housing development about leading up to the charging and right to do our work by adhering to 200 metres down the road from this our professional values, standards, prosecution and the conviction of and pledges. But now, it became a proposed toxic soil dump. You have got Cardinal George Pell. A lot of people matter of life and death. Goonawarra, you have got schools, you around the world are looking at the have got a whole range of things. You Victorian justice system as it is with No matter what Daniel Andrews and have got thousands of people within his masters are trying to achieve, it’s dismay as to how this grave injustice unachievable. No matter what state cooee of this place. One thing that has has been allowed to occur. What they are trying to create, there won’t never ceased to amaze me—and I have has happened over the last week or be any functional healthcare system lived in that area for a long time—is two just adds to that. We have had in it. It will all come to people that it does get very, very windy there, allegations from overseas that over $1 being treated with garlic, herbs, very, very windy indeed, and of course million was siphoned off to Victoria, to and rituals. That type of healthcare in this wind things are picked up and system would kill everyone, the Melbourne, to pay off people to ensure blown. So here we will have PFAS- that Cardinal Pell was convicted. Now, general public and the creators of ridden soil dust blowing all over Bulla, such meaningless dystopia. I obviously do not know if there is any all over Sunbury, and the impact that truth to those allegations, but the fact There are no ways around it. This is that will have on local people will be a dead end. that those allegations have been made disgraceful. and the fact that they have been made at a very, very high level in media

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 13 terms casts an even greater pall over This tragedy impacted every COUNCIL | Adjournment our justice system. Victorian. I remember when I was 15 October 2020 We know that $1 million was first elected to this Parliament back siphoned off. Now, if indeed that in 1992—it seems a long time ago million dollars was paid to people and probably is—a long-serving staff to ensure that Cardinal Pell was member, Shirley in the dining room, COVID-19 convicted, we need to know where the used to tell me about what she saw that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I money went. We need to know who day: the sight of the then Premier, Sir wish to raise a matter this evening for took the money. We need to know Henry Bolte, in tears and inconsolable. the attention of the Premier. I have the role of those who were bribed in He of course immediately called a royal been contacted today by a constituent, this particular situation. I think it is commission. As has been mentioned Brig Wright, who owns a cafe in a the gravest crisis—injustice—in this by a number of people, many of small shopping centre in Sunbury. state that we have possibly ever seen, the recommendations of that royal Now, she is at the end of her tether. and it is absolutely crucial that the commission became law, and that is She desperately needs to open up and government does something to ensure a very good thing for our society and indeed had decided that she would that our justice system is not just indeed for all workers in our society. open up just to keep going. That is clean but is seen to be clean. It is so My sympathy goes to all those how bad it is. She needed to operate important. personally impacted by this dreadful, her cafe just so she could survive Putting aside Cardinal Pell, putting dreadful event. The people of and keep the operation going. So she aside the details of the case itself, Melbourne’s west are with you today. approached the shopping centre and our justice system in Victoria is on We are with you always, and may the said that this was what she wanted to trial itself, and that is something that West Gate Bridge be an everlasting do, and they said, ‘Well, you’ll have to must worry us all. So I am asking memorial to those we lost on that day. get some documentation showing us the Attorney-General, as a matter of Motion agreed to. that that is legal’. Of course she is not urgency, to hold a full independent able to do that, because in fact at the inquiry into the occurrences around COUNCIL | Constituency questions current time it is not, which is another the Pell case and to deliver a report to 15 October 2020 story and pretty weird in itself. It was this Parliament. quite extraordinary that almost at the same time as the shopping centre COUNCIL | Condolences management said, ‘You can’t open 15 October 2020 Health Minister’s because it’s not legal and you can’t prove that it’s legal’, they hit her with the rent for her cafe that they would lockdown not allow her to open. West Gate So here we have a situation where explanation a hardworking businesswoman is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) desperate for her cafe to reopen so that Bridge Tragedy — I received an email last night that I she can pay her bills. She is not allowed would like to read to the house: to reopen by the government or by the Commemoration I rang Tim Pallas’s office at 2.17pm shopping centre management, but at Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — … to express my disgust in Dan the same time the shopping centre The roar of the crash of the West Gate Andrews and what he has done to management have hit her with a dirty Bridge still echoes very much across Victoria … great bill—another one. And as you the west of Melbourne. The shock This, by the way, is to the Minister for can imagine, rent is a fairly substantial waves of the bridge crashing into the Health: part of any annual bill hike. mud below are still felt in the west … in the conversation I said I am feeling sorry for Ms Wright. I today. Fifty years on from that tragic We need to open Victoria, how can am feeling desperately sorry for her day we remember those men killed in and deeply concerned as to what she the bridge collapse. You do not have we still be locked down when NSW has the same numbers … will do. Of course she is not alone; to scratch very deeply in the western there are many, many—probably suburbs to find those still mourning Tim Pallas’s office said it is: thousands—of people across this state, the 35 who died that day. … because the Victorian Virus is and particularly in the metropolitan We remember those men who died not the same as NSW, I said is it area, who are going through very, very that day in the most tragic and dreadful not actually because DHS does not similar things and who are having very circumstances—circumstances that have contact tracing working and he said no its because of it being a similar problems to what Ms Wright I have trouble coming to grips with. different virus to other states and it’s is experiencing. But what I would like It is something that I remember as a a lot more dangerous and spreads the Premier to do is to provide for me child, and that memory in itself will faster … a response to Ms Wright. I would like never leave me. We remember those Minister, will you provide details him to tell me what I should say to her men who died. We also remember of this different strain of Wuhan to explain why he is putting her out today the families of those who died. virus, and is there a special blend for of business, to explain to her why she We remember the 88 children who Melbourne’s west? cannot operate her cafe and to explain lost their fathers, and of course we to her why she cannot get a fair go. remember the grandchildren who have no grandfather. We remember those workers who rode the bridge to the ground that day and survived, many injured—many still injured—and of course they have lived with the horror of that day for the past 50 years.

IN 14 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Motions of properties that are for sale or for or maybe some lemon chicken, and 16 October 2020 lease. It is devastating, absolutely there is nothing there. They have all devastating. I took a stroll down closed. The question is: how many of Bourke Street yesterday, and even them will reopen? I would suggest not down in the Bourke Street Mall, which many. Little Bourke Street, a centre of COVID-19 is usually such a bustling centre for food, of culture—as quintessentially Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Melbourne, half the shops in the Melbourne as the MCG almost—is — Continuing on from my address—I Bourke Street Mall have closed. Half closed. It is destroyed. And that you think it was the last sitting week the shops have closed, maybe more. As have to put down to the Andrews from recollection—I want to reflect I said, it is devastating—it is absolutely government, because that is what on what has happened to this state devastating—and I cannot for the life they have done. They have closed the and indeed what has happened of me understand how this has been restaurants, and of course they have particularly to small business in this allowed to happen. closed the pubs. Pub life in Melbourne state as a result of the lockdown, the Now, we know we have got the is something to celebrate, or it used stage 4 lockdown, that has so savagely Wuhan virus, and that is a particularly to be. Pub life in Melbourne was afflicted—‘afflicted’ is a good word difficult problem that we have had something that we all used to enjoy too—but it has affected so many right to deal with, and we know that the immensely—I know I did many, many across the state, particularly in the second wave came about as a direct times—but unfortunately we cannot metropolitan area. It has to be said result of the failure of the Andrews do that anymore. We cannot pop in for that the city of Melbourne has been government to control it. The Andrews a quiet one after work, we cannot go killed by Dan. It is as dead as one could government allowed the virus out of to a pub for dinner and we cannot go possibly imagine, and I took a photo hotel quarantine, and as a result we out to a pub with friends after dinner, on Tuesday at 6 o’clock of Spring Street. have been hit savagely by a second because the pubs are not open. It is I stood in the middle of Spring Street. wave. We know that. But the Premier, devastating. We hear people like Paul There was not a vehicle to be seen not just being responsible for the 800 Dimattina, for example, begging Daniel anywhere. There were no cars, there dead, has also killed our city. I am Andrews to reopen the pubs because were no trams, there was nothing, loath to say this, but I have to say it: the concern is—and it is a very real and for Melbourne to have that sort of I think it is going to be many, many, concern, a very genuine concern—that situation in the middle of peak hour— many years before Melbourne gets if the pubs do not open soon, most of because 6 o’clock is pretty much peak back to anything like what we knew them are never going to reopen. That is hour in Melbourne—for the place to be and what we loved. It may well be that a very justified fear. absolutely empty is a fair indication of Melbourne will never get back to what I remember when I was a small the death of a great city. we knew and loved. I cannot help but business operator just how long I Look, I do not hide from the fact think: here I am today, excited about could last if I had no income, and I that I love Melbourne. I have always Richmond being in the preliminary was a very small business operator. I loved Melbourne. It is the greatest city, final tonight, tomorrow Geelong are recall many, many times sitting there or it was the greatest city in Australia. playing Brisbane in the preliminary waiting for a payment to arrive so that It has so much to offer, so much to final and we should be getting very, I could pay my bills, so that I could buy offer, but not anymore. In the events very excited about the grand final next food. These small business operators, of the last few months we have seen week at the MCG, but we are not—we these hoteliers and restaurateurs, the destruction of our city, and that cannot—because of course the MCG are in exactly the same situation, to my way of thinking is a tragedy. will be empty. As a result of that, there and many of them have not operated I find it deeply distressing that this are an enormous number of small properly since March of this year. We has been allowed to happen, and it businesses that will suffer and indeed are looking at nearly eight months of has been created by the Premier all are suffering. They have copped it in not a cent through the door. They have by himself. After all he was the one the neck because the grand final has still got the outgoings. As I mentioned who, without any medical advice or gone to Brisbane for the first time ever. in the adjournment last night, we have without any legal advice from Victoria It is a great achievement by Daniel these operators who still have to pay Police or anybody else, decided that Andrews! Many years ago St Patrick their rent, they still have outgoings, Melbourne needed a curfew and chased the snakes out of Ireland; well, they still have electricity bills, they still imposed one. That in itself was enough Daniel Andrews has chased footy out have gas bills, they still have a whole to kill the city, and the suburbs as of Victoria. That is an extraordinary range of other impositions that they well are pretty much stuffed. You go achievement. I never thought that have to meet, but there is no money to any shopping centre and you will I would see that. But here we are, a coming through the door. How the see the toll climbing, the toll of small week before the grand final, and it is hell is anybody supposed to survive businesses that have hit the wall. Go to not being held in Melbourne, and as in that situation? How is any business any shopping centre and you will see I said, numerous restaurants, pubs, supposed to survive when all the any number of shops that are for lease. taxidrivers, Uber drivers—a whole outgoings stay the same but there is Any number of businesses that were range of businesses—are going to nothing incoming—nobody is actually once thriving have closed. suffer as a result of that occurrence. giving you any money to operate your It is over for them, and I ask—it is Speaking of restaurants, Melbourne business? not a challenge—I am asking every prides itself, and has prided itself for a These people do not want single member of this house, indeed very long time, on being the culinary government handouts. They might be I am asking every single member of capital of Australia. It has been quite handy for a short period of time, but this Parliament, including the Premier, remarkable over the last couple of that is not what these small business to take a stroll down Bourke Street. sitting weeks, when we have needed operators want. What they want is Take a stroll down Bourke Street and to go and get some tucker, to get some to be able to operate their business. count the number of empty shops. food, to walk down Little Bourke They want to do their job. They want to Count the number of businesses Street, where one would pop in and employ their staff. They want to serve that have closed. Count the number get some Peking duck—which is one the community. That is something that of my favourites, I would have to say— seems to be completely lost on the

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 15 Premier—totally lost on the Premier. going to be able to fight it off. It just to this country, who have worked His concern for small business is zero. makes absolute and total sense to me feverishly to build their business, and He could not give an airborne rodent’s that the gyms should be open for that are now facing bankruptcy. They have rump about small business in this reason alone, so people can be fit and been thrown out of their businesses, state, and that is the simple fact of the healthy and able to fight this thing off. they have been thrown out of their matter, because if he did, he would be We are told constantly we have got shops, whatever those shops or doing something about the suffering, a major public health issue, a major businesses may be, and they are now about the pain, about the destruction public health threat—and, yes, it seems facing a situation that is not of their that so many small businesses are we do. But why wouldn’t you allow an making. And there is no sympathy suffering in Victoria right now. industry which is actually going to help in Spring Street for them. There is no There are thousands and thousands people fight that public health threat to sympathy for them in 1 Treasury Place. and thousands of small businesses that actually operate? Quite insane. The Premier does not care. if they have not hit the wall already We have another area which is just This is rampant across the state are about to, and a lot more who beyond my comprehension as to why and, as I said before, particularly the are paddling like hell to try and stay it has been closed down: dancing Melbourne metropolitan area. I live afloat. There is no guarantee that any schools. Now, many of us in this house near Melbourne Airport, and when I go of them are actually going to survive. has been approached by their local for my walk— You would be surprised at some of dancing schools, I am sure. Business interrupted pursuant to the ones that have been around a long Mr Davis: I heard you were a regular. sessional orders. time. Out in my area, in Williamstown Mr FINN: Well, I am a regular at the and Newport, we have seen some of gym, Mr Davis, but unfortunately I COUNCIL | Questions without notice the oldest pubs in Melbourne close cannot be a regular anywhere much at 16 October 2020 permanently, and that is indeed very, the minute because nothing much is very sad. open. But many in this house I am sure Another area that I would like to have been approached by local dance address is gymnasiums. There are schools who have begged to be allowed COVID-19 hundreds of thousands, I would to reopen. It makes perfect sense for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) imagine, of people who used to go them to be allowed to reopen, because — My question is to the Minister for to the gym, many of them on a daily the majority—the overwhelming Small Business. The Australian Hotels basis. I must admit that I am one of majority—of clientele are kids. Now, Association survey of its members them, and I miss the gym enormously. if kids can go to school, if kids can get has found Melbourne’s small pubs I probably miss the gym more than the bus, why can’t they go and do their are losing $10 000 a week and bigger anything else. I have spoken to a dance classes? Why can’t they? There is venues at least $25 000 a week, with number of gymnasium operators who no reason. many carrying debts of about $250 000. have assured me that they can open, As a result of that, these dance With many of Melbourne’s favourite and they can open safely. They can schools—many of them—are facing watering holes likely to be forced out do it in a way that will protect their bankruptcy. Many of them are facing a of business before Christmas, what staff, and they can do it in a way that situation that they never thought they steps will you take as Minister for Small can protect, and indeed will protect, would. Like so many other Victorian Business, including pubs, to insist their clients. But they are just getting businesses, they have not been able that the Premier reopen the pubs this no joy at all. Let us face it, from what to make a dollar for maybe seven or Sunday? we understand, the people who run eight months, and that is hurting in a this government are very few and far big way. Again, the Premier is saying Supplementary question between—it seems to be the Premier he does not care about them. He and a couple of mates, and that is has got his own determination to do Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) about it, and it surprises me that something. He does not quite know — That being the case, Minister, I am he has got a couple of mates, to tell what it is. It changes on a day-to-day sure you will be very, very pleased with you the truth—but the Premier, who basis, but he certainly does not care my supplementary question. Minister, seems to be running the show, again about the small business operators pubs still have to pay rates. They still has shown no interest in what should who are running the dancing schools. have to pay power, building security, be a no-brainer: to reopen the gyms. insurance, land tax, corporate tax and Now, as I said earlier, there are fixed overheads. The harsh lockdown is Gymnasiums are a very important part empty shops and there are empty of not just physical health but also smashing small businesses, including businesses and closed businesses all pubs, and, Minister, you appear to be mental health in this state. over this state and particularly in the It is beyond my understanding— passive and silent. Will you demand metropolitan area. You go to shopping the Premier reopen the industry, totally beyond my understanding— centres and see businesses, specialist why the Premier would not want utilising safe digital tracing technology shops and many other businesses, that already operating in regional areas? to make people’s ability to defend are single operators, sole operators— themselves from this virus stronger by people who are very proud people, I making them fitter. If you are sitting have to say, and very proud that they COUNCIL | Constituency questions around and visiting Dan Murphy’s have been able to look after themselves 16 October 2020 and knocking over a couple of bottles and that they have been able to look of shiraz every night, you are going to after their families. I should say also put yourself in a situation where you that many are from the multicultural will be a candidate for this virus if it communities. Certainly out my way Toxic soil dump comes near you. If you are fit, if you many of the small business operators are strong, if you are healthy, you are are from the Indian communities or health priorities going to be able to fight this thing if the Vietnamese communities or the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) you are faced with it, if you are subject Chinese communities. There is no — My constituency question is to it, and indeed if you catch it, you are shortage of people who have come to the Minister for Planning. The

IN 16 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE minister currently has on his desk that I will always remember. Dinner or to mandate a public holiday as the last an application from Hi-Quality in drinks with Ron and Louise was always day for ballots to be postmarked? Sunbury Road to allow the dumping something to look forward to, and I of carcinogenic, toxic soil. The site remember them with great affection. Supplementary question is just a couple of hundred metres It is sad that we had a limited Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) from a new housing estate and not number at his funeral given the — I thank the minister for his answer, far from the outer residential areas of circumstances at this time, because and I just ask: Minister, can you assure Sunbury—and of course just up the hill the crowd otherwise would have been the house that every ballot arriving from the township of Bulla. It is, in a massive. The only thing that would from every registered voter within the nutshell, a totally inappropriate place have shaded the size of the crowd time frame will be counted and that to be dumping hundreds of thousands would have been the wake afterwards, nobody was cut out of exercising their of tonnes of dangerous soil. Minister, which I would suggest also would have democratic rights? when considering this application, been massive and indeed may still Dr Cumming: Hear, hear, Mr Finn! will you put the health of thousands of be going today. I watched the funeral people in Sunbury and Bulla as your last week, as I said, and the tributes to first priority? Ron were emotional, they were strong COUNCIL | Constituency questions and they gave a very, very clear and 27 October 2020 COUNCIL | Condolences rounded description of his life. He was 27 October 2020 only 71, which is not old, and Louise Asher, as we know, retired from the Parliament less than two years ago. Small business They were planning the rest of their Ronald lives together, and my heart goes out to support Louise in a way that I cannot properly Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Alexander Best put into words. It is just dreadful for — My constituency question is to her in particular, and my sympathy and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the Minister for Small Business. the sympathy of my family go to her — I was deeply shocked and deeply Small businesses across Melbourne’s and Ron’s kids in particular. saddened when I heard the news that west have been devastated by the Ron Best had left us. He was a very, As I said before, he was an Andrews government’s extended very good man and a hell of a good extraordinary man, a man of many lockdown. Whilst the partial lifting of bloke, and if somebody can say that talents and a man who was not afraid the lockdown is welcome, many small about me when I go, well, I will be very, to contribute. We will all be better for business operators will be struggling very pleased. Whether they will or not having known him, those of us who to reopen after many months without is another thing altogether. did. We get to the stage now where we any income at all. So many small do say farewell to Ron. We say, ‘Ron, businesses have now been consigned Ron of course was a prodigious you will be missed’ and, ‘Ron, you will to history, forced out of business by talent on the football field, as was always be remembered’. Daniel Andrews and his government. recounted at his funeral last week. In Minister, it is not good enough for his first game he kicked 14 goals, and the government to walk away from perhaps at another time he would COUNCIL | Questions without notice these small businesses in the western have been a top-flight AFL player but 27 October 2020 suburbs which are struggling to he decided to stay in Bendigo. He reopen—struggling in fact to survive. was a man without airs and graces, Minister, what will you do to ensure and he was very happy dominating these businesses are not lost to the the Bendigo league and becoming Local scrap heap? a legend in that part of the world. Of course he was also a successful government businessman, particularly in the food COUNCIL | Members statements area, and then became a member of elections 27 October 2020 this place where he spent 14 years. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) That is where I got to know him. When — My question is to the Minister I was elected in 1992, for the first time, for Local Government. Minister, the AFL Grand Final Ron was a member and a very, very last day on which ballots for local hardworking local MP with something Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) government elections could be — We could not go to the game on that is God given, and that is a thing postmarked was Friday, 23 October. called common sense. Somebody once Saturday. Indeed we could not even Now, your colleague sitting at the go to visit a friend on Saturday. We said to me that common sense does table, Ms Pulford, is responsible for not seem all that common these days, could not go to a barbecue, we could public holidays, and she will inform not even have a beer with a friend on but with Ron it was, and for that we can you that Friday just gone, the 23rd, be very grateful. Saturday, but it was grand final day. was in fact the grand final parade The noise that emanated from the Finn He was a man of great humour, a public holiday, despite there being great laugh and also great humility. He family room on Saturday night as the no Melbourne-based grand final mighty Tigers roared their way to their had every reason, given what he had and no parade, although it was a done in his life, to be on particularly 13th premiership had to be heard to be particularly sensational result. But believed. good terms with himself, but he was postal delivery and collections of ballot not. I never at any stage ever found papers appear to have been seriously It was such an exciting night. To him to be like that at all, and it deeply interrupted in some municipalities, see Dustin Martin win his third Norm saddens me to think that I will not see including Wyndham, where ballot Smith Medal—nobody has ever done him again. It is really, really, really sad papers may not have arrived by 22 that before, and I anticipate he will that we will not enjoy the fun, the joy October. I therefore ask: why did you probably win a couple more before and, as I said, that laugh—that laugh as local government minister choose he is finished—to see Trent Cotchin

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 17 become a premiership captain for the We even close the centre every with my daughter. I will never forget it third time, to see Damien Hardwick 2 hours to clean, and sanitise all as long as I live—it was a little over 10 win his third premiership as coach high touchpoint areas. We have years ago—and there was a dog. We of the Richmond Football Club was sanitation stands around the centre, had actually picked another dog from an exciting night for many. And I say social distance stickers, sneeze the website and we discovered that guards at service areas—yet Dan ‘night’—I hope it is the last night grand Andrews still deems us as being that dog had already been taken, a little final because Saturday was one of the unsafe. Yet schools are safe with kids white dog as I recall. We were walking longest days I think I have ever spent. socialising. Outdoor playgrounds around and all of a sudden there was a I was one of hundreds who actually are safe, although no one is cleaning dog that just came at us. That dog was took my family to the MCG, and people them regularly. Yet, we remain a very enthusiastic little dog and she, were just wandering around having unsafe. as it turned out, was also a very, very barbecues and kicking footies. They I am asking that commonsense friendly little dog. I have got to say I did not have much else to do I assume prevails. If we could open under the fell in love with her almost on the spot. because there was no footy on, so they same rules as restaurants and cafes, That dog ended up being Bobbidog, just congregated outside the MCG. I could accept that, even though the and for the benefit of Hansard that is That seemed to be an appropriate way size of our centre would allow for a B-O-B-B-I-D-O-G. to do things. lot higher patronage under a sqm Bobbidog has become a major part rule. I would just like to congratulate the of our family over the last 10 years. She club. To Peggy O’Neal, the president; Premier, this is totally beyond the is 12 now. She is getting on a little bit Benny Gale, the CEO; Damien realms of decency. but she still has that enthusiasm, she Hardwick, Trent Cotchin and all the Ms Crozier: There is no common still has that love. It does not matter team: well done, you are officially sense. what time I get home in the morning champions. Mr FINN: Well, there is no common after Parliament or after work, she is sense in any of this, but it is beyond there to greet me. Sometimes she is the COUNCIL | Adjournment the realms of decency. I mean, here only one there to greet me, it has to be 27 October 2020 are these people ready to do the right said, but she is always there and she is thing, fired up. They want to get out always full of love. She is always full of there and run their business. They what we need I think in a pet. Well, it want to follow your rules. They want to is wrong to call her a pet. She is not a Small business do all of this the right way. They want pet; she is a member of the family. The to do that, but you will not let them. fact that my children often accuse me Are you committed to destroying every of loving Bobbidog more than I love COVID re- small business in the state? I wonder. them is probably just testament to the You have got to wonder on that indeed. bond that I have with her. She is quite opening What I am asking the Premier to do is an extraordinary animal. I am not sure Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I to allow play centres, such as Geoff’s in what I would do without her, to tell wish to raise a matter this evening for Hoppers Crossing, to open—with the you the truth. I cannot believe that the attention of the Premier, and it is social-distancing rules and so forth of anybody gave her up to begin with, but in fact an email that I received from a course—and to allow what should be a I am so glad they did. I am so glad they constituent. He begins: thriving business to be just that. did because she has given us, and me I hope you are well. Well done to in particular, 10 years of total loyalty, your Tigers! COUNCIL | Motions of total love, and she is just a joy in my What a marvellous thing. He says: 28 October 2020 life. I own a Playcentre in Hoppers Then of course there was another Crossing … It is a 1100sqm centre, time. I went to the Lost Dogs Home, with 7–8m high ceilings, which and this has possibly caused some allow for great ventilation. We Animal Shelters confusion to Yoda—Y-O-D-A—our have a fully functioning cafe, but Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) cat who we got from the Lost Dogs this cannot be opened without the — I too would like to commend Mr Home. The cat does get a bit confused Playcentre being operational for Meddick for bringing this motion from time to time. This could be the obvious reasons. to the house and would like to say genesis of that confusion, picking the Using even an 8sqm rule, we could a few words on it if I may. I have cat up from the Lost Dogs Home. But comfortably have 100 customers some considerable sympathy for Mr we did get our cat, who our youngest with social distancing measures in Meddick’s position and indeed for this daughter is particularly fond of—other place. motion. I am a shameless sook when it daughters are not so fond of, I have to That being said, Dan Andrews comes to dogs in particular. I am told say. Yoda has become also a very big continues to keep us closed. He has that you are either a cat person or a part of our family. not given any indication of when we dog person, and if that is the case I am I have to tell the story of how I can reopen. We have been closed probably a dog person I would suggest, picked Yoda out. I went to the fairly big since late March, with the exception of 2 weeks in late June. although our cat at home has been enclosure where they have the kittens, known to want— and there was a little white kitten that Rent of 50% is payable, and Mr Melhem interjected. came over to me at the wire. I put my outgoings, which still equals finger through the wire and the little Approx 9k a month. With a closure Mr FINN: No, it is going very nicely, of 8 months, rent alone is 72k. The I can tell you—far too nicely at times. kitten licked me. I said to the woman grants cover a very small fraction I have over the last decade I suppose who was showing me the animals, of this. I have dipped into personal become a very enthusiastic advocate— ‘Can I pick this one up?’, and she said, superannuation today stay afloat. try saying that after a couple of ‘Most certainly’. So she picked Yoda We must reopen, or be given a date drinks—of pet adoption. That comes up and handed him to me, and he to reopen urgently. from the day that I walked into Lort immediately started purring. And I We have Covid safe plans in place. Smith in North Melbourne. I was there said, ‘I will have this one please. Thank

IN 18 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE you very much’. If I get an immediate The fact that many are put down is the skills and the ability to match that purr out of anything, I am pretty to my way of thinking horrendous and is another thing altogether. Because happy, so it was a message to me that very, very sad indeed. Realistically the last thing we want to do is to put this was the cat for us. at this point in time it is done very animals into the hands of people who I have to say that Lort Smith in reluctantly by people. Let us face it: perhaps do not have the abilities and particular with Bobbidog were if you work somewhere like this, you do not have the skills to match their particularly careful about where they have got to love animals. If you did not enthusiasm. That is something that sent her. They asked us a number of love animals, you would not work at can only harm animals who are put questions and it took a number of the hostels and the animal protection in that position. I do not have any days before they actually agreed that organisations. So it is devastating for objection to properly approved and we could have her. I was deliriously the staff as well as everybody else regulated rescue groups doing exactly happy when they did and I am still that these animals are put down, but what Mr Meddick has suggested and deliriously happy now, so I give my unfortunately reality as it is at the what this motion is calling for, but I thanks to whoever made that decision moment takes over and you can only think we have to be very careful that all those years ago to allow us to have fit so many animals in at any one time. these groups are regulated, they are Bobbidog in our family. I now have That is the simple reality. Nobody— approved and the people involved do two daughters, two 14-year-olds, who and I have spoken to people in these have the skill level necessary to protect are threatening this school holidays to animal shelters—wants to put an and to nurture the animals that we are become volunteers at the Lost Dogs animal down unnecessarily. That is for talking about. Home. It concerns me enormously that sure. The motion goes on to talk about the after even just one day at the Lost Dogs My suggestion for Mr Meddick is trap, neuter, return (TNR) program, Home our house will be full of kittens to work together—to work with these which I have to say I find rather and puppies, because I am sure that is organisations so that together you interesting. That is something that we on the cards. can come up with programs which need to look at. There are a number of Having said all that, I have to say are going to not just benefit the feral cats— to Mr Meddick that nobody wants animals but will benefit the families Dr Cumming interjected. to see animals put down—nobody. who will receive these animals and The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr It distresses me enormously when who will care for these animals. My Melhem): Order! Dr Cumming! While I think of that. Indeed it distresses understanding is that not a lot of Mr Finn is very loud and has got a me enormously when I think what speaking goes on. That in itself is a nice voice, I am having problems would have happened if we had gone problem. I have spoken to people who understanding what he is saying. to Lort Smith 24 hours later, because work in animal shelters of recent times. Mr FINN: Yes, well, Dr Cumming Bobbidog was on her last chance. Yes, I have spoken to them, and they say, is very loud too; we would have to she did have a skin condition, which ‘People need to speak to us. Nobody agree with that. The TNR program Mr we are still treating to this very day, has spoken to us about this motion’. Meddick has referred to—I would be but she was on her last chance. If we, That, to my way of thinking, is very, very keen to find out the possibilities as I say, went a day later, it would have very strange. I do not understand why of that, because the actual logistics of been a very different story, and that you would not sit down and try to bringing that about I have some doubts distresses me very, very much. come up with a workable agreement about. But let us have a look at it and We have to come up with a better whereby animals can benefit. For let us see what we can achieve. example, the Lost Dogs Home has a program to get these animals into We join the government in not loving homes. That is an absolutely desexing van which travels around Victoria. It has not so much this year opposing this motion. Let us look at crucial part of this. That will involve the possibilities. Let us look at what not just the animal services—Lort because of the COVID situation, but the Lost Dogs Home has a desexing can be done to assist cats and dogs in Smith, the Lost Dogs Home and the particular and let us ensure that we RSPCA, and I am sure there are a van. They need another one. In fact they probably should have half a can go forward in a compassionate and number of others. That will involve caring way not just for cats and dogs not just them but it will involve the dozen. They already have desexed thousands of cats and they need to and companion animals but also for support of government, it will involve those who care for them. Let us not an advertising blitz as it were to tell continue to do that at a greater level. If the government, Mr Meddick, wants brand those people who are in animal people that that is where you go. If you refuges or animal rescue areas. Let us want a dog, if you want a cat, that is to increase the level of desexing, that would be something that would be not brand them as being cruel. Let us where you go. Whilst I respect the right not brand them in ways that are totally of people who are breeders and want a positive, that would be productive, that would be proactive and something unacceptable. Let us applaud them for particular breed, I would never do that the work that they do. Let us applaud because I have seen all these animals that would be of great benefit to the community. them for the work that they want to in enclosures both at Lort Smith and do if given the resources, if given the at the Lost Dogs Home and I could not I will not speak for too much longer, support from government and from leave them in deciding what sort of pet because I know there are a number the community, and I certainly do that that I would take on board. That is so of people who wish to speak on this. I today. important. I think we have to—in fact know there are a lot of people out there who want to help animals. If nothing else comes out of today, I know we have to reinforce again and I hope that a dialogue will begin again and again to people that this is Dr Cumming: We do, don’t we in the between the various stakeholders so what should be done. This should be west? that we can have a better result for all the first natural thought of everybody Mr FINN: We do. Yes, my word, concerned. We in the opposition do who wants a pet: you go to Lort Smith, we do. There are a number of people not oppose this motion, and as I say, you go to the Lost Dogs Home, you go who want to help animals, who are in there are a number of very interesting to wherever there are all these dogs rescue groups around the state, and concepts that Mr Meddick has raised. and cats that need you, and that is their enthusiasm and their passion I am very keen to ensure that each really very, very important. is to be admired. Whether they have and every one of them is examined,

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 19 and I am hoping that we can all go to go to Melbourne and compare it to Having said that, I know there are a forward together to make life for our Sydney to see where the planning was. number of speakers who wish to have companion animals, our cats and our When you go to the CBD of Melbourne, their say so I will leave it there, but dogs, much better in the years ahead. it is very, very well-planned—wide I do commend Mr Hayes and I look streets, trees, the whole thing. It is forward to the committee examining COUNCIL | Constituency questions just a beautiful place, whereas in the issues that this motion raises and, 28 October 2020 Sydney you have got, well, goat tracks more importantly, I look forward to the going in various different directions committee finding solutions. at any given time. I think that that just emphasises the importance of COUNCIL | Petition Bulla tip EPA planning with regard to how we live 28 October 2020 our lives and how we want to have protection those things around us. I have always been of the view that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) a backyard is a very, very important — My constituency question is to the West Gate Tunnel thing. I have always had a backyard, Minister for Energy, Environment and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) apart from when I was living in flats for Climate Change. An environmental — I rise to speak on the petition that I a little while. But as Mr Barton points disaster continues to develop on presented last sitting week opposing out, it is quite hard for many to even Sunbury Road between Bulla and the dumping of toxic soil in Sunbury get a house, much less a backyard. And Sunbury. This morning brought Road between Sunbury and Bulla at when you look at the prices now— another fire at Bulla tip, and the local the Hi-Quality premises. My very, very they are coming down a little bit, I am community has, quite frankly, had a great concern about this proposal is told—they are pretty horrendous. As gutful. It does not accept the minister’s very clear, and I have made it very clear somebody who has one daughter in assurances that the Environment on a number of occasions. It involves her 20s and another couple coming up Protection Authority Victoria has the the health of thousands and thousands at the rear of the field it concerns me as Bulla tip under control. Locals do not of people. Sunbury is about to explode to what is going to happen to them as accept that the growing mountain at in terms of its population. Sunbury they wish to go out and perhaps start the tip is good for the environment. is about to probably double in size their own families and maybe even Locals do not accept regular fires at over the next decade or so. It seems to get married, you never know. Stranger the tip are good for the environment me that it is ludicrous that in an area things have happened. It does concern and certainly do not accept these fires where young families are moving in me rather that these barriers will be are good for them or their families. and where young couples are moving something that will be a huge problem Minister, the EPA has failed local in to start their lives together, to for them. These are issues that we do people, and they have no faith the EPA build their homes and to start their have to look at. can or will do anything to protect them families, up the road you would have or their families. Minister, what are you I think the environmental issues, a toxic waste or toxic soil dump. It is going to do to protect my constituents the green wedge issues, are huge just extraordinary. I mean, this stuff in Sunbury and Bulla from whatever— issues. I will give you an example is carcinogenic. For those who do and I mean whatever—is happening at that is going on at the moment out not understand what that means: it Bulla tip? between Sunbury and Bulla. There is causes cancer. It is dangerous. This a green wedge out there, and right on stuff should not be near people. But the edge of the green wedge they are the government is proposing that it COUNCIL | Reference proposing to dump carcinogenic toxic 28 October 2020 be dumped just 200 metres from a soil. Now, I would have thought if you new residential estate—just up the were going to dump carcinogenic toxic road from the Goonawarra estate, just soil somewhere, you would not dump around the corner— Environment it next to a green wedge, nor would Members interjecting. you dump it next to tributaries which The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr flow straight into the Maribyrnong Bourman): Order! Down the back and Planning River. It is quite ludicrous in my view there—could we keep it a bit quiet. It and I cannot work out what the hell is is rare that I have trouble hearing Mr Committee going on there, to tell you the truth. I Finn, but I am struggling a bit. am going to be speaking about it in a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Mr FINN: I looked over there minute in fact during statements on — I rise for the second time today and I saw who was there, and I can reports, papers and petitions, but I to support a motion moved by a understand why you were having just thought I would mention it now colleague on the crossbench, so it trouble hearing me. What I am because I think the planning controls is quite a big day for me. I am quite saying is that it is a real concern in this regard are just totally confusing. pleased and very enthusiastic in fact when this sort of material is being In one area you cannot build a house, to support the motion moved by Mr dumped near residential housing, but across the road you can dump Hayes. I commend him for putting and it is something that concerns me thousands of tonnes of carcinogenic this forward, because I think it is a enormously for future generations. It toxic soil. If you can tell me the logic motion that covers a number of areas might not come up in this generation, there, please do, because I cannot see that do need to be looked at as a but it will most surely come up in it. I just cannot see it. It is very, very matter of urgency, because we are on the next. The prospect of kids with odd. The matter at the moment is the precipice here in Victoria at the cancer in Sunbury and Bulla leaves before the planning minister, and I am minute. We are very, very proud of me just appalled—just horrified at the very hopeful that he will do the right some of our suburbs. We are very, very prospect. thing by the people of Sunbury and proud of the planning that has gone Of course this new proposal that we into the City of Melbourne over such Bulla and knock this whole deal on the head. are discussing will also involve up to a long period of time. You just have 1000 new trucks. Now, I do not know if

IN 20 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE it will be every day or every week—I am COUNCIL | Adjournment COUNCIL | Constituency questions hearing different figures—but certainly 28 October 2020 29 October 2020 it will be a significant number of new trucks, and we have already got more than enough trucks on Sunbury Road. I am not sure how many members Police conduct Hotel viability in are aware of the Bulla bridge, but that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I bridge is about 150 years old. It was wish to raise a matter this evening for lockdown not designed and it was not built to the Minister for Police and Emergency Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) carry B-doubles and all of these sorts Services. Reignite Democracy — My constituency question is to the of huge trucks laden with soil. It just Australia is an organisation that has Premier. Hotels have always held a very was not meant for that. Of course the been particularly active lately in special place in the life of Melbourne’s Bulla bypass is a long way away from campaigning against the lockdown and west. It is tragic to see the impact the what we are hearing—again, on the some of the more severe aspects of the Premier’s lockdown has had on some desk of the Minister for Planning; there lockdown that have been forced on us of the most historic pubs in Victoria, cannot be a whole lot of room there at by Premier Andrews. It also has a bus many in the western suburbs. The the minute. I am just horrified at the which carries messages, and I am sure hotels that have not opened cannot prospect of what will happen if this many of you will have seen that bus. make any money under the current plan goes ahead. It carries messages which are, well, restrictions and have opted to stay One question that I am constantly perhaps not all that complimentary shut. The longer this partial lockdown being asked by people in Sunbury towards the Premier. And I have to say, continues, the greater the chance is: ‘Where’s Josh Bull in all of this?’. it is rather catchy. more hotels will never again open And I have to say, ‘I don’t know’. Mr Ondarchie: The omnibus! their doors. Premier, it is abundantly Here he is, the member for Sunbury, Mr FINN: It is not their omnibus, Mr clear that far more than the chief who got re-elected with a massive Ondarchie, but it is a pretty impressive health officer’s advice decides what majority at the last election, and he bus nonetheless. Now, this bus is is restricted and what is not. Will the has disappeared. We have hardly owned and operated by a constituent Premier take into consideration the seen him since. Here we have a major of mine in Diggers Rest, and he tells financial viability of western suburban threat to his constituents—to tens of me that this bus has been subject to pubs in his decision-making process? thousands of his constituents—a major some extraordinary—I think what you health threat to future generations, could only describe as and call— COUNCIL | Second reading and Josh Bull is nowhere to be found. Dr Cumming: A microscopic word. 29 October 2020 He is nowhere to be found. I challenge Josh Bull, and indeed I challenge Mr FINN: No, no, no, no. What you members in this chamber—all would call it is harassment by police. members in this chamber from the It involves constantly being pulled west—to join together to fight this over, the driver being drug tested and Worker thing. I have done it before. I did not being tested for alcohol, and it even get anywhere. I will give it another try. got a canary at one stage. This has been Screening Bill Let us come together. Let us fight this a constant feature of this campaign thing together. Let us stop this thing bus, which is what it is, now for quite 2020 together. Because it is not good for the some time. It would seem, from what I am told, that there are grounds for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) people of Sunbury, it is not good for — It gives me some considerable the people of Bulla and it is not good the belief that this is a systematic campaign of harassment against this pleasure to rise to speak on the Worker for the people of the west that we be Screening Bill 2020. As members would regarded as the dumping ground of particular campaign. This concerns me enormously. be aware, I have quite a deep interest Victoria. Those days are gone, I hope. and I suppose a deep personal interest I have always been a very, very They should be gone anyway. What in disability services and in particular strong supporter of Victoria Police. we need to do is we need a united the rights of people with a disability. I As members of this house will know, front across all parties and across think it first of all has to be said that the I have been very vocal in supporting Independents to come together to fight overwhelming majority of disability the thin blue line here in Victoria, this thing. Whether we will be able workers are outstanding human and I have the greatest admiration for to find Josh Bull in time to do that or beings. They are extraordinary human those men and women who every day not, I do not know. We can only hope. beings. What they do every day is awe put themselves on the line to protect I am an eternal optimist, and maybe inspiring. It is awesome, it is amazing us. What concerns me enormously is we just will. But we do need to come and it is almost beyond words what the politicisation of the police force together, we do need to fight this thing they do. I cannot congratulate them here in Victoria that has been going and we do need to win. This dumping and thank them enough for the work on now for 20 years. I think what ground of toxic soil has to be stopped, that they do. However, there is a small we have seen this year is a sure sign it must be stopped and I think it will be group in the community who would that it has pretty much peaked— stopped. take advantage of such a position to hopefully it has peaked. Hopefully do some pretty dreadful and drastic it will not get any worse. What I am things to people with disabilities, asking the minister to do is give me whether they be intellectual disabilities a guarantee that this bus to which I or physical disabilities or indeed refer has not been targeted by police both. These are the people that we for political purposes. A very simple must protect against. We must ensure guarantee from the minister would be that people with disabilities, who are appreciated. amongst the most vulnerable people in our society, are protected at all times.

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 21 That is what the Worker Screening to do next. Fortunately, just in time, Of course the NDIS does not just Bill 2020 is all about, and I am very the NDIS came along and saved us, provide support for people with pleased to say that this is something and I do mean saved us. What they disabilities, it provides support for that all members of the house have done is quite remarkable. Our their families, and one of the biggest can agree on. We have come to a 19-year-old son has three carers, and I issues that I have seen and I have common view that the welfare and the would just like today to put on record witnessed over a long period of time protection of people with disabilities is my appreciation and my gratitude to is the number of families, where they something that should be paramount, Nick, to Bec and to Wil, who over the have children with disabilities, that as indeed it should. Indeed if this were course of four days every week look actually break up. That creates another not something that we could agree after Liam. They are just amazing problem that they do not need. They on, I think we would all have a lot of people. They are just sensational, and just do not need it. It is hard enough problems, to tell you the truth. I think the impact that they have had on him when there are two, but when they split there would be something very, very and the impact that they have had on and go their separate ways, perhaps strange going on. So it is great that us is just extraordinary. I just wish that with the acrimony that many splits this bill is before the house. I might everybody who was in our position or a often create, they have got a problem not use the word ‘great’ very often similar position to ours could have the that nobody needs. Governments, when referring to legislation from the benefit of such quality people as Nick, whether they be federal or state, government, or indeed anything to do Bec and Wil, because, as I say, they really need to provide a valve that will with the government for that matter, really have had such a huge impact on release the pressure to help families but I will on this occasion, and I am our lives. I cannot quite put into words stay together and to help couples stay very pleased to support this legislation the gratitude that I have for them. They together and provide the support today. are exemplary human beings. I am so that their children need, because of The national disability insurance grateful for them and also very grateful course once the family splits asunder scheme, I have to say, I was very for the NDIS. the taxpayer has to come in to an even sceptical of. I looked at the proposal As members would be aware, I am greater extent. Without both parents for the NDIS around about seven or not a big fan of big welfare programs. there it makes it very, very difficult, eight years ago and I thought, ‘How on I am not a big fan of government even more difficult, than what they had God’s earth can this possibly work?’. It spending. I am not a big fan of previously experienced. The NDIS has was a huge welfare program that was splashing the taxpayers hard-earned, contributed enormously to keeping going to cost many billions of dollars, which a lot of governments like to do. families together, and that is a good all centred in Canberra. I thought to Let us face it, they like to do that. We thing. That is something that I applaud. myself, ‘This has got disaster written are currently into trillions of dollars of I know a lot of people with somebody all over it’, and unfortunately there debt at the last look. But this particular in their family who has a disability; it were times when I thought I was right. program is worth the dollars. If we are is almost like they are all members of Some of the NDIS horror stories that going to spend money, let us spend it my family now. I know a lot of those I have heard over recent years have on something that is worthwhile, and people and we have been on journeys been pretty horrific, I have got to say, on this occasion the feds have got it together, and some of those journeys and the impact on families has been right. The federal government is right, have been pretty hellish. horrendous. But it has to be said that and I believe justified, in spending the The NDIS is something that probably any program of this size—and let us sort of money that they are spending. should have happened a long time face it, in Australian history there And it is taxpayers money; let us talk ago, because it has been so worthwhile have not been too many; this is one about that. We hear governments and is so worthwhile in helping people out of the box—there are going to talking about ‘We’re giving this’ through these difficult times. This be problems. There will be hiccups, and ‘We’re giving that’—no. That is legislation today ensures not just the and hiccups in a program that affects taxpayers money. What governments continued success of the NDIS but also so many people are going to create do, whether they be state or federal or provides the sort of protections for not human problems because that is who local, is they give that money back to just children but adults as well from you impact. The NDIS is about looking people, and that is a good thing. They people who are pretty low, are pretty after people, so if there is a problem it are also directing it in certain ways much undesirable and pretty much is going to impact people, and it will too of course, and that is a matter of should be locked up and have the key impact those people with disabilities priorities. But I think the NDIS has thrown away. As far as I am concerned, and also their families. That is a simple already proven its worth. anybody who takes advantage of fact of life. It does still have its problems; I am somebody with a disability is the same The reason I am speaking today is not denying that for a moment. I speak sort of individual who hurts kids or that I want to tell you my story—our to people every day who are banging who takes advantage of elderly people. story—of the NDIS. I cannot speak their head against a brick wall, many They are just scum. I am not a great too highly of it. As I am sure many of them, at the moment. I just say, fan or a great supporter of capital members of the house would be ‘Keep going’ and I try to help them find punishment in every circumstance, but aware, we have a son with autism— their way through the maze, and it is jeez I am tempted. I tell you what, in pretty severe autism. He is now 19 difficult to do. It is a major challenge those situations I am sorely tempted. years of age, and my wife and I had but it is worth it. It is worth getting to Legislation such as this is needed. taken it upon ourselves to look after the other end, let me assure you. If What a great pity it is needed, but it is him pretty much on our own up until anybody is reading this or listening to needed to protect our kids however probably the last 18 months or so. this today, let me assure you that it is old they are, because let us face it—I This was not easy, I have to tell you. worth the perseverance. As Winston think it was Dr Bach before who made This was one of the hardest struggles Churchill once said, ‘When you are the comment—you get to a certain age certainly of my life, and I am sure of going through hell, keep going’, and and a lot of parents are afraid to die, my wife’s life as well. God, it was hard. that is the advice that I would give not because they are afraid of what is It was really, really hard. We got to also to parents and to families who are coming in the afterlife or whatever or the point where at one stage we did having trouble with the NDIS at the being eaten by worms or whatever. not quite know what we were going moment. What they are worried about is what

IN 22 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE is going to happen to their children has a fair bit to answer for in this everybody knows what is going on? after they have gone. Many an elderly regard. This is what people across Victoria are parent has said to me over the years, ‘I I recall going down to Tarneit, it calling for—a bit of certainty—and you cannot afford to die. What is going to would be four years ago, with a former cannot even get your sitting days right. happen to my son?’. Their son might Leader of the Opposition to see the If you cannot get it right in here, what be 60 or might be 70, but that son or community centre down there that about all the people out there who that daughter is still the child, and had been completely destroyed. It are relying on you for certainty to get in many instances pretty much acts seems that it has gone downhill from on with their business, to get on with like their child because they have not there. This is just totally unsatisfactory. their lives? That is my objection to this. grown up in the way that we would Unfortunately it is typical of the way I think that Victorians deserve better expect a normal child to. It is very, very the Labor Party treats its own. This is than a government that just makes it difficult. If the NDIS helps people who just what we have come to expect from up on the run. have got to a certain age have some Labor councils and the way they treat peace as they come to the end of their people who loyally vote for them year COUNCIL | Production of documents lives, that in itself is a very good thing. in and year out. Maybe they will wake 30 October 2020 That in itself is a major plus. But we up one day. I do not know. must help the person with disability What I am asking the minister to as well because we must always put do is to ensure that this situation the person before the disability. That is rectified. As I say, this has been COVID-19 is absolutely important because there going on now for some years. It is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) are some people that regard people far from good enough; it is totally — I rise to support the motion so ably with disability as second- or third-rate unsatisfactory. Nobody should moved by Mr Davis earlier. What this citizens. That must and should never be forced to live in an area with motion is basically calling for is for the be the case. Disability should never, these conditions. The council has a Parliament to see what the Premier ever be a death sentence, no matter responsibility. The Wyndham council has based his decisions on. Now, I say how old the child is. I support this bill. has made certain commitments, has ‘the Premier has based his decisions I commend it to the house, and I look made certain promises, but has not on’ because it is pretty clear that he forward to the Governor signing it into carried those through. Now, given that has been going alone on this; he has law. I have made numerous comments not been consulting anyone. First, he about the Wyndham council over cut his caucus out—he did not want to COUNCIL | Adjournment a number of years now—and they talk to them about it. Then he cut his 29 October 2020 do not seem to take much notice of cabinet out—he did not want to talk to anything that anybody says—I think it them about it. And then I think, from is important that the minister makes a what I understand, he pretty much phone call or perhaps sends somebody cut out most of his gang of eight, his Rothwell housing down to visit Wyndham council to politburo—he did not want to talk to ensure that they do get on with the job them either. So he has been calling development, of looking after the residents and the shots all over the place now for some ratepayers of Wyndham and giving months, and we do not know what it Tarneit them the fair go that they most surely is based on. We do not know if there is deserve. any medical advice, we do not know Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I the role of the chief health officer wish to raise a matter this evening for in all this—that is under a fair bit of the attention of the Minister for Local COUNCIL | Business of the house 30 October 2020 speculation at the moment as well, Government. It concerns an email it has to be said—but it is clear that that I received from Preet Singh, who the Premier has taken his nickname hopefully will be representing a good of Despot Dan to extremes. He has number of people down in Werribee if decided that indeed he is a despot and he wins a spot on the council. That is Adjournment Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I he can do whatever he damn well likes, currently being counted at a very slow and that is something that the majority pace, I have to say. He says: think it is regrettable that this situation has arisen. I think it unfortunate that of people in this state have had a gutful I am writing on behalf of Rothwell the Leader of the Government has not of. estate Tarneit residents who we have We can talk about polls—and that been deprived of basic facilities been able to provide the house with a such as a park for over four years. good reason as to why this change has poll the other day was a very, very odd Several promises have been made occurred. way of doing things, as we all know—or and there has been no real progress. Ms Symes: You don’t want to sit? we can talk about the reality of what Victorians are feeling at the moment. Residents have no open space to Mr FINN: No, I am just saying that enjoy family time or even to go for this government appears to just make And what they are feeling at the a walk. things up as it goes. Everything is done moment is distrust of this government. by this government on the run, and That is what they are feeling. They We are not asking for any favours are looking at this government and but only what residents were this decision that the Leader of the promised. As a rate payer residents Government has come into the house they are saying, ‘Can we trust Daniel are not happy and this email is to with today and dropped on us—to Andrews? Can we believe him?’, and register their dissatisfaction. change the sitting date—is reflective they are saying, ‘No, we can’t. We Mr Singh also included a number of of a government that does not have a can’t’. That is something that we must photos which show just how appalling clue what it is doing from one minute address, and this motion will go some the conditions of some of the areas in to the next. Quite frankly, I do not significant way to doing so. If the the Rothwell estate are, and I have to mind sitting—we will sit every week if Premier or the Minister for Health can say it is quite disgusting. The council you want—but for God’s sake will you come up with these documents as they people get your act together so that should, if indeed they exist, then that

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 23 will settle that for Victorians. That will 8 o’clock, and he was closing up—in The whole point of having a wedding settle the argument that indeed the Melbourne. Closing at 8 o’clock! This was to have our grandparents there decisions were based on health advice wonderful 24-hour city, the greatest and because of COVID I am unable and not on some whim of the Premier. city in the world, the most livable to have this. I have seen first hand city in the world—well, it used to be how quickly this can take over I pointed out earlier today how this someone and have them pass away government is just going on a minute- anyway, until Daniel Andrews got hold so quickly. by-minute basis and we do not know of it. What we need is the evidence— I saw grandmother one last time what it is going to do from one minute Ms Taylor: There is a global before the hospital was shut down to the next. I think a classic example pandemic. and no one could see her and she of that was the curfew. Victorians Mr FINN: Look, I do not know what passed away by herself, at this last for the first time in our history— members opposite or Ms Taylor are visit she told me how she was going indeed for the first time in Australian on about. We are just looking for the to get a beautiful outfit to wear at history—had a curfew imposed on evidence to back up the decision- my wedding and she couldn’t wait us, and we were told that we could making process. That is all we are to be there. Even though my family not go out after 8 o’clock or before 5 asking for. You would think we— has suffered so much my wedding will be a time for my family and I o’clock in the morning to begin with, (Time expired) and then 9 o’clock. In a moment of to gather to not only celebrate my Motion agreed to. wedding but also my grandmother generosity the Premier allowed us an as we did not get to do so at the time extra hour to go about what should of her passing. be our right to wander the streets. COUNCIL | Constituency questions But the Premier thought better. Now, 30 October 2020 We as brides are asking that we be given some sort of map that is it has been exposed since that that realistic. This pandemic has taken so was not on medical advice. There much from so many people. Allow was no advice from the chief health us to celebrate in a “COVID SAFE” officer about a curfew—none, zero, Toxic soil dump way. So many of us are suffering zilch. This was an idea of the Premier. mentally allow us to have some joy There was no advice from the Chief approval in our lives. Commissioner of Police—although the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) I hope you hear me. chief commissioner said it did keep — My constituency question is I think Caterina is in a situation that crime down. I suppose it would. If to the Minister for Planning. The many, many brides are facing this year. everybody is at home in bed, I suppose 3AW Rumour File, one of the more It is a dreadful situation for many of it would. If you want to live in a Soviet- reliable sources of information in them, and clearly it is having an impact style society, I suppose it is ideal. It this town, this morning reported that on so many people in that position. is sensational. If the Premier wanted Minister Wynne will today sign the So I am asking the Premier to not just to relive the glory days of perhaps permits necessary for the dumping hear Caterina; I am asking him to act Leonid Brezhnev or Khrushchev or of carcinogenic toxic soil in Sunbury, on what Caterina has requested. I am some of those lunatics that ran the Bulla, Ravenhall and Bacchus Marsh. asking him to allow Caterina and those Soviet Union for so long—if he wanted This is a monumental decision which like her to be married in the way that to relive those years—he was doing will impact many thousands of my they desire. a damn good job of it. He was doing constituents. If approved, this will a very good job of it because he was threaten their health, fill their roads telling Victorians without any support with around 1000 extra trucks per day COUNCIL | Questions without notice 10 November 2020 from the medical fraternity, without and poison nearby waterways that any support from the police, that they will impact local flora and fauna—all did not have the right to walk out their this without any genuine attempt to front door, their back door or indeed consult with those most impacted. their side window. They had no right to Putting aside Labor’s clear distaste for Remembrance do that. Melbourne’s west, will the minister There is a case before the High Court defer his decision on this matter Day of Australia at the moment where the until he has listened to the local Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) state government has questioned basic communities facing most harm from — My question without notice is rights that we have all taken for granted this toxic dumping? to the minister for veterans affairs. for a very long time. Now, I think that Minister, tomorrow, as we know, is is horrific. This virus is supposed to COUNCIL | Adjournment Remembrance Day, and veterans threaten our health. It is not supposed 30 October 2020 and communities would normally be to threaten our human rights. It is not marking the occasion by gathering at supposed to threaten our freedom, 11.00 am for a short ceremony and a but that is what Daniel Andrews has minute’s silence. This year is different done. That is what he has done, and COVID-19 because of COVID-19, and everybody that has to stop. The people are looking Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) understands that. However, how is it at this government. They are looking — My adjournment this afternoon is fair that only 10 people are allowed to at this Premier and they are saying, for the attention of the Premier. I have gather for Remembrance Day outside ‘What are you doing to us?’. I walked received an email from Caterina from at a cenotaph and yet 50 can gather down the street last night through Moonee Ponds. She wrote: outside for funerals or 50 can gather the city, and it was dead. It is dead, it outside for religious ceremonies? I was supposed to be married on On what health advice is this unfair is crushed, and we do not know why May 2nd but due to COVID and this has happened. This motion is the world suffering through this treatment of veterans based? asking for the evidence to back up the pandemic this could not happen. Supplementary question decision by the Premier to crush the I myself have been effected city of Melbourne. Last night I went to by COVID. My family lost our a shop to buy some dinner just before grandmother on July 31st this year.

IN 24 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I for all involved. In Brimbank we have Mr Limbrick, because they were really concur with the minister when he says two outstanding councillors joining gutsy efforts. I want to say ‘Well done’ that we sincerely hope that we never in Maria Kerr and Trung Luu, who to you, Mr Limbrick and Ms Maxwell, have to face this again, but tomorrow I have known for some time. They and give you a pat on the back, we do. Minister, did you speak to the are going to be I know just brilliant because that would not have been Premier or the chief health officer councillors, representing the real easy—in fact it clearly was not easy. on this matter and put the case for interests of the people of Brimbank. Sometimes—and I am sure we have veterans? If you did, what evidence did That will be a marvellous thing. I all done it over the years—people look they offer, and if you did not, why not? should also mention that in Hume, Jim at this place, they look at Parliament Overend, a well-known Craigieburn House in Canberra and they look at COUNCIL | Constituency questions identity, has been elected to the Hume our politicians, federal and state, and 10 November 2020 council, which I find very exciting. But local government too, quite often, and that is perhaps just shadowed a little they just shake their heads and say, by the fact that the man I voted for, ‘What the hell are they thinking about?’. Trevor Dance, in the Jacksons Creek This bill is one such instance. Yes, this Western suburbs ward of Hume council, also won. I bill has some good parts—absolutely, was delighted to vote for him, I was no question about that. Under tree planting delighted to see that he won, and I normal circumstances I would not be know that when it comes to a whole speaking on this bill. Under normal Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) range of issues he will not let us down. circumstances I would be very happy — My constituency question is to the just to let it go through and do what it Minister for Energy, Environment and is supposed to do. But it is not going to Climate Change. An article came to my COUNCIL | Second reading do what it is supposed to do. It is going attention just yesterday which reports 10 November 2020 to cause more pain and it is going to that huge swathes of our suburbs are in cause more suffering for those who danger of becoming virtually unlivable, have already had more pain and more with residents jumping from aircon to suffering in their lives than can, under aircon via a car with aircon to avoid Justice any circumstances, be tolerated. That is the searing heat. Green cover should why I am speaking today. be managed as critical infrastructure Legislation alongside communication, transport, I am only going to speak briefly, but water and the electricity network, Amendment I want to say to the government and RMIT Centre for Urban Research particularly to the Attorney-General Associate Professor Joe Hurley said. (Supporting and to the Premier in possibly the only What concerns me greatly is that green language they understand what this cover in Wyndham, which includes legislation will do to them. Now, we Werribee, is the lowest in Australia. Victims and all agree that this legislation has some Jostling for the position of lowest in good components. We all agree that Australia are Melton, Maribyrnong, Other Matters) this legislation if handled properly Hobsons Bay and Hume. This is an would have been quite acceptable to enormous worry to those of us who just about everybody in this house. But Bill 2020 do you know what? If this legislation live in that part of the world, and I ask: Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I what is the minister doing to ensure goes through as it currently stands, do rise to speak on the Justice Legislation you know what it will be remembered more trees are planted in Melbourne’s Amendment (Supporting Victims and west? for? It will be remembered for shutting Other Matters) Bill 2020. I rise to speak up the families of victims. All of as the father of three young ladies, those good parts of the bill will not COUNCIL | Members statements two of whom in fact are turning 15 be remembered. They will not be 10 November 2020 today. It is days like today that make remembered by the lawyers or the me think back to when they were born, victims or the public or anybody else. how small they were at seven weeks They are not going to remember that. premature and how I would be able to This government will be remembered Local hold them in the palm of each hand for shutting down the families of because they were so small. Of course victims. I just put it to you in those government we have nurtured them, we have cared simple terms. If that is the way the for them, we have loved them now for government wishes to be remembered elections 15 years, if not more, and the prospect by the people of Victoria, keep going of anything happening to them or the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — the way you are. Push this thing prospect of anything happening to our Elections, as we know, can sometimes through the Parliament. But if you are other daughter is just horrendous; it be very disappointing, and I am very serious about providing legislation is just horrific. It is the worst possible saddened to see that Rebecca Gauci which is going to do what you say thing I could imagine. I would much Maurici is not able to continue in her you want it to do, let us put it aside rather something happened to me than role as a councillor for the Moonee for a minute. Let us fix it and let us have something along the lines of what Valley City Council. She has done a come back with something that we we are talking about happen to them. brilliant job, and I thank her and pay all agree on and that the government tribute to the work that she has done I recognise the extraordinary will actually be applauded for, so that over the past four years. However, contributions that have been made the people of Victoria will actually say, the great news is that in the City of today by people who clearly are not ‘That is something that the government Melton Moira Deeming and Julie used to speaking in public about has done that we agree with and is Shannon have joined Cr Goran Kesic their own experiences. I want to good’. It is up to the government. I urge on the council, and that is exciting congratulate them and I want to thank them to do that. them, particularly Ms Maxwell and

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 25 In the meantime I will certainly people of the western suburbs who are years, and they are good people. They be supporting Mr O’Donohue’s having a thousand trucks a day roaring are very good people. They do not amendments. I just ask the through their roads and their streets. deserve the persecution and they do government to think about it. If they It does not do much for the people of not deserve the treatment that they are not thinking about the families, the western suburbs of Melbourne who have received from the barbarians in if they are not thinking about the are concerned about what this PFAS Beijing, and that is the flat-out truth. victims, think about themselves material—this vile, dreadful, toxic It is a disgrace, the way that they and the political implications of this soil—will do to their children in years have been treated, and of course they legislation, because if this bill is passed to come. It does nothing for the peace are not alone. When you talk about in its current form, the government of mind of the people of the western human rights it is not something will not come out of it well, and that is suburbs to have the minister be smart that you immediately connect with something that they probably—well, in the way that she likes to think that the Chinese government. There maybe they are not aware of it; I do not she is. are probably—I would say almost know—should consider. I hate to put So what I am doing tonight is I am certainly—very few governments in it in those terms, but we are dealing asking the Premier—sorry, I am asking the world that are more involved in with a government that seems to have the minister. She might be. There is the violation of human rights than only one Achilles heel, and that is a a Freudian slip. She may well be the the Chinese communist government. political one. If I do not point out the Premier very soon. I understand Dan’s They are despicable in many ways, political implications of what this got the parachute on, so she may and I commend Mr Davis on making legislation will do to them, then they be Premier soon. What I am doing the point that whilst we are a friend of are probably not going to be interested is I am asking the minister again to the Chinese people, and I have many, in anything else I have to say. I urge tell me tonight, and indeed tell the many, many Chinese friends, the the government to rethink it. I urge community, if any toxic soil has been Chinese Communist Party is not one the government to take this legislation dumped in the western suburbs of of them. back to the drawing board and to bring Melbourne and, if so, where. This is not Anybody who tries to tell you that it back when it is fixed, we can all agree a difficult question. A yes or no and the Chinese communist government to it and we can provide a satisfactory then a geographic location will be fine. is a friend of Australia is having a lend result for every Victorian. And that I just want to know what we are dealing of you. The fact of the matter is that it very much includes the families of with here. I would greatly appreciate is not, and it has shown that of recent the victims of the sorts of dreadful, it, as would hundreds of thousands months. Putting aside the debate about dreadful crimes that we have spoken of people throughout the western the genesis of the Wuhan virus and of today. suburbs of Melbourne, if the minister whether it was allowed deliberately would come clean, if the minister to infect the world—some have even COUNCIL | Adjournment would give us a straight answer—yes or suggested that it was part of a Chinese 10 November 2020 no. Have you been dumping this crap government plan to destabilise the on us? US in the lead-up to the election, but putting all that aside—you have got to COUNCIL | Adjournment wonder why the Chinese communist West Gate Tunnel 10 November 2020 government reacted so badly when Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Scott Morrison suggested that we have — I wish to raise a matter this evening an inquiry, we ask some questions for the attention of the Minister for and we find out what happened. They Transport Infrastructure. I want Responses went berserk, and you can understand to thank her for her reply to my Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) why—because if there is a more adjournment matter from 17 March — President, as you are aware, secretive government, apart from this year, St Patrick’s Day, which I have ministers are given 30 days to respond North Korea perhaps, in the world than just received today. It was very good to adjournment matters. I draw your communist China, you will be hard- of her. It has only taken, what, seven attention to a matter I raised for the pressed to find it. months to respond to my request. I say Attorney-General on 18 June this Of course the Chinese government is it is a response because it is certainly year, which is almost five months ago not just an enemy of Australia; it is an not an answer. It has certainly not now, and to which I am yet to receive enemy of its own people. Anybody who given me anywhere near what I was a response. I would like to know if shows any form of criticism at all cops requiring. What I have asked for is that indeed I am going to get one, and if so, it in the neck. There are many, many, I have asked the minister to tell me when? many people in prison camps, in jails. and indeed to tell the community if There are many, many people who any toxic soil has been dumped in the COUNCIL | Motions were taken away in the middle of the western suburbs of Melbourne and, if 11 November 2020 night and have not been seen since. so, where. There are many, many people who Now, the minister has not even come have been murdered by the Chinese within a bull’s roar of answering that government for the simple deal of or given any sort of reasonable answer China Trade criticising the Chinese regime. It is at all. She has been a smart bottom appropriate, as Mr Limbrick pointed Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) out, that the ABC would be supporting on a couple of occasions and has had — I rise to support the motion so a couple of cracks, and that is all very the Chinese Communist Party, because very ably put by my friend and there is a pretty strong link there as well and good, but I tell you what, it colleague Mr Davis today. In doing does not do much for the people of the far as I am concerned. Maybe—not so I congratulate Mr Limbrick on his maybe, definitely—the sooner we pull western suburbs of Melbourne who are contribution, because I too have had having toxic soil dumped on them at a the plug on the ABC, the better we will a great deal to do with Falun Gong all be in this nation as well. great rate and who anticipate having a practitioners and their associated lot more. It does not do much for the supporters now over a number of

IN 26 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE I am not going to go on forever today, Communist Party, so it should not I would like to double the size of because I know there are a number of surprise anybody that the government my house. I would like to triple the people who wish to have their say and I of Victoria does not in any way wish size of my backyard. I would like a will be considerate in that regard. But I to upset their communist overlords brand spanking new Mercedes in am very concerned about the Belt and in Beijing. That is not surprising my driveway. I would like a holiday Road Initiative (BRI) that has been put to anyone, but certainly it is very, house in Lorne. I would! I would love a up by the Andrews government. The very disappointing. I commend Mr holiday house down in Lorne. I would Premier seems to regard himself as Davis for this motion. I think it is an like a first-class round-the-world ticket some sort of Chinese communist best extremely important motion, and I every year. Every year I would like that. friend or something similar to that. I urge all members of the house to give it That would be wonderful. But you am not sure what it is. Until the Wuhan their full support. know if I went out and tried to do that, virus hit he had spent more time in I would have to ask myself the same China than he had in country Victoria, COUNCIL | Constituency questions question that I am asking Dr Ratnam, and that tells you a fair bit about where 11 November 2020 which is: how the hell do you pay for it? his priorities are. What I am very How do you pay for it? concerned about is that the Premier The fact of the matter is that the state of this state is selling our future. He is already in more financial trouble is selling Victoria’s future, and that is Sinclairs Road, than you can poke a stick at. I mean, something that every single member, we were in financial trouble before the whichever side we are on, should Plumpton Wuhan virus came along. Now we are be deeply concerned about. I do not down the sewer. We are in deep and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) want our future owned by the Chinese diabolical financial trouble. Now is — My constituency question is for the Communist Party. That is not on. That not the time to be running around the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. is not an option. I do not want in any streets throwing $100 notes at anybody Minister, the growth in Melbourne’s way, shape or form my children or my who looks at you sideways. It is just outer west is putting unprecedented grandchildren being controlled by the not realistic. It is wonderful to say, pressure on roads. Roads that were Chinese Communist Party, and that is ‘I’m going to spend this on this and built long ago cannot cope with the my very deep concern. That is a very I’m going to spend another couple of traffic numbers clogging these roads real possibility, indeed a probability, if hundred million on this and another today. From Werribee to Sunbury and Mr Andrews continues down this track. half a million on this and another half beyond, traffic congestion is causing I know there are huge number of a billion on this’—it is all very well to major headaches for many thousands people in the community who are say that—but you have got to have the of local residents every day. Even equally concerned. It is certainly an money to be able to do that and you those roads that are being upgraded issue to which, when it was first raised have got to be able to get your hands often take what seems like forever, about I suppose 12 or 18 months on the money to be able to do that. causing greater problems for motorists. ago, the reaction in my electorate There is a list of roads I could direct The only way that Victoria, Australia was huge, because of course there the minister’s attention to, but on this and indeed the Western world will are a number of people in the west of occasion I will ask about one only. recover from this virus—the only Melbourne from China, from Vietnam, Construction on Sinclairs Road in way—is to let business get on with from a number of communist nations. Plumpton was due to be concluded doing business. That is the only way They have come here to Australia for by the beginning of October. It is now that we are going to get the money to freedom. They have come to Australia approaching the middle of November, do the sorts of things that Dr Ratnam to escape the communists. They do and obviously that has not happened. spoke of, the only way that we are not want our Premier selling our state When can locals expect these works to going to create the sorts of jobs that and our future—and their future—to be finished? Dr Ratnam speaks of and the only way the Chinese Communist Party. That is that we are going to create the sort of the last thing they want, and they are prosperity in our society and in our genuinely afraid of that because they COUNCIL | Motions communities that we need to provide 11 November 2020 have seen communism firsthand and the support for those who need it. they know how totally and thoroughly The only way to do it is to let business evil it is. So I have given them a firm get on with business, and I am really commitment that I will fight BRI in disappointed that this motion today every way that I possibly can. I will Green New Deal does not include any mention of do that with every fibre of my being Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — business at all. That is a pity, because because this is something that is so Well, it is with a great deal of pleasure without business you have got no taxes very, very important. that I rise to speak on Dr Ratnam’s and you have got no jobs—you have China has shown over recent times motion, because what we have heard got nothing. I mean, that is the bottom that it cannot be relied upon for from Dr Ratnam this afternoon is a line. There is only one place that trade—or for anything else for that wish list the likes of which I do not governments get their money from, matter. We have to find new markets. think I have ever heard in my 21 years and that is taxation. That means people We have to go out beyond what we in Parliament. It was a hell of an effort. who work for a living have to give some have traditionally done and find those It was a remarkable achievement to of their money away to other people. markets. They are out there. We need come up with that list, and I commend Mr Limbrick: And fines, Bernie. her and I commend her imagination. to do that because, as I say, we just Mr FINN: And fines is another cannot rely on China. The reality, however, might be a one. That has been described as I find it disappointing, but not totally different thing. Along with ‘involuntary taxation’, or perhaps surprising, that the government is many of those things, the many ‘voluntary taxation’ might be a better not supporting this motion today. We thousands of millions of dollars that Dr description. Whether it is or not is know the connection between the Ratnam has just spent—of taxpayers another thing altogether, particularly at Andrews government and the Chinese dollars, I should say—I would like to the moment. But the reality is that we add my own personal list, if I could.

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 27 cannot spend the sort of money, and And interestingly enough the people caused by the Andrews government I do not care who is in government, in the inner city that Dr Ratnam when they absolutely, totally stuffed no government can spend the sort of represents are not the ones that are up the hotel quarantine procedure, money, that Dr Ratnam speaks of. It is going to cop it in the neck; it is the and we are now seeing somewhat of a all very well to come in here with your people in the outer suburbs, the farce of an inquiry going on, not being wish list—and I have got my own wish workers, the people that the Labor able to tell us exactly what happened. list too, and I could get up and I could Party used to represent years ago. They So nobody knows anything, but what spend billions easily—but you have got are the ones who are going to suffer we do know and what Victorians know to be realistic. You have got to look at as a direct result of what Dr Ratnam is is that the mess that we are in now, the the realities of what we are facing, and proposing. great lockdown that we had for months the realities of what we are facing are I am going to move a couple of and months and months—the greatest hundreds of thousands of people out amendments to this particular motion, and longest lockdown of anywhere of work and businesses that have hit and I would ask that they be circulated. in the world—was caused by the the wall. Can you believe this—I was I move: Andrews government’s stuff-up. That is down on Collins Street late last night 1. Omit paragraph (1). something that Victorians know, and and even Macca’s is closed in Collins they want to know that the government Street. You would not have thought 4. In paragraph (5)(g) omit ‘wildlife.’ is not going to take it out on them that a McDonald’s franchise in the and insert the following in its place: again. city would go under, but it has. That ‘wildlife; and They have suffered. Victorians have is just indicative of how widely this (h) significant infrastructure suffered for months as a result of what recession that we are having in Victoria projects, including transport the Andrews government did, and they is impacting people. Businesses are infrastructure, particularly want policies which are going to give being hit left, right and centre, and projects that are shovel-ready with us a brighter future. They do not want you just have to walk through the city completed and available business policies which are going to put us into to see how many empty shops there cases, that can generate jobs quickly.’. the toilet bowl and flush us—because are. You just have to walk through the that is what all this spending will do. city to see how many businesses that The amendments are very clear. The I do not mind a bit of spending. In were going perhaps very nicely earlier first amendment that I moved is: fact I said yesterday we should have in the year are now gone. Just walk 1. Omit paragraph (1). more trees. I do not know if Dr Ratnam down Bourke Street, just between here That I think is self-explanatory. heard this, but I said yesterday that we and Exhibition Street, and you will see I think that that is something that should have more trees in the western them. You do not have to walk very far. makes sense. That is something that suburbs. There were a few people They are just across the road from the is not going to scare the horses. That that expressed surprise that I might front steps of this building. These are is something that will give business be saying that, but I like trees. One of the issues that we need to exercise our confidence that they are not going my favourite places in the world is the minds on. to be sacrificed on the altar of the Otway Ranges, and I love all that stuff. The prospect of a Green New Deal I Green New Deal. If we can remove But the fact of the matter is you have have to say puts a chill down my spine, the Green New Deal from the motion, got to get your priorities right, and at because no doubt this Green New Deal it automatically makes it far more the moment our priorities are looking has been picked up directly from the acceptable to us all, and that, I think, is after those who have been hit so very, Democrats in the US. We know that a major plus. The second amendment, very hard by the lockdown. We have whilst Joe Biden may be President— which I did not move, is: to get our priorities right, as I say, and we do not know yet; that is yet to be 2. Omit paragraph (3) and insert the we must ensure that those who can decided, but he may be President—the following in its place: actually get us out of this mess are Democrats copped a hit in the House ‘(3) further notes increasing allowed to do that. and in the Senate. We know that. The unemployment due to the Now, if we need to give a little bit people of America know what the COVID-19 pandemic;’. of money—and I say ‘a little bit of Green New Deal over there is, and I We know that the COVID pandemic money’—to business to get them out of tell you what, if the people of Victoria has caused untold damage right the mess and to help them to achieve find out what the Green New Deal through the world, and we are no what we are all on about, then so be is, they will be voting the same way. different. This is something that we as a it. But until such time as we have the Can I point out to Dr Ratnam there Parliament should be directing almost amounts of money that Dr Ratnam is a reason that she lost four of her our entire attention to at the moment. speaks of, as far as I am concerned colleagues at the last election. It is This is something that we have got it is a no-go. So the opposition will because people have had enough of to drag this state back from. Victoria be opposing the motion and indeed this Green New Deal and ‘We’re going has suffered enormously as a result supporting—I hope, anyway—the two to make everything wonderful’. It is just of this pandemic. It has suffered a lot amendments that I have put up. nonsensical. more, I have to say, from the policies Members interjecting. I have to say, I have a vested interest of a government that has absolutely Mr FINN: Well, you can never be in fighting a Green New Deal. I have a crushed small business in this state sure in this caper, can you? But I vested interest, because I have a family. and has crushed the economy in am fairly confident that they will be I have to pay bills. I have to pay my Victoria. So we are going to have supporting amendments 1 and 4, and I electricity bill. I have to pay my gas bill. to put our considerable energies urge the house to do likewise. I have to pay a variety of bills—food and concentration into restoring bills—and everything will be impacted the economy that the Andrews by the cost of energy if we go down the government has crushed. path that Dr Ratnam speaks of, and I think it was Dr Ratnam who was that is something that does concern talking about patting us on the back for me. coming back from the second wave. Of course we know the second wave was

IN 28 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Constituency questions reason. They were not getting a fair COUNCIL | Petitions 12 November 2020 go because they were not allowed to 24 November 2020 meet in congregations. The churches were not allowed to resume even if socially distanced and under control Bulla Bridge in that regard. They are not allowed to COVID-19 Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — expand as many other sectors of the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My constituency question is directed community have done. And of course it Legislative Council Electronic Petition: to the Minister for Roads and Road is not just a question of discrimination The Petition of certain citizens of Safety. I have often spoken in this against churches; it is discrimination the State of Victoria draws to the house about the importance of the against those using synagogues, using attention of the Legislative Council Bulla Bridge. This bridge links the temples and of course using mosques. the harsh and unjustified extended Melbourne Airport and Tullamarine It is something that does cause me COVID-19 lockdown measures Freeway with Sunbury and beyond very great concern. Any thought that which have significantly impacted to the Macedon Ranges. On the all- government would be discriminating the multibillion-dollar wedding too-frequent occasions the bridge is against any religion is one thing, but industry. blocked by a traffic incident thousands for a government to be discriminating Many couples have now postponed of motorists are sent scurrying onto against all religion is pretty outrageous. their wedding for a third time, country roads that will eventually Some might say that is even handed, causing financial hardship. These get them to their destination. It is far but I think it is pretty disgraceful, couples have been unable to make actually. So what I am asking the changes to their wedding date and more than just a minor inconvenience. have lost deposits from multiple This bridge is over 150 years old and Premier to do is to allow religious vendors—all costs that can’t be not built to carry the extraordinary freedom again in Victoria. What I am recuperated. The mental impacts are traffic load it now does. Minister, I asking the Premier to do is to allow folk obvious and many couples and their am informed that last week the Bulla to gather in churches, in synagogues, families have been overwhelmed Bridge developed a crack, causing in temples and in mosques, keeping by the loss of years of planning great concern to many locals. This the rules of the chief health officer but and finances. There has been no crack was, I am again informed, at the same time able to worship, able roadmap or indication as to what not attended to by the minister’s to continue their religious practices, so the future of weddings will look like. departmental agency—again a matter that this apparent discrimination will The extended lockdown has of grave concern. Minister, will you end as soon as possible. caused supplies and vendors ensure the Bulla Bridge is put on a loss of income, or in some cases priority watchlist before it collapses? COUNCIL | Constituency questions trading has ceased completely. No consideration has been made for 24 November 2020 this sector. COUNCIL | Adjournment 12 November 2020 Community transmission and case numbers have reduced significantly. The current restrictions on any Parental celebration, including weddings, has meant that couples are COVID-19 attendance at unable to start their life together. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) The current restrictions have — I wish to raise a matter this evening schools no consideration for cultural or for the attention of the Premier. Now, religious values whereby some Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) couples are not permitted to see Victorians this year have had it pretty — My constituency question is to each other alone or start a family tough. It has been very, very, very the Minister for Education. Minister, until they can be married. difficult for I think the overwhelming I have been contacted by a number majority of Victorians, and of recent We are not willing to accept harsh of constituents concerned about and unjustified restrictions which times we have seen a partial opening the dilemma facing them and their do not allow for any celebration. We up of our state. We have seen retail, we children. The problem surrounds those want a wedding without masks. We have seen— parents whose children are starting are willing to implement COVID- Ms Crozier: Smashed. school for the first time next year. As safe measures at venues including Mr FINN: Well, retail was smashed. things currently stand parents are not documented guest lists, prior It was indeed. But we have seen the allowed at schools at all. Parents tell COVID-testing and the use of hand surviving retail sector start to reopen. sanitiser. The options are endless yet me that they are not even allowed to have been completely disregarded We have seen some of the sporting attend transition sessions. There is a and not even considered. The clubs and some of the gymnasiums huge question mark over whether they petitioners therefore request that open up. We have seen some of the will be able to even take their preppy the Legislative Council call on the hotels and some of the hospitality to school when it begins next year. This Government to urgently outline areas start to open up as well. But is causing great distress to parents and a roadmap for re-opening the there is one area in our society, one children alike right across the western wedding industry, including the sector of our society, that has not had suburbs. Minister, will you provide implementation of a COVID-safe the benefit of the sort of relaxation of assurances to my constituents that this plan to allow small family run restrictions that so many others have businesses to return to operation dreadful situation will change come and generate revenue. had. February? Last week I met with a delegation of By Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Christian pastors and ministers from (571 signatures). the western suburbs of Melbourne. They expressed their very deep concern to me that they were being discriminated against for whatever

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 29 COUNCIL | Members statements It is hard to believe that just six years $2000, that is a giant whack for any 24 November 2020 ago Victoria had the cheapest and family. That is something that affects most reliable electricity in Australia. families in a very real way in this state. How things have changed. Now I think it is very sad that the Premier electricity bills are through the roof— and the government do not recognise West Gate Tunnel through the roof. My electricity bill that—that they do not accept the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) last quarter was approaching $2000, suffering that families go through as — Yesterday two great myths were and that was to my way of thinking a result of these extraordinarily high smashed for all time. Labor likes to say just outrageous—and we were only prices. It is a great tragedy that the it cares for the west. We can now say using what we needed to just to keep government does not accept that this without any fear of contradiction that warm, basically. But that is the norm really hurts families. that is a monstrous lie. Labor also likes these days. If you stay warm during Of course it is not just families. I have to say it cares about the environment, winter, by God you are going to pay been hearing for some time now, the another monstrous lie. The decision by come spring, because that is the way last few years, of elderly folk who do the Minister for Planning, Dick Wynne, that this government has set things up. not get out of bed in the morning. They to give the go-ahead to the dumping And that is a great tragedy because, as I stay in bed all day, or perhaps if they of carcinogenic toxic soil in Ravenhall said, we did have the cheapest and the have to go out in the morning to get and Bacchus Marsh buries both myths. most reliable. Now come summer we their shopping they will come home It is a despicable decision that shafts know we are going to have blackouts. and go straight to bed. It is the only locals in the west and presents ongoing We know that when it gets to 35 or 36 way they can keep warm, because they danger to them and their families. degrees—sometimes even less—large cannot afford electricity. They cannot Never again can Labor lay claim to chunks of our power grid are going afford heating. They cannot afford being the party of Melbourne’s west. to fail. We know that thousands and electric heating; they cannot afford gas Never again can Labor lay claim to my thousands of people, if not hundreds heating. What sort of society are we constituents as their own. Never again of thousands of people, will be stuck in living in? What sort of government do can Labor put up any pretext that it the dark in the heat because the power we have in this state that allows that to cares for the environment in the west. system has failed. happen? These are elderly people who Locals are furious at this decision, We know that gas is not really an have perhaps worked all their lives, and they should be. And so am I. option, because this government does paid taxes all their lives, raised their Daniel Andrews was warned years ago not want to explore, does not want to families, done all the right things all about this toxic soil, and he has now find gas. It was interesting to listen to their lives, and this government treats reaffirmed his view that the western the President-elect—maybe—when them in this way when they get old. suburbs are the dumping ground he said a number of times during the That is just appalling. of Melbourne. He also reaffirms his campaign that he would never stop I have got to say to the house that place in history as the worst Premier fracking. Now, over here of course that is not an irregular event. That is in Victoria’s history. The people of the that would be sacrilege. That would be something that happens all too often, west will not forget, and nor will we something that you would be put up where elderly people just cannot forgive the crime committed against us against the wall and shot for in the ALP afford to get out of bed in winter, and by this evil Andrews government. of course, but over there Mr Biden said that is a tragedy. What they must go there was no way—no way—that he through in summer when it gets up to COUNCIL | Second reading was going to stop fracking. Perhaps the 35 degrees or 40 degrees you fear to 24 November 2020 left in Australia and the left in America think. I am sure there are some who might like to have a chat at some do not actually make it through that, stage and see if they can get their act because that heat would actually kill together. them. You just have to go down to Energy I do not know whether fracking is the the local shopping centre, the local answer or not, I have to say. I do not cinemas perhaps or somewhere that Legislation think it is probably all that necessary is air-conditioned, to see aged people here at the moment. But we most gathered in numbers to escape the certainly do need the research, we heat because they cannot afford to Amendment do need the exploration necessary to have any cooling in their own home. As find conventional gas. Why on God’s I said, what sort of a state are we living (Licence earth we are not doing that I have no in? What sort of a government do we idea. That is just another part of the have that allows that sort of thing to Conditions) Bill ratbag ideology of this extreme left- happen? wing government. That is a great pity Then of course you have the 2020 to me and a great pity to the people of unemployed or perhaps those who Victoria, and particularly to families in are infirm, those who are disabled. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Victoria. They are struggling, very much so. — In rising to speak to the Energy As I said before, my power bill was They are, I suppose, the traditional Legislation Amendment (Licence through the roof. When you are living battlers. They are the ones that I am Conditions) Bill 2020, I cannot help on a budget, when you are struggling thinking of today, because they are the but make the observation that of all to get by and you are paying your ones who find it almost impossible the stuff-ups that this government has mortgage or you are paying your rent, to pay all these extraordinary bills. been involved in over the past six years you have got to pay your food bill—you The Labor Party like to talk about the energy is probably its greatest, because have got to pay a whole range of bills. need to look after the disadvantaged without energy, society does not work. You have got kids going to school, and in the community, but then they slug Business does not work, families do that is not cheap. Even in the so-called them with a power bill the size of not have the use of energy for their free system it is not cheap. So when which a horse could not swallow. It purposes and a whole range of people you get a power bill for $1000, $1500, is quite extraordinary in its own way in our society just suffer as a result.

IN 30 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE that the Labor Party thinks in the way business are impacted, and it is just that is the reality of life in Victoria in that it does. So if the Labor Party was dreadful. 2020, where hard left ideology is more fair dinkum, it would put ideology to We have the situation now where important than the people of Victoria. one side and it would look after those many small business operators and I look forward to having a government people who are battling to pay their many business operators generally soon where we will put people before bills, those people who are living in are preparing to flee Victoria. They are politics. fear of a postman coming and getting preparing to head interstate or indeed one of those bills that I spoke of just a offshore. They have had enough, and COUNCIL | Adjournment moment ago. they can see what is coming. They can 24 November 2020 Then of course we have the impact see what is coming in Victoria, and that these extraordinarily high power after today I think we can all see what prices, energy prices, have on small is coming in Victoria, and it will not be business. Now, it has been said quite pleasant. I suppose it is very sad to see Western suburbs often this year that small business has business, to see jobs, fleeing Victoria, really suffered. Everybody has felt the but in their situation you can hardly tree planting impacts of the Wuhan virus, there is blame them. With a government that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) no doubt about that, but the small is as irresponsible, that is as out of — My adjournment matter is for the business community have particularly control as the Andrews government attention of the Minister for Energy, felt it, because it has really hit them. it is little wonder that business wants Environment and Climate Change. I was a small business man—a very to head north, south, east, west— The house may recall—indeed the small business man—some years anywhere as long as they get away from minister may recall—that in the last ago before I came into this house, the Victorian government. sitting week I asked the minister what and I know what it is like to wait for It should be remembered that one of she was going to do to increase the the next cheque to arrive, to wait the biggest reasons for the price rises, number of trees in areas of the west for the next payment, and pray that the savage price rises of which I speak, such as Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton it might not be too far away. These was the closure of the Hazelwood and even Hobsons Bay, and I have small business people, they are the power station. This was a classic case been thinking about that a great deal heroes—the national heroes in fact— of politics by the Andrews government, since I asked that question around two of our economy. Without them we and I see Ms Taylor over there waving weeks ago. I have long been annoyed at would not have an economy; it is as her arms in the air, and I suspect we the description of the eastern suburbs simple as that. Small business employs have got another classic performance as the leafy green suburbs. I know more than anybody else and small coming here. This could be particularly many suburbs in Melbourne’s west business should get a better go from good, so I am looking forward to that. that also are green and leafy, but we government than it does, and to have it It might even keep me awake. That desperately need to make it more. And being hit with these abominable power will be a very good thing, so that will as I pointed out in my constituency prices is just something that should be good. But the fact is the Andrews question a couple of weeks ago, there not be tolerated, because every time Labor government was elected on the are a number of areas—particularly a small business operator goes broke, promise of closing down Hazelwood, new developments, which are going every time a small business operator and that is what it did. They went out ahead at a great rate of knots in the closes his or her doors, jobs are lost. of their way to deliberately close the west—that are hardly treed at all. Their I will put this in ways that members Hazelwood power station and remove houses are built and they have a road opposite might understand. If you do a quarter of our power capacity. Now, and footpath, and that is about it. not have employers, you do not have if you remove a quarter of our power What we need is a comprehensive employees, and if you do not have capacity, of course prices are going to and intensive program to ensure that employees, you do not have union go through the roof and of course we more trees are planted throughout members. That might be the only thing are going to have blackouts. Of course the western suburbs of Melbourne, that will impact members opposite that is going to happen. because not only does it enhance if I appeal to, well, I suppose their But ideology with this government the aesthetics of the local area but of base self-interest. That is what it is comes before all else. They do not course it also, as has been pointed about—the preservation of jobs, the care about families. They do not care out, does lower the temperature. With preservation of these small business about old people. They do not care summer coming up that would be a people and flowing through of course about the poor. They do not care very good thing, particularly in the to the union movement. about small business. They do not west, because it does get mighty hot So it is just horrendous, and I go care about jobs. They just care about in the western suburbs of Melbourne, around and I speak to small business pushing their ideological barrow, and and this would be something that people all the time. Unfortunately I they do not care what impact that we could do to assist local people in have not been able to get out as much has on people, ordinary folk here in fighting that heatwave that inevitably this year as I had been last year. Last Victoria, whoever and wherever they comes every summer. So what I am year I travelled a fair portion of Victoria may be—all impacted, all hit hard, doing is suggesting to the minister and spoke to small business operators by policies from a government that is that we work together. People say that one on one about the problems that so wrapped up in its own ideological politicians do not work together from they were facing, and I think just about agenda. It is very hard to understand either side. Well, I am suggesting that every single one of them said to me how they can do that to people who on this occasion we do work together. the cost of energy, the cost of power, in many cases voted for them. I talk I am suggesting that we put together a was something that was knocking about the western suburbs; you should program which would see the planting them around chronically. But this see the impact these policies have in of a large number of trees—I would government does not care about that. the western suburbs. Yet the people in not go as far as Bob Hawke’s billion, I This government does not care, and the western suburbs largely put them think it was, some years ago, but let us that shows when these people in small there. It is hard to understand, as I say a substantial number of trees—to said—very hard to understand—but be planted in the western suburbs of

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 31 Melbourne, and that will ensure that building and go for a walk down and knowing that so many small the west is a much better place to live. Bourke Street. Just go for a walk down businesses have hit the wall, that so It will ensure that the air is cleaner in Bourke Street, go for a walk down many small businesses are on the the west. That would also be a very Collins Street—any of the streets in brink of hitting the wall and that so good thing, and I know that a number Melbourne, in the city—or go to a many small businesses across this of people have been worried about that suburban shopping centre, whether state are hanging on by the skin of for a long time. So I ask the minister to that be a strip shopping centre or their teeth, some of them almost sit down with me to come up with this whether it be a mall-like centre. Go hour by hour waiting for something program and to put it into effect. to that shopping centre or go to the to happen which will enable them to City of Melbourne and just count the continue, that in that circumstance COUNCIL | Motions number of empty shops. Count the we have a government that says, ‘Well, 25 November 2020 number of shops that have ‘For lease’, we’re going to slap another tax on count the number of shops that have you’. If that does not send more small ‘Out of business’, count the number businesses to the wall, if that does of shops that have ‘Closed’ in their not create more empty shops, if that Secure Work windows. It is horrendous. does not create more unemployed, I have gone around, and I did it then nothing will—because that is Pilot Scheme again last night; I went down to the city what this government has set out to last night and had a look for myself, do. It is quite extraordinary that, in the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I knowing that I would be speaking circumstances that we have right now, move: in this debate today, and it was Daniel Andrews would stand up and That this house recognises that horrendous. It was horrendous, the say, ‘Yeah, we know that your backs are Victorian small businesses have number of shops that were empty, that against the wall. We know that you’re done it very tough through the were vacated and that I have to say are hanging on by the skin of your teeth. COVID-19 pandemic and that now We know that you’re on the verge of is the wrong time to foist a new unlikely to see the light of day again. It tax onto the small business sector was good that the Elephant was open, bankruptcy. But we are going to give already struggling to recover from but that was about the only thing in the you another tax anyway. We are going the lockdown. part of Melbourne that I was in. There to do you over. We are going to screw To paraphrase Her Majesty the were shops galore that were empty. you over in fact’. That is what is going Queen, 2020 has been an annus The opposition, sorry, the on here. horribilis for small business in this government—I am getting ahead of It is going to hit small business state. To quote me, it has been a myself here—likes to talk about jobs. savagely, but what else it is going to shocker. I doubt if it could have been They should realise that an empty do is destroy the casual workforce. It is much worse than it has been. The shop, a small business that has gone going to destroy almost immediately first wave hit earlier this year, and out of business, means the jobs are that section of the workforce that of course that was particularly hard gone. That is the bottom line: the is casual. Of course this is a very on many small businesses. But then, jobs are gone. That is what we are deliberate ploy by the government—a when we thought we had it under facing in this state at the moment. very deliberate ploy by the government control—remember back in, I think it Small business is the heart of the to destroy the casual workforce was, March or April we had days where economy, and we know what happens because you cannot sign casual we had no new cases at all—we had to us if our heart is playing up. We workers up, or not without great the situation where this government know what happens to us if our heart difficulty. You cannot sign them up to stuffed up monumentally and allowed is underperforming. Well, it is the the unions, and that is something that the virus back into the community, same with the economy. It is exactly the government cannot cope with. meaning we had a second wave. the same thing. If small business is This government would prefer to see As a result of that second wave, the underperforming, if small business people out of work, unemployed, on government implemented a lockdown is not doing what we have expected it the bones of their bum—they would the likes of which we had never seen to do now for such a long time, then prefer to see that—than have them in this state before, indeed a lockdown the economy will suffer and people not sign up to the union. That is what the likes of which we had never will suffer because the jobs will not this government’s priorities are. They seen in this country before, and we be there. They will not be there. As would have those people out of work. had a curfew for the first time in the I pointed out to members of the They would have those people not able history of this nation—all because government yesterday in language that to support their families, those people the Andrews government stuffed up they might understand, if there are no not able to keep their homes. They the hotel quarantine process. And we employers, there are no employees. would rather that happen than have should remember that. We should And if there are no employees, there a situation where those people would remember that at all times. Those are no union members, and that might not be able to join the union—quite an people patting Daniel Andrews on be the thing that just strikes the chord extraordinary set of priorities. I would the back now should remember who that makes the government realise suggest to you it is a despicable set of caused the problem in the first place. It how important small business is— priorities for any government to set out was him, it was his government and it because they employ people. They give to deliberately create unemployment was their monumental stuff-up. people jobs and then quite often those in the way that this government has set That second wave, that horrendous people—well, perhaps not quite so out to do over the last couple of days. lockdown, that scorched-earth policy, often as they used to—now can in fact It really should not surprise me that that policy that said, ‘We will kill join the union, and that is something it came from the mouth of Daniel you to save you’, was something that that, as I say, may well appeal. In fact I Andrews, because what we have seen destroyed many small businesses will be staggered if it does not appeal to over the last six years, but particularly in this state, and that is a tragedy. If the instincts of this government. over the last 12 months, is absolutely you do not believe me, can I suggest It is quite astounding, having no sympathy, absolutely no empathy that you walk down the steps of this seen what has happened this year for those in the small business community. There is absolutely no

IN 32 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE sympathy, absolutely no empathy for COUNCIL | Constituency questions That is what economic strength allows those people in small business who 25 November 2020 Victorians to do, and unfortunately put their homes on the line, who put at the moment there is not a lot of it everything they have quite often on around. It is a very bleak situation at the line, because they want to run their the moment, and I have a great fear own business. They want to be their Return of school that next year could actually be worse. own bosses and they want to employ What we are seeing is a government people. They want to create jobs. That parent volunteers that has embarked upon ideological is why they are the centre of prosperity Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) warfare against the small business in this country, and perhaps that is why — My constituency question is sector. Despite what the government this government wants to kick them in to the Minister for Education. says, the fact of the matter is that the the guts, or perhaps a little bit lower Minister, because of the economic only long-term, sustainable recovery than what they are expecting. I mean, circumstances of many families in that we can have is through growth it is just appalling. I heard the Premier Melbourne’s west and the particular in the private sector and in particular say it the other day. I could not actually needs of a wide variety of multicultural in small business. That is what we believe it. I had to wait for the news communities in Melbourne’s west, should be putting emphasis on, but to come around an hour later so that parent volunteers in local schools are instead the government is out there I could hear it again before I actually even more important than in most spending every cent that you and I believed it. I could not believe that a other parts of Victoria. Volunteers have and that our children have, our Premier of any state, much less this provide help and support to teachers grandchildren have and probably our great state or this formerly great state and students alike—help and support great-grandchildren have as well. This of Victoria, would be so callous, would that would not otherwise be available. spend that they have been trumpeting be so uncaring to announce what he These volunteers are a crucially for the last 24 hours will still be being had announced knowing—and he important part of education in the paid off in probably 80 or 90 years time, knows—the impact that it will have western suburbs, and their presence such is the debt that we face in Victoria not just on small businesses and small right now is sorely missed. Minister, at the moment. That is not going to be business men and women but on the we need these committed volunteers good—slugging people. casual workforce. back in our local schools. When do you You have got to remember that the There are a lot of people out there anticipate volunteers will be allowed only place that governments can get who are very happy to work on a to return to do their wonderful work in money from is taxation. Now, whether casual basis. That is the way they Melbourne’s west’s schools? it is via the federal government or want to work. They are very keen to directly to the state government do that. They accept that they work COUNCIL | Motions it does not matter. The only place on a casual basis, and they get an 25 November 2020 that governments get money from extra loading for that. They are happy is taxpayers—simple as that. When for that to work that way. But no, the we talk about this debt that Labor is government says, ‘We can’t have that. building up, this $155 billion debt, that If you don’t accept our rules, if you Secure Work is not the government’s debt; that is don’t accept unionism, you’re out individual taxpayer debt. I understand the door, you’re on the street. Forget every baby now is born in Victoria it’. That is what this government is on Pilot Scheme with somewhere in the vicinity of a about. It is just appalling, because what Debate resumed. $24 000 debt. That is not something this government should be doing is that we should be proud of, it is not supporting small business. At the very Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — something that we should be crowing least it should be getting the hell out of Before the extended break I was talking about, but unfortunately the Premier the way of small business and allowing about the government’s contempt seems to think that that is the makings small business people to get on with for small business in this state, and of a recovery, which I find quite what they do well. Let them run their I was pointing out in fact that if we extraordinary. As I said earlier, I find it own businesses. Let them employ have a strong small business sector, quite amazing at a time when we need people. Let them do what they want we have a strong employment sector, support for small business or at the to do in their own businesses. That is because small business means jobs. very least for government to get out of at the very least what the government Small business is the biggest employer small business’s way. in Australia. If you do not have that should be doing. But this government I recall when I ran my own small support for small business, then you is going out of its way to smash business that all I wanted to do, all I are not going to have the jobs growth small business even further. Can you wanted to have happen, was for the and the jobs strength that we need imagine, after what they have done government to get out of my way and for a strong economy and indeed for this year, they want to smash small let me get on with what I did. The individual families to have security in business even further now. government should be doing that. their lives, and that is something that is If there is some degree of support Business interrupted pursuant to very important. sessional orders. that can be offered at the moment, People talk about economic this and that is great, but at the very least economic that, but what it is really they should be getting out of the about is ensuring that people are way of small business. Instead they able to live the lives that they want to. slug them with a new tax, and that That is what it is about—that they are is quite extraordinary. We should able to work, that they are able to be be throwing our support behind the self-sustainable, that they will be able private sector. We should be throwing to do what they want to do to pay off our support very strongly behind their homes, to go on holidays, to do small business in particular. We most whatever they may want to do. That is certainly should not be hitting them what economic strength is all about.

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 33 with another tax at a time when they a moment we would see what this now? How can any government—and are teetering on the precipice. Many government did to people who had I do not care whether it is a Liberal small businesses are teetering on the done nothing but work hard, build government, a Labor government, precipice, and this tax that is being up a bit of capital and were preparing whatever government; I do not care proposed by the government will for their retirement. I never thought I what government it is—how can hurt a lot of businesses and will push would see the day where a government anyone, do that to people who have a lot of businesses into bankruptcy, would just get hold of people, throttle just worked hard for a living and have out of business, and of course their them and leave them for dead, and that done the right thing all their lives? employees will suffer because they will is exactly what happened. I have seen the faces of bankruptcy. I lose their jobs. It is appalling, and I challenge have seen the faces of ruin. I have seen I just want to emphasise, and then anyone—anyone in this house or the faces—well, not the faces directly I will sit down, that strong business anyone outside this house who but certainly the faces surrounding—of means jobs. I cannot put it any simpler listened to Mr Barton today. I those who have committed suicide, than that. If you want people to have challenge them not to be deeply and that is how serious this is. People jobs, you will support the business moved by his story. I challenge are not alive today—people have taken community. If you do not, then at them, and I challenge anyone in their own lives—because they were some stage the whole thing is going this chamber or indeed outside this destroyed by the government. How the to come crashing down, and that is chamber, again, not to be outraged hell can that happen in a nation like the simple fact of the matter. You can by the injustice—yes, that word Australia? How could it happen? But it build up debts of billions and billions ‘injustice’—of what happened to Mr did. It is quite extraordinary. and billions and billions of dollars, Barton and what happened to so many When I was chairman—as Mr but at some stage the whole thing, the others who lost everything they had at Melhem referred to—of the Economy whole game of cards, is going to come the whim of a government. If it could and Infrastructure Committee and we crashing down around your ears. The happen to Mr Barton and if it could did an extensive inquiry into the taxi only way that we can recover from happen to taxi owners and operators, industry, I remember looking into the what we have been through, the only why can’t it happen to every single public gallery of that inquiry. I think it way that we can recover from what we one of us? Because once the precedent might have been actually when I first are still going through, is through a is set, it can be followed. Once the met Mr Barton, if I am not wrong. I saw strong business community who are government sets itself up as judge, many anguished faces in that public working hard, employing people and jury and executioner, and once it gallery, men and women who had getting the results that they need to successfully does that, there is nothing been screwed over monumentally. You ensure that the recovery for Victoria, that will stop it doing it again and again just imagine yourself. You have done the recovery for Australia, is there for and again. That is something that really very, very nicely—well, put it this way: each and every single one of us to should stay with all of us. But I want you have done all right for yourself. enjoy. to talk for a moment, and I will not do You have worked hard and you have what Mr Melhem did—I will not go built up an asset. You are preparing COUNCIL | Motions through my full 30 minutes, because I for your retirement and you think that 25 November 2020 do not think that is necessary. I think you are going to be relatively okay. You Mr Melhem probably could have, are going to be comfortable—if not to quote Sir Robert Menzies, cut his over the top, certainly comfortable. All speech in half and it would not have of a sudden you wake up one day and Commercial really mattered which half. you are penniless. How do you reckon I think that I have seen the pain you would feel? How do you think you passenger vehicle firsthand. I have seen the agony would feel? firsthand of what Mr Barton has But that is what happened to these spoken about here today. I have people. They were penniless. They industry spoken to many constituents, and I had lost their assets. They had lost Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — have many constituents in the west their homes. They have still got, many Wasn’t that an experience, listening of Melbourne and in the north-west of them, hundreds of thousands of to Mr Melhem there? He had some in particular, around the airport, dollars owing on loans. They still have interesting words did Mr Melhem. I who have lost everything that they to pay their bills, but all of a sudden would love to know what his definition owned—many of them, I have to say, they wake up one morning and they of ‘reasonable’ is, when he said that who came to this country many years have nothing. I saw those people in what the government had done to ago from perhaps Greece, perhaps Italy the public hearings, in the public taxi operators was reasonable. ‘What or perhaps even Egypt or somewhere gallery of those hearings that we they had offered taxi operators was like that. They have come to Australia conducted in this building, and I have reasonable.’ He then went on to tell us and they have worked like Trojans to commend those people for their that there were in fact losers and losers. ever since they got here. All they have restraint, because I tell you what: if There were no winners in this. There done is they have worked seven days it happened to me, I would not be so were losers and losers, and that is the a week. They have not taken holidays. restrained. I am not sure what I would truth. That is the truth. Mr Melhem They might have gone back to the old do, but I can guarantee I would not puts his tail between his legs and heads country for a couple of weeks every few be as restrained as those people were. out the door, and I am not surprised years, but apart from that all they have Certainly they were upset, certainly after that performance. He tells us done is worked and prepared to ensure they were emotional. My God, who there are losers and losers, and that is that they would have a retirement would not be, having been put through the absolute truth. Nobody won here. It that they would be able to enjoy. They that. But they were restrained and was a disgraceful situation, and I recall looked after their families, paid their they were dignified. These people are having some words with people back taxes—all those things. As Mr Barton decent, hardworking Australians who when we were in government, before says, they did nothing wrong. Now, do not deserve what has happened 2014, about what was being discussed if they did nothing wrong, how the to them. They do not deserve that, back then. But I never thought for hell can they be put in this situation

IN 34 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE but it is something that has occurred with his decision earlier this week to COUNCIL | Constituency questions and it is something that we should approve the dumping of toxic soil in 26 November 2020 rectify. It is not good enough to say, ‘It’s Ravenhall, and in Bacchus Marsh as happened in the past, there’s nothing well, is through the roof. The anger we can do now’. We are members of is white-hot throughout the western the Parliament of Victoria. We do not suburbs of Melbourne, and I can Toxic soil dump just have the power to do it; we have assure you the people of Sunbury and an obligation. We have a duty to right Bulla are watching very, very closely public meeting wrongs, and this is a wrong that must to see what will happen in the days be righted. It must be righted. ahead. They understand, and we are invitation Yesterday we saw a budget where hearing from sources close to the the Treasurer got up and threw billions minister’s office, I gather, that Sunbury Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) and billions and billions of dollars in is going to cop it as well, which is just — My constituency question is to every direction—mainly in marginal absolutely staggering. These people the Minister for Planning. Minister, seats, but in every direction. Why can’t have bought homes, and I am talking the people of Melbourne’s west are some of that go to compensating these about people in Caroline Springs, appalled and deeply angered by your people who have been screwed over in Deer Park, in areas surrounding decision to give the go-ahead to the by the government? Would that be a Ravenhall, people in Sunbury, in Bulla. dumping of carcinogenic toxic soil fair and a reasonable thing? I use that Sunbury is about to explode in terms at Ravenhall. The people of Sunbury word again, ‘reasonable’, Mr Melhem. of population, about to double its size, and Bulla are fearful of an upcoming Would that be fair, would that be and here we are with the potential decision that may see Sunbury Road reasonable? Too right it would. If we of toxic soil being dumped just a few turned into a toxic soil dump. Locals are serious about representing people hundred metres from new homes. have many concerns they feel have in this Parliament, if we are serious It is just deplorable, and I cannot not been listened to. They have many about doing the right thing in this understand what the minister was questions as to why their area would Parliament, then we should support thinking when he approved that. That be chosen to have this poisonous this motion. Not only should we is what I would like to know tonight, soil dumped. The time for genuine support this motion, we should follow because what I am doing is inviting consultation is now well past. Minister, it up and ensure that the government the minister to join me in the western if I were to hire a venue in Melbourne’s does the right thing by these people. suburbs at a public meeting to tell west and invite locals along to express We should, we must. It is something the people of Caroline Springs, Deer their concerns and ask their questions, that I have felt very strongly about for a Park and surrounds, and the people of would you attend such a meeting very long time. It is a sense of outrage Sunbury if indeed he goes down that with aggrieved residents to hear those at this injustice that has occurred. path, directly why he has approved this concerns and answer their questions? I am pleased that Mr Barton said carcinogenic toxic soil to be dumped in toward the end of his contribution their neighbourhood. They have a right COUNCIL | Constituency questions this afternoon that he stands here to know. 08 December 2020 prepared to rebuild and to help It is a bit like the debate we had rebuild the industry that he loves. I earlier over the taxidrivers. They have am delighted that he said that, and I done nothing wrong—apart from raise give a commitment here today, very their families, pay their taxes and work Ravenhall landfill publicly—it does not get much more hard—and all of a sudden we find Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) public than this—to Mr Barton that I here a minister, who probably would — My constituency question is to the stand here willing to help him do that not even know where Ravenhall or Minister for Planning, and it concerns in any way that I possibly can. The deal Bulla or Sunbury are, declaring that a letter that I received yesterday that you and your fellow operators those are the areas that will get this from the mayor of Melton, Cr Kathy received stinks to high heaven. It very dangerous, poisonous toxic soil. Majdlik—and I congratulate her and should not be swept under the carpet, It is deplorable, it is despicable and the deputy mayor, Cr Goran Kesic, it should not be forgotten about. It it is something that I have to say as a on their recent election; it is a very should be rectified. And those people representative of the western suburbs exciting time for them and, I am sure, who have suffered should be given the just sickens me to my stomach. It is a very exciting time for the City of opportunity to get back what they lost. horrendous what the minister has Melton. She wrote: That is so important. If you want to done. This is a shocking decision, an The City of Melton has expressed right a wrong, here is the opportunity appalling decision. I am asking the serious concern and extreme to do it, and I urge every member of minister to accompany me, to look disappointment over a Victorian this house to support Mr Barton’s those people in the eye and to tell them Government decision that enables motion. why they must carry the weight of this Ravenhall landfill to become poisonous toxic soil. the dumping ground for the contaminated West Gate Tunnel COUNCIL | Adjournment soil. 25 November 2020 … I’m absolutely shocked that the State Government thinks a proposal like this is appropriate. We’re talking West Gate Tunnel about toxic soil and hundreds of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) truck movements every day in an — I wish to raise a matter on the area where families live and work. adjournment this evening for the … attention of the Minister for Planning. Can I just say to the minister that the Our residents do not deserve this. level of disgust, the level of anger Council advocated extremely hard to stop the Ravenhall tip …

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 35 I agree with the mayor. Minister, will Dr Cumming: He brought his own in any free and democratic nation. It you reverse this disgraceful decision? lunch. is not for the first time this week that Mr FINN: Hello, cocky! He said, I rise to speak in support of human COUNCIL | Petitions ‘I wish my allocation of money rights and civil rights, and it is so 08 December 2020 to go to those who are without, important that we keep them in mind. those who are suffering’. And I There are some who will say that if thought that was indeed a very fair you talk about human rights or civil enough sort of suggestion—a very, rights, civil liberties, you are some sort Tarneit train very good suggestion indeed. The of leftie crackpot. Well, I can assure council distributed it amongst other you, and I am sure that most members station councillors so that that money did not of the house would be probably go to where Cr Dance had asked. It aware, that I am not a leftie crackpot. Legislative Council Electronic went to that aforesaid booze-up, nosh- I can certainly guarantee that my Petition: up, knees-up. concern for civil liberties has grown The Petition of certain citizens of It was some absolute horror for me significantly over the years, as I have the State of Victoria draws to the to find out that the reason that was seen quite a few things that have made attention of the Legislative Council the hair on the back of my neck stand that an overbridge connecting given for this particular gathering was, Platforms 1 and 2 at Tarneit Railway ‘Well, we’ve always done this. This has up. It is quite extraordinary, and as Station, on the Derrimut Road side, been approved by council, and this is Mr Quilty said, you just have to look is needed. the way we do it.’ Well, my view is that around most of the world—and I say most of the world—to see the violation Currently, commuters have to that is not the way you do it. The fact park their cars and walk almost a of the matter is: could you imagine of human rights on a daily basis. In fact kilometre to get to either side of the outcry if we all got together here, the violation of human rights in most the railway station, which is very invited our family and friends along countries in the world today is a way of inconvenient, especially to the and had an almighty great booze-up life, and that is a tragedy and one that elderly and families with young upstairs—perhaps in the Legislative we should always be wary of. children. Council committee room or room I am tempted here to throw in the The petitioners therefore request K or somewhere like that? It is the famous quote from the great Ronald that the Legislative Council call on Federation Room now; that is right, Wilson Reagan, who said that the loss the Minister for Public Transport, isn’t it? Imagine the outcry. of freedom is never more than just one the Honourable Ben Carroll, to Well, I think it is about time that we generation away, and that is the truth. facilitate the construction of an had an outcry for what is happening If we are not careful, if we are not wary, overbridge connecting Platforms 1 if we are not standing up for our basic and 2 at Tarneit Railway Station. at the Hume council. I think for them to be spending the sort of money that freedoms, they will be taken away from Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) they are spending on these sorts of us. (244 signatures). gatherings is criminal waste and a There is no shortage of people in gross insult to the hardworking people this world today who would take COUNCIL | Adjournment of the City of Hume, keeping in mind those rights off us, whether they 08 December 2020 that the airport is in the City of Hume be bureaucrats, whether they be and there are a good many people politicians, whether they be trade in the aviation industry who do not unionists, whether they be journalists. have a job at the moment but I would They will take our rights off us, and Hume City assume are still expected to pay rates. they will not have a problem in the So I am asking the minister to appoint world in doing so. Of course it will be Council a monitor to audit all of this sort of inevitably to enhance, to increase, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) unnecessary spending that the Hume their own power. There seems to be — I wish to raise a matter in the council commits itself to. a correlation there, the less rights we adjournment this evening for the have the more rights they have, and attention of the Minister for Local COUNCIL | Motions that is something that has concerned Government. Exactly one week ago 09 December 2020 me now for quite a few years—to see the Hume council was having a good the elites of this world treating us mere old time with the ratepayers money plebs as something less than should be in that particular municipality. They respected. were having a knees-up, a booze-up, COVID-19 I think what we have seen in the a nosh-up. They were having a right Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) United States over the last four of five old time. One hundred and twenty of — I rise this afternoon to speak on years is a fair indication that a hell their closest friends got together to Mr Quilty’s motion, and in doing so of a lot of people are really sick of celebrate those councillors who had I commend him very strongly for being treated badly by these elitists— been recently elected and to farewell putting this motion forward, because they feel that their rights are just as those who had been given the old I think it is a very important motion, important as people who might have a ‘Thank you very much—out the door’. particularly as we near the end of 2020, bit of money, who might have a bit of And of course it was all paid for by the which is a year like no other that we fame, who might have a flash car—just ratepayers, and what a marvellous have certainly seen in our lifetimes because they do not necessarily have thing that is! But I had to congratulate and a year where I have to say we have all that. newly elected councillor Trevor Dance, witnessed some extremely distressing Their rights—people with families who strongly objected to this absolute scenes on our streets as a result of who live in the suburbs or live in travesty of waste. He actually rang the people seeking to express their views, country towns or on farms—are just council and said, ‘I don’t wish to go. I to exercise their basic rights. We should as important as the rights of anybody wish my allocation of money— always remember of course that the else. It has been interesting to see that right to protest is a fundamental right over the last few years evolve in the

IN 36 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE United States, and I think, given the That is why I do not support big me at a demonstration—the March latest developments over there today, government, because big government for the Babies—had a rib cracked. A there may well be future evolvement in means that they have the view that chap from the United States had a the not-too-distant future. But we will they can tell us what to do—they can couple of ribs broken out the front of wait for a significant Supreme Court tell us how to live our lives, they can this building because demonstrators— decision very, very soon. When you tell us what we need to do on a daily the extreme, foul left—decided that have almost half the states in the US basis. They feel, because they are big, they had the right to belt us up. taking a case to the Supreme Court, they are powerful and they are strong, Unfortunately on that occasion the you know that there is something that we are not and that they can tell us police agreed with them and let them afoot. We will wait and see what how we can live our lives, and that is go, which I still shake my head about to happens. But certainly what we have what we have seen this year. this very day. seen in the US over the last few years I have to say I have been deeply But I have been in that particular is indicative of a revolution of sorts by saddened and distressed by some of march every year for the last 12 people who have been trodden on for the scenes that we have seen this year. years—sorry, 11 years because we did far too long, and that revolution must I recall being at home one Saturday not have the march this year; it was come here. afternoon. I think I was watching Sky all online. Whilst we had thousands The thing that distresses me possibly News—how unusual. I was sitting of people viewing, we did not have more than anything else—although on the couch, and there from the the physical march this year for the there are few things that distress me, helicopter was a scene of a protest—it obvious reasons, but we are certainly I have to say—is those people who was a Reignite Democracy Australia very much looking forward to being feel that their rights do not matter. protest or something similar to that— back on the streets next year. I am sure They feel that they do not matter. They down near the Myer Music Bowl I you, Acting President, will enjoy being feel that they have no impact in life. think from memory. All of this vision with us again as we do our thing. They feel that they have no influence was being taken from a helicopter As I said earlier, I think it is on what happens in here and what above, and it was being shown in fundamentally important that we happens in Canberra. They feel that it lounge rooms around Australia. It all have the right to protest in a does not matter what they do; they will was fascinating to see the way the constructive, in a positive and in a not be listened to. Now, my view is that police worked and then the way the non-violent, peaceful manner. It can at some stage they are going to wake demonstrators moved. I thought to be annoying. If you are driving and you up and realise that for their rights to be myself as they moved in toward the do not know there is a protest going taken seriously, for their lives indeed Royal Botanic Gardens, ‘Now, if they on and the streets are blocked, yes, to be taken seriously, they are going to take Government House, we might that can be annoying. There are no two have to do what happened in the US, have a show here’. But they did not ways about that. I have been in that where ordinary folk—if I could use that even try. I thought to myself, ‘Isn’t it situation myself, and it can be very, term; I do not use it in a pejorative way, extraordinary where people can be very annoying. But that should not take but folk who would regard themselves literally hunted through the city of away from the fact that people do have as ordinary folk—have taken a stand Melbourne?’, hunted down as they the right to protest in the way that they for themselves. I think that is a very, were on that particular occasion. I should. very good thing. thought to myself, ‘What is going on in I well remember many, many years Now, one thing I want to point out this country?’. ago a bloke called Joh Bjelke-Petersen is the role of Victoria Police in the Acting President, this will probably up in Queensland: ‘Don’t you worry demonstrations that we have seen this surprise you personally, but I have about that’. He declared a law that year. I do not hold the men and women protested on a number of occasions. banned street marching. Now, I was, of Victoria Police—the thin blue In fact this might surprise you even back in those days, a very, very great line, the rank and file—responsible more— supporter, in fact a fan, of Joh Bjelke- for some of the scenes that we have The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Petersen. In fact I am still enamoured witnessed on our streets this year. Patten): I think I was there. with the man; I thought he was Certainly they have their orders and Mr FINN: I was just going to say it wonderful. But even back then, and they have followed those orders quite might surprise you even more that we that is going back a long, long time often to the letter, and they have done may have actually been on opposite now—probably when I was about what they would be expected to do sides of the protest on a number of 12 or 13 or something, so it is a long under those circumstances. The people occasions. That is something that I time ago—I was very unnerved by the that we should be really concerned believe is everybody’s right to do as thought that people could not actually about—and this is where the real issue long as they are peaceful. Yes, you protest in the streets. lies—are in the government that gives can be loud. Yes, you can make your I have protested since against these sorts of orders that allow this sort presence felt, but as long— a couple of Labor governments. I of stomping of human rights to occur. Mr Leane: You can be loud. remember back in 1992 we had about That concerns me, because as Mr Mr FINN: You can be pretty loud 150 000 people out the front here— Quilty said, if we allow governments yourself when you get going. But what they filled down Bourke Street as far to do that, they will. There is nothing we cannot allow are violent protests, as the eye could see—calling for the surer. I have to say that there is and I have been a victim of the sorts of Kirner government to resign. She did probably one side of the house more violent protests that I speak of, where not, and it did not, but the election inclined to do that than this side, but people feel that they have a right to finally was called and—‘goodness there is every chance that, given the come and bash people, they have a gracious me’—out the door they went. right sort of person running the show right to knock elderly people down But again it was everybody’s right or the right set of people running the riding bikes and they have a right to to protest, just as six months later show, it could happen on either side, cause all manner of physical distress there were another 100 000 people and that is something that we should to people. I remember a few years out the front to protest, calling for the all be aware of. That is something that back now that a then member of this Kennett government to resign. These we should all be very, very wary of. place, Andrew Elsbury, who was with things come and go, they flow, and

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 37 you just accept that that is the way it Minister, the EPA has let down the year ahead. They can be assured I will is. But if people feel strongly about it, western suburbs now for close to keep fighting for them in 2021. they should be allowed to do that. It generations. It is staggering what is certainly beats the alternative where going on in the west. The situation at COUNCIL | Constituency questions overseas you have people taking the Kealba landfill, the tip there, is 10 December 2020 up arms, you have people throwing just as bad if not worse than we have bombs and all of the more extreme up at Ravenhall and we have at Bulla elements of protest movements that with the great mountain, which they we have largely managed to avoid by are now calling Mount Bulla. It is just Sunbury Road respecting everybody’s right to protest. appalling what is going on right across So I congratulate Mr Quilty—or is the western suburbs of Melbourne. safety issues it Dr Quilty?—for his motion today. What I am asking the minister to do is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) I support it very much. I think it is to take responsibility, to take this thing — My constituency question is to a fundamental principle that we all by the horns and to put this fire out—to the Minister for Roads and Road should support, and I urge everyone do whatever is necessary to get this Safety. The condition of Sunbury in this house to give this motion their fire out. It has been burning for over Road between Oaklands Road and support when the vote comes. a year. The minister needs to get this fire out and to stop the stench. I mean, Melbourne Airport is disgraceful. So I am sure she would not want this in bad is the surface, the minister’s own COUNCIL | Adjournment department has erected signs warning 09 December 2020 Mill Park, where she lives. I am sure she would not. Certainly the people motorists about it and has lowered the in Kealba and nearby do not want it speed limit yet again. The proliferation where they are. So I am asking the of heavy trucks on local roads and the Kealba landfill minister, begging the minister—I will refusal of the Andrews government get down on my knees and plead with to build the Bulla bypass has led to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the minister if I absolutely have to—to this breakdown of the road surface. — I wish to raise a matter this evening do her job, to get the EPA onto the job The prospect of the Andrews Labor for the attention of the Minister for and to fix this stinking mess in Kealba. government pushing a further 800-plus Energy, Environment and Climate trucks laden with toxic soil onto our Change, and I have to say that I am roads every day promises to make it heartily sick of raising these issues COUNCIL | Members statements much worse, probably in the not-too- with the minister and the situation 10 December 2020 distant future. Minister, what are you not improving one little bit. This is yet doing to ensure Sunbury Road is safe another environmental disaster that is for use by local motorists? occurring in the western suburbs and Felicitations severely impacting local residents and COUNCIL | Second reading those who work nearby. I refer to an Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — 10 December 2020 article just this week in the Brimbank Who would have thought a shortage Leader by Rebecca DiNuzzo. It starts of toilet paper would have signalled off: a year like 2020? Indeed, if it was not The stench of burning rubbish from for the mighty Tigers going back to Appropriation Kealba tip—which one resident back in the first grand final away from has likened to “dead bodies”—is so Melbourne, this is a year that we could bad homeowners as far away as St readily petition to have cancelled. (2020–2021) Bill Albans say it is making them sick. For many it was a year of tragedy. My The fire at the tip—run by Barro heart goes out to the families of those 2020 Group—has been burning for more 800-plus people who died as a result Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) than a year, and with summer of Labor’s second wave. Equally, my — I rise to speak on the budget and approaching, fed up residents say sympathy is extended to those families cannot help but remark that whilst they’re taking the fight against the who have lost a loved one as a result of there might be some around who are multi million-dollar company into the subsequent lockdown. I wonder if very pleased with the budget, future their own hands. we will ever know exactly how many generations will not be, because the Kealba mum Siobhan Brister said ended their own lives because of the one thing that this budget leaves more she was dreading the warmer devastation to their businesses. I am than anything else is a huge debt. And months because she predicted the thinking of them particularly this that debt will have to be paid one day. smell—which she likened to “dead Christmas. bodies”—would get worse. This is like somebody, perhaps a child, Despite the dreadful year we have who has just discovered a wonderful … endured, I take this opportunity to new device called a credit card and has St Albans resident Nicole Power wish all members and their families a run amok with that credit card without erected a sign on her fence this week very happy, very safe and, if they are any care as to who will have to pay the urging people to lodge complaints so inclined, a very holy Christmas. A bill. The tragedy is that at some stage about the tip to the EPA. very happy Christmas to the staff of somebody will have to pay the bill, And there lies the problem in itself, this Parliament and their families. The and that will be our kids, that will be because the EPA is one of the most amazing people who keep this place our grandkids and maybe it will be our useless organisations on the face running deserve the season of peace great grandkids. At this point in time, of the earth. Anybody who lodges a that is ahead after putting up with in four years time we will have a debt complaint with the EPA might as well some of the ratbaggery that has gone of somewhere in the vicinity of $155 just open the window and throw a on in here from time to time. To all billion—$155 000 million. That is an piece of paper out, because it is just a Victorians, particularly those who live extraordinary legacy to leave future total waste of time. in Melbourne’s west, I wish every joy generations in this state. for Christmas and a much, much better

IN 38 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 FINN THE HOUSE Now, Daniel Andrews will say, I will just mention briefly that the that particular problem can have. She ‘I’ve done this’ and ‘I’ve done that’ west is carrying a large cost of this says: and ‘I’ve spent this’. That is the good budget in the toxic soil dump that is The Wattle program is under the old-fashioned socialist way of doing coming our way, perhaps to Bacchus auspice of the Western Autistic things—you measure success by how Marsh—that is a matter of conjecture, School and had been operating from much you have spent. You do not I note, at the moment, with the EPA a location in Ascot Vale. measure success by what you have having done a somersault this week— Staff and parents received achieved; you measure success by but certainly to Ravenhall, which has notification on the last day of term what you have spent. And if that is copped more than its fair share over 3 this year that the program was his measure, well, he has been very the years. It seems that that area will to be moved to Essendon-Keilor successful, because the budget has be blessed, if I can use that term, with Secondary College … for Term 4. been, as Rex Hunt would have said, more toxic soil. I note that today I have Western Autistic no longer wants ‘blown to the scheissenhausen’. And received another letter from the mayor to run this program for a number that is very, very unfortunate, as I of Melton expressing her very strong of reasons and is shadowing the say, for generations to come. I see Mr opposition to the dumping of toxic closure of the Wattle program Leane over there readily agreeing with soil at Ravenhall. Of course the other without giving due regard to a my comments. possibility—probability in fact—is that genuine pathway for the current that soil will be dumped near Sunbury students, my son included. The The other thing about this budget is rhetoric is that now these students that it is almost entirely dependent on Road between Bulla and Sunbury. That are entitled to be enrolled in, and government spending for our recovery. is just appalling for locals, and I speak should be enrolled in a mainstream Now, again, good old-fashioned from personal experience there. school. The reality is that these socialist economics does not recognise This is a budget that is remarkable in students, my son in particular, that if we are to have a sustainable the legacy that it will leave Victorians. have been significantly impacted and a vigorous recovery, the only way We will be paying this debt for and traumatised from their past that is going to happen is with a strong generations to come. In many years, enrolments in mainstream school business sector—a strong private long after I have left and we have all left to the point of disengagement and the emergence of complex mental sector. That is the only way that it is this Parliament, we will still be paying health issues. going to happen, because governments this debt. Victorians will still be paying do not create wealth; governments this debt when I have been long in the She says: draw wealth. And, well, it is just around ground. Victorians will still be paying This is not a suitable alternate and around—talk about your circular this debt, and we can look back and placement for my son. The decision economy! Around and around you go. say, ‘Thank you, Daniel Andrews— will have a disadvantageous impact on his current and future We take the money to pay you, and thank you for nothing’. presentation and educational around and around you go. opportunities. The only way that we are going to COUNCIL | Adjournment Parents of kids with autism have have a strong, viable and sustainable 10 December 2020 enough on their plate without having state in the future is for businesses, to put up with this. It is staggering particularly small businesses, to to me that we have these sorts of be strong, to be vibrant and to problems still occurring where be exciting. That is the way of the Autism education parents are notified that something future, and if we are serious about Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) is happening just like that and they Victoria’s future but we ignore small — I wish to raise a matter in the are expected to rearrange basically business then the whole thing is adjournment this evening for the their entire lives in order to fit in with just a joke—it just will not happen. very last time in 2020 for the Minister somebody else’s plans. It seems to Unfortunately, it is spending vast for Education. I have received an me that this particular lady has got sums of money, putting us in debt, as email from a constituent who tells a very, very fair case. I think she and I say, for generations to come without me that she believes she has two boys those like her—and as she says, she accepting the importance of business who have been subject to indirect is not the only one—have been dealt in employment. As I have said to this discrimination regarding the provision a very rough hand on this particular house on a number of occasions, you of appropriate and timely educational issue, and what I am asking the cannot have union members if you opportunity. Her son Luke is 15 years minister to do is to investigate her do not have jobs. I see Ms Terpstra old, and he attends the Western issues with Western Autistic School over there has cocked her head and Autistic School’s adolescent program and particularly the Wattle program, looks most interested when I mention called Wattle. The program was offered and I ask the minister to come up with union members. But that is the fact to support secondary school children a solution to this particularly difficult of the matter: without employers you with ASD with additional mental problem. do not have employees, and without health issues who had disengaged or employees you do not have union were at risk of disengagement from members. Members opposite might a mainstream school. I know from like to keep that in mind. personal experience the impact that

Finn In The House readers, please note that the speeches here have been extracted from Hansard. Formatting here is slightly different however; for example, Constituency Questions in Hansard only have the electorate name for the speech heading, whereas here each contribution has a heading reflecting the topic of debate. Also at times, where multiple contributions are made (for example in the Committee Stage of a bill), they are aggregated under a single heading. Supplementary Questions are shown here directly after a Question Without Notice, as this book only contains Bernie’s contributions (whereas in the House, the supplementary question is asked after the minister’s first answer). Refer to Hansard for the official record of the Parliamentary debates.

IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2020 39 FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches August to December 2020

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