FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2021

Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Police and Community Safety Shadow Assistant Minister for Autism Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council

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

Authorised and printed by Bernie Finn MP, Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook. This material was funded from the Parliament Electorate Office & Communications Budget. FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2021

CONTENTS

Sunbury traffic lights...... 3 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Edinburgh...... 20 Prohibition Bill 2020...... 3 Toxic soil health claims...... 20 Olga Tennison...... 3 West Gate Tunnel soil...... 20 Multipurpose Taxi Program...... 3 Point Cook police station...... 21 Derrimut Road duplication...... 4 Toxic soil threat...... 21 West Gate Tunnel...... 4 Payroll Tax...... 21 Millers Road traffic concerns...... 5 Electoral Reform...... 22 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices West Gate Tunnel soil...... 23 Prohibition Bill 2020...... 5 Toxic soil waterway threat...... 23 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Point Cook Road...... 23 Prohibition Bill 2020...... 6 Contaminated soil dumping...... 24 Bulla truck traffic...... 7 Medically supervised injecting facility...... 24 Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices West Gate Tunnel soil...... 24 Prohibition Bill 2020...... 7 Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Distance-based COVID-19...... 8 Charge Bill 2021...... 24 Small business support...... 8 Events Industry...... 25 Ambulance response times...... 8 Melbourne Airport rail link consultation...... 25 Economy and Infrastructure Committee...... 8 Werribee East Employment Precinct...... 25 Small business support...... 9 Lockdown impact on sole traders...... 26 COVID-19...... 9 COVID-19...... 26 COVID-19 airport arrivals...... 9 State Taxation and Mental Health Acts Education and Training Reform Amendment Amendment Bill 2021...... 26 (Miscellaneous) Bill 2020...... 10 West Gate Tunnel soil...... 28 Bulla hill road dangers...... 11 Footscray drug-injecting room...... 29 West Gate Tunnel...... 12 West Gate Tunnel soil...... 30 Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment COVID-19...... 30 (State of Emergency Extension) Bill 2021...... 12 Gym access...... 30 Ticketmaster accessible seating tickets...... 13 Budget Papers 2021–22...... 31 Derrimut Road duplication...... 14 COVID-19...... 32 Small business support...... 14 Toxic soil community anger...... 33 Small business support...... 16 COVID-19...... 33 Tarneit train station...... 17 West Gate Tunnel soil...... 33 Bulla public toilets...... 17 Williams Landing short-stay accommodation....33 Anzac services...... 18 Melbourne Water purchasing policies...... 33 Tarneit West train station...... 18 Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Hume City Council...... 18 (Greater Transparency and Accountability) Toxic soil: health impact...... 18 Bill 2021...... 34 Bulla Bridge...... 18 Sunbury former university campus site...... 34 Dohertys Road, Truganina, bus service...... 19 West Gate Tunnel soil...... 35 Anzac Day...... 19 Toxic soil community protest...... 19 Belt and Road Initiative...... 19

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

IN 2 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Constituency questions approach or warning against COUNCIL | Members statements 02 February 2021 irreversible medical intervention. 02 February 2021 Promoting and protecting children’s human rights is a complex matter. Decision-makers must Sunbury traffic carefully balance the rights of a child Olga Tennison to make choices with what is in their Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) lights best interest. Important questions — Some people have a profound Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) must be asked about a child’s influence for the better on the lives — My constituency question is to the capacity to provide informed consent of others. One such individual was Minister for Roads and Road Safety. and consider the significant risks Mrs Olga Tennison. Her generosity Minister, prior to the Premier’s associated with medical treatments and support was directly responsible lockdown VicRoads spent 13 for gender dysphoria. for the establishment of Australia’s months installing traffic lights at the Young people shouldn’t have to first research centre dedicated to intersection of Gap Road and Horne carry the burden for consenting to autism in 2008, the Olga Tennison Street in Sunbury. Local residents their own treatment. Such decisions Autism Research Centre based at La were greatly inconvenienced that must involve open and honest Trobe University. Can I also say that entire time, many wondering if conversations with the child, their I believe it to be the best in Australia. the government was trying to set family, health professional and I recall the first time that I visited a new world record for such an community. This Bill risks silencing OTARC and the excitement I felt installation. They were relieved, the loving and honest voices of when viewing the work the centre and I have to say slightly surprised, family and community members. was doing to assist families with autism. I have kept a very close eye when works finally concluded. I am The petitioners therefore request on the wonderful work it continues sure the minister can imagine the that the Legislative Council vote to do. It really is an amazing place, an shock of my constituents when the against the Change or Suppression extraordinary place indeed. workers were back yesterday, with (Conversion) Practices Prohibition the accompanying traffic mayhem. Bill 2020. It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Mrs Tennison Minister, how long will locals have to By Mr FINN (Western on 19 January. What an extraordinary put up with this latest development? Metropolitan) (3625 signatures). legacy this extraordinary human COUNCIL | Petitions A second petition presented being has left. Thousands will never 02 February 2021 on the same topic. forget what she has done, what she has contributed to so many. I offer Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) my most sincere sympathy to Mrs — The Petition of certain citizens Tennison’s family and those that Change or of the State of Victoria draws the loved her the most. They can take attention of the Legislative Council consolation in the knowledge that Suppression to the Change or Suppression she has made life better for many (Conversion) Practices Prohibition who otherwise would not have (Conversion) Bill 2020. This Bill: enjoyed that improvement. Olga l. Will potentially make parents Tennison, thank you. Thank you for Practices into criminals or domestic abusers, all you have done. May you rest in at risk of 10 years in prison, if they peace. Prohibition Bill do anything less than fully support their young gender-questioning COUNCIL | Production of documents children in undertaking 03 February 2021 2020 irreversible hormone replacement Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) therapy. — The Petition of certain citizens 2. Specifically names prayer as a of the State of Victoria draws to the criminal offence, also punishable Multipurpose attention of the Legislative Council by up to 10 years in prison. that the Change or Suppression 3. Prevents same-sex attracted Taxi Program (Conversion) Practices Prohibition people asking for counsel to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Bill 2020 places too little emphasis live faithfully according to their — I rise also to give Mr Barton’s on protecting children from physical orthodox religious identity. Anyone motion my support and to and emotional harm and over- counselling or providing pastoral congratulate him on bringing this emphasises their entitlement to support to help achieve this will be very important matter before the choose their treatment for gender committing an offence and facing a house today. It goes without saying of dysphoria. potential jail term. course that the Andrews government Children under the age of 18 are The Petitioners therefore request significantly botched taxi reform not permitted to vote, purchase that the Legislative Council vote in this state, and many of the areas alcohol or cigarettes. Yet, this against the Change or Suppression that Mr Barton has shown great Bill permits children to choose (Conversion) Practices Prohibition enthusiasm for since he has been in serious, largely untested, medical Bill 2020. this Parliament and indeed before treatments that can have irreversible are a direct result of the mess that the effects. Under the threat of criminal By Mr FINN (Western Andrews government made of the sanction, it bans a ‘wait and see’ Metropolitan) (4101 signatures). livelihoods of many people whose

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 3 lives and futures depended on the information to the Parliament. I the need for up-front knowledge, taxi industry. Many of them, as we mean, why? What are they covering up-front information, this motion know, were thrown out of work and up? What are they hiding? But then should be passed, and it should be were put in a situation where they again, you know, this government passed with the unanimous support had to sell their homes and where is good at hiding things. This of this house. they had to suffer enormous financial government is good at covering up; hardship. In many instances their this government is good at lying. That COUNCIL | Constituency questions superannuation was gone. They had is the simple fact of life. And here 03 February 2021 no future, no financial future. we have another instance, another It is just absolutely tragic. I have case today of this occurring. As I say, sat now I think on two or three I commend Mr Barton for putting inquiries into the taxi botch-up. Yes, up the motion, but, dear me, what Derrimut Road Mr Leane said it was started by the a sad reflection on the Andrews Baillieu government. Indeed it was, government it is that he had to do duplication but I tell you what, it was finished that. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) by the Andrews government—and I urge all members to support this. — My constituency question is to the did they finish it with an axe or I know that there will be members Minister for Roads and Road Safety. what? It was quite extraordinary, just opposite who are not keen on I do not know if the minister has extraordinary, the way that it was supporting this, but I believe that recently driven down Derrimut Road, conducted. they really have not got much choice but I certainly have. I was impressed But the reason that I wish to have at this point in time—and that is a by the improvements, I have to a word on this motion today is that I very, very good thing because we say, but was equally astonished as understand and I want to ensure that have got a situation here where I drove along there by the sudden everybody in this house understands people in wheelchairs, people with end of these improvements and the importance of the multipurpose severe disabilities, their lives depend the return to the single lane each taxi program. I know myself from on who is driving them around. If way. I was again astonished when dealing with elderly constituents, we do not know and we have no I heard reports the government dealing with elderly members of way of finding out how they are has run out of money to finish the my own family, dealing with people checked, how safe they are, how Derrimut Road duplication. Minister, with disabilities—some very severe respectable they are—if I could use Derrimut Road services one of the disabilities, some confined to that old-fashioned term—if we have fastest growing parts of Victoria. wheelchairs—that the multipurpose no way of deciding how safe these Will you give a formal undertaking taxi program is in fact their lifeline. people are in the back seat of a taxi that the Derrimut Road upgrade Without this program they would not or an Uber, then we have got major will continue and give an estimated be able to go out, they would not be problems. I think this is something finishing date for the project? able to visit their friends, they would that cannot be reinforced strongly not be able to go to their doctor and enough: the safety of those people COUNCIL | Adjournment they would not be able to do their who use the multipurpose taxi 03 February 2021 shopping. They would not be able to program is paramount, and it must leave their home. That is something be paramount because we cannot that I think is a matter that really afford to have people who will take should resonate with this Parliament, advantage of the frail, the aged, the West Gate Tunnel because it is an extraordinarily disabled—people with disabilities. I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) important service and I do not think should not use that word disabled— — I wish to raise a matter this it is given the credit quite often that people with disabilities. evening for the attention of the is its due. My view is that it should We should not have a situation Minister for Planning, and those who be declared an essential service, where people will take advantage of have been paying attention will be because it most surely is that, as I them in various ways. We can talk aware that I have been expressing say, for elderly people, for people about ripping them off financially my very deep concern for quite with disabilities, for people many for the fare or much worse, and I some time about planning decisions times who are ill. Without this do not have to go into detail about surrounding the dumping of toxic program, they would be in deep and what would be much worse, but we soil at Ravenhall and at Bulla. I diabolical trouble. So it is important can well imagine what some swine have also expressed my very grave that this program works and that it would do in those circumstances. We concern, in particular with the Bulla works efficiently, effectively and with have to protect people who might dump, that housing is not far from integrity. That is so important, that be otherwise in danger, and it is so the proposed toxic waste dump. We that is happening. important that this motion is passed have seen housing developments The fact that Mr Barton has felt to ensure that we have access to the pop up just 200 or 300 metres away it necessary to put this motion up information so that we can be sure from this Hi-Quality dump, as it is today is in itself a sad reflection on that people are safe in the back seat so called. ‘Hi-Quality’ is the name the government. It is something of the taxi or the Uber. of the company, I should hasten to that is beyond my understanding So I commend Mr Barton once add, not a description of what they as someone who views these things again for moving this motion. I urge do. What I have been absolutely from the perspective of people all members to support it. It should horrified to see over the summer who need them. It is beyond be I think, as they say in the classics, recess is a new supposedly high my understanding as to why the a no-brainer to pass this motion. I quality—not related to the dump but government would not just give this believe given the importance, given another high standard—residential

IN 4 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE development advertising its wares, COUNCIL | Second reading International Network of Churches and where might this residential 04 February 2021 and the Australian Federation of development be? Right opposite Islamic Councils. the tip; right opposite the proposed Now, I say that those are just some waste dump—the toxic soil dump. of the churches that have expressed It is absolutely astonishing that any Change or opposition to this particular minister would allow a development legislation. You have to wonder why opposite a proposed toxic soil dump. Suppression this opposition is so strong, because I mean, if you had to come up with this bill should not be controversial a scenario where an environmental (Conversion) at all. This bill should be something disaster was imminent, you could that should sail through in about not come up with a better one than Practices 5 minutes without any opposition, the one that the minister has put because none of us support the together in Sunbury Road. I do not Prohibition Bill barbarity of the past that this bill understand what is going through seeks to stop. None of us support his mind. I do not understand what some of the practices that have is happening with the developments 2020 been used on gay men and lesbians, along Sunbury Road so very close to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) what can only be described as the proposed toxic soil dump. It is a — In rising to speak on this bill torture, in the past—just appalling, disaster waiting to happen, and my today it occurs to me that what we inhumane and, as I say, just straight- very great concern is that for many see around here from time to time out barbaric. None of us support years to come we are going to see is quite amazing in its own way. that. Many of these ways of treating people who buy homes there, who I have been of the view for quite people of course are now illegal. We build there and who live there and some time that if indeed we stay cannot use electrodes, which is a their children suffering from some long enough around here we will very good thing. There are a number dreadful diseases as a result of this see just about everything. I think of things that are illegal, and I would toxic soil. So what I am asking the today I might just about have seen hope that most would use their minister to do is to ensure that no everything, because what this bill has common sense in ensuring that that toxic soil is allowed to be dumped managed to achieve is in itself quite barbarity of the past is well and truly in Sunbury Road. The only way that remarkable. It has created the most gone. If this bill was just about that, I we can avoid this disaster is to get extraordinary coalition—and I mean would be wholeheartedly supportive it right away from the residential I am talking about a broad coalition of it—but it is not. developments, and I am asking the here—of opponents that I have ever This is an omnibus bill—the sort minister to do just that. seen on any issue in my time in that this government is very fond this Parliament. The opponents of of, where it puts in a good bit and it this bill include conservatives, civil COUNCIL | Constituency questions puts in a bad bit and you have got to 04 February 2021 libertarians, radical feminists, gay take the whole lot. They have done activists, a number of organisations it before, and they are doing it again representing medical professionals now. Well, I think that is particularly and an array of churches and dishonest of the government, and Millers Road religions that just might make this I am not going to allow them, as Australia’s biggest driver of the much as I can, to get away with it. traffic concerns ecumenical movement. Because this bill is an attack on basic Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Can I just for a moment refer freedoms. It is an attack on freedom — My constituency question is to the to some of the religions and the of choice. It is an attack on free Minister for Transport Infrastructure, churches that have expressed speech. It is an attack of freedom of and I refer the minister to major opposition to this legislation. This association, an attack on freedom community concern about the is just some of them: the Anglican of assembly and an attack on impact on Millers Road of the West Church, the Catholic Church, the freedom of religion. It is an attack on Gate Tunnel if and when it opens. Presbyterian Church, the Board of responsible parenting. I would like Surveys conducted by Hobsons Imams, the Seventh-day Adventists, to think that my children could come Bay council predict an extra 11 800 Associated Christian Ministries, to me with any issue at all—that they trucks per day on Millers Road Christian Reformed Churches, could sit down with me and we could when the West Gate Tunnel Project Youth Alive Victoria; CRC Churches talk about any and all issues, and I is completed. It does not take International, Crossway Baptist would be able to give them honest much imagination to understand Church, Ethos, the Evangelical answers about my experience or how the massive impact on locals of Alliance’s Centre for Christianity I felt on a given issue. What this bill increased air pollution and greater and Society, Hindus, the Australian does is actually criminalises that sort danger on Millers Road. This is a Christian Churches, the Coptic of openness between— matter that will impact many tens of Orthodox Church, the Catholic Members interjecting. Women’s League, the Pakistani thousands of people and needs to Mr FINN: Well, read the bill. be addressed as a matter of urgency. Cultural Society of Tasmania, Christian Schools Australia, the Go and read the bill. I see Satan’s Minister, what will you do to alleviate little helpers over there getting these community concerns? Australian Association of Christian Schools, the Institute for Judaism very excited—but go and read the and Civilization, the Maronite bill. Because that is exactly what Catholic Diocese of Australia, the happens, and parents and children Serbian Orthodox Church, the deserve better. They deserve better

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 5 than this sort of legislation. I think it for example, confused about their what we are doing in this place and is just appalling. No parent should be gender. I appreciate them showing interest criminalised for loving their kids—no Ms Terpstra: That’s rubbish! Utter in this state’s future, because this parent should. I think it is despicable rubbish! legislation will have a significant that this government put up this Mr FINN: Well, it is not rubbish impact on the future of Victoria. I proposal today. at all. That is a fact. It has gone from want to congratulate everybody who It is of course also an attack on half a dozen a year to well over 1000, has been involved, and I also want to doctor-patient confidentiality. Now, as I understand it. That in itself is a congratulate the people who are out I have been told for as long as I can worry. This bill is just going to add to the front here on the steps on what is remember that the most important that. a relatively warm day—well, for this thing in life is the confidentiality, This is also an attack on the rights summer anyway it is a warm day. the relationship, between a doctor of gay men and lesbians to seek Mr Leane: What are they calling and his or her patient: ‘You cannot and to receive advice. This is just for? interfere with a relationship between extraordinary. This government Mr FINN: They are praying. a doctor and his or her patient’. Well, says it wants to protect gay men and Mr Leane: Are they praying for the here we have a bill, a government lesbians, and it introduces legislation same thing you are talking about? bill, which aims to do just that. I that does exactly the opposite. I have Mr FINN: Minister Leane, they find it astonishing that this would spoken to gay organisations within are praying for you, and I reckon happen. Every one of us should have the last day that have expressed that you should go out and thank the ability and the right to go to our very same view. That is something them because you may well need medical practitioner and speak to that they are appalled about, and that prayer. I know I do. As I said, him or her in confidence, without they have urged me very strongly— I will enthusiastically support fear that they may be dragged off and I am sure they have urged others the amendments moved by Mr to jail. We all have that right—all of very strongly as well—to vote against O’Donohue, but I am unable to us, every single one of us. This bill this legislation. support and I will not vote for actually takes that right away from a In a few weeks time, on 27 the Andrews government’s attack very vulnerable group in our society, February, I will have been a member on fundamental freedoms, on and that is something that I find just of the Liberal Party for 40 years. fundamental liberty, that this appalling. That is a very, very long time. On legislation is. I cannot and will not Equally we should—each an occasion like this, it makes one support this bill in its current form. and every one of us, if we are reflect on why I joined the Liberal so inclined—have the ability to Party. It is very clear why I joined COUNCIL | Committee Stage approach a priest, pastor, rabbi or the Liberal Party: because I am 04 February 2021 imam to discuss matters that we committed to the protection and feel may be appropriate to that the promotion of freedom. That relationship. It is extraordinary is what I am on about—freedom. that we have a situation where if a Freedom is something that is so Change or minister, for example, were to say precious. It is so precious and it a few prayers in aiming to assist needs to be defended at all costs. Suppression the decision-making process of This bill flies in the face of freedom someone, they could also be charged on so many levels—on so many (Conversion) and they could also be criminalised. levels. Now, I will enthusiastically It is just beyond me. It is just support the amendment put up by beyond me how any government Mr O’Donohue because I think this Practices thinks it can get away with that. No bill needs to go back to the drawing government has the right to legislate board. We need to go back and Prohibition Bill anyone’s prayer life. Get out of it. The have a talk to all interested parties. government should just get out of Let us go back and have a talk to 2020 that altogether. the interested parties that were not Of course this bill is very much an Contributions duing the consulted on this this time—the Committe stage of the Bill attack on children. These children gay and lesbian community groups that we are talking about—many that were not consulted. There is an Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) of them are quite young—would agenda at play here, which is all too — Minister, I only have one question, under this legislation be making obvious. It has nothing to do with and it may refer to clause 5.1, which decisions without the support or stopping conversion therapy and the you made mention of a little bit the advice that they need from their sorts of barbaric activities that I was earlier. But what I am specifically parents, from youth workers, from talking about before. It has nothing asking—and I ask this because adults around them, who have the to do with that at all. It is far more I suspect that in years to come life experience that they need to help sinister and it is something that we a learned judge, possibly of the them in making decisions. We know should all be very wary of. that gender dysphoria is a condition Supreme Court, will be looking at the Now, we have all received, I am Hansard transcript of the response to that is dealt with very effectively by sure, a great deal of mail, emails and the medical fraternity. We do not this question—is: what procedures phone calls over recent weeks with exactly does this legislation ban? need the sort of social engineering regard to this legislation, and I want that this bill brings about. We have to thank every person who has sent ______already seen a great number of an email or made a phone call. I children go to the children’s hospital, appreciate them showing interest in

IN 6 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) COUNCIL | Constituency questions people asking for counsel to — Thank you, Minister. What exactly 16 February 2021 live faithfully according to their is the position of the legislation with orthodox religious identity. Anyone regard to those who seek advice— counselling or providing pastoral seek counsel—for their particular support to help achieve this will be sexual disposition or queries with Bulla truck traffic committing an offence and facing a regard to religious or even parents’ Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) potential jail term. discussions? — My constituency question The Petitioners therefore request is to the Minister for Transport ______that the Legislative Council vote Infrastructure. Minister, as we all against the Change or Suppression know, Victoria is currently subject to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (Conversion) Practices Prohibition the third lockdown by the Andrews Bill 2020. — Yes, certainly, Deputy President. government in less than a year. I am just wanting to know what the By Mr FINN (Western Walking my dog yesterday in Bulla, in Metropolitan) (21 signatures). position of the bill is with regard to one of the rare moments of freedom responses to requests for support we are allowed, I could not help but or counselling—prayer, even. What A second petition presented notice two things: firstly, the lack of on the same topic. does the bill say about a response cars and smaller vehicles on Bulla to a request by an individual about Road; and secondly—and maybe Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) counselling on their sexuality or the first point accentuated the — The Petition of certain citizens indeed their gender? second—the number of dirty great of the State of Victoria draws to the ______trucks carrying massive quantities attention of the Legislative Council of soil, presumably to be dumped that the Change or Suppression Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) in Sunbury Road and presumably (Conversion) Practices Prohibition — Minister, when you say ‘cannot try from the West Gate Tunnel Project. Bill 2020 is a gross government to change them’, does that mean that Minister, was the soil in the trucks overreach and an intrusion on the they must encourage them? What roaring through Bulla yesterday from rights and freedoms of Victorians exactly do you mean by that? If, for the West Gate Tunnel, and if so, how who do not share the views and example, somebody goes to them does it fit in with the government’s ideological constructs imposed and says, ‘I feel that I need a gender lockdown? by the Bill on identity, gender and transition’, and the person says, ‘I sexuality. don’t think that’s a very good idea’, COUNCIL | Petitions These gender and sexuality does that make them liable to be 16 February 2021 constructs go against mainstream charged? Islamic teachings and hinders ______Victorian Muslims from freely practicing their religion. If the Bill is Change or passed to become law, Muslims and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) other Victorians who don’t adhere to — I want to go back, Minister, to a Suppression its enforced identity constructs will comment that you made to Ms Bath be subjected to direct and serious a few minutes ago, where you said harm. that you were very keen to get the (Conversion) bill passed. That is obvious, but you Victorian Muslims including said that you were keen to get the Practices parents, teachers, counsellors, bill passed at the expense of actually medical professionals and others telling us how it would operate. Prohibition Bill who don’t affirm to the identity I would have thought that the constructs of the Bill could be committee stage is the ideal time to 2020 subjected to jail sentences and hefty tell us how the bill operates. What I fines. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) The Bill does not strike a balance am asking is: what is your attitude to — The Petition of certain citizens what you can and will not tell us on between protecting same sex of the State of Victoria draws the attracted people from coercion and this particular bill in this committee attention of the Legislative Council stage? aversion practices and giving faith to the Change or Suppression communities (including same sex ______(Conversion) Practices Prohibition attracted individuals) the freedom of Bill 2020. This Bill: consciousness to practice religion. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) 1. Will potentially make parents All Victorians should have a right to — Minister, Ms Bath asked this into criminals or domestic abusers, autonomously adhere to religious question and you sort of fobbed her at risk of 10 years in prison, if they constructs of sexuality, gender off, so I will ask it again: how is this do anything less than fully support identity and religiously sanctioned bill actually going to operate on a their young gender-questioning sexual conduct. day-to-day basis? If this bill becomes children in undertaking The petitioners therefore request law, how will this law operate on a irreversible hormone replacement that the Legislative Council day-to-day basis? therapy. immediately halt the Change or 2. Specifically names prayer as a Suppression (Conversion) Practices criminal offence, also punishable Prohibition Bill 2020 and that faith by up to 10 years in prison. communities be consulted. 3. Prevents same-sex attracted

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 7 By Mr FINN (Western They were really looking forward to reach him—this is in Point Cook. Metropolitan) (2931 signatures). to it. They thought, ‘This is going to The ambulance, when it finally got get us back on our feet’. So they had there, took him to Werribee, where COUNCIL | Members statements gone out and they bought many he stayed in the ambulance in the 16 February 2021 thousands of dollars of food, of drink waiting bay for 3 hours. It was an and of decorations—a whole range appalling situation where the time of things—predominantly in the elapsed between my constituent’s hospitality industry. And of course stroke and receiving the appropriate COVID-19 they were ready. They had the staff and much-needed treatment was Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) ready, they had the food ready, they approaching 5 hours. It is nothing — Victorians have had enough. had everything ready to go, and short of a miracle that he is still alive. They have had enough of Labor’s then the Premier stood up on Friday I am not shocked by much anymore, lockdowns. They have had enough of afternoon and pulled the plug— but this case genuinely disgusted wondering why the Premier of New pulled everything from under them. me. Minister, is this another South Wales can effectively control There they were, left with thousands example of the gold standard health the Wuhan virus without shutting and thousands and thousands of care provided by the Andrews down her state while Daniel Andrews dollars of produce and no way to pay government to sick Victorians? cannot. Victorians have had enough for it. As a result, there are a number of being told our testing and contact who are at this point in time facing COUNCIL | Reference tracing is gold standard, when we bankruptcy, and that to my way of 18 February 2021 all know it is really a deeper shade thinking is just so incredibly wrong— of brown. They are sick of the lies, so very, very wrong. the spin and the bulltish they are Now, I notice that the Premier being fed by a government that just has promised financial assistance. I Economy and will not tell the truth. They are sick noticed that the Minister for Small of the incompetence. They are sick Business in question time today Infrastructure of the false bravado of a Premier promised financial assistance. What who would be hard-pressed to run I am asking the Premier tonight Committee a bath. They call him Captain Stuff- to do is to provide that assistance, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) up. They are sick of his arrogance because there are small business — I rise to speak on Mr Barton’s and contempt for the people of this operators right across this state who motion today, motion 485, and state. They are sick of his refusal to are hanging on by their fingernails. commend him on putting this apologise for his mistakes. They are Some have actually let go as a result forward to the house and commend sick of Daniel Andrews and his circus of what happened on Friday, but him indeed on the great work that of a government destroying their there are others who are just hanging he has done over a long period of future. Victorians have not just had on by the skin of their teeth, and they time in supporting those in the taxi enough; they have had a gutful. need help. They need support. The industry in particular but also those Premier says it is coming. I am asking who are dependent upon taxis and COUNCIL | Adjournment him to provide it. have been dependent upon taxis 16 February 2021 The other thing I am asking him to for a very long time. Of course that do the next time he decides to shut very much brings into account the this state down—I have no doubt multipurpose taxi program users. there will be other times that he will, As somebody who has had a great Small business because that seems to be his wont— deal to do with the disability sector is to think ahead of the impact that for a very long time, I know just how support this will have on so many people. important this particular program is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) I ask the Premier to take that into and how we have to get it right—and — I wish to raise a matter this consideration before he shuts us we do have to get it right because evening for the Premier. I have down the next time. of the number of vulnerable people to say it has been a pretty tough who are dependent upon us getting weekend for a lot of people out my COUNCIL | Constituency questions it right. If we get it wrong, we are way—not just out my way but I am 18 February 2021 going to put those vulnerable people thinking right around the state. From in danger. Whether it be in financial pretty early on Friday afternoon I danger or physical danger it does not started receiving phone calls from really matter; they will be in danger, constituents. Unfortunately I could Ambulance and that is something that we must at not go and visit them, because of all times avoid. course I was isolating as I spent response times I think we have discussed in this almost a week waiting for a phone Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) house, not so long ago as I recall, call or a text that never came. — My constituency question is to the this very issue, and I am pleased Nonetheless I was taking phone Minister for Health. Minister, I had to see that Mr Barton has followed calls from constituents, many of a constituent call me yesterday who that up with this motion today. As a them small business operators, was very distressed. He lives in Point member and indeed as deputy chair and some of them in tears because Cook, of course a booming area in of the Economy and Infrastructure they had been expecting this last the west of Melbourne. He recently Committee I very much look forward weekend to be one of the biggest suffered a stroke. His son called an to examining this matter, to making weekends that they had ever had. ambulance, which took 90 minutes sure that we do have it right, that the

IN 8 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE government does have it right. As we business in this state, and that is deal with this and she will call know, we can examine these things, something that this government just me back to discuss further but we can make recommendations, but does not seem to understand. They— in the mean time I need to stay ultimately it is up to the government. but particularly the Premier—regard home … I would hope that once we have been small business as the enemy. We that was 4.5 hours ago and I through this process the government saw that last Friday when with just haven’t received a call back. will take our recommendations a few hours notice he stood up and My business was forced closed seriously to ensure that the safety of cancelled the weekend, cancelled the for the last 5 days and I have which I speak is across the board, next five days in fact, even though just rescheduled everything for that nobody is put in a situation small business operators right tomorrow onwards. where either they do not have the across the state had prepared for a Great contact tracing system we transport that they need or the huge weekend. We had Valentine’s have. transport that they need in fact poses Day—and I know Mr Rich-Phillips Isn’t it just! That last line is dripping a threat to them. was expending extensively on that with sarcasm. This is a system that I have no intention of going on event. The number of restaurants is quite frankly stuffed. As I said, I any longer. I sincerely hope that the and pubs that had bought up big on experienced it last week. I read this motion is agreed to. I commend, drink and food and all manner of email that I received yesterday. I have again, Mr Barton on putting the entertainment to have a wonderful received numerous emails. I have motion up. The opposition will not weekend all of a sudden were shot. had numerous personal contacts oppose the amendment. We are very And Daniel Andrews shot them. from people, either on the phone or happy to accept the amendment Business interrupted pursuant to in person, who have told me about and also very happy to support Mr order of Council of 16 February. the horror experiences they have Barton’s motion today. had with this contact-tracing system COUNCIL | Adjournment and indeed with the testing system, COUNCIL | Motions 18 February 2021 and it is really getting way beyond 18 February 2021 a joke. I mean, Melbourne Airport, as you know, is in my electorate, as indeed is Sunbury, and we have had COVID-19 breakouts in both of those places in Small business Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) relatively recent times. — I wish to raise a matter for the You would have thought that given support attention of the Minister for Health. what has happened in New South Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) It concerns an experience that I had Wales, where they do have it under — It gives me a great deal of pleasure last week, that I may have conveyed control, where they are doing a to move motion 492: to the house a couple of times, about particularly good job—and I was in That this house: being stuck at home for six solid Sydney before Christmas and I saw (1) expresses concern at the state days after having been tested for the firsthand just what a good job they government’s mismanagement Wuhan virus and being promised were doing—this government would of support programs for small that I would receive either a text understand that they need to do the licensed businesses, noting or a phone call. But that of course same thing. So what I am asking the that at least 293 businesses did not arrive, and then I ended minister to do is to pick up the phone were incorrectly paid and have up ringing the coronavirus hotline to speak to Gladys Berejiklian to ask been ordered to swiftly repay some six days later, when they finally her exactly what he needs to do to fix the department despite serious told me that I was negative. I was this bloody mess. impacts on the viability of these feeling particularly negative at that point, it has to be said. A letter from small businesses resulting from COUNCIL | Constituency questions COVID-19 restrictions; a constituent has brought back all 19 February 2021 those memories. She said to me: (2) calls on the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, I thought you would love to the Honourable Martin Pakula, know about the ‘great work’ of MP, and the Minister for Small our ‘gold class tracing system’ COVID-19 Business, the Honourable Jaala I received a call from DHHS Pulford, MLC, to urgently meet (missed two of their calls and airport arrivals with representatives of these answered on the third) they Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) impacted businesses; and then said they were calling to — My constituency question is to the (3) given the purpose of these assess ‘how I’m feeling’ and Minister for Health, and this email grants is to support vulnerable to potentially ‘let me out of that I am about to read reflects a quarantine’ after being a close businesses facing severe impacts number of concerns from a number contact to someone who has of my constituents. It says: caused by the COVID-19 crisis, tested positive…. further calls on the government to My daughter travelled to Sydney pause their harsh clawback until I had never been told I was a last Monday the 8th February. these meetings have occurred, at close contact to anyone, never Upon arrival they were only which point the government would been contacted by DHHS and allowed to leave the plane 20 be in a position to craft a fairer have not been quarantining. passengers at a time. Arriving regime. When I told her all of this she passengers were separated put me on hold for 3 minutes from departing passengers, and What this motion goes to and is at and said she’s not sure how to the very heart of is a fair go for small they were met by officials who

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 9 checked their entry permits, important piece of legislation reading was pretty abysmal and I asked them where they had because this is a piece of legislation really was not up to scratch at all. He been, showed them the list of that refers specifically to the role of taught me how to read by walking hot-spots in Melbourne and teachers in our schools. My view on into class one day and holding up the asked if they had been to any this is very clear, and that is a good Sporting Globe. I am sure Mr Leane of these … There were police teacher cannot be beaten. If we will remember the Sporting Globe— present, and all of the workers could put good teachers into every it was the pink paper that came out were in full PPE. position in the state and Catholic I think twice a week from memory, While she was in Sydney, and independent systems, we would Saturday and Wednesday. He held she received a call from NSW not have a problem in the world. A up the Sporting Globe and he said, Health who asked her to get a bad teacher on the other hand can ‘Royce Hart has done his knee’, and COVID test and isolate until a go a fair way towards destroying I of course was mortified. How old negative result was received. lives. It never ceases to amaze me was I? I was about nine or 10 at the She had the test in the that you get some teachers who seem time, and Ken Dunne came out and afternoon; by 7 the next more concerned about telling kids held up the Sporting Globe and said, morning she had the result. about what their political views are ‘Royce Hart has done his knee’. Of Upon flying back to Melbourne than actually preparing them for course Royce Hart at that point had the next night, she: life by teaching them the important not done his knee, but I did not know … was greeted by no one. No things like the three Rs. That might that because I could not read it. So I permit check, no temperature be something that is a bit alien to actually had to learn to read to find check, nothing! members opposite but reading, out that Royce was okay, and that is Minister, how could you be writing and arithmetic is extremely fair dinkum, ridgy-didge. letting this happen to people in my important. I mean, that goes to show some of electorate? I have to say it does concern me the imagination I suppose that goes Ms Symes: On a point of order, enormously when I see kids leave into teaching somebody. You have President, without casting a view on school—sometimes even leave got to find out what makes them tick, the actual matter that Mr Finn has university—and they are semiliterate. I suppose, before you can make that raised, can I just confirm that the And I have to wonder how you can tick go faster, and that is what Ken constituent you are referring to is in do that. I really have to wonder Dunne did. Ken has unfortunately fact your constituent? how you can go through 12 years of left us now; he left us a few years school and maybe two, three, four ago, and I went to his funeral up in Mr FINN: As I understand it, yes. years of university and nobody picks Castlemaine. He went on to be a Ms Symes: I only make the point as up that you are actually semiliterate. councillor up in Castlemaine and a I had a constituent in my electorate I do not know how that works. prominent businessman up there with the exact, exact wording that But fortunately that does not as well, and he will always be, in my you just read out, so I was just happen to all, and in my own case I mind, one of the great influences seeking— can share a personal experience with on my life. I can say without fear or Mr FINN: President, what I can you. Back in the dim, distant past hesitation—I plead with members say is that Tullamarine airport is I was attending a Catholic school opposite not to hold this against certainly in my electorate. in the country and I was in that him—that without him I would not situation. I had completely fallen be here. I can guarantee that because COUNCIL | Second reading through the cracks, and a teacher— I would not have been able to fill in 04 February 2021 who later married my second cousin the application form—by the time in fact—pointed out to my parents he got to me I was pretty much in a that things were not going as well as bad way. Teachers like Ken Dunne she would like with my education. I would like to think we would have Education and My parents took me to the local state more of, I really do. school, Alvie Consolidated School, I am not saying that teachers are Training Reform down near Colac in case you are bad—there are a lot of very good wondering. There was a teacher teachers about—but I am just saying Amendment down there who I have spoken of that it is so, so important that we in this chamber before, a bloke do encourage good teachers, that (Miscellaneous) called Ken Dunne, who was just an we do reward good teachers, and extraordinary teacher, the sort of I think that is something that we Bill 2020 teacher that you would really like should have a closer look at in terms Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) to think could be, should be, would of rewarding them. I think that — What a delight it is always to be in every classroom in the state we should reward good teachers. follow Mr Melhem, because I always because if he was, we would have We should reward teachers on the sound so much better when he is outstanding results on every front. basis of merit. If they are doing the finished, and that is a very good Ken Dunne got hold of me and he job, if they are getting the results thing indeed. I rise to speak on the taught me things that I had not been that we expect, they should be Education and Training Reform taught before, or perhaps I had been paid more than the ones who are Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill taught before but I actually learned not. I think that would be a fairly 2020. I think I have got that right. them that time, and that is a hell of a reasonable thing. If somebody is I hope I have got that right. This is difference. For example, I will never getting results, if somebody is a good a bill that the opposition will not forget his interesting way of teaching teacher, they should be paid for oppose at all. In fact it is a very me how to read. At that stage my being a good teacher. If somebody

IN 10 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE is not such a good teacher, well, cringeworthy. I could not believe that and Training Reform Amendment then they perhaps would not be anybody would be able to go through (Miscellaneous) Bill 2020 that has to paid as much. That is something school and have that level of literacy. do with regulation of the Victorian that I think all governments should I mean, it was appalling. There was Institute of Teaching. I notice his consider at some point. I have no no grammar in many of them, the contribution is much more broad doubt the teachers union will go spelling was atrocious. There was and wideranging than the context of absolutely feral, but it does not take no concept of a message being the bill, and I would ask him to be much for the teachers union to go conveyed. It was absolutely dreadful. relevant to the bill. feral. That is an unfortunate fact of When I got back to Melbourne, The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr life, and we have seen that. It does I made it a point to go and see a Bourman): Mr Finn, if you can just not matter whether it is a federal few employers and ask them the come back at least roughly to the bill, election, it does not matter whether same question about some of the that would be good. it is a pay dispute, it does not matter applications that they get for jobs, Mr FINN: I am talking about the what it is—the teachers union will and they told me the same thing, and quality of education, the quality of go feral. That is something that that is really, really sad. teachers and education, and that is we have come to expect, and they It is great that a child or a young what the bill is about. never let us down. If ever there was adult has a great education and is Ms Terpstra: No, it’s not. an organisation that brings into able to read and write and is able to Mr FINN: That is what the bill is disrepute the trade union movement, count, but that should not give them about, so that is what I am talking it is certainly the teachers union. a great advantage over the other kids about. It is a fairly thick bill—not as But to get back to what I was who cannot. Everybody when they thick as Ms Terpstra, but it is a fairly saying before, the role of teachers leave school should be able to read, thick bill nonetheless. It covers a in children’s lives is absolutely should be able to write and should lot of areas pertaining to education, vital. I see from my two 15-year-old be able to count and do those basic pertaining to teacher quality, and daughters, who are still at secondary arithmetic things. It seems to me that that is exactly what I am talking school, the important role that governments—not just this one, but about. If you do not talk about teachers play in their lives, whether governments over the years—have results, if you do not talk about the that be for good or bad. They tell lost the plot a bit in this regard. I am end product, then what goes before me how good a teacher is or how a loath to use a cliché, but when we does not matter. teacher is perhaps not up to scratch. hear ‘back to basics’, it is not such a As I said before, you have got to It is very interesting to hear them bad idea. We have got this situation have teachers who care, teachers and their friends talk about the here in Victoria where kids can tell who are totally and absolutely various teachers. You know you you how they can change gender committed. We have a great number have got a good teacher when kids but they cannot tell you how to spell of those teachers, I know, but we actually look forward to the classes their own name. have a few that we could do without. that that teacher teaches, and that Ms Terpstra: Oh, come on! You Unfortunately some of them are is something that I think is almost a were doing all right until then. more intent on teaching their kids truism. I hear it from my two 15-year- Mr FINN: Well, that is the truth. If how to vote Labor or Greens or old daughters every day. They are in you do not want to hear the truth, whatever silliness that they might separate classes now, but they report that is unfortunate, but I will tell you be involved in rather than teaching back, whether it be deliberate or not, the truth—that is what is going on them how to spell their name. I on the various teachers that they out there. Kids are being mixed up think that is a bit sad, and as I was have at school, and I get a fair idea and their brains are being totally saying before, it is very unfair to of who is doing a good job and who confused by all manner of things, those kids who get through 12 years is not. when they should be being taught of education and they know how to It is really important that we have the basics of what is going to get put number 1 in the Labor Party box a standard that everybody adheres them through life. How do you get or give out Labor how-to-vote cards, to because, as I said before, we through life? How do you get a job? and that is about it. It is very sad for cannot have a situation where kids How do you even fill out a licence them. It is very unfair. I am hoping are leaving school or university form when you get a drivers licence that this bill might do something only semiliterate. We cannot have if you cannot read and you cannot about it—I am not overly confident, a situation where they can barely write? These are things that the but I hope so—and the opposition read, they can barely write and in government, I am hoping, at some will in fact support this legislation. many cases they can barely count— stage might actually concentrate on, seminumerate as well. I remember because we need to do that. We hear some years ago up in Sydney in COUNCIL | Constituency questions the government talk about fairness 02 March 2021 fact—so this is not just a Victorian all the time. Well, let me tell you, it is thing, this is Australia-wide—a bloke most unfair to those kids to put them who was an employer pulled out out into the world when they cannot a file and showed me what would cope with the basics, when they have Bulla hill road have been 100 job applications from not achieved what we would expect kids for a job that he had advertised, all of them to achieve. and he said, ‘Take a look at these, dangers Ms Terpstra: On a point of order, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) will you?’. And going on the job Acting President, I just would like applications, I can honestly say to — My constituency question is to to perhaps remind the member the Minister for Roads and Road you I would not have employed any opposite in his contribution that this of them. It was embarrassing; it was Safety. Last week I was driving down bill is actually about the Education Bulla hill in Bulla when I saw a major

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 11 danger to motorists. On the other COUNCIL | Second reading not actually make it through the side of the road there was a sizeable 02 March 2021 inquiry—could stand up and say, pile of sludge. If any motorist ‘I don’t remember. I don’t know’. If heading up the hill had driven anybody believes that, I have got around the bend to be confronted by a bridge in Sydney to sell them. this sludge and had actually hit it, a Public Health There is no way that a man like tragedy may well have occurred. The Daniel Andrews, a man who is a sludge was clearly spilt from one of and Wellbeing control freak, who runs everything the hundreds of trucks now ferrying personally, did not know what building waste to the Hi-Quality Amendment happened with the hotel quarantine. landfill in Sunbury Road. This is not So here we have a man who is the first spill on the Bulla hill, and I (State of asking us for permission to give him greatly fear what lies ahead if they extended power, basically for the rest are allowed to continue. Minister, Emergency of this year, almost until Christmas. what action will you take to protect What a prospect. Of course the three motorists in my electorate from these lockdowns that we have had so far sorts of incidents? Extension) Bill have been absolutely and totally devastating. I recall spending many, COUNCIL | Members statements 2021 many, many hours—many, many 02 March 2021 Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) days in fact—on the phone last year — I rise to speak on the Public during the lockdown speaking to Health and Wellbeing Amendment people, whether they were people (State of Emergency Extension) with families who were going West Gate Tunnel Bill 2021, and I sincerely hope that through mental health crises or Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) everybody was listening to Ms Shing. whether they were businesspeople — The people of Melbourne’s I hope that everybody was listening who had lost everything and were west are keen to know the answer to her contribution in this Parliament just absolutely devastated, people to one question: what the hell today, because she told us exactly who thought that there was no is going on with the West Gate why this legislation should not be future. This is what this lockdown, Tunnel? The project has been passed. Her arrogance on display what Daniel Andrews, did to people. cursed from its exceedingly dodgy today is just like the arrogance of the They thought they had no future. conception. Let us not forget that Premier, just like the arrogance of the Large sections of this state were Daniel Andrews was out telling the government, that think they know it absolutely devastated, and no more electorate about the $500 million all and the rest of us do not matter. so than the City of Melbourne. I hear western distributor—‘shovel ready’ Remember very early on when the the Lord Mayor talk about the City it was, you might recall, Mr Davis. Premier leaned over to the Leader of Melbourne saying, ‘Oh, it’s great. At the same time he was doing a of the Opposition in Parliament and It’s going marvellously well’. I do not deal with Transurban to build the said, ‘You people are just irrelevant’. know what city the Lord Mayor is in, white elephant currently under That is his attitude. He thinks the but she is certainly not in Melbourne, construction. That is shysterism. The opposition is irrelevant, he thinks because anybody who walks through cost of this project has blown out by the business community is irrelevant the City of Melbourne, as I do billions, and now it is two years late. and he thinks the people of Victoria frequently, will see the empty shops. I fear to think what the cost will be if are irrelevant. This is all about his They will see the signs ‘For lease’. this thing is ever finished. power, and more specifically it is They will see so many businesses that Traffic havoc in many parts of the about his power to lock us down. have hit the wall. And behind every western suburbs is now a way of That is what he is mainly concerned business that has hit the wall, every life as a result of the construction. about. He has already done it small business that has hit the wall, It surely is only fair that locals three times. Today we decide if it is a personal tragedy, the tragedy of a are told how much longer they will happen again, and again and businessman or woman, of a family, will have to put up with this. The probably again. who have lost everything. I would not toxic soil debacle is ongoing. Both He has got quite a record, this be proud of that if I were the Premier. the government and Transurban bloke, this Premier of ours. He I suggest the Premier should go out knew of the toxic soil issue years oversaw a hotel quarantine debacle, and have a look through the city—go ago but did nothing. Now we see that led to over 800 people dying for a walk through the CBD and have people in Ravenhall, Sunbury, Bulla who otherwise would not have died. a look at what he has done to this and Bacchus Marsh expected to His contact tracing has been found formerly great city of Melbourne. cop this poisonous crap in their to be abysmal. The whole hotel Now he wants another nine months. neighbourhoods. And do not get me quarantine debacle has to be seen We are currently living and have started on the role of the EPA in all of to be believed, and of course you been living for almost a year under this. It is just an outrage. We deserve have got the inquiry that was set up the constant threat of lockdown, and answers on this flawed project basically to establish that nobody the Premier wants nine more months and its disastrous construction. did anything. I knew as soon as I at this point. The Andrews government has a saw the terms of reference what was We all know what is going to responsibility to provide those going on. This was an inquiry that happen if he gets his way today—15 answers. was set up to clear the Premier, so December will come along, and he the Premier—as well as a number will want to take it into 2022. We of other ministers; one minister did have this extraordinary situation

IN 12 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE where the Premier has only one of us can recall being locked in our fact—that I will not be. That should weapon; the only arrow in his bow homes for 23 hours a day—23 hours come as no surprise to anybody. is lockdown. Now, we have seen a day. We were granted clemency by There is no way that I or anybody on overseas, we have seen interstate, the great man, who allowed us out to this side of the house is going to give that lockdown is not the answer. go for a walk one hour a day. Now, he Daniel Andrews a blank cheque to do Lockdown can be as devastating, has done it before; who is to say he is whatever he wants to us, to anybody, if not more devastating, than the not going to do it again if this bill is over the next nine months. This is a virus. We cannot accept that this is passed today? If I were a betting man democracy. If he has urgent issues, the future of Victoria going forward. I would head down to the TAB and I let him come to this Parliament Because if this is the future of would have a few bob on that being and let him explain to members of Victoria going forward, we have no exactly what is going to happen, this Parliament exactly what the future. Nobody will invest in this because that is why he wants this bill situation is. It is not like it is a war. state. Nobody will build businesses. passed. It is just extraordinary. The virus cannot hear. The virus is Nobody will employ people. I had quite a bit to do with the not going to take a different course of Already we have seen thousands Flemington flats situation because action because of something Daniel and thousands of people flee this of course it is in my electorate. I was Andrews told the Parliament. Let state since they were actually able having contact from people who him come back. Let him bring us to get out. They have gone to New had been locked up in their flats. into his confidence. Let him bring South Wales, they have gone to Remember there were thousands Victorians into his confidence, Queensland, and I have to say at of people locked up with barely any because the one thing that Victorians the moment, particularly if this notice at all; the Premier just got up are furious about is that they have legislation gets through, you can at a press conference at 3 o’clock on a been ignored and they have not hardly blame them. Because we have Saturday afternoon and announced been told the truth. And they are been through the world’s longest that thousands of people were going angry. In fact I have been shocked lockdown—the most severe and the to be locked up in their homes, they at how angry some of the people longest lockdown in the world—here would be under police guard, and that I have had contact with are, and in Victoria, and it is purely because that is the way it was going to be members opposite will be surprised we have a Premier who is both until he decided otherwise. Those to learn that I have actually removed power-hungry and incompetent. If people in those units, in those flats, a number of posts on my Facebook he was competent, he would know did not know when they were going page because some people were how to handle this thing without to get out. Many of them did not quite forthright in what they would destroying the place, but he did not, have enough food to last. You know, like to do to the Premier. So I felt that so he has destroyed the place. It is the thing that really distressed me it was important that I remove those. just absolutely extraordinary. more than anything else about that It is important that we have I was up in New South Wales, up is that many of the people in those parliamentary overview. This in Sydney. I had a couple of days flats in Flemington came from Parliament is important. The off—and that was all I had, I tell countries where democracy is not a Premier—I know he thinks he is you—over the Christmas break. Just given, where freedom is not a given. important. I know he thinks he before Christmas I was up in Sydney They came to Australia to be free. is more important than all of us when the Northern Beaches cluster They came to Australia to get away combined. I know he thinks he is erupted, and the Premier up there, from exactly what Daniel Andrews more important than every Victorian Gladys Berejiklian—and I have to ended up doing to them. How must combined, but he is not. This say I am not necessarily her greatest they have felt? How must they have Parliament takes precedence. This fan—handled it perfectly and felt, thinking that they had finally Parliament should have a say in who certainly handled it far better than found the land of the free, that they is locked down and who is locked up. anything that we have seen here in had finally reached freedom at last, They called it a lockdown, and in fact Victoria. It does not matter about the and here they were, with barely we were locked up. This Parliament Premier’s negligence. All he has to any notice at all, locked in their must have a say. Bring it back here, do is look to New South Wales. All he homes at the pleasure of the Premier every month if you want. Let us has to do is ring the Premier of New of Victoria? What an appalling, discuss it, let us hear what you want South Wales and ask her how to do it, disgraceful, despicable decision that and let us decide whether it is worth because she knows. She knows. She was, and one, as the Ombudsman it. It is not a big ask. What is a big ask does not lock everybody down. She points out, that we should never, ever is being locked down potentially for does not shut all the shops up. She repeat. another nine months. That is not on. does not put the entire state at risk as The big question is: do we trust a result of her policies. Why can’t we this government? Are we prepared COUNCIL | Adjournment do in Victoria what they do in New to trust this government with 02 March 2021 South Wales? another nine months of state of Now, I have always been a proud emergency? Not on your nelly. I Victorian, an exceedingly proud cannot find anybody, apart from Victorian, and it hurts me to members opposite, who would trust Ticketmaster compare to New South Wales and this government, certainly not the come in lacking. It disappoints me, people who have been writing to me accessible seating it saddens me, but not as much as it in droves over the last week, begging will if this bill is passed and Daniel me not to vote for this legislation. tickets Andrews once again locks us down, Well, I am here to tell them—I am Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) once again shuts us up. Every one very pleased to be able to tell them in — My adjournment for this evening

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 13 is addressed to the Minister for COUNCIL | Constituency questions (b) a support package to prevent Disability, Ageing and Carers, 03 March 2021 further decline in metropolitan and I raise with him a matter of strip shopping centres and revive some concern. As those who have these centres as local community attempted to use the Ticketmaster activity and employment districts. system will know, it can be a Derrimut Road I do not think it has to be said challenge even for those of us who that the lockdowns that we have are able and well to know what to duplication experienced here in Victoria over do with these ticketing systems. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the past year have had a devastating But for those with disabilities it can — My question is also to the Minister impact on many sections of the be a real challenge at times. For for Transport Infrastructure. I had community, few more so than the that reason Ticketmaster has an previously directed this to the small business sector. Big business accessible phone number for people Minister for Roads and Road Safety, seems to have got by quite well, as with disabilities, which is great. The but apparently this road is not a big business has a tendency to do, trouble is that during this COVID road that the minister for roads has but small business has been hit hard. period it is closed. So basically what responsibility for. So I will, as I say, I just have to go to a local shopping is happening is that a lot of people refer it to the Minister for Transport centre—and I spend a lot of time with disabilities are not able to Infrastructure. I will say I do not visiting shopping centres in my access tickets to go to the sorts of know if the minister has recently electorate and visiting constituents games or theatre or whatever they driven down Derrimut Road, but in the shopping centres in my might want to go to, and that is a I certainly have. I was impressed electorate—and I am horrified at major problem. by the improvements, I have to what I see constantly, where the I have received an email from a say, but I was equally astonished businesses that have just been constituent who says that she wanted as I drove along by the sudden holding on are letting go. They are to get tickets to the women’s football, end of these improvements and going to the wall. They have held on tried to ring the Ticketmaster the return to the single lane each for as long as they possibly can, but accessible phone number and then way. I was again astonished when now they are in a particularly bad discovered that it was not available I heard reports the government way and they just give it up. during these COVID times. She is has run out of money to finish the As I said yesterday in the debate on not happy, and I do not blame her Derrimut Road duplication. Minister, the state-of-emergency legislation, one little bit. Now, I am aware that Derrimut Road services one of the these are not just businesses that we Ticketmaster is a private company, fastest growing parts of Victoria. are talking about, these are people but I am hoping that they will also Will you give a formal undertaking who, in many cases, have put their have to abide by the laws which that the Derrimut Road upgrade lives into building a small business. preclude discrimination against will continue and give an estimated These are families who depend on people with disabilities. As this finishing date for the project? the income from that business to pay constituent of mine said in her letter: their mortgage or to pay their rent, Why is the Ticketmaster excluding COUNCIL | Motions to send their kids to school, to pay a person with a disability from 03 March 2021 off their car, to go on holidays—to purchasing tickets? do all the things that many of us Why are they allowing who get paid on a regular basis take Ticketmaster to do this? Why is the for granted. There is something that State Government allowing this Small business perhaps members of the government behaviour? here in Victoria do not actually I reckon they are particularly good support accept, and that is that a pay cheque questions, and what I am asking the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) every week or every fortnight for minister to do tonight is to intervene — Acting President Gepp, it is indeed a small business operator is not a in this particular matter—to take a great thing to see you back in the guarantee. I recall when I ran my Ticketmaster to one side and advise chair and looking hale and hearty own business some years ago that them of the law, advise them of and looking forward to a great year when I first began it was in fact quite their obligations under the law and for the Tigers ahead, I am sure. It a harrowing experience waiting for ensure that the accessible phone gives me a great deal of pleasure to the money to come through to see line, the line that is most often used move: if we could pay the electricity bill or by people with disabilities, is opened That this house: the gas bill or indeed buy food for as a matter of urgency. It is just (1) notes the devastating impact the family. And there are hundreds not good enough that people with of the COVID-19 pandemic on of thousands of families throughout disabilities miss out on what many small retail and other businesses the state who feel the same way. The others of us take for granted. So I am in strip shopping centres in reality is that the lockdowns during asking the minister to intervene to metropolitan Melbourne, and in the pandemic impacted their ability provide information to Ticketmaster particular central Melbourne; to survive, both as businesses and to ensure that they do the right thing (2) calls on the Andrews Labor as family units, and the pressure on by people with disabilities and that government to urgently release: them has been absolutely enormous. they do in fact put back in operation (a) a package of measures to Now, I am aware, tragically, of a their accessible phone number for support Melbourne’s central number of people who could not tickets—and do it as a matter of business district, particularly take that pressure anymore and priority. businesses and jobs in the retail decided that they just could not live and hospitality sectors; and anymore, and they took unfortunate

IN 14 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE actions. It is just tragic that that the owners of the small business are not coming back—they are not happens, and that of course is a and the operators of the small coming back. If anybody thinks that tragic reflection on the dreadful, business, there are the employees just because you enter lockdown dreadful times that we have just been who have lost their jobs as well in everything will go back to normal through. There have been—and will so many instances. I have spoken to the day after next, they are having a be—a number of people who are a number of people who have lost lend of themselves. That is not the untold victims, I suppose, of this their jobs over the last six, seven, way things operate. It is certainly not pandemic. We talk about the 800- eight months. They are in a position the way small business operates, and plus who died in the nursing homes, where they do not quite know what it is not the way that we are going to but I am putting money down that they are going to do. You know, see victory over the situation that we will not talk about those who some of these people are in their 50s, we currently have in Victoria. It just could not take it anymore and ended and unfortunately in this country staggers me when I see and I hear their own lives. Unfortunately I at the moment when you get to 50 members of the government get up suspect we might not ever know the they throw you on the scrap heap. and talk about how the government full numbers of those people who Irrespective of how much experience is spending billions of dollars on this have done that. They have done that you might have, irrespective of and billions of dollars on that: ‘The because, I am assuming, they have how much knowledge, how much government’s doing this, and we’re given their heart and their soul to intelligence or how much common going to employ this many’. The fact something for such a long period sense you might bring to the table, of the matter is, the only way we are of time and all of a sudden it has you get to 50 and people say, ‘Well, going to have recovery in this state or disintegrated before their eyes. we don’t really want that sort of in this country is through a thriving This has happened right across person here anymore’. And that is private sector. It is the only way that the state. There does not seem to be very sad, but there are a lot of people we are going to recover. much difference between country out there who have worked in small I wish that the government would areas, metropolitan areas or indeed business all their lives and who are take this on board. I heard the the city itself. The CBD, central now in a situation where they are Treasurer, Mr Pallas, the other day, Melbourne—it is heartbreaking unemployed and cannot find a job. or not so long ago, talking about to walk through the city. I love They cannot find a job because a how the recovery is going to be led Melbourne. I have always loved lot of the businesses that would by the government; it is going to be Melbourne. I think I always will love normally employ them are not there almost a public float, as it were, of Melbourne. To walk through the anymore. the economy, led by the government. CBD now, to see all the empty shops, I recall not so long ago walking But that is not sustainable. You hear to see all the signs up saying, ‘For down Elizabeth Street. There was members of the government talking lease’—you know, there are some a suit store almost opposite the all the time about sustainability, but streets where every second shop is Commonwealth Bank on Elizabeth the fact of the matter is that what empty in the CBD in Melbourne. It is Street. That suit store had been there they are proposing, what they are just horrifying that this has occurred. for as long as I can remember, and talking about, what they are trying I do not think that the government I have been going to the CBD for a to do is not sustainable. And the fact fully understands the impact that very long time. That suit store had that we now have or will have very this has had on people. I do not think been there for a very long time. I shortly somewhere around a $155 the government has any idea, in fact, was walking down Elizabeth Street, billion debt indicates to anybody what small business operators have and I said, ‘I’ll just have a look and who is even mildly paying attention gone through during the course of see what they’ve got in the window’. that it is not sustainable. the lockdown. I do not think that the There was nothing in the window. We need to get people back in government has any understanding The suit store was gone. They had business. We need to get business at all of the needs of small business gone out of business. That is just going again, particularly small or the pressures of small business or one of so many that are no longer business in this state and in the CBD. what has happened to small business there, and of course their employees Melbourne was such an exciting and those who rely on small business were gone as well. So members place. It was such a thriving place to survive over the last 12 months. opposite should not just think about not so long ago. Now, even if you go Of course it is not just families, it small business operators being down Little Bourke Street, you are is not just owners, because small victims of this; it is employees, struggling to find somewhere to eat. business is the biggest employer some if not many of whom would It is one of the culinary capitals of the in the country. You know, we have be union members—and that might South Pacific, and you are struggling got big business and, as I said, they be something that will attract the to find somewhere to eat. So many have survived pretty well. They know attention of the government, because businesses need the support to stay how to look after themselves, and that seems to be the only thing that open. Some businesses, as I say, are good on them. I have never believed they care about at all. gone—gone forever—and that is that we should go out of our way to I think it is vitally important that tragic. But there are some businesses support big business because they we get these businesses up and that, with a little bit of help, with a are more than in a position to do that running again. As we know, there little bit of support from government, themselves, but small business is a was recently a five-day shutdown will hang on. They will be able to different thing altogether. at just a few hours notice, and a employ those who otherwise would You know, there are hundreds number of businesses that were be without a job. They would be and hundreds of thousands of hanging on by their fingernails at able to pay tax and make their people who rely on small business that point threw their arms in the contribution to the world. for their employment. Apart from air, gave up and walked away. They

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 15 You have got to remember with looked after. As for the rest of people, and we as a Parliament that $155 billion debt, the only Victoria, do they really matter? That and you as a government have a way that we are going to pay that would be the attitude of the Premier responsibility to ensure that they are off is through taxes. But if nobody and the Treasurer: do they really allowed to get on with their job, to is paying taxes and the debt keeps matter? Mr Pallas will have his new protect what they have and indeed to going up, we are going to find Lexus, probably a bigger one than make their contribution to the future ourselves very, very quickly—if he has got now. He might even be of Victoria. indeed we are not already—in a able to afford his own chauffeur. situation where we are gone for all But one thing that we do know, one COUNCIL | Motions money as a state. I remember vividly thing we can be absolutely certain 03 March 2021 back in 1992, certainly in the late of, is that the people of Victoria— 1980s and the early 1990s, when the workers, these people who the we all thought Victoria was a lost government says they represent— cause. I tell you what, back then it will be struggling because of what Small business was positively healthy compared to this government has left them. what we are looking at now. I never It is beyond my comprehension support thought I would see a premier who to understand why they would not Right of reply would make Joan Kirner look good, be propping up small business but Daniel Andrews does. operators in shopping centres, in Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) If it was Daniel Andrews’s idea to strip shopping centres, in shopping — Thank you, Acting President. I am repatriate Joan Kirner and to restore malls across this state, because sure that Mr Gepp will be delighted her to her rightful place, he has done that is the future. That is the future. to know that he has been cut off to a damn good job, because compared Putting good money after bad into allow me to speak in the house in to him, she is a champion—she was government programs—and do not response to this debate today. a champion, a great premier. And get me started on the West Gate I think there is one thing that we back in those days small businesses Tunnel—that are not going to pay can all agree on, irrespective of our were fearful every day. Every day us, that are not going to give us any political bent in this house today, small business operators would open real return on a long-term basis, is and that is that the lockdown, the up wondering if indeed their own nonsense. It is nonsense to do that. result of what we saw last year, has banks were going to last the day. It We have to invest in those areas been absolutely devastating for small was a pretty dreadful time. But what of the economy that are going to business. I know I have used that we have now in Victoria and what give us the biggest bang, and that is word ‘devastating’ far too often, but it is coming, I fear, is even worse. That most surely small business. Small describes exactly what is going on or is why we must throw our support business is the future of this state, it what has happened to small business into small business. If we are going is this future of this country, and if in this state. I think that is something to spend vast amounts of money, let we do not invest in small business that we can all agree on—that small us put it where it will pay the most and ensure that it is a thriving small business operators and their staff are dividends. Let us give it to those who business sector, then we have not suffering, from one end of this state will actually provide for the state’s just failed small business, we have to the other. future. Let us give it to those who will failed every single Victorian. We have heard members of the provide jobs, who will pay taxes, who So I ask the government to government get up here and say, will be ongoing contributors to our take this on board—because it is ‘We are spending this, and we are society. Let us do that, because if we something that Victoria needs, spending that, and we are spending do not, the state will go face down desperately needs—to get in there, something else’. They love to quote and, I fear, not come up. to support small businesses, because how much they are spending. I have Michael O’Brien is going to have if we do not it is going to be a very, got news for them. It is not working. a really tough job after the next very sad future for Victoria. So I So how about we go back to the election. He is going to have a ask all members to support this drawing board, we find out what really tough job, and Louise Staley motion today. I had not intended small business needs and we try as Treasurer will have an equally to move this, but I am glad that the and provide that for them? Instead tough job—certainly one that I do opportunity arose, and I did, because of, up here on high in Spring Street, not envy, I have to say, because the it is something that I feel very telling small business people what debt and the difficulties that the passionate about. As a former small they need, how about asking them Liberal-Nationals government will business operator, it is something and then providing some assistance face after the next election will be that I really feel strongly about. in that regard? That way we might quite horrendous. It is all very well Because small business operators actually have some hope of keeping for members opposite to sneer, are people who put themselves on them afloat, of keeping them alive— because they know—we all know— the line. They put their homes on those that have survived to this point. the Premier and the Treasurer will be the line, they put their futures on the Small business is the lifeblood out of here. Daniel Andrews and Tim line and they are the heroes, and the of our economy. It means jobs. It Pallas will be out of here. They will be heroines, of our economy. They are means prosperity, and I am not just on their $250 000- or $300 000-a-year not just the engine room; they are talking about for the operators. I am pension. heroes and heroines, and each and talking about for the entire state. I am Mr Leane interjected. every one of them—as far as I am talking about for the entire nation. Mr FINN: It is going up a bit—a concerned, and as my father would Without small business, we would half-million-dollar pension. Thank have said once, their blood is worth as a nation have sunk a long time you, Minister. They will be well bottling. They are just magnificent ago. I think that given that small

IN 16 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE business has suffered probably more So I urge members to support my car if I can squeeze it in at than anything else—in fact I can say this motion. This should not be the Derrimut Road end of the with certainty small business has a highly contentious or political station when I arrive off peak in suffered more than anything else, motion. This is a motion supporting the morning. The new shopping because of the lockdown that we small business, and I sincerely hope centre south east corner of saw last year, the longest lockdown that every member of the house, Leakes and Derrimut roads in the world—it is amazing when whatever their political perspective only allows for 3 hours’ parking. you look at it that anybody survived might be, will support this motion And it’s quite a long walk to the at all. I mean, to have their doors and support small business. station from there. closed at very little notice at all, to Motion agreed to. So there we have it—a number of be shut up for months and months deep concerns that Mrs Bitans has pointed out, I would suggest to you, on end without any income at all, it COUNCIL | Adjournment is amazing that any of them actually 03 March 2021 from personal experience but also survived. But some did. Some have on behalf of many people that she reopened, and they are the ones speaks to on a daily basis, because that we now must ensure get some she is a very popular member of the of the support that they need. Let us Tarneit train local community. She hears what face facts: small business generally people have to say, and people speaking do not ask for support. station want to tell her, and she has passed They do not ask for money. They do this on to me. So I am asking the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Minister for Public Transport to not want money. They do not want — I wish to raise a matter for the government interference. They want take on board what Mrs Bitans Minister for Public Transport, has said to me about the Tarneit government to get out of the way and and it concerns Tarneit station in let them get on with their job. They station and to do something about my electorate. It concerns also a it, because this is a rapidly growing want government to allow them to communication that I have received get on with the business that they are area of Melbourne, one of the fastest from a constituent, Mrs Wendy growing areas in fact in Australia. It good at, and generally speaking that Bitans, who is well known to me is something that I am very happy to is clearly something that does need and is well respected in the local urgent attention, so I would ask the support. community. Mrs Bitans has written As Mr Atkinson said before, minister to do Mrs Bitans a favour to me with a number of suggestions and also do a huge favour for the quoting the great Ronald Reagan, on a number of areas, but in ‘Government is not the solution … local community and do something particular I refer to one. I quote from about the parking at and the design government is the problem’, and that her missal to me, and that is: is more than often the case. But on of this particular station. this occasion, I have to say that we The ticket office is at the East end— need to direct a bit more support— COUNCIL | Constituency questions perhaps not a bit more, perhaps of Tarneit station— 04 March 2021 just directed in the right ways. Let instead of being in the middle us ask the question, ‘What do you of the platforms so that need?’. Let us ask small business passengers can choose which what they need, and then we can end to board and alight from Bulla public direct the assistance to the areas the train. that they identify. I think that is very, It is not good, she is absolutely toilets very important. This government convinced. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) unfortunately has a reputation for There’s a scramble at Spencer — My constituency question is to not listening, for not asking, for Street to get in to the last the Minister for Local Government, having consultation that involves, carriage, as that’s the one that and I ask this question as a matter ‘This is what you are doing’. That has is closest to the exit when you of urgency. Minister, Bulla has no been the case right across the state arrive back at night, tired. The public toilet. It used to have toilets, now for the past five or six years, and number of passengers trying but I understand that Cr Jack that is unfortunate indeed. to alight all at once increases Medcraft was instrumental in having But here is an opportunity to assist the journeys’ times, travelling Hume council remove them for a group in the community that we back to Geelong. “Old” stations, reasons that are, I have to say, totally desperately need to be strong and built in the previous century beyond me. But that is Jack Medcraft we desperately need to be powering always had ticket offices in the for you. Locals want them back. Bulla ahead. Here is an opportunity to middle of the platforms. And has a delightful recreation area—an the car parking is woeful … not assist them. But first we must ask oval, a playground, tennis courts and nearly enough spaces—we were the Tullamarine Live Steam Society’s them in what ways can we assist instructed by pamphlets on them, because we might actually magnificent miniature railway. In the counters last year, to leave fact it is worth a visit on Sunday if be spending a lot more money than our cars at home and take a anybody is short of anywhere to we need to spend. The government bus to the Tarneit station. All might be spending a lot more money well and good for those living visit. This area often attracts large than it needs to spend. We need south of the rail line. There’re crowds, particularly families, and as actually to find out where the money no buses at all for those of us every parent will testify, the need for needs to go and direct it to that who live north of the station. toilets where children are involved particular place. Yes, it is a long walk indeed and is paramount. When kids have to go, takes 10 minutes to return to they have to go. If the Jack McKenzie Community Hall is not open, there

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 17 is no public access to toilets, and the next two years. The petitioners COUNCIL | Constituency questions that is truly a deplorable situation. therefore request that the Legislative 17 March 2021 Minister, will you speak to Hume Council call on the Government council and ensure they return these to deliver the Tarneit West station much-needed facilities to the Bulla project as soon as possible rather Recreation Reserve? I ask you to do it than make the community wait until Toxic soil: health at your earliest convenience. the completion date of 2027 for this critical infrastructure project. impact COUNCIL | Constituency questions By Mr FINN (Western Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) 16 March 2021 Metropolitan) (461 signatures). — My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. There are COUNCIL | Members statements major concerns as to the health 16 March 2021 impacts of toxic soil that the Anzac services Andrews government appears to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) be committed to dumping near — My constituency question is for residential housing in Melbourne’s the Minister for Veterans. Since I Hume City west. The people living near was first elected to this Parliament Ravenhall and in Sunbury and Bulla I have had a close relationship Council are deeply worried about the highly with veterans organisations. Over Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) dangerous PFAS and what it will do the years I have been a regular — I have often said that good local to them and their families. They have attendee at many dawn services, government is one of the best things a right to know if the government Remembrance Day services and that any community can have. Just of the state knows what dangers social gatherings organised by RSL as easily, bad local government can these people will face, and they sub-branches in Sunbury, Keilor destroy it. Jacksons Creek ward in have a right to know if the Andrews East, Moonee Ponds, Williamstown, the Hume City Council is a case in government actually cares if they and Sunshine and a variety of others. point. Recently elected councillor their families will face serious health Anzac Day is without doubt the most Trevor Dance has been a real bolter. problems in years to come. Minister, important date on the calendar for His activity in representing the good you are ultimately responsible for those of us wishing to thank and pay people of his ward is to be highly every health issue in this state. Have tribute to those who have paid the commended. He has been vocal you sought from your department ultimate price for our freedom. RSL on council in ensuring the needs of advice on the possible health effects sub-branches across the Western Sunbury and Bulla are addressed of poisonous toxic soil on those Metropolitan Region are desperate expeditiously. Ten out of 10 so far living near the Ravenhall tip and Hi- to know if their normal Anzac for Cr Dance. On the other hand, Quality in Sunbury Road, and if you commemorations can go ahead next councillors Jack Medcraft and have received such advice, what is it? month, after the disappointment of Jarrod Bell have done exactly the last year’s cancellation. Minister, will opposite. Not only have councillors COUNCIL | Constituency questions you tell the RSL members in the west Medcraft and Bell not represented 18 March 2021 if their traditional Anzac services can their communities properly, they resume this year, and when? have actively opposed the proposals to support locals put forward by Cr COUNCIL | Petitions Dance. Cr Medcraft and Cr Bell have Bulla Bridge 16 March 2021 failed—and failed miserably—those Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) who have placed in them faith to do — My constituency question is to the right thing by them. I strongly the Minister for Roads and Road suggest Cr Medcraft and Cr Bell Safety. I have raised this matter with Tarneit West should start fighting for their ward the minister now on a number of residents or get the hell off council occasions and I fear greatly that we train station altogether. With Josh Bull alleged to may well be running out of time. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) be representing Sunbury and Bulla The Bulla Bridge is currently subject — The Petition of certain citizens in the other place, the last thing to traffic loads it was not built to of the State of Victoria draws to the locals need is another couple of withstand. It was built in 1869 when attention of the Legislative Council duds like Jack Medcraft and Jarrod the sort of heavy traffic, including that the Tarneit community cannot Bell representing them on Hume hundreds of massive trucks, it now wait until 2027 for the delivery of council. They are indeed lead in the carries was inconceivable. The bridge the Tarneit West station project. saddlebags. links Sunbury and the Macedon Thousands of commuters use Tarneit Ranges to Melbourne Airport, where station on a daily basis. Due to the thousands of residents are workers population growth in and around at, of course, the airport. The collapse the Tarneit area, the current Tarneit of this bridge would obviously train station can no longer cope with impact vehicles on it at the time, commuter demand. The Tarneit but it would also disrupt the lives of West station project is currently many thousands who rely on that due to be delivered by 2027. This bridge daily. Minister, is it possible critical infrastructure is required to, at the very least, impose a cap now, with project completion within on the weight of trucks now using

IN 18 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE the Bulla Bridge? Action on this is veteran, a man who risked his life COUNCIL | Motions needed now. for Australia and lost mates on the 29 April 2021 battlefield, locked out of the Shrine COUNCIL | Petitions of Remembrance by the erection 29 April 2021 of a fence. He and his comrades were denied their right to pay their Belt and Road respects at the dawn service, yet a few hours later across the park Initiative Dohertys Road, almost 80 000 people gathered at Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the MCG to watch a game of footy. — In rising to support the motion Truganina, bus What sort of priorities are these? put today by my friend and colleague No veteran should ever be refused Mr Davis I want to make it very service entry to the shrine, much less on clear to members opposite and in Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Anzac Day. The level of disgust I still particular to Ms Shing that what we — The Petition of certain citizens feel for what happened at the shrine are pursuing is a Victoria-first policy. of the State of Victoria draws to the on Sunday is quite overwhelming. What we are concerned about is that attention of the Legislative Council Whoever is responsible for the the Belt and Road Initiative—and we that there is currently no public erection of that fence should resign have been concerned about this from bus service along Dohertys Road, or be sacked. This was a disgrace. day one—leaves and left Victoria at Truganina. The community has It was an outrage. It should never a distinct disadvantage. The BRI was grown significantly and so has the happen again. about giving an enormous benefit demand for better public transport to a foreign country. It was about infrastructure in the area. Limited COUNCIL | Constituency questions giving enormous benefit to a foreign bus services add pressure on an 29 April 2021 government at the cost of Victorians. already overcrowded Tarneit station That is not something that we on car park. A new bus route along this side of the house can possibly Dohertys Road covering Albright, condone. Ellarook, Westbrook, Element and Toxic soil We congratulate the Prime Rothwell estates is desperately Minister, the foreign minister and the needed. Alternatively, existing bus community federal government for canning this routes could be altered to service scheme, because it was a bad deal— this area. The petitioners therefore protest it was a crook deal—for Victoria. You request that the Legislative Council Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) just have to look at the reaction by call on the Government to work — My constituency question is to the Chinese government—yes, the with Public Transport Victoria to the Acting Premier. A large crowd Chinese communist government. We introduce a new bus route or alter of locals will gather on the Village call them a communist government an existing bus route along Dohertys Green in Sunbury at midday this because that is what they are. Road, Truganina to provide service Sunday to protest against the They call themselves communists. to Albright, Ellarook, Westbrook, Andrews government’s plan to That is what they are. They always Element and Rothwell estates. dump toxic soil at a site on Sunbury have been—well, since the 1940s By Mr FINN (Western Road. Many thousands of locals are anyway. The fact of the matter is the Metropolitan) (340 signatures). desperately concerned about the reaction of the Chinese communist impact of carcinogenic PFAS material government has been nothing short of out of control. These people have COUNCIL | Members statements on their health and that of their 29 April 2021 families. To make matters worse, this shown a total lack of maturity in material will potentially be dumped dealing with the fact that the BRI has literally across the road from new been ditched. They have accused residential developments. My us of all manner of things now, and Anzac Day constituents in Sunbury and Bulla we have, I suppose, over the last few Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) have previously objected to this soil years got used to that. — It is great to be here in Bright, and being dumped in their communities We remember what the reaction of I must look up the pumpkin seeds but have so far been ignored by the the Chinese government was when and see what I can do with those. Premier, the Minister for Planning, Prime Minister Morrison suggested Anzac Day of course is a sacred day the Minister for Energy, Environment there be an inquiry into where for every Australian, and over the and Climate Change, the Minister the Wuhan virus came from. We past two weekends I have joined with for Transport Infrastructure and remember the Chinese government thousands across Melbourne’s west two health ministers. I am speaking at that time went quite troppo with to show respect, gratitude and love at the rally on Sunday, and I ask all sorts of threats. And we have to those who sacrificed their lives for the following question in the hope suffered not as much, actually, as our freedom. This nation owes those I can relay the answer to locals on we had thought we would, because heroes a debt that can never fully be that occasion. Acting Premier, will whilst the Chinese government’s paid. you listen to the concerns of my intention was clearly malicious Sadly this Anzac Day was constituents and act to ensure their towards many of our products and overshadowed by an image that health and lives are protected from many of our producers, Australians will stay with me and millions of the threat of poisonous, toxic soil? and Victorians very quickly became others for the rest of our days. Never very much on top of the need to did I think I would see the face of a find other markets and to find other

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 19 buyers of our products. We have has been shown towards Prince Prince Philip gave up everything that done that very, very successfully, so Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and he had so that Queen Elizabeth could the intent of the Chinese government his service to his Queen, to the continue with what she had set out was not met to the extent that they commonwealth and indeed to every upon. wanted, and they no doubt will be nation in the commonwealth, and His commitment, his loyalty and exceedingly disappointed by that. of course that very much includes his service make him one half of the Now, I just want to make one Australia. As has been mentioned, he most remarkable team in human point. I have been accused, as have was here many, many times. In fact history. I think we will be struggling some others, of some sort of racism he chose, along with Her Majesty, to to find another one, to tell you the because I am against the BRI, send his eldest son to Timbertop I truth. I cannot begin to imagine how because I am against the Chinese think, if I recall, down near Geelong. Her Majesty will miss Prince Philip communist government having an That, as Prince Charles has recalled, after over seven decades together, advantage over Victorians. Nothing was one of the great highlights of his and my heart goes out to her and could be further from the truth. We life. So Australia was very much a to her family. We will all miss him, have to make the differentiation, part of the Prince’s thinking from a and we thank him for the work and the clear differentiation, between very early time. service that he gave. I very strongly the Chinese government and the When I heard the news of his support the motion, and my most Chinese people. Chinese people, passing, despite the fact that he sincere condolences go out to good; Chinese government, bad. obviously was of advanced years and Her Majesty and to the rest of the That is the differentiation. And the fact that he had been ill of late, family. May God bless the Duke of whilst the Premier clearly has a very I was shocked. It was a very great Edinburgh and keep him forever. different view, I think if you go out sense of personal sadness when I and you talk to the people of Victoria, heard the news. It was at half-time COUNCIL | Constituency questions you will find that they indeed have during the Friday night footy in fact 04 May 2021 the view that we were selling out that the news came through, and all to China. I have been absolutely of a sudden that football match did staggered at the vehemence with not seem to mean quite as much as it which so many people have opposed had previously done. He had been a Toxic soil health the BRI. So I welcome the actions constant in my life. Both he and the of the federal government. I thank Queen had led the commonwealth claims them, and I congratulate them. since before I was born. He has been Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) They got Victoria out of a very, very there, along with Her Majesty, all — My constituency question is to the nasty spot, and indeed we should of my life, so to think that he is no Minister for Energy, Environment all thank the federal government longer there is quite a shock and, and Climate Change. Residents for that. I would hope that the as I said, did cause a great deal of of Sunbury and Bulla have again Chinese government in future will personal sadness to me. expressed their deep concern about display a more mature attitude, an Now, I never met Prince Philip. I PFAS-contaminated soil that the attitude which would enable us to did, however, meet his eldest son government wishes to dump at the deal with them in a decent and a some years ago. But I feel that if I had Hi-Quality site on Sunbury Road. reasonable manner. I urge members met the Duke, we would have got As the government intends to dump to support this motion. I think it is along quite well because he did have this poisonous material opposite a very good motion. I congratulate a great sense of humour, and those of residential housing currently being Mr Davis on having put this motion us who have a sense of humour know built opposite Hi-Quality, the local to the house today, and I will be that that sometimes gets us into a community is deeply worried about supporting this motion fulsomely little bit of trouble. I think that Prince the health implications. The member and wholeheartedly. Philip and I may have been able to for Sunbury claims it is harmless swap stories as to the occasions on and there is nothing to worry about. COUNCIL | Address to Her Majesty which that had occurred to each of Minister, do you endorse Mr Bull’s the Queen, 04 May 2021 us. assessment of the toxic soil the Prince Philip also had very little government wishes to dump? time for political correctness, and that is something that, as members COUNCIL | Members statements His Royal know, I have spoken out against 04 May 2021 frequently. He was in Australian Highness terms a character, and that is why Australians so warmly embraced him The Prince and indeed so deeply mourned him West Gate Tunnel when he passed away. It should also Philip, Duke of be pointed out to the house that he soil was one of the very early feminists, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Edinburgh because in fact he gave up his life in — It was my very great pleasure this the navy, a career that he loved so past Sunday to speak on Sunbury’s Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) dearly, so that his wife could follow — There is an old saying that Village Green in front of a massive her career. That is something that crowd gathered to protest against the goes, ‘We don’t know what we’ve perhaps not many think about, but got till it’s gone’. It should not be Andrews government’s plan to dump somebody pointed that out to me toxic soil in their, and indeed in our, at all surprising to see the wave just after he passed, and it is true. of worldwide appreciation that community. I was joined by the

IN 20 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE Shadow Minister for Environment a significant population. But if there become part of the food chain, and Climate Change, Bridget are any troubles there—and from being transferred from organism to Vallence; Dr Catherine Cumming; time to time there are—they have to organism. Cr Trevor Dance; and my old rely on a police car or police vehicle Minister, who has investigated this sparring partner in this place Colleen coming from Werribee. potential hazard and signed it off Hartland, but this time we were Mr Davis: You can’t get in on the as acceptable to dump toxic PFAS- actually on the same side. I should roads. contaminated soil only metres from also congratulate Chris O’Neill and Mr FINN: As Mr Davis says, you Deep Creek, threatening human his team for organising the rally. cannot get in on the roads, because beings and endangered animals and They did a great job. Point Cook was built without any almost certainly contaminating a The Sunbury and Bulla infrastructure being put there, as number of waterways? communities are fired up to fight the we saw when I think Justin Madden government’s plan. The roar from the was the minister. He allowed all the COUNCIL | Motions crowd on Sunday made it very clear stamp duty to be collected by the 05 May 2021 that locals are not going to take this state government without returning lying down. They also made it very any of it to the people of Point Cook, clear that they are furious—furious and I am constantly amazed at how is an understatement—that the the Labor Party allowed so many Payroll Tax member for Sunbury has deserted people to build houses there—and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) them in their time of need. The some of the houses are magnificent — If I was a small business operator anger is palpable in Sunbury and houses, I have to say. But it just in this state and happened to tune surrounds. The government should astounds me that the former Labor into this debate today, I would by prepare itself to face the fury of government allowed this suburb this stage be at Tullamarine airport communities that it has dismissed to be built without the sort of basic lining up to go to perhaps New and it has ignored. This will not infrastructure that most of us have South Wales, perhaps Queensland, be pretty. I will not stand by and just come to expect. But on this to relocate, because what I would watch while any area in Melbourne’s occasion what we need is a police have heard would have been west is treated so despicably. Our station for Point Cook, and what I representatives of the government health and the health of our families am asking the acting police minister of this state with no understanding are every bit as important as the to do is to speak to the Treasurer, Mr whatsoever of the impact of their health of those on the other side Pallas, and ask him to provide the policies on small business. Despite of Melbourne. We will not tolerate money that would enable a police what Mr Gepp says—and Mr Gepp being treated as second-class station to be built and manned of on a lot of things is very correct; citizens. I assure the government and course, or personned—I am not sure he is a good Tigers man, and there this house that we have just begun to what the word is these days— is nothing wrong with that—my fight. A member: Staffed. concern is that he has gone down Mr FINN: staffed, thank you very the same path as Mr Pallas, and that COUNCIL | Adjournment much—for 24 hours, because the is that in order for us to recover we 04 May 2021 people of Point Cook have had need a government-led recovery. enough. They are sick of the fear. There is only one way that any state They are sick of being neglected or any nation can ever recover, and by this government, and it is long, that is through private enterprise, Point Cook long overdue that this police station and in particular small business. be built in Point Cook and provide Without a strong small business police station the people of Point Cook with the sector you have nothing—you Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) protection that they deserve. have no taxation, you have no — I wish to raise a matter this jobs, you have nothing. And that is evening for the attention of the acting COUNCIL | Constituency questions something, sadly, the opposition, Minister for Police and Emergency 05 May 2021 the government rather—just getting Services, and it concerns the suburb carried away there—does not seem of Point Cook, which has long been to understand. That is rather sad. in need of a police presence and in In fact we heard from Mr Erdogan particular a police station. Every Toxic soil threat that the bigger the tax, the better off time I go to Point Cook, which is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) we all are. Well, how good is one of quite often, I hear directly from — My constituency question is to the your old-style socialists in action: the residents, and they are very, Minister for Energy, Environment ‘The bigger the tax, the better off we very keen for a police station to be and Climate Change. Minister, I refer all are’. Well, I know about 6 million established in Point Cook asap. It to your government’s plan to dump or 7 million Victorians who would was just a few weeks ago that I was poisonous toxic soil in the Sunbury- dispute that, because I think even in Point Cook hosting the Leader of Bulla community. The national the strongest trade unionists, even the Opposition, Mr O’Brien, who environmental management plan the most committed of trade union visited Point Cook with me, and one has described PFAS as being highly members do not want to pay any of the issues that came up again and soluble in water and able to, I quote: more tax than they have to. They again and again was the need for … readily leach from soil to surface do not want high taxes. I think they a police station in Point Cook. The water and groundwater, where would be almost as appalled by problem is that Point Cook is quite a they can move long distances to what the government has said today significant suburb. It is a suburb with enter creeks, rivers and lakes and as small business operators would

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 21 be, because they do not want to be Mr FINN: Mate, I would have. These people who suggest that all paying taxes. They want to keep what Brother, if I had been given the power should be centralised in they have earned. They work hard for opportunity, I would have. I would Canberra are off with the fairies. their money and they want to keep have, do not worry about that. I Every decision that is made has to that, and that is fair enough. That is did not exactly have my hands go through Canberra? No, thank the basis—one of the bases anyway— on the steering wheel in the last you. I have worked in Canberra. of the Liberal Party: if you work and government I can assure you, and I could not wait to get out of the you earn money, then you should more is the pity. joint. Canberra is the single biggest be able to keep as much of that as is A member: It’s never too late! mistake in the history of this nation. humanly possible. Mr FINN: Yes, that is true. And Whoever thought of Canberra, they Now, I know and I accept, I was absolutely delighted when should have hanged him. Honestly, it reluctantly it has to be said, that the opposition leader, the next is just unbelievable, the damage that taxation is necessary. I am not a fan Premier of Victoria, Michael O’Brien, that place has done to this nation. of it. I am not a fan of it, but I accept announced just a couple of weeks In fact he has probably gone now, that we do need taxation. But we ago that we are raising the threshold so they should dig him up and hang have a situation in this state where on payroll tax, meaning that a whole him anyway. But it is just appalling the Andrews government seems to range of small businesses across the what has happened as a result of think that taxation is their money to state will not be paying payroll tax the coming together of power in do with as they want. Therefore we and indeed a whole range of jobs will Canberra. To expand that, to extend have seen huge spending, we have not be subject to this tax. That is a that, is just a nonsense; it is quite seen huge waste, we have seen so very, very welcome move and I am stupid. much thrown away, and as a result sure it will be welcomed right across So I put that forward for Victorians are not just suffering now Victoria by everyone—a very, very consideration, particularly by but will suffer for generations to good move indeed. members of the government—that come. We have a government in this In the last few minutes that I have we would like to return powers to state that has blown out the debt to I just want to outline my view on the states that they need to have, at least $155 billion—155 thousand what we should do in the taxation that they once did have, and that million dollars. It may be more area. My view is that we should have we might actually like to respect the than that, but that is a conservative a revolution in taxation in this state. constitution and the powers handed estimate at the moment: $155 billion. Now, back in I think it was 1939— to the states in the constitution. On My grandkids and possibly great- you might remember, Mr Acting that note, I do say that I will support grandkids are going to be paying for President—there was a temporary Mr Quilty’s motion—I am delighted that. What sort of government does removal of income taxation powers to—and I urge all members of the that—spends up big, has all the fun it from the states. This was a temporary house to do likewise. can have and then says to your kids measure for the war. Now, in case and your grandkids and your great- anybody had not noticed, the war COUNCIL | Motions grandkids, ‘You can pay for that. has been over for a while, and we 05 May 2021 Don’t worry about what’s coming, had a good win. You would have to we live for the moment’? It is the say that. What we need to do is to go ultimate in selfishness that we have back to where we were. We need to seen from this government. give the states back those taxation Electoral Reform This motion from Mr Quilty is a powers and what we need to do is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) welcome one. This motion speaks abolish three-quarters of the federal — Well, I had not intended to speak from a similar view that I have, and government, because three-quarters on this motion, but given the change that is that payroll tax is a tax on of the federal government we could of circumstances, I will. I listened jobs. I am all in favour of as many very, very easily do without. I could to Ms Garrett with a great deal of people having jobs as possible, start listing the departments. If I had interest. Clearly there is some sort and members opposite should time, I would, but let us start with the of domestic disagreement between be as well, because if employers, ABC— the Greens and the Labor Party particularly small business people, Mr Davis: Eight cents a day. on this, and I am not going to get do not employ workers, then they Mr FINN: Eight cents a day, and involved in that. I will let them sort do not have union members. You the rest. Really, it is only defence, it out between themselves. But I have got to have a job to be a union foreign affairs, trade; there are do welcome this motion because member. That is why they do not probably less than 10 departments this is a great opportunity to see like volunteers, because volunteers that we actually need. The rest we democracy in its purest form, where cannot be unionised. can do without, and those powers members from various parts of the Mr Ondarchie: No, they pay them. can be relocated to where they political spectrum come together in Mr FINN: Well, sometimes they do. should be constitutionally, and this house and beat the living tripe But that is the bottom line. I think that is with the states. I think that out of each other. It is going to be that for any government to be taxing is something that will save not just something to be seen, to behold, and small businesses for the privilege Victorians but Australians a lot of I for one have no intention of holding of employing someone is close to pain over coming years. it off any longer. insanity. If I had my way, I would I think that the closer government abolish this tax completely. I would is to the people, the better off the abolish this. taxpayers and indeed the people are, Members interjecting. because people can actually be in contact with their representatives.

IN 22 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Adjournment approval for the toxic waste dump literally a nightmare night and day. 04 May 2021 across the road? Can you believe This road was not built for the sort that? It is quite astonishing. of population that we now have in Mr Davis interjected. those areas. Seabrook and Altona Mr FINN: Well, Josh Bull has said Meadows of course are also affected, West Gate Tunnel bugger all to this point, I have got to although they are a little bit closer tell you. Sorry, he has said nothing to the freeway. The situation is that soil to this point, I have to tell you. My particularly those residents in Point Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) constituents would like to know and Cook and Sanctuary Lakes can — My adjournment matter this would like an explanation from the travel for up to an hour during peak evening is addressed to the Acting Premier of why they are being hour just to get to the freeway, and Acting Premier, and I must tell treated as second-class citizens, and then, if they are travelling to the city, the Acting Premier that many of if they are not, they would like him to they have to line up once again for my constituents are bewildered. show that they are not discriminated anything up to an hour, sometimes Absolutely gobsmacked, they are, against by dropping these plans for an hour and a half, to get into the that despite the fact that they have the toxic waste dumps. city. It is absolutely ludicrous. We supported the Labor Party for, in need a solution to this as soon as many cases, generations in the COUNCIL | Constituency questions possible. We have the very strong western suburbs, they are being 06 May 2021 prospect that people living in that treated as second-class citizens by area can be travelling 25 hours a the current Labor government. They week without really going anywhere, cannot understand why their loyalty without reaching their destination. It has been repaid with a government Toxic soil is so nonsensical it is not funny. that clearly has no respect for them Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes or their families. The issue revolves waterway threat are great places to live, but as I say, around the dumping of highly toxic Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Point Cook Road is an issue that soil in the west of Melbourne. As I — My constituency question should have been addressed a very am sure the house will remember, is to the Minister for Energy, long time ago. It is getting worse by the first place that was suggested was Environment and Climate Change. the day, and I know that it has been Wyndham Vale, and the member for I refer the minister to the Andrews a very big issue in the local area Werribee, the Treasurer, Mr Pallas, government’s plan to dump toxic now for some years. Given that the was very keen, apparently, to have PFAS-contaminated soil in the government apparently is flush with that soil dumped at Wyndham Vale. Sunbury and Bulla communities. funds, given all the borrowings that Mr Davis: On VicTrack land. Water from Deep Creek is utilised is has been involved in, my view Mr FINN: Indeed. I understand in a number of ways. One is to water is that now is the time to solve this that as a shareholder in Transurban crops and livestock. The dumping particular problem. So what I am he would have had a lot of interest of poisoned soil poses the very real asking the minister to do is speak in ensuring that that soil went to risk of bioaccumulation in both to the Treasurer, Mr Pallas, who Wyndham Vale. When it was pointed plants and animals, with a direct apparently represents a part of that out to him that he had a margin of threat to humans who consume area, and ask him—in fact not just about 3 or 4 per cent, he decided that these products. Has the calculation ask him but ensure—that the funds perhaps it was not such a great idea of the risk of contamination of the are made available for the Point after all. waterways and livestock by PFAS, Cook Road problem to be solved. Ms Crozier interjected. affecting the livelihood of farmers As I say, this has been going on for Mr FINN: Well, do not get started and those consuming their produce, far, far too long. The time has come on the youth justice. What a been conducted? If not, why not? for action. I am asking the minister disaster. What a debacle. And then And can the minister outline what for roads to ensure that that action it was decided the soil would go to action the government will take is imminent, and if he were to do Ravenhall and to Bulla and Sunbury. to prevent PFAS contamination that, he would be a hero in Point Now, the people living around the leaching from the soil into local Cook, in Sanctuary Lakes and right Ravenhall tip, God almighty. I feel waterways? along all of those suburbs that are so sorry for them. They have had to serviced by Point Cook Road. So I am put up with so much for so long, and asking the minister to do that, and COUNCIL | Adjournment I very much look forward to some now they have to put up with PFAS. 06 May 2021 It is just a disgrace. It is despicable happy announcements in the budget the way that they have been treated. coming up later this month. To have this highly toxic soil dumped near residential housing in Ravenhall Point Cook Road is just appalling, and it is just as Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) appalling at Bulla. That of course is — I wish to raise a matter this actually closer to Sunbury than it is evening for the attention of the to Bulla. Indeed a new residential Minister for Roads and Road housing development is immediately Safety, and I wish to bring to the across the road. Can you believe the minister’s attention the ongoing Minister for Planning, who gave the nightmare that is Point Cook Road. approval for the housing estate, is the Particularly for residents of Point same planning minister who gave the Cook and Sanctuary Lakes it is

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 23 COUNCIL | Constituency questions COUNCIL | Members statements Now, if you can work that out, please 25 May 2021 25 May 2021 let me know. I am very, very keen to know. On the other hand, over there we have the Greens—well, not just at the minute, it has to be said; they Contaminated West Gate Tunnel seem to have vacated their position altogether at the moment. I do not soil dumping soil think the Greens’ credentials are Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) exactly what they used to be, it has to — My constituency question is — The following day Ms Crozier—Dr be said. I am sure at some stage Dr to the Minister for Health. PFAS Crozier—again was with me when Ratnam will come in here, and she is a material that has already we spoke to an even bigger crowd will tell us how much the Greens love been proven to be deadly. It is on the steps here at Parliament electric vehicles. The trouble is the carcinogenic with the capacity House. They had come in from Greens do not like electricity, so we to have lethal impacts on those it Sunbury, from Bulla, from Bacchus have got this extraordinary situation comes into contact with. Residents of Marsh, from Ravenhall to oppose where we have got the government Sunbury and Bulla and those living the government’s plan to dump taxing something that it is trying to around the Ravenhall tip are deeply PFAS-contaminated soil in their promote and we have got the Greens concerned about their future and communities. They are very afraid of supporting something but opposing that of their families as the Andrews what will happen to them. They are what actually makes it run. Look, if government prepares to dump soil very afraid of what will happen to anybody can make any sense of this contaminated with PFAS in their their families and what will happen at all, please let us know, because communities. They are fearful of to a number of people in their this environmental push from the the health impacts this will cause communities in years to come. As Greens, from the Labor Party and them now and well into the future. we have seen at Fiskville, this PFAS from a whole range of people is a tad Minister, is there any guarantee you material does cause cancer. We do confusing from time to time. can offer my constituents that their not want it in our community, and The only conclusion we can come lives, the lives of their spouses and the people who gathered on the steps to—Mr Hayes may care to listen to the lives of their children will not last Thursday morning made that this—is that this government will tax in any way be threatened by the very clear. It is also worth pointing anything. It does not care; it will tax gross negligence of the Andrews out to the government that this is anything. It has never seen anything government? not the end. We will continue to fight that it did not want to tax. It has until they scrap this appalling plan. never seen a tax that it did not want COUNCIL | Members statements to impose. This is a government that 25 May 2021 COUNCIL | Second reading is totally out of control financially 25 May 2021 and so totally beyond its depth that it will tax anything—and that is a warning. I think this legislation today Medically is a warning to every Victorian: you Zero and Low could be next. If the government is supervised prepared to tax one of its greenie Emission Vehicle friend things, then it will be prepared injecting facility to tax just about anything. You Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Distance-based know, that is what we have seen in — I rise to congratulate the people Victoria over the last week: we have of Melbourne’s west on showing Charge Bill 2021 seen a government that is totally considerable determination last committed to tax. That is what it is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) all about—and of course, why not? week. Last Wednesday evening — I rise to speak very briefly on this I attended a sizeable rally in the This government is a classic socialist piece of legislation, the Zero and Low government—a high-spending, Nicholson Street Mall in Footscray, Emission Vehicle Distance-based along with Dr Crozier, Dr Cumming high-taxing government—and to hell Charge Bill 2021. I would really love with small business, to hell with the and a number of other doctors to meet the individual who came up from all over the west. It was a people of the state and to hell with with that name because I think they anybody in fact except those who very clear message sent to the have got a big career ahead of them government that we do not want a are in the government pushing their in government. If somebody can ideological line. drug-injecting room in Footscray. come up with a name like that, then I That was very loud, very clear. There think they have probably got it made. I join Mr Rich-Phillips in the very erudite comments that he made on was no argument at all. That was the This is almost an amusing message that was sent. this legislation. I am, as a Liberal, juxtaposition that we find ourselves naturally opposed to taxation, and in, because we have a government that is something that a lot of people which prides itself on pushing do not realise—that we, as Liberals, against climate change—even want low taxes. That is one of the though there is nothing we can do things that we stand for: low taxes. about it, but they do it anyway— For the government—this socialist but at the same time they put a tax left government—to be promoting on vehicles which apparently are taxes and to be imposing taxes in supposed to stop climate change.

IN 24 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE the way that they are irks me. It irks COUNCIL | Adjournment and not in the flashiest of shape is my colleagues, and I have absolutely 25 May 2021 quite distressing. no doubt at all it irks the people of So what I am doing this evening Victoria, because eventually they is I am asking the Treasurer to are the ones who will have to pay. It provide government-backed COVID- does not matter whether it is a tax Events Industry cancelled event insurance to help the on this, it does not matter whether Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) industry and also to provide some it is a payroll tax, it does not matter — I wish to raise a matter this direct financial support to the most whether it is stamp duty, it does not evening for the attention of the at-risk event industry businesses so matter what it is that the government Treasurer. It is a matter that has that they can survive over the next six wants to push up, eventually the come to my attention over the months. It is a crisis time for them, people of Victoria—the hardworking last few days and that gives me a and they need help. people of Victoria—will have to pay. great deal of concern. I have been It is rather sad to see a government particularly worried over the last 12 COUNCIL | Constituency questions which I suppose, probably going months about the events industry in 26 May 2021 back some years ago now, regarded this state, particularly in Melbourne. itself as the party of the battlers. It The events industry has suffered is now no longer the case. As I say, a great deal, as you might expect, it has not been the case for a very, over the past 12 to 18 months. They Melbourne very long time. I see Mr Barton over have not been able to operate at all. there. His story is a classic example They are a vital part of the Victorian Airport rail link of how the ALP has deserted working economy—a $12 billion industry— men and women in this state. We and it is most important that we keep consultation have been through, with Mr Barton, them afloat, we keep them healthy and we keep them able to contribute Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) his story many times, and I am sure — My constituency question is to the we will go through it many more still to the economic health and jobs that they produce in this state. Minister for Transport Infrastructure. times before we are finished, but it The airport rail link is a much- is clear to anybody and everybody What the industry is asking for is government-backed COVID- needed and long-overdue addition who takes even a passing interest to Melbourne’s infrastructure. in what we are talking about today cancelled event insurance to get more events to happen again. Now, Nobody can argue with that or that we cannot help but notice that indeed seeks to. Locals in Sunshine this government is not a government that seems like a pretty reasonable thing, because of course many of and Albion have, however, expressed of workers. This government, this concern about a planned flyover ALP government, has dumped the these events do cost a great deal of money to get underway. To have which would take this rail line 50 workers in a very, very unfortunate metres above Albion station and substance from a very great height, the prospect of one falling over at the last minute is pretty horrifying Ballarat Road. They are angry that and they continue to do that. This they have not been consulted about is a government of rich mates. This and can be absolutely devastating for operators, who could find this and extremely disappointed is a government of mates who they that the option ditches the promised look after come what may, whether themselves out of pocket to a very, very large extent. upgrade of Albion railway station. they be multinational companies, Now, I know, as indeed we all know, whether they be trade union officials The other thing of course that the the minister is not a huge fan of or whoever they may be. They will be events industry needs—so they tell consultation, but I am strongly of looked after if they are mates. If they me—is direct financial support so the view that my constituents have are not mates, to hell with them. That that the most at risk in the event an excellent case that they be heard. is the attitude of this government, industry’s businesses can survive Minister, will you put the planned and that to my way of thinking is very the next six months. I think that is sky rail on hold until such time as sad, because I do remember—and it really important to so many people residents of Albion and Sunshine is showing my age, I have to say—a because, as I said, given the events are consulted? As Albion and Ardeer time when the Labor Party did have of the last 18 months, there are a lot Community Club president Neil some claim to being representative of businesses that are hanging on Head said, ‘It will be there forever, it’s of workers and of working people. No by their fingernails. And given, as really important we get it right now’. I more—that is no longer the case. I said before, that this contributes hope the minister agrees. This legislation shows the attitude many billions of dollars to Victoria, of the government over the past, as this industry does, I think it is really important that the government COUNCIL | Adjournment I suppose, couple of years, but 26 May 2021 particularly over the past week. I take that into consideration. It is, I can fully understand why the people have to say, very surprising that the in the suburbs, the people in the government did not actually take regional cities and towns and the that into consideration last week Werribee East people throughout country Victoria when the Treasurer brought down have had a gutful of the Andrews his budget. I remember back in the Employment government, because quite frankly, I 1990s, in the Kennett days, when have too. it was just getting underway, how exciting it was to see it getting up and Precinct flying. Now to see it on the ground Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I wish to raise a matter this evening on the adjournment for

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 25 the Minister for Planning. Now, COUNCIL | Constituency questions forced into quite often traumatic the minister would be aware, I am 08 June 2021 experiences of homeschooling? As sure, of the history of the Werribee for our beloved city of Melbourne, it East business precinct, a precinct may well never recover. It is simply that the previous government had heartbreaking. We had hoped this proposed as a business, educational Lockdown appalling government had learned and largely employment precinct. It from its many and costly mistakes. was going to be a very, very exciting impact on sole Clearly it has not, and Victorians—so part of Werribee’s future and indeed many Victorians—are paying for it in a very, very exciting part of the City traders blood, sweat and many, many tears. of Wyndham’s future. And when Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Lockdown must never happen again. the then Premier, Mr Baillieu, and — My constituency question is to the then planning minister, Mr Guy, the Treasurer. From Werribee to COUNCIL | Second reading came out to Werribee some years Williamstown, from Sunbury to 08 June 2021 ago to announce it and then indeed Seddon, sole traders have been hit to launch the precinct, there was hard by Labor’s lockdown 4. Quite a great deal of excitement at that staggeringly, sole traders across time among locals and among those Melbourne’s west are ineligible for State Taxation who had very, very high hopes that government support if they are not this would be something that was registered for GST or earn less than and Mental going to be a real game changer for $70 000 per annum. Those who need Werribee and indeed for Wyndham. it most are denied help. Treasurer, is Health Acts Now, that excitement continued until this just a way of avoiding payments the election. And then it all died. to a most needy section of the Amendment Bill And I am not exactly sure why that business community in Melbourne’s happened. I am not exactly sure what west? Treasurer, what action will 2021 Mr Andrews did as Premier to stop you take to ensure small sole that excitement. I am not exactly sure traders in my region receive urgent Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) what Mr Andrews did as Premier to government support, and when can — In rising to speak on the State stop that precinct from happening. we expect to see that money in the Taxation and Mental Health Acts But surely enough it did die a hands of those sole traders who need Amendment Bill 2021 I cannot help thousand deaths at the hands of this it? but make the observation that we government. have here in Victoria a government There is very real concern by senior that works on the basis that if you COUNCIL | Members statements cannot lock it down you tax it. That people in the Wyndham area that 08 June 2021 the government is preparing to sell is what they are doing. That is how the land—a fire sale, if you will—for they are destroying this once-great housing and to consign the Werribee state of Victoria. We have seen the East precinct as a piece of history COVID-19 impact now of four lockdowns with the promise of more to come if they that never will be. And that would Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) stuff up again, and of course we have be a tragedy. It would be a tragedy — It is hard to believe that this seen an overload of new taxes from if that were to be the case, because government has no idea of how this government to cover a variety of this project, this precinct, has the much pain it is causing. Comments their sins. potential to really spring Wyndham by ministers in the Andrews ahead of the pack. Indeed there were government give the strong I am somebody who understands many people back in those days indication that they regard this latest the importance of good mental talking about Werribee being the lockdown as a minor inconvenience health. I obviously have a particular Parramatta of Melbourne as a result to Victorians. They appear to have interest in that regard as to how it of the Werribee East precinct. I think no idea what lockdown 1, lockdown impacts those with autism and those it is very, very sad. Anybody who 2, lockdown 3 and now lockdown 4 families with autism, because they has been to Parramatta, as indeed I have done to communities across are very closely linked in many cases, have just late last year, will know that the state. Can they really be so so I am very aware of the need for Parramatta is challenging the Sydney insensitive as to have no regard for government services which provide CBD as a major business precinct. the damage these lockdowns have what is needed to cater for people’s What I am asking the Minister for caused to the point of promising good mental health. My concern Planning to do is not just give a more if Labor stuffs up again? is that this government is using guarantee that he will not sell the How can senior members of the mental health as an excuse to raise land that has been set aside for the Andrews government have no money. Now, if that is happening— Werribee East precinct but actually comprehension of the devastation and I strongly suspect it is—that is go ahead and make sure that it is they have wrought upon small despicable, that is disgraceful and kept for this project, kept for this business men and women and that is probably even worse than precinct. It is vitally important. their employees? How can they be some of the things that we have seen so remote from reality that they do over the last couple of weeks here in not understand the mental anguish Victoria. suffered by children locked away The great irony is that one of from their classrooms and their the great causes of mental health friends, to say nothing of parents problems is a collapse in the economy, businesses going to the

IN 26 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE wall, people losing their jobs. These of treachery, I do not know what is. the member for Tullamarine in the are the things that are impacting and It concerns me, or it did concern me Kennett government— have always impacted very greatly until the Prime Minister stepped Mr Ondarchie: I remember that. the mental health of Victorians, in and ripped up that deal, and I Mr FINN: Yes, I remember it Australians and people around the congratulate him most warmly for very, very fondly. I recall speaking world. Yet we have a government doing that—and not just on behalf then about the jokes that were told that keeps giving us these lockdowns, of me or even members of my own interstate about Melbourne and which are sending businesses to the party but I think on behalf of every about Victoria—for example, things wall. They are sending businesses Victorian, because wherever I went like, ‘What’s the capital of Victoria? broke. We are seeing people losing up until very recently people were About 27 cents’; jokes like that. their jobs in very large numbers. Yet very concerned about the Belt and Victoria, wherever you went, was they want to impose more taxes to Road. We have to wonder what Mr the laughing-stock of Australia. It pay for something that they largely Andrews has signed us up to with was embarrassing. It was horrifying. themselves are creating—quite regard to further belts and roads, Guess what? It is happening again, extraordinary. Some might say, as with regard to further deals with and who is doing it? Daniel Andrews, some of my friends interstate say, communist China, because we James Merlino and Martin Foley— only in Victoria would you have know that he has signed us up to that crew. They are leading us again such a thing occur, because quite something. But like everything else into a period where we are the frankly Victoria is not what it used with this government, they do not laughing-stock of Australia, and it is to be. I well remember, having been tell us; they do not bother telling the just unbelievable to think that this born and raised in Victoria, having people exactly what they are doing. could happen twice in your lifetime, spent all my life here, apart from a Mr Ondarchie interjected. much less twice in a political lifetime. few months when I was in Sydney—I Mr FINN: Well, in certain instances It is very, very difficult indeed to could not wait to get out of there, I I think they do. I think they are understand that. can tell you— being dishonest in fact in keeping What people in the mental health A member: Gladys is doing a good these details from the people. We field want is ongoing and constant job. are seeing at the moment a lot of support. That is what they want. They Mr FINN: Well, Gladys is doing a orders coming every day from the are not going to get it from this bill. very good job. Premier Berejiklian press conference as to how we live What they want is a commitment is doing a very good job in Sydney, our lives, and when we dare ask, from government to back them up particularly with regard to the when somebody dares ask, for the in the research, in the work that they Wuhan virus. Speaking of the Wuhan public health advice as to what is the do in this very, very important area, virus, I must tell the house of a basis for these orders, well, there is not some excuse to whack another letter that I received in response no appearance, Your Worship. They tax on people. And that is what this to a constituency question that I do not want to tell us—they will not is—another excuse to whack a tax had raised with Minister Foley a tell us—and that is something that on people. How much will actually few weeks ago. In that constituency is also impacting a lot of people’s get to the mental health field? How question I pointed out to him that I mental health, because they are much will get to psychiatrists and had been stuck at home for six days living a restricted life. Many of them psychologists on the front line? after having a virus test. I said this are not working. Many of them have Who would know? If it is anything was really not good enough and lost their businesses, and they are like this government’s previous asked what he was going to do to not even being told why. They are record, precious little I would ensure that other constituents did being told by the Acting Premier and suggest, because this government not have to go through the same by the Minister for Health—and it is renowned for the redistribution thing. Well, he did not answer the must be very, very difficult, in fact I of wealth within its own coffers. We question, which is something that we know it is very, very difficult, to listen know that socialists are committed to have come to expect from Minister to anything the health minister has the redistribution of wealth, but here Foley. What he did was from that to say, but we are being told every we have them redistributing their point on give me a stern lecture day by these jokers—that we have to own wealth. It takes us back to the about referring to it as the Wuhan do this and we have to do that. But time of John Cain and Joan Kirner, virus. So he does not care about they never, ever tell us why, and I when Gas and Fuel were paying the people waiting for an extended fully understand how this impacts wages of the tram drivers and the period to get their test results back, on people’s mental health. It is SEC was paying the wages of the but you call it the Wuhan virus quite extraordinary that they would train drivers and it was all over the and he is out there looking after seek to add taxes to a state which is place. his Chinese mates, his communist already groaning under the weight It is happening again. What we are mates. of lockdowns and earlier taxes. It is seeing here today is a classic Labor That is the tragedy of the extraordinary that they would seek to con, and by God they are good at it. government here in Victoria, do that at the expense of the mental You have to admit this: Labor are controlled by the pro-Peking health of the people they say that not good at much, but they are really Socialist Left, who, quite frankly, they want to help. Work that one good when it comes to conning as we have seen with the Belt and out. As I said earlier, only in Victoria people. It does not matter whether it Road, are more than happy to put the under Daniel Andrews. is over the Wuhan virus, it does not interests of a foreign power, a hostile I never thought, I have to say, matter what it is—they are really, foreign power, before the interests I would ever see this again. I really good at scaring people, they of their own state. And if that is not remember speaking in the other are really, really good at conning an act of treason, if that is not an act place back in the 1990s, when I was people. And here we are in this

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 27 Parliament today and you have to COUNCIL | Motions And, you know, the government say, ‘Here we go again’. This is Labor. 09 June 2021 is promoting this. The EPA, which It does not matter whether it is 1991 claims to be the Environment or 2021, this is Labor. This is what we Protection Authority, should change have come to expect from the ALP, its name to the Environmental and they never let us down. This is West Gate Tunnel Destruction Authority, because what the way they operate. This is the way we have seen from the EPA over the they do things. soil last six or seven months is shameful. I say to those people—I am sure Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) The political interference in that in their hundreds of thousands, — It gives me a great deal of pleasure body makes it totally irrelevant to if not millions—who are tuned to move: the environmental needs of the in this afternoon listening to me That this house revokes Hume local area in Sunbury and in Bulla speak that they have my heartfelt planning scheme amendment or indeed anywhere else in the state. sympathy for having to put up with C248, pursuant to section 38(2) of The EPA—you might as well pull the this government. There are people the Planning and Environment Act plug on it, close it down and start out there who have not got anything 1987. again. It is a disgrace. left. There are other people out I do not know about other Let us consider what is being there who are hanging on, business members of this house, but proposed to be dumped in owners who are hanging on by sometimes I go back to my lodgings Sunbury Road at the Hi-Quality their fingernails, and here are the after a long day’s sitting and I think, facility opposite these residential government saying they are going ‘What have I achieved today? How developments. It is PFAS. Some of to whack us again with another tax. have I made people’s lives better by you, I am sure, have heard of PFAS. That is the answer to everything as being in the Parliament today?’. Some Others might not have. It is highly far as Labor is concerned: whack days that is very easy to answer. carcinogenic. It is in fact poison. It another tax on people. It does not Some days I can very cheerfully say is the same stuff that caused all the matter whether it wipes them out or I have done A, B or C and I can very problems at Fiskville, and now they not, another tax is the answer. happily pat myself on the back to want to bring it to Sunbury. Quite That is the Labor way. This is a a degree. Other days not so much. extraordinary. Now, some people, classic extreme-left, tax-and-spend Today every single member of this including the Acting Premier, have government. That is what they do. house has an opportunity to do a said it is safe. I ask you: what is a Look over the last six or seven years community of tens of thousands of safe level of PFAS, and how do we at how much money they have people a huge favour. Today you can know that we have a safe level of spent—the blowouts, the cost to make the lives of people who live in PFAS? Do we find out in three or the economy, the cost to Victorian Sunbury and Bulla so much better by four or five years when we have a taxpayers. Before Daniel Andrews passing this motion. cancer cluster in Sunbury, when we sat behind his desk he blew $1.3 I would ask you to consider have a cancer cluster in Bulla? Is billion by cancelling a road that we Sunbury Road just at the minute. It is that when we find out if this is safe still desperately need and, as Ms a hive of activity. I do not know how or not? That is a question that I do Bath said earlier, a road which in many of you get out to Sunbury— not want to know the answer to. I do not want to find out in four or five fact would now be operating if it Mr Ondarchie interjected. or six years by the number of kids had gone ahead at that time. I am Mr FINN: Well, there are a lot sure there are a good number of that have got cancer in Sunbury or of trucks, there is no doubt about in Bulla. Colleagues, that is what we people in both the east and the west that. But beyond the trucks, Mr of Melbourne who curse Daniel are debating today. That is the crux Ondarchie, there is a hive of activity. of what we are debating today. Are Andrews every day. We have three new residential Mr Ondarchie interjected. you prepared to support this motion developments going on there. One and protect those people who may Mr FINN: Even Mr Melhem. of those residential developments Indeed Mr Melhem did agree, was well come down with cancer as a has a wonderful view of a site that is result of this material being dumped very supportive of it, as indeed Mr being proposed as a waste dump for Shorten was. across the road and indeed in their this toxic soil. Immediately across neighbourhood? Mr Ondarchie interjected. the road from the toxic soil dump we I have to at this point in time Mr FINN: Yes, Bill Shorten was have a new residential development declare a personal interest. I have very supportive of it. There are a that is being built as we speak— lived in Sunbury or Bulla for pretty whole range of things that people probably not as we speak, because much the last 25 years, and my in the state are deeply concerned it is pouring outside, but that is the connection with Sunbury goes back about. A high-taxing, big-spending situation. We have this incredible a very long way, almost 50 years. So government is most certainly one of situation where the government I have a very, very close personal them. But I tell you what: the other has approved three new residential connection with this area. And my thing they are particularly terrified developments and a dumping pit family, my wife and my children—we of is another lockdown, and this for carcinogenic PFAS material all all live in Bulla. We do not want this government is more than capable of in the same area—all in the same in our neighbourhood. Nobody in delivering just that. area. This is insanity. This makes Sunbury or Bulla wants this in our no sense. It is dangerous. What on neighbourhood. God’s earth people were thinking of when they supported this and when I have got to tell you I am they allowed this to happen, I do not absolutely staggered—and I do not know. want to make this overtly political—

IN 28 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE and extraordinarily disappointed by We are also going to see, if this even to their survival. This is not the performance of the member for proposal goes ahead, significant something that we should take Sunbury in the other place. leaching into waterways, because lightly, and I would ask members to Mr Ondarchie: Who? we have creeks—Deep Creek is one take on board my comments today Mr FINN: Well, exactly. He has that springs to mind immediately— and ask themselves if they will take been negligent, in my view, in his that will contain PFAS and that will personal responsibility for what attitude towards this issue. He has flow into the Maribyrnong River happens as a result of this vote. I turned his back on his constituents and then into Port Phillip Bay. It ask them to consider how they will and he has walked away. He does will not be just the waterways; it will feel if in four or five or six years we not want to know about it. That, to be the banks, it will be all of those see a cluster of kids with cancer my way of thinking, is something areas surrounding those waterways, coming from Sunbury and Bulla. I that not just he but indeed the entire including the market gardens in ask members to consider if they will government should be ashamed of, Keilor. We are going to be poisoning take personal responsibility for what very much should be ashamed of. one of the food bowls of Melbourne occurs as a result of them voting this But this is a matter that we all should with this PFAS material. As I said motion down today, if indeed that is take very, very seriously indeed even before, it absolutely staggers me that going to happen. if Mr Bull does not. I tell you what, if anybody could seriously put this This is, as I said, an exceedingly I were Josh Bull, I would not want to proposal forward that we dump this important motion, arguably the be walking the streets of Sunbury at material in Sunbury Road where it most important motion that I have the minute because there are a lot— will leach into the waterways and moved in this Parliament in my Mr Ondarchie interjected. poison waterways for many, many, time here. This will have, if this many kilometres around. Mr FINN: Not that he ever will, that motion is defeated, far-reaching is true. But there are a lot of people I am bemused, I have to say. consequences—consequences that in Sunbury who are very, very, very, I am bemused by people who I do not even want to think about, very angry with him. in years gone by claimed to be that are horrifying, that are scary. I keen environmentalists—people do not want the sorts of things that Now, one of the issues that we face, who say that they care about the we are talking about to happen, so I apart from the whole prospect of this environment, that they care about beg the government, I plead with the carcinogenic material being dumped having a clean environment for us government, and members in the near homes and near schools, is all. I am staggered and I am amazed house today to support this motion, the dust that we will have to put up that those very same people are to support the people of Sunbury, to with. Anybody who lives in that part now supporting the destruction of support the people of Bulla and to of Melbourne will tell you that it is the local environment in Sunbury, support the people of the north-west one of the windiest places. That is in Bulla and indeed beyond. What of Melbourne. Members, I ask you why the airport is nearby, because they are doing—and this, coming all: please support this motion. the wind helps the planes lift off. from the Labor Party particularly, That is why they build airports near quite astonishes me—is they are windy places. That is what we face COUNCIL | Constituency questions putting the profits of a multinational in Sunbury Road. The wind will pick 09 June 2021 company, Transurban, ahead of the up the dust and it will distribute health, indeed the lives, of people in it everywhere. It will distribute it Sunbury and in Bulla. That is what at the new developments. It will this government is proposing. I am Footscray drug- distribute it at the Goonawarra just so livid. I am furious that they estate. It will distribute it in other would do that to people in my area. I parts of Sunbury—at the schools, injecting room am furious that they would do that to at the shopping centres. It will pick Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) my family. It is indeed a despicable it up and carry it onto cars that are — My constituency question is to the act of negligence on the part of this travelling down Sunbury Road. As Minister for Health. The people of government and one I believe they members might be aware, that is Footscray and the wider inner west should reconsider immediately, thousands and thousands of vehicles remain deeply concerned about the and it is not too late, because there on a good day. Not so many at the prospect of a drug-injecting room in are other options available. This is moment but that may be about to their community. After the debacle certainly an easy way out for the change, although I am not putting a in North Richmond, locals are government to a very large extent, huge amount of money on that. That genuinely afraid of the impact such but there are other ways to remove dust is something that we will all an injecting room will have on their the toxic soil that they need to get rid breathe in—carcinogenic, poisonous businesses, their families and indeed of. dust. We will all breathe it in. Is that their way of life. Locals are not in going to be good for anyone? Can I am not one easily given to getting any way convinced by government somebody from the government get down on my knees and begging, assurances that such a facility will up here and say, ‘This is going to be but if I have to on this, I will. I will not happen. They remember the good for your health’? Because we because this is just so important monstrous lie told to the people of have heard from the government not just to my family, not just to my Richmond before the drug-injecting over a long period of time now that friends, but to an entire community, room was established there. Will the health is a priority over everything. to tens of thousands of people— minister provide any and all plans Well, if health is a priority over maybe hundreds of thousands of his department has prepared to allow everything, they will support this people—right through the north- a drug-injecting room to be opened motion. They will support this west of Melbourne. This is absolutely in Footscray or anywhere in the inner motion if that is what their belief is. important to their future, to some western suburbs of Melbourne?

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 29 COUNCIL | Motions very, very big crowd that turned out statement earlier today regarding the 09 June 2021 in Sunbury just a few weeks ago and partial lifting of the lockdown that indeed again just a couple of weeks Victoria has been subject to for the ago on the steps here on budget day, past almost two weeks. In particular will testify to the fact that they did I refer to his decision to keep West Gate Tunnel not get an opportunity to have their gymnasiums locked up across the say. There was no consultation with metropolitan area, and I understand soil them. If you are on the government there are some restrictions in Right of reply side, you get a say. If you are not, regional areas as well. It is my very forget it, they do not want to know. firm view that gyms are pretty crucial Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) And that is an indictment, a dreadful to the physical and mental health of — Well, Ms Garrett obviously did not indictment, on the government. many thousands of Victorians. hear my contribution earlier, because The fact of the matter is that over I have to admit I am a regular gym I did not even mention the West Gate the 18-month period of this dumping user myself, and I see a lot of people Tunnel. What I spoke about was my there will be an extra 251 000 trucks there who if the gym was not there constituents. What I spoke about was on Sunbury Road—an extra 251 000 would not get any exercise at all. That the threat to their health, indeed the trucks over the 18-month period. is something that we should not be threat to their lives, of the dumping That is horrendous. As someone who encouraging, I would have thought. It of carcinogenic—which, if members uses Sunbury Road quite often, it is should not be encouraged at all. But opposite would like to know, means bad enough now. It is horrendous we have to accept, and I am hoping it causes cancer—toxic soil opposite now. But this government does not the Acting Premier will accept, that new housing estates in Sunbury, care about the extra, as I say, 251 000 gym users are as a general rule fitter just up the road from new housing trucks that will be on the road. than the average person. As a result estates even just a little bit closer to It is all very well for the members of that they would be more resistant Sunbury, just up the road from Bulla, of the government, many of them to disease, and that would include just up the road from thousands from the other side of Melbourne, to the Wuhan virus. and thousands and thousands of get up with their talking points from I do not know of any evidence my constituents, because that is the Premier’s office. And they get to suggest the virus is more easily what this motion is about. It is not up and they read them all out—oh, transmitted at the gym than about the West Gate Tunnel. It is not they are all so clever. But they do otherwise. I do not see any reason about infrastructure. It is about the not, and they refuse to, talk about gyms should be still closed when lives, it is about the health, of tens the threat that this project, the threat everybody else—not everybody of thousands of my constituents. that this soil, poses to the people of else, but most people—opens up at Now, members opposite can go Sunbury and to the people of Bulla. midnight tomorrow night. I should ‘Oh’ as much as they like, because And again, it is because they just also ask the Acting Premier if indeed clearly one thing we can draw from do not care. You know, if people in there is any evidence to suggest that this debate today is that members Sunbury get cancer, if people in Bulla the gym is some sort of hotbed of of the ALP do not give a stuff about get cancer, it is no skin off their nose. virus activity. If so, he should present the health of the people of Sunbury They just do not care, because none that evidence to us, and I am very or Bulla. They just do not care. And of them live anywhere near the area. happy to have a look at that and I have to say: it is a pretty poor effort That is something that they will live make a— on the part of this government. with. They just do not care. Mr Ondarchie: ‘Gym’ Merlino. But even they, in the midst of their Lives may well depend on the vote Mr FINN: Thank you very much. I contempt for the people of Sunbury, that we are about to take here today. am very happy to have a look at that. have admitted there is a risk. There is And I repeat what I said earlier: are If the Acting Premier can convince a risk, but they are more than happy members here voting on this motion me, I am very, very happy to accept to take it, because none of them today prepared to take personal that. But in the meantime, and failing live near Sunbury. None of them responsibility for the cancer cases that, I ask the Acting Premier to are going to have to worry about that will occur or may occur if indeed revisit his decision and ensure that getting cancer or their kids getting this motion is defeated today? Are gymnasiums are open for business as cancer. This is something that they you prepared? Are members of this of midnight tomorrow night. There do not have to worry about. No care, house prepared to take responsibility are, as I say, many, many thousands no responsibility—that is what this for the human carnage that may of Victorians who are depending on government on this issue is all about, well result if this motion is defeated? that happening. indeed on a lot of issues. I urge the house to support this Now, Mr Melhem got up before motion. COUNCIL | Constituency questions and said that the government 10 June 2021 consulted widely. Why then is the COUNCIL | Adjournment Hume council trying to stop this in 09 June 2021 the Supreme Court? Why is the City of Melton in the Supreme Court Gym access trying to stop this as well? That is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) your level of consultation. They did COVID-19 — My constituency question is to not speak to anybody except those Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the Acting Premier. Many thousands who they knew would support what — I wish to raise a matter for the of people across Melbourne’s west they wanted to do. They certainly did attention of the Acting Premier, are demanding they be allowed not speak to local people, and the and I refer the Acting Premier to his to resume their regular exercise at

IN 30 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE local gyms. Some sections of the and it is going to continue to be an taxed its way to prosperity’—that is west have high levels of diabetes, endangered species as long as the the truth. But in Daniel Andrews’s obesity and mental illness, and it is current government continues with Victoria, we have tax, tax, tax and an obscenity that people suffering the attitude and the policies that it more tax—and when they finish these conditions are prevented has. taxing us, then they lock us down. We from doing one of the best things There is one thing that I think have had four lockdowns and more possible to fight their disease. It is a we need to sort out right at the tax increases and new taxes than well-established fact that gyms are a beginning, and that is: we are not you can poke a stick at, yet it was major contributor to good physical talking here about government the Premier of Victoria who stood and mental health. My constituents money. This is taxpayers money. out here on the steps of Parliament, are being denied the opportunity This is not Daniel Andrews’s or looked down the lens of the camera to avail themselves of a good James Merlino’s or even Tim Pallas’s; back prior to the 2014 election and workout. Minister, as of midnight this is money that is owned by the said—promised solemnly—that my constituents will be able to go to taxpayers of Victoria. Government there would be no new taxes under the pub. They will be able to go to a is charged with the responsibility an Andrews government. There is a brothel—indeed it is one of the very of spending it, and you would hope word for the Premier. Unfortunately few opportunities for exercise as they that it would exercise that in a it is unparliamentary so I cannot use will not be able to visit their local responsible manner. Unfortunately it. But he is not a man who is given gym. Acting Premier, this situation they have not done that in this to the truth. He is not a man of his needs to be rectified. When will you budget—they did not do it in the last word, particularly in this instance allow common sense to prevail and budget. In fact this latest budget is a when it comes to taxation. open gyms in my region? grossly irresponsible budget. There Now, I want to speak briefly about will be members opposite, I am sure, what has happened to Melbourne— COUNCIL | Second reading who will take this as a pat on the to the centre of Melbourne, to the 10 June 2021 back: this is a socialist budget. CBD in particular. I love Melbourne, I Ms Stitt interjected. have to say. It is a great city. I am not Mr FINN: Comrade Stitt is over fond of the weather sometimes, but it there. She has got the party hats is a great city and it has always been Budget Papers out—they are all red, by the way. She quite an exciting city—until now. It has not been so excited since Stalin’s is a city now that is dying and it may 2021–22 birthday, when they had a party in well be on its last legs. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the caucus room, I understand. That Members interjecting. — I think it was around about the is the problem that we have here in Mr FINN: Members opposite middle of last year when I heard the this state—we have a government should go down and have a look at Treasurer of this state utter words that is no care, no responsibility, what has happened down there. Go that made me realise that we are, just all ideology; that is all that it is down the stairs, go down the steps of and we are going to continue to be, about. And the debt that we have Parliament and walk across Spring in deep and diabolical trouble as accrued will be still being paid off Street, walk down Bourke Street and a state. Those words by Tim Pallas by my grandkids and by my great- you will see the empty shops, you will were that he wanted this to be a grandkids—I have not got any see the empty restaurants, you will government-led recovery from grandkids at the minute, so it is going see the ‘For Lease’ signs everywhere. the lockdown. I thought at that to be paid off for a very, very long You will see what you have done to time: does this man actually know time. The children of today look at our city, to our beautiful Melbourne. anything about wealth, creation of the Andrews government, and they You will see what you have done wealth or where it comes from? Does see a legacy of debt, they see a legacy with your lockdowns. First option he know anything about this at all? of payment and they see a legacy of every time: lock the thing down, put Because if he did, to suggest that poverty for them for many years to everybody out of work, shut down government can lead a recovery is come. small business. First option every quite a nonsense. For us to recover As I say, the only plan the Andrews time, and as a result Melbourne may as a state, we need private enterprise. government has is tax and spend. It well be terminal as a city. We need businesses. We need small has no plan for recovery. It does not We have in this state a government businesses. We need strong small really care, because soon we know that is totally incapable of running businesses. Instead we have seen the Premier will be gone from here. anything properly. We have a a government which over the past He will be gone from this place. Melbourne City Council which year—more than a year now—has Mr Pallas will be gone from this has got more fruit loops in it than used lockdowns as a weapon to place. It will not matter. They will a packet of breakfast cereal. These smash small businesses across this not care. They will go to their very people have got absolutely no idea state. It is shameful and it is suicidal rich superannuation, and the rest of what is going on. Our Lord Mayor—I to Victoria to allow this to happen. Victoria will be stuck with what they do not even know why she bothers. I just cannot figure out how a have done. I am not sure whether it Honestly, I do not know why she responsible government—or, should was Churchill or Reagan or just who bothers. We could clean out the I say, a government that claims that said it, but it is a very good quote: Melbourne Town Hall and turn it it is responsible—could take the ‘No government has ever taxed its into—I do not know—a hostel for actions that it has with the impact way to prosperity’. I am hoping that the homeless or something like that. that they have had on small business Tim Pallas might hear that quote It would be a far more effective use across this state. Small business in somewhere and it might stick in of public space than looking after Victoria is an endangered species, his brain. ‘No government has ever the current Melbourne City Council,

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 31 that is for sure. When you have and what a marvellous project that I have been very vocal in support got a combination of lockdowns, was and at the same time he was of reopening gymnasiums in this increasing taxation and—just to dealing with Transurban to come particular lockdown and the ongoing make sure that Melbourne city is up with the monstrosity that we lockdown tomorrow. I have received completely killed—the government have now. You have got to wonder correspondence from somebody wanting to put a drug-injecting room what happened there, what went else who is in the same situation, in the CBD, that is your combination on there. I remember as chairman and he is the operator and owner for the end of Melbourne as we know of the Economy and Infrastructure of the Croc’s Playcentre in Hoppers it. That, to my way of thinking, is Committee we probed this at length Crossing. I have known Geoff Davis tragic because this was a great city. and asked people at length about a little bit from time to time, and he This was the most livable city in the what happened, whether it was has dropped me a note and has said: world. As we know, it is now down to people in Transurban, people in the We continue to remain closed. number eight, and I would suggest government. Of course ministers to you it is dropping like a bullet. If refuse to front committees anyway; Our rent is 20k a month. We’ve we are in the top 100 this time next bureaucrats would come along, been given 7k. What a disgrace! I’m expected to just find the year, I will be very surprised, and including Jeroen Weimar, who has additional $13k to pay my rent, I find that absolutely tragic—that gone on to bigger and better things after already being forced to this government would allow that now. He is the chief spin doctor on close for 8 months last year. It’s to happen to our capital city. It is an the COVID front, but back then he just not there. And then we have absolute tragedy. was spinning for the government rent, no wages for myself, my We know that the economic on public transport. Quite frankly casual staff get nothing … we were told lies by some of these credentials of this government leave Yet schools are deemed safe. people, and it is something that I am a fair bit to be desired, and I am Cafes are deemed safe. Yet understating things there somewhat. very hopeful will be exposed for the our business—which almost This government has lost our AAA crooked deal that it is. I am hoping combines both—is unsafe. rating. We know that interest rates that that revelation will come in the How? We have an 1100sqm will not stay low forever. We have not-too-distant future. facility, masks inside, QR Codes, a monstrous debt that we will not Victoria used to have the cheapest, sanitisation stands, sneeze be able to pay off in generations. I most reliable energy in Australia. guards at our front counter—all just wonder: in a little while, long It was our big plus. It was our big at our own cost. Yet we are not after Daniel Andrews and Tim Pallas drawing power: ‘Come to Victoria. safe? How is this possible? have gone to collect their super, we We’ve got electricity to burn’. Well, That is a particularly good are going to have to face realities, we do not anymore, and that is question. He says: Victorians. Interest rates will be back as a direct result of the Andrews You head 30mins to Geelong, to reasonable and normal levels and government forcing their ideology and 100 people can pile into a we are still going to have this debt. onto the electricity companies. brothel. How can a brothel, 30 We cannot rely on Beijing forever. Now we are in a situation where we mins away, allow 100 in … yet This seems to be the attitude of the cannot offer anybody as an incentive we cannot allow parents in for current Premier—when you are in to come to Victoria cheap or reliable a coffee, and kids in for a play. trouble turn to Beijing and they will electricity, and that is indeed a major Even a 4sqm policy would help help you. That is not going to work. blow for our state. us. A cap of 50 patrons will do This state, as a result of the economic Finally, you would have to say nothing to help us recover. irresponsibility and incompetence that—well, it is obvious, isn’t Who is giving this health of this government, is heading into it?—people are leaving Victoria in advice? It’s plain wrong and major, major trouble. You just have to droves. And can you blame them? defies all logic. look at the major projects in this state Everywhere I go people are telling I have to say that I agree. So what I and the $22 000 million of blowouts me they cannot wait to get out, they am doing tonight is asking the Acting of some of the projects that we have cannot wait to leave, they cannot Premier to make an announcement in this state and, I have to say, the wait to go to New South Wales and tomorrow that play centres will be corruption involved, particularly they cannot wait to go to South allowed to open as of tomorrow to with regard to the West Gate Tunnel Australia. They cannot wait, and that ensure that kids can get together with Project. is what is happening. We are going their friends and that their parents There is no doubt in my mind that back to the days of Cain and Kirner. can have a cup of coffee or a cup of at some stage in possibly the not-too- Victoria does not have much of a tea or a scone maybe while their kids distant future IBAC will investigate future under this government. I hope are playing, and I think it is only a fair what happened with the West Gate this government finishes soon. and a reasonable thing to do. Some Tunnel, and I will be happy to see of these decisions are just absolutely that happen—that is, of course, if COUNCIL | Adjournment beyond any common sense at all. IBAC is not starved of funds first. 10 June 2021 So I ask the Acting Premier to make We know that a government that that announcement first thing in the has got something to hide would morning. do that. But we had a situation here with the West Gate Tunnel COVID-19 where before the 2014 election Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) the Premier—the then opposition — I wish to raise a matter for the leader—was telling Victorians about attention of the Acting Premier. As his $500 million western distributor the Acting Premier would be aware,

IN 32 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Constituency questions will say it again now: Melbourne’s give the address, because I do not 22 June 2021 west has had enough. Recent think that would be appropriate, polling figures back up what I have but I am certainly happy to pass known for quite some time: my it on to the minister. There is an constituents have had a gutful of a Airbnb in this particular suburb, Toxic soil government they know treats them Williams Landing, that has been as a second- or even third-class frequented, let us say, by people community anger citizens. They will no longer tolerate seeking pastimes that might not Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) being taken for granted by the ALP. be necessarily conducive to happy — My constituency question is to They will no longer tolerate being family life. It seems that this Airbnb the Acting Premier. Many of my used and abused by the Andrews is being used as an illegal brothel, constituents are very, very angry with Labor government. The people of and it is in the middle of a residential the government. They feel that they Melbourne’s western suburbs are area, in the middle of a residential have not been listened to when they incandescent with rage about what street. The house next door has two put forward their objections to the happened in this place last sitting young girls who live there. There dumping of carcinogenic toxic soil in week when government members is a nine-year-old boy across the their neighbourhoods. The people of lined up to deliver condescending road; there is another little girl next Sunbury, Bulla, Ravenhall, Caroline speeches basically telling my to them, another six-year-old girl. Springs, Deer Park and surrounds constituents how fortunate they I mean, it is absolutely appalling feel that they have been ignored by are and to shut up and do as they that we have the situation where a government that puts profits of a are told. They will never forget the somebody would set up a brothel in multinational corporation ahead of actions of the three Labor members a residential area, and I just cannot the health of locals in Melbourne’s of this house who betrayed their begin to imagine what these people west. Despite representations to the responsibilities to their own would have to face every day. You Premier, Acting Premier, Minister constituents in the west by voting know, they tell stories of parties for Transport Infrastructure, to dump carcinogenic toxic soil in at 3.30 in the morning—during Minister for Health, Minister for their neighbourhoods. A revolution lockdown, I might add—where Energy, Environment and Climate is growing, the likes of which we people ran amok after the party, Change and a bevy of so-called have never seen before. It is coming. ringing doorbells and screaming and local MPs, they feel their pleas have Those members of the ALP who have carrying on like yahoos down the been dismissed without proper taken their seats as a God-given right street. consideration at all. Acting Premier, are in for one hell of a shock. They It is something that really cannot what evidence can you provide to my will receive their just deserts from be tolerated. It cannot be tolerated. constituents to convince them that an electorate in November next year The trouble is that, when these they are wrong? they have treated with such total and people went to the Wyndham despicable contempt. council to get this thing closed COUNCIL | Petitions down, the Wyndham council was not 22 June 2021 COUNCIL | Adjournment interested. That does not surprise 22 June 2021 me greatly, I have got to say. What I am asking the minister to do is to get on the phone—he probably needs a COVID-19 hotline to the Wyndham council— Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) Williams Landing get onto the Wyndham council — The Petition of certain citizens and if he can, if he has to, direct the of the State of Victoria draws to the short-stay Wyndham council to close this illegal attention of the Legislative Council brothel down. that gyms are an essential service for accommodation mental health, physical health and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) COUNCIL | Constituency questions wellbeing. The petitioners therefore — My adjournment this evening is to 23 June 2021 request that the Legislative Council the Minister for Local Government, call on the Government to create and and it concerns correspondence implement a COVIDSafe Plan for that I have received today from Victorians to attend gyms in a safe Brad of Williams Landing. Now, Melbourne and secure manner. Williams Landing is a relatively new By Mr FINN (Western suburb in the west of Melbourne, Water purchasing Metropolitan) (1529 signatures). and it is largely populated by young families—couples buying their first policies COUNCIL | Members statements home, having their families and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) 22 June 2021 building their lives together. It is — My constituency question is to very exciting to see so many young the acting Minister for Water, who I couples building something that understand is Mr Wynne. I recently they can look back on when they visited Mr Ludwig Schwall at his West Gate Tunnel are as old as I am and say, ‘We did Alpha Pumps factory in Sunshine. this together’. It really is a wonderful Mr Schwall is justifiably proud of soil thing. the standard of his products and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) What concerns me enormously is the workmanship that goes into — I have said this before and I what Brad told me today. I will not them. As he explained to me, his

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 33 rotor pumps, drive shafts, coupling businesses have been smashed, and Mr FINN: It is just ridiculous, Mr rods and other products are of a good mate of mine wants to know Ondarchie. What the government is a superior standard to products particularly why he was prevented saying, what the Premier is saying produced overseas—and at a lower from holding his father’s hand as and what the Acting Premier is cost. It is therefore mystifying that he died. I think that is fair enough. saying is, ‘Trust me. I’m a politician’. Alpha Pumps has been unable to I think it is the basic right of every That is what the Premier and the find a market for its wares with Victoria to know the answer to those Acting Premier are saying to the Melbourne Water for quite some questions, and this bill will present people of Victoria. Well, guess what? time. Minister, can you explain why the information that we need, that 85 I have got news for the members of a government instrumentality sends per cent of the population of the state the government or indeed members money overseas by its purchase of want. of the opposition: the public do not these products offshore in preference We saw last Friday night 7000 trust politicians, and they certainly to buying local, superior and people down at alphabet park in do not trust this government. What less expensive products made in Geelong, and they were all squeezed this government needs to do is to Sunshine, Victoria? up together. I mean, there was come clean, to open up with the this huge ground that holds, what, people of Victoria and just tell COUNCIL | Second reading 30 000 people or whatever, and it us what we need to know, and 23 June 2021 was about $20 million or thousand everybody will be happy. And why or something to build, and there the hell wouldn’t you? If you have they were. They were all squeezed got nothing to hide, open it up up together on the wing. You have and share it with people. Sharing Public Health got to say to yourself: where was information is a vital part of this war the medical advice on that? But that we are involved in, so why not? and Wellbeing apparently it had nothing to do with Why wouldn’t you do that? I very the medical advice, it had everything strongly support this bill. I commend Amendment to do with the need to employ people Ms Crozier for bringing this before to look after the crowds. That is what the house, and on behalf of the (Greater we understand. overwhelming majority of Victorians You see, this is the sort of thing. I sincerely hope this legislation is law Transparency The contradictions are all over the and very, very soon. place. We do not understand what is going on. We can have 50 people COUNCIL | Constituency questions and in a brothel, but you cannot go and 24 June 2021 see your mum—unless of course Accountability) she is working at the brothel, but that is another thing altogether. Bill 2021 There are so many contradictions Sunbury former Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) in this whole thing, and we just — The bill currently before the want to see the medical advice university house that Ms Crozier has put up, that backs up the actions that are the Public Health and Wellbeing taken by government. And I do not campus site Amendment (Greater Transparency understand why the government Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) and Accountability) Bill 2021, is to would not want the public to see that — My constituency question is to my way of thinking a no-brainer. It medical advice. I do not understand the Minister for Planning. On many seems to me that 85 per cent of the why. I mean, I would have thought occasions over the past decade, population of this state, according that the government would be really perhaps even more, I have raised to the latest poll, regard it as a no- keen to explain in full what it wants the issue of the future of the former brainer as well. It is a very simple to do. I would have thought the campus of Victoria University in thing, and I do not intend to speak government would want to bring the Sunbury. During that time I have for very long on this bill because Victorian community with it—not been given a number of assurances I think the arguments are very stand on high and preach from the it would be put to use for the good straightforward and are very easily mountain top but actually bring the of the community. None of these understood. Victorians want to Victorian community with it. That assurances have yet come to fruition. know what is going on within their is what I thought it would want to I regularly drive past the site and see government. That is all they want to do. But we have this extraordinary the buildings, some of significant know, and that is why this bill has situation where it will not, and you historical value, fenced off and been brought before the house— have got to ask: why can’t Victorians slowly disintegrating. It is a disgrace because Victorians want it. They see the information that is their right that this exceedingly important site want to know why they have been to see? Why can’t Victorians see that is allowed to fall apart. Minister, what locked down four times already. They information? Why the cover-up? It genuine assurance can you now give want to know why we have been is not as if the virus can read—or to my constituents that the long- locked down more times than any can it? I do not know. I understand neglected buildings on Jacksons Hill other state in Australia. They want to it cannot read. It is not as if by in Sunbury will soon be put to the know why so many lives have been telegraphing your punches the virus benefit of the local community? so lost. They want to know why so is going to do something else. many lives have been destroyed. Mr Ondarchie interjected. They want to know why so many

IN 34 FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Adjournment Mr FINN: That he is useless? Okay, that Sunbury community is very, very 24 June 2021 I withdraw that he is useless, but capable of putting up a fight. I have everybody knows he is. seen it many, many times before, and The PRESIDENT: Mr Finn! I am about to see it again. I am about Mr FINN: Okay. The fact of the to see it again, because what we are West Gate Tunnel matter is that the people of Sunbury fighting for is just so important. We and Bulla will fight this. We have are fighting for life itself, and that is soil been fighting this, but the fight is indeed very, very important. What I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) just starting. I cannot begin to tell am asking the Acting Premier to do — I began this particular sitting you the anger that I feel toward this this evening is to intervene to ensure week on Tuesday by saying that my government and the betrayal of this that that carcinogenic toxic soil constituents were very angry with government of the people of Sunbury from the West Gate Tunnel Project this government. Well, Mr President, and Bulla as they attempt to dump is not dumped in Sunbury Road but let me assure you that if the reports carcinogenic, cancer-causing PFAS indeed is properly treated and sent tonight in the Herald Sun are correct material in our community. How elsewhere. We need to protect my and the carcinogenic toxic soil is dare they! How dare they put the local community. indeed heading to Sunbury Road, the people in my area, my constituents, tsunami of fury that the government in danger. How dare they threaten is about to receive is something the lives of their children. How dare that they will never forget. Let me they threaten so many across our assure the member for Sunbury— local community. the useless member for Sunbury, I This is a disgrace. This is something should say—his career is over. He that, let me assure you—and I assure can forget it. you again—we will fight. We will not The PRESIDENT: Mr Finn, I ask stop fighting, and we will fight hard. I you to withdraw what you called the have known the Sunbury community member. for close to 50 years, and I know that

IN FINN THE HOUSE FEBRUARY TO JUNE 2021 35 FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches February to June 2021

Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Assistant Minister for Police and Community Safety Shadow Assistant Minister for Autism Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council

Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 Telephone (03) 9317 5900 Email [email protected] Web www.berniefinn.com “Bernie Finn MP”