PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

FIFTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT

FIRST SESSION

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 (Extract from book 4)

Internet: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/downloadhansard

By authority of the Victorian Government Printer

The Governor Professor DAVID de KRETSER, AC

The Lieutenant-Governor The Honourable Justice MARILYN WARREN, AC

The ministry

Premier and Minister for the Arts...... The Hon. E. N. Baillieu, MP

Deputy Premier, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Bushfire Response, and Minister for Regional and Rural Development...... The Hon. P. J. Ryan, MP

Treasurer...... The Hon. K. A. Wells, MP

Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, and Minister for Tourism and Major Events...... The Hon. Louise Asher, MP

Attorney-General and Minister for Finance...... The Hon. R. W. Clark, MP

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, and Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade ...... The Hon. R. A. G. Dalla-Riva, MLC

Minister for Health and Minister for Ageing...... The Hon. D. M. Davis, MLC

Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs . . . . The Hon. H. F. Delahunty, MP

Minister for Education...... The Hon. M. F. Dixon, MP

Minister for Planning...... The Hon. M. J. Guy, MLC

Minister for Higher Education and Skills, and Minister responsible for the Teaching Profession...... The Hon. P. R. Hall, MLC

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship...... The Hon. N. Kotsiras, MP

Minister for Housing, and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development...... The Hon. W. A. Lovell, MLC

Minister for Corrections, Minister for Crime Prevention and Minister responsible for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission . . . The Hon. A. J. McIntosh, MP

Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads...... The Hon. T. W. Mulder, MP

Minister for Ports, Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Regional Cities and Minister for Racing...... The Hon. D. V. Napthine, MP

Minister for Gaming, Minister for Consumer Affairs, and Minister for Energy and Resources...... The Hon. M. A. O’Brien, MP

Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs...... The Hon. E. J. Powell, MP

Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Technology and Minister responsible for the Aviation Industry...... The Hon. G. K. Rich-Phillips, MLC

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and Minister for Youth Affairs...... The Hon. R. Smith, MP

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, and Minister for Water...... The Hon. P. L. Walsh, MP

Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Women’s Affairs and Minister for Community Services...... The Hon. M. L. N. Wooldridge, MP

Cabinet Secretary...... Mr D. J. Hodgett, MP

Joint committees Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee — (Assembly): Mr Battin and Mr McCurdy. (Council): Mr Leane, Mr Ramsay and Mr Scheffer. Education and Training Committee — (Assembly): Mr Crisp, Ms Miller and Mr Southwick. (Council): Mr Elasmar and Ms Tierney. Electoral Matters Committee — (Assembly): Ms Ryall and Mrs Victoria. (Council): Mr Finn, Mr Somyurek and Mr Tarlamis. Family and Community Development Committee — (Council): Mrs Coote and Ms Crozier. Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee — (Assembly): Ms Graley, Ms Hutchins and Ms McLeish. (Council): Mrs Kronberg and Mr Ondarchie. Public Accounts and Estimates Committee — (Assembly): Mr Angus, Ms Hennessey, Mr Morris and Mr Scott. (Council): Mr P. Davis, Mr O’Brien and Mr Pakula. Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee — (Assembly): Ms Campbell, Mr Eren, Mr Gidley, Mr Nardella and Mr Watt. (Council): Mr O’Brien and Mr O’Donohue.

Heads of parliamentary departments

Assembly — Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Mr R. W. Purdey Council — Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr W. R. Tunnecliffe Parliamentary Services — Secretary: Mr P. Lochert

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FIFTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT — FIRST SESSION Speaker: The Hon. K. M. SMITH Deputy Speaker: Mrs C. A. FYFFE Acting Speakers: Ms Beattie, Mr Blackwood, Mr Burgess, Ms Campbell, Mr Eren, Mr Languiller, Mr Morris, Mr Nardella, Mr Northe, Mr Pandazopoulus, Dr Sykes, Mr Thompson, Mr Tilley, Mrs Victoria and Mr Weller. Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Premier: The Hon. E. N. BAILLIEU Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party: The Hon. LOUISE ASHER Leader of The Nationals and Deputy Premier: The Hon. P. J. RYAN Deputy Leader of The Nationals: The Hon. P. L. WALSH Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition: The Hon. D. M. ANDREWS Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition: The Hon. R. J. HULLS

Member District Party Member District Party Allan, Ms Jacinta Marie Bendigo East ALP Lim, Mr Muy Hong Clayton ALP Andrews, Mr Daniel Michael Mulgrave ALP McCurdy, Mr Timothy Logan Murray Valley Nats Angus, Mr Neil Andrew Warwick Forest Hill LP McGuire, Mr Frank 2 Broadmeadows ALP Asher, Ms Louise Brighton LP McIntosh, Mr Andrew John Kew LP Baillieu, Mr Edward Norman Hawthorn LP McLeish, Ms Lucinda Gaye Seymour LP Barker, Ms Ann Patricia Oakleigh ALP Madden, Mr Justin Mark Essendon ALP Battin, Mr Bradley William Gembrook LP Merlino, Mr James Anthony Monbulk ALP Bauer, Mrs Donna Jane Carrum LP Miller, Ms Elizabeth Eileen Bentleigh LP Beattie, Ms Elizabeth Jean Yuroke ALP Morris, Mr David Charles Mornington LP Blackwood, Mr Gary John Narracan LP Mulder, Mr Terence Wynn Polwarth LP Brooks, Mr Colin William Bundoora ALP Napthine, Dr Denis Vincent South-West Coast LP Brumby, Mr John Mansfield 1 Broadmeadows ALP Nardella, Mr Donato Antonio Melton ALP Bull, Mr Timothy Owen Gippsland East Nats Neville, Ms Lisa Mary Bellarine ALP Burgess, Mr Neale Ronald Hastings LP Newton-Brown, Mr Clement Arundel Prahran LP Campbell, Ms Christine Mary Pascoe Vale ALP Noonan, Mr Wade Mathew Williamstown ALP Carbines, Mr Anthony Richard Ivanhoe ALP Northe, Mr Russell John Morwell Nats Clark, Mr Robert William Box Hill LP O’Brien, Mr Michael Anthony Malvern LP Crisp, Mr Peter Laurence Mildura Nats Pallas, Mr Timothy Hugh Tarneit ALP D’Ambrosio, Ms Liliana Mill Park ALP Pandazopoulos, Mr John Dandenong ALP Delahunty, Mr Hugh Francis Lowan Nats Perera, Mr Jude Cranbourne ALP Dixon, Mr Martin Francis Nepean LP Pike, Ms Bronwyn Jane Melbourne ALP Donnellan, Mr Luke Anthony Narre Warren North ALP Powell, Mrs Elizabeth Jeanette Shepparton Nats Duncan, Ms Joanne Therese Macedon ALP Richardson, Ms Fiona Catherine Alison Northcote ALP Edwards, Ms Janice Maree Bendigo West ALP Ryall, Ms Deanne Sharon Mitcham LP Eren, Mr John Hamdi Lara ALP Ryan, Mr Peter Julian Gippsland South Nats Foley, Mr Martin Peter Albert Park ALP Scott, Mr Robin David Preston ALP Fyffe, Mrs Christine Ann Evelyn LP Shaw, Mr Geoffrey Page Frankston LP Garrett, Ms Jane Furneaux Brunswick ALP Smith, Mr Kenneth Maurice Bass LP Gidley, Mr Michael Xavier Charles Mount Waverley LP Smith, Mr Ryan Warrandyte LP Graley, Ms Judith Ann Narre Warren South ALP Southwick, Mr David James Caulfield LP Green, Ms Danielle Louise Yan Yean ALP Sykes, Dr William Everett Benalla Nats Halfpenny, Ms Bronwyn Thomastown ALP Thompson, Mr Murray Hamilton Ross Sandringham LP Helper, Mr Jochen Ripon ALP Thomson, Ms Marsha Rose Footscray ALP Hennessy, Ms Jill Altona ALP Tilley, Mr William John Benambra LP Herbert, Mr Steven Ralph Eltham ALP Trezise, Mr Ian Douglas Geelong ALP Hodgett, Mr David John Kilsyth LP Victoria, Mrs Heidi Bayswater LP Holding, Mr Timothy James Lyndhurst ALP Wakeling, Mr Nicholas Ferntree Gully LP Howard, Mr Geoffrey Kemp Ballarat East ALP Walsh, Mr Peter Lindsay Swan Hill Nats Hulls, Mr Rob Justin Niddrie ALP Watt, Mr Graham Travis Burwood LP Hutchins, Ms Natalie Maree Sykes Keilor ALP Weller, Mr Paul Rodney Nats Kairouz, Ms Marlene Kororoit ALP Wells, Mr Kimberley Arthur Scoresby LP Katos, Mr Andrew South Barwon LP Wooldridge, Ms Mary Louise Newling Doncaster LP Knight, Ms Sharon Patricia Ballarat West ALP Wreford, Ms Lorraine Joan Mordialloc LP Kotsiras, Mr Nicholas Bulleen LP Wynne, Mr Richard William Richmond ALP Languiller, Mr Telmo Ramon Derrimut ALP

1 Resigned 21 December 2010 2 Elected 19 February 2011

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH 2011 NAMING AND SUSPENSION OF MEMBER Member for Footscray...... 740 PETITION PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES AMENDMENT Alpine National Park: cattle grazing...... 675 BILL 2011 DOCUMENTS ...... 675 Second reading ...... 745 STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2011 GOVERNOR’S SPEECH Introduction and first reading...... 676 Address-in-reply...... 752 MEMBERS STATEMENTS ADJOURNMENT Alpine National Park: cattle grazing...... 676, 681 Pound–Shrives roads, Hampton Park: safety...... 772 Lucy Zakitis ...... 676 Emmaus St Leo’s Old Collegians Football Club: Schools: building program ...... 677 facilities...... 772 Eileen O’Donnell ...... 677 Gisborne Secondary College: funding...... 773 Rotary Club of Wandin: fundraising event...... 677 East Gippsland, Ballarat and Wimmera sports Manchester Primary School: National foundations: ministerial visit...... 773 Ride2School Day...... 677 Ballarat Health Services: car parking ...... 774 Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria: urban Warburton Caravan Park: future...... 774 championships...... 678 Kindergartens: Frankston ...... 775 Benalla electorate: ministerial visits ...... 678 Gippsland Water Factory: funding ...... 775 Housing: homelessness strategy...... 678 Brunswick terminal station: health and safety...... 776 Timber industry: East Gippsland...... 679 Planning: Mount Waverley electorate ...... 777 StepUP...... 679 Responses...... 777 Rollins Primary School: visit...... 679 Bentleigh electorate: government commitments ...... 679 Ballarat Trades and Labour Council ...... 680 Natural disasters: Japan...... 680 Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship: comments...... 680 International Women’s Day...... 681 Barwon Heads: Festival of the Sea ...... 681 Geelong Highland Gathering ...... 682 Victorian Arabic Social Services ...... 682 Members: oath of allegiance ...... 682 Clyde Road, Berwick: duplication...... 682 Warburton Caravan Park: future...... 683 MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Government: initiatives...... 683 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY AMENDMENT (VOLUNTEER CHARTER) BILL 2011 Second reading...... 703 REGIONAL GROWTH FUND BILL 2011 Second reading...... 706, 718 DISTINGUISHED VISITOR...... 709 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Cost of living: government performance...... 710 Floods: Gippsland...... 710 Easter Sunday trading: employees ...... 711 Royal Children’s Hospital: funding...... 712 Police: Geelong...... 712 Country Fire Authority: inquiry ...... 713 Carbon price: government policy...... 714 Bushfires: fuel reduction...... 715 Alpine National Park: cattle grazing...... 716 Cultural Diversity Week...... 717 PERSONAL EXPLANATION Minister for Education...... 718 JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011 Second reading...... 732, 741

PETITION

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 675

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 PETITION

The SPEAKER (Hon. Ken Smith) took the chair at Following petition presented to house: 9.35 a.m. and read the prayer. Alpine National Park: cattle grazing Dr Napthine — On a point of order, Speaker, I draw your attention to what I believe is a serious error To the Legislative Assembly of Victoria: in the proof Daily Hansard of the proceedings of the The petition of the people of Victoria draws to the attention of Legislative Assembly of yesterday, Tuesday, 22 March. the house the Baillieu government’s refusal to answer On page 14 of Daily Hansard is a comment attributed questions about the return of cattle to the high country. In to me which I can assure you, Speaker, and I can assure particular we note: the house I did not make, and indeed I would never use 1. the Baillieu government has ignored both scientific and such words in that context. This comment has departmental procedures in authorising this ‘scientific been — — study’ and calls to answer questions on the scientific justification for the ‘study’; Mr Andrews interjected. 2. the Baillieu government is refusing to provide details regarding the arrangement with graziers taking part in Dr Napthine — That is a disgraceful comment from the ‘study’; the Leader of the Opposition. He ought to apologise. 3. anecdotal evidence already suggests this study is Honourable members interjecting. damaging the environment and threatening endangered species. The SPEAKER — Order! This is not a good way to The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative start the morning. Points of order will be heard in Assembly of Victoria urge the Baillieu government to silence by all members of the house. immediately remove the cattle from the Alpine National Park and provide a full, detailed proposal regarding cattle grazing Dr Napthine — Indeed the matter has now been the in the Alpine National Park. subject of media attention, and it has caused significant damage to my reputation. I understand another member By Ms GARRETT (Brunswick) (389 signatures). has now admitted that they actually made the comment. Tabled. I ask the Speaker to check the tape and ensure the accuracy of the Hansard record. Ordered that petition be considered next day on motion of Ms GARRETT (Brunswick). Mr Foley — On the point of order, Speaker, I think the Minister for Ports might well be saying that I was the member. On the way in this morning I was asked by DOCUMENTS the media whether I made the comment. I confessed that, yes, I did make the comment in the interjection in Tabled by Clerk: question time yesterday. However, I would take issue with one point — I do not think it is possible for me or Auditor-General: anyone else to damage the reputation of the Minister for Effectiveness of Small Business Victoria’s Support Ports. Programs — Ordered to be printed The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Albert Local Community Transport Services: the Transport Park has accepted that in fact it was he who made the Connections program — Ordered to be printed comment yesterday. For that reason I do not believe it Commissioner for Environment Sustainability Act 2003 — will be necessary to check the tapes, but we will ensure Strategic Audit of Victorian Government Agencies’ that the record is corrected. Environmental Management Systems Statutory Rules under the following acts:

Fisheries Act 1995 — SR 12

Water Act 1989 — SR 13.

STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2011

676 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011

STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL 2011 Ms Hennessy interjected.

Introduction and first reading The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Altona is on a warning. Received from Council. Mr R. SMITH — Last Friday, after weeks of this Read first time on motion of Mr CLARK pantomime, Mr Burke finally made his move, (Attorney-General). announcing that he had directed the Victorian government to remove the cattle from the alpine region by 8 April. What political grandstanding! Mr Burke MEMBERS STATEMENTS knows, and the alpine communities know, that as part of the normal grazing season cattle would be out by his Alpine National Park: cattle grazing proclaimed date anyway. In fact, as I speak, half the Mr R. SMITH (Minister for Environment and cattle have already left the forest, with the rest expected Climate Change) — I rise to bring to the attention of to come out in the first week of April. the house the ridiculous antics of the federal The Victorian government has a legal obligation to environment minister, Tony Burke, in relation to the protect Victorian communities from bushfire. Victorian government’s grazing trial into bushfire Mr Burke, a Sydneysider, should stop using the safety mitigation. For weeks now Minister Burke has been of these communities as a political football and butt out strutting around the countryside, running the Greens of Victoria’s business. line and generally showing how ill-informed he actually is about the real threat of bushfire in Victoria’s alpine Lucy Zakitis regions. Mr HERBERT (Eltham) — I rise to pay tribute to a Most recently Mr Burke was joined by an entourage of wonderful member of our local community whom I had four-wheel drives as he powered up into the bush, the pleasure of meeting the other day, Mrs Lucy Zakitis ripping up the countryside — — of Eltham, who over the weekend reached the tremendous milestone of 100 years of age. Honourable members interjecting. After the hardships of the Second World War, The SPEAKER — Order! I thought these things Mrs Zakitis fled her native Latvia in an attempt to only happened on mad Thursday — this is Wednesday. protect herself and her family from the threat of I ask members to come to some order so that we can get Stalinist communism. Arriving in Australia in 1949, on with the business of the house. I think everybody she worked tirelessly to re-establish her family’s wants to be able to make their statement. Let us hear prosperity, to ensure her daughters received an statements in silence. excellent education and to enhance the area’s artistic Ms Allan — On a point of order, Speaker, it may endeavours through beautiful paintings and pottery. help the house if you could remind the minister that he In 1996 Mrs Zakitis moved into the Eltham Retirement is the minister for the environment. Village, where she is well cared for. There must be The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold that something in the water at the village: another resident, frivolous point of order, and I ask the member not to do Mr Thomas McGregor, lived to the ripe old age of 101 it again. and, like Lucy, remained attentive and enjoyed a great love of life until his sad passing earlier this year. Mr R. SMITH — They were generally causing far more damage to the local environment than any cow At 100 years of age Mrs Zakitis remains bright-eyed possibly could. On reaching his destination within the and alert, taking a great interest in all that happens park, Mr Burke and his team bowed their heads around her. Despite a life of sacrifice and hardship, she reverently, inspected the area for around 15 minutes is still an incredibly optimistic woman with a terrific and loudly proclaimed to the assembled media that the passion for life. Her wonderful attitude and ultimate area had been irreparably damaged. Since then, success are a real testament to an individual’s ability to Mr Burke has continued to spout the Greens party line overcome great difficulties and to the fortitude of the while offering nothing to country communities about human spirit. how they and the park, in his opinion, should be protected from bushfire.

MEMBERS STATEMENTS

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 677

Schools: building program all played for Geelong, with the legendary Cliff Rankin being the club’s captain coach of its first premiership in Mr DIXON (Minister for Education) — The former 1925. In April 1937 Eileen married Leo O’Donnell, and Labor Victorian government completely mismanaged they moved into Anderson Street, East Geelong, where the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program years later I had the privilege of being a neighbour. in Victoria. Schools were forced to take a one-size-fits-all template. They had little or no say in Leo and Eileen had two sons, Ian and Graham. Graham their projects and time lines were dragged out, even to played football for both Geelong and North Melbourne the extent that some schools have yet to begin their football clubs. Leo, who was a great bloke, passed projects. away in September 1992. Eileen’s grandson, Gary O’Donnell, was a champion premiership player for the Many schools have found the delays to the program Essendon Football Club. In addition, her have caused massive disruption to their schools’ granddaughter, Shelley O’Donnell, played netball for programs and amenity. Delays have also meant that Australia in a world championship team, so taking into final costs have blown out and many project details account Shelley and four generations of VFL and AFL have therefore had to be cut back in their scope. Basic players, it is more accurate to say that Eileen O’Donnell joinery, landscaping and equipment that were originally is the matriarch of one of this country’s greatest included have now been stripped from their projects. sporting dynasties. I take this opportunity on behalf of my family to wish her a very happy 100th birthday. The former government’s approach has seen hundreds of millions of dollars wasted in Victoria. Rotary Club of Wandin: fundraising event

Mr Herbert interjected. Mrs FYFFE (Evelyn) — On Thursday night last week I attended a fundraising dinner organised by the The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Eltham Rotary Club of Wandin for the benefit of the will cease interjecting. flood-affected residents of Charlton. Charlton Rotary Mr DIXON — If Victorian schools had been trusted club president Rick Walklate was the guest speaker and to deliver projects that meet the physical and told the 150-strong audience about the dire straits this educational needs of their schools, we would have seen town of 1100 people is in, having been flooded three a far better spend of the BER funds. times in the past six months. Wandin Rotary and members of the local community responded in typical One group of casualties of the former government’s fashion. Over $20 000 was raised on the night, $9000 approach has been adventure playgrounds, hard courts of which was raised by auction. This included a and car parks, because they were often the only flat truckload of donated hay, which was immediately land available for inflexible template designs. The donated to Charlton farmers. Bob Wettenhall coalition government has responded to this issue and unhesitatingly volunteered his truck to deliver the hay made $5 million available to schools to apply for grants at no charge. to rebuild their destroyed playgrounds and hard surfaces. This is just one way in which the coalition I extend my sincere thanks to Stones of the Yarra government will support government schools and fix Valley for its generosity and warm hospitality: the food the problems left over from Labor’s 11 years of and wine served were delicious. I also extend my mismanagement. thanks to the members of Wandin Rotary, who always put service before self. Eileen O’Donnell Manchester Primary School: National Mr TREZISE (Geelong) — This Sunday is the Ride2School Day 100th birthday of a grand lady, of whom members of this house will never have heard, but to describe her as Mrs FYFFE — On Wednesday last week I joined the matriarch of one of football’s greatest family in the National Ride2School Day at Manchester dynasties would be no exaggeration. Eileen O’Donnell, Primary School. Students were very keen to participate nee Rankin, was born on 27 March 1911 in Newtown, in walking and riding to school and many parents Geelong, to Ted and Adelaide Rankin. Her father Ted joined in by walking with their children. Vice-principal played for Geelong in the Victorian Football League Phillippa Adgemis made sure the day went of without a (VFL) and Victoria, and was named the club’s best and hitch. The gates to the car park were locked to fairest in 1903. Eileen O’Donnell had six siblings: Reg, encourage everyone to walk or ride up the driveway. Birt, Cliff, Rita, Doug and Geoff. Bert, Cliff and Doug Thank you to grade 6 students Max Caray, Lachlan

MEMBERS STATEMENTS

678 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Beech, Michael Beresford and James Ruzicka for the track so that racing can return to Benalla, hopefully having their photograph taken with me and putting up in September with the Benalla Gold Cup. The minister with my wobbly bicycle riding. and I also visited the Longwood Coursing Track, which had been destined for closure by Greyhound Racing Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria: urban Victoria until the minister intervened and thereby championships protected a much-appreciated asset in the small community of Longwood. Ms EDWARDS (Bendigo West) — The 128th Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria state senior Next week I have the minister responsible for liquor urban championships of 2011 were held in Bendigo licensing, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, coming to over the Labour Day weekend in March. I attended the the area. Minister O’Brien is going to sit down and opening of the championships at Strathdale Park on meet with small country pub operators, people who run 12 March. The championships were opened by low-volume packaged liquor outlets and seasonal Mr Craig Lapsley, Victoria’s fire services traders, who are all groaning under the massive impost commissioner, who is also a Bendigo boy. This is a of the huge liquor licence fee increases imposed by the wonderful event for Bendigo, with over former Brumby government. The minister will listen 2500 competitors, and the relatives and friends who and take on board their concerns and come up with a come to cheer them on. truly risk-based liquor licence fee arrangement, rather than the current outrageous arrangement. The volunteers compete in often gruelling events such as the hose and ladder eights, one of the most A few weeks later, we are going to have the Minister physically demanding events. This show of sheer speed for Planning come to meet with people around the Lake and strength in running and climbing a ladder with Eildon area who are impacted on by a web of red tape split-second timing is the result of many months of that limits development at Lake Eildon. It is a pleasure serious training. The teams are like well-oiled machines to have coalition ministers coming to the area, and the events give volunteers the chance to delivering common-sense solutions. demonstrate all the necessary skills to fight a fire. Housing: homelessness strategy Bendigo Fire Brigade Championship captain Paul Davis and his committee worked for three years to Mr LANGUILLER (Derrimut) — The Labor organise this event. I congratulate them on their hard government was committed to addressing homelessness work and an extremely successful championship. in Victoria. The former Victorian government believed Sixty-nine local teams and teams from other parts of in a fair and inclusive Victoria, where people can get Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales as the help they need when they need it. People well as a team representing the Metropolitan Fire Board experiencing homelessness or in housing crisis are competed. The championships have a flow-on effect for among the most disadvantaged people in our society. Country Fire Authority members through safer The Labor government released a 10-year strategy, operations and improved teamwork, and the Homelessness 2020, to further reduce the incidence and community benefits through greater levels of impact of homelessness in this state. At the same time it competence and capability in our fire service. worked with the commonwealth government to deliver Volunteer firefighters cannot be praised enough for the key national initiatives in this area under the national work they do in our communities. This was a partnership agreement on homelessness and to build wonderful event and it was great to see so many more affordable housing. dedicated volunteer firefighters spending the weekend improving and showing off their amazing skills and The national partnership agreement on homelessness having a great time competing in a friendly specifically allocated additional resources targeted at environment. addressing the needs of children in homeless families, with a focus on early intervention and engagement with Benalla electorate: ministerial visits education. In Victoria we established a Homeless Children’s Specialist Support Service in four areas. Dr SYKES (Benalla) — I wish to thank the new These services will provide direct interventions to coalition ministers for their approachability and children experiencing homelessness and also assist preparedness to come to the electorate of Benalla. Last those providing homelessness services to improve their week the Minister for Racing came and handed out a skills and confidence in providing support to these significant amount of money to the Benalla Racing children and families. Club to assist with the repair of drainage problems at

MEMBERS STATEMENTS

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 679

I want to take this opportunity to particularly commend and improve the lives of vulnerable people in the one service which is a good friend — that is, the Merri Geelong region. StepUP is a community initiative Outreach Support Service. It has been a driving force in between the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service, the development of this specialist service response. The the National Australia Bank and UnitingCare Geelong. service was selected to operate the Homeless Children’s The loans are available to assist low-income families or Specialist Support Service in the north and west individuals. They are run on a not-for-profit basis and metropolitan region. are fixed, low-interest rate loans between $800 and $3000. There are no fees, and the loans are for up to Timber industry: East Gippsland three years. Eligible applicants must hold a current Centrelink health care card or a pension card or receive Mr BLACKWOOD (Narracan) — I take this the family tax benefit part A, along with providing opportunity to highlight the impact of the previous some verification details. Labor government’s decision to declare an extra 45 000 hectares of national park in East Gippsland. The Darren Cheeseman, the federal member for Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment (East Corangamite, and Julie Smith, the StepUP Gippsland) Act 2009 effectively removed microfinance worker from UnitingCare Geelong, 45 000 hectares of high-quality timber resource out of launched this great program which will benefit many production forest into reserve. The Labor government people in my electorate by offering a safe alternative to of the time gave a firm commitment that there would be loan sharks, pawn brokers and pay-day lenders. no net job losses to the timber industry in East Congratulations to all involved. Gippsland as a result of that legislation being implemented. It promised there would be no adverse Rollins Primary School: visit impact on the economic and social fabric of East Gippsland. Mr EREN — I was also recently invited to talk to grade 5 students at Rollins Primary School in my Well, sadly, what a farce that was! By the end of June electorate of Lara. These students, who have visited this year up to six harvesting contracting businesses Parliament and have been studying government and the could be out of work as a direct result of the Brumby role of MPs, asked me to attend their school to explain government’s decision to increase the national park the role of MPs. It was an enjoyable afternoon. The estate in East Gippsland. Another 30 timber families are students asked me some fantastic questions and facing the prospect of unemployment and contractors demonstrated how much they had already learned. I are stuck with millions of dollars of equipment that they would like to thank them for their invitation to go along cannot sell, leaving them with unmanageable debt and and talk to them. I hope that they now understand the facing bankruptcy. role of an MP a little better. I would like to thank Liana Collishaw, Rhys Thurston — — In 2002 the Bracks government adopted the Our Forests Our Future policy, which led to a reduction in The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has timber resource available to industry by an average of expired. 40 per cent across the state. Voluntary redundancy packages were offered to those who chose to leave the Bentleigh electorate: government commitments industry. Those who chose to stay in the industry did so in the knowledge that their future in the industry was Ms MILLER (Bentleigh) — In the lead-up to the secure because readjustment had put the industry back election last year I listened to the constituents of on a sustainable footing. But how wrong they were, Bentleigh when they told me of their deep concerns because the Brumby government once again traded the about the problems that had plagued them through economic and social wellbeing of East Gippsland more than a decade of hard Labor. I listened to how the communities — it traded their jobs for a few Green callous indifference of the previous government to the votes. What an absolute disgrace! needs and views of regular Victorians led to distrust in government and a chronic ignorance of the serious StepUP problems that needed to be fixed. That government broke the cardinal rule of politics when it forgot who Mr EREN (Lara) — Recently I was honoured to be sent it here and began to act not in the interests of invited to attend the StepUP loan program launched at Victorians but in its own interest. Kardinia Park in Geelong. StepUP is a not-for-profit loan program designed to support people living on low The previous government appointed a Minister for the incomes. The program aims to address disadvantage Respect Agenda — a nice title, a nice office but in no

MEMBERS STATEMENTS

680 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 way a nice solution for the problems that needed to be Natural disasters: Japan fixed. It was symbolic of the quagmire of spin the government had buried itself in that it considered this to Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — I would like to offer be a solution. my thoughts, prayers and best wishes to my Japanese friends and to the people of Japan in the wake of the What can already be seen from this government is a terrible earthquake. They have endured much in recent readiness to act in order to fix the problems and build a days, and they will endure many more tough days strong future for all Victorians. Legislation already before their current trial has ended. debated by this house will help stop problems of violence in our schools by empowering principals to In 2009 I had the privilege of visiting Japan with take decisive action against students who would seek to Speaker Lindell and the member for Yuroke to meet interrupt the learning of their peers. I supported that with the governor of Victoria’s sister state Aichi legislation for its ability to solve the problem, and I was prefecture and with the legislative leadership. backed by the school principals of Bentleigh. Thankfully Aichi and the beautiful city of Nagoya were not on the front line of the catastrophe, but like the rest It was a hallmark of the previous government to allow of the nation they will feel the effects for a very long cost blow-out after cost blow-out. It never cared if its time. policies succeeded, and it allowed them to fail with scandalous regularity. In the course of that trip we met with the current Australian ambassador, Murray McLean. The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has Ambassador McLean has discharged his duties in expired. recent weeks in a manner consistent with the highest traditions of the Australian diplomatic corps, and I Ballarat Trades and Labour Council congratulate him and his staff for the sterling work that they have done. Ms KNIGHT (Ballarat West) — I recently attended the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council’s Labour Day I have travelled to Hiroshima, I have visited the site of dinner. It was a wonderful evening that brought the first nuclear strike and I have seen some of the together a number of unions and supporters to celebrate devastation caused by that primitive nuclear device. I the role that unions have in improving working have no doubt that the Japanese people will not only conditions. Ged Kearney, the president of the endure their current trials with great dignity and Australian Council of Trade Unions, gave a heartfelt fortitude but will build again, no doubt bigger, better and entertaining speech about the importance of union and stronger than before. They will continue to play a participation. The executive of the Ballarat Trades and leading role in world affairs, and I wish them well as Labour Council should be congratulated on organising they commence that journey. another great event. Minister for Multicultural Affairs and The executive, along with council members, should Citizenship: comments also be congratulated for their participation in the Ballarat Begonia Festival parade, which was held on Mr NOONAN (Williamstown) — During the last the same weekend. It is important that trade unions be sitting week the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and represented at this event to remind those present that it Citizenship demonstrated why many on his own side is about the economic and social achievements of rate him as their weakest link on the front bench. workers, about the safety of workers and consideration During question time on Tuesday, l March, he was of their families and about the principle of the 8-hour asked a Dorothy Dixer about the progress of the day. It was fantastic to see this group of trade unionists Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund. In giving his marching with pride and to hear the cheers of answer the minister singled out a sculpture named appreciation from the crowds. Monument for Future Acts and in the process deliberately belittled and berated the work of RMIT Congratulations to the Ballarat Trades and Labour University, the Victorian Multicultural Commission Council for its continued defence of working conditions and the Victorian Trades Hall Council. If the minister and workers’ rights and for its continued participation had any courage, he would have openly disclosed that in and support of community events. he canned the project because of its links to the Victorian Trades Hall.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 681

Instead he weakly hid behind a so-called Why is no attention being given to the tens of value-for-money line, and in doing so indicated his thousands of sambar deer or the estimated willingness to place politics before merit when 8000 brumbies in the high country? They are up in considering future multicultural funding grants in arms about 400 cattle — — Victoria. The facts of this matter are absolutely clear: the project was funded by the Victorian Multicultural The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has Commission; RMIT University had been leading the expired. project; the Trades Hall Council never instigated this project and was never going to receive a cent of International Women’s Day funding for the work. Ms BARKER (Oakleigh) — I was very pleased to What the project aimed to do was to mark one of attend the National Council of Women in Victoria and Melbourne’s famous streetscapes and help boost the the League of Women Voters of Victoria’s celebration viability and vibrancy of the Lygon Street precinct. But of 100 years of International Women’s Day at with the stroke of a pen the minister’s disgraceful act Parliament House on Monday, 7 March, when they heralds a new era in multicultural affairs in this state invited young people to participate. The theme for the where there will be winners and losers, and decisions function was Young People Speak. They invited will be open to political influence. several young people who had participated in the Vida’s Voices and Legacy public speaking Alpine National Park: cattle grazing competitions to present their speeches in the Legislative Council, and without exception all of those young Mr BULL (Gippsland East) — I wish to state my people presented in a very capable, well-prepared and opposition to the federal government’s Environment confident way. Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Abolition of Alpine Grazing) Bill 2011, which is little more than In particular I was very pleased to be present to hear bowing to the Greens. The Greens federal leader is at Molly Noone, who is a resident of Oakleigh and attends present outspoken regarding the better protection of Sacred Heart Girls College. Molly entered the Legacy people’s democratic rights, but the hypocrisy of the junior public speaking competition which is open to 12 Greens is exposed. The Greens defence of democratic to 14-year-olds. Competitors present a 5-minute rights does not seem to apply to the Victorian prepared speech and participate in a 2-minute government, which at last year’s state election won a impromptu speech. The prepared speech is about the clear mandate for its policy of returning cattle to the ideals of Legacy — that is, mateship, companionship, Alpine National Park for a fuel reduction trial. social justice and integrity.

We in the country are sick of metropolitan-based Molly entered the competition with three people from Greens telling us how to live our lives. My colleague her school and entered the first regional final. Her first Darren Chester, the member for Gippsland in the speech was about teenage depression. Having won the federal Parliament, recently stated that regional regional final she progressed to the preliminary final Australians have had a gutful of city-based Greens where she spoke about real achievements in life, basing telling us how to live, what industries we are allowed to her speech on the phrase ‘winning isn’t everything’. It have, what jobs we are allowed to have and how our was that speech she gave again at the Parliament House communities should enjoy their particular pastimes. function on 7 March. She told me she entered the The Greens have never created a job in regional competition to improve her public speaking skills, and Australia, and they are a direct threat to a host of because of the skills she gained she is now very traditional industries, including the agricultural sector confident. This has meant she has taken on leadership and commercial fishing. positions that involve public speaking. She is very confident, articulate and intelligent. I am very proud to It is clear that the Greens, most of whom live on have her in my electorate. concrete, do not understand the country way of life nor have an appreciation of industry at all. Their Barwon Heads: Festival of the Sea lock-it-up-and-leave-it mentality is a recipe for disaster. This is what we saw with the recent Black Saturday Mr KATOS (South Barwon) — On Sunday, fires, and it is a shame Labor is bowing to the Greens 20 March, along with my wife and children, I had the and attempting to prevent the fuel reduction trial from pleasure of attending the Barwon Heads Festival of the proceeding any further. Sea and the Geelong Highland Gathering. The Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea, which showcases local arts,

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682 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 music, food and wine, continues to grow in size. The I would like to thank Victorian Arabic Social Services famous duck race was the major event for the for inviting me and particularly the head of VASS, 11th consecutive festival. It was wonderful to see Leila Alloush, for her tireless and passionate work for thousands attend this free community event on such a the community. I look forward to working with VASS beautiful autumn day. Congratulations to the winning as the newly elected member for Broadmeadows. duck, Benoni, owned by Roma Curruthers and trained by Greg Curruthers. Members: oath of allegiance

I would like to congratulate the organisers, particularly Mr NEWTON-BROWN (Prahran) — Victoria Rick Webb, the Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea having just been visited by Prince William, it is timely president, David Littleton, Helen Foord and Bernard for us to reflect on this Parliament’s relationship with Napthine. the Crown. The Victorian constitution requires us to swear allegiance to the Crown before we are able to The only negative issue raised by festival goers and serve in this Parliament. I remind members of the exact residents was the appalling visual backdrop of two wording. We swear that we will ‘be faithful and bear bridges, which can only be described as a monumental true allegiance to Her Majesty and Her Majesty’s heirs failure of the Brumby Labor government. and successors according to law’. There is no mention of our allegiance to the people of Victoria, whom we Geelong Highland Gathering represent on a day-to-day basis in this house.

Mr KATOS — The Geelong Highland Gathering As Australia is not a republic and continues to be part was officially opened by the Minister for Multicultural of the commonwealth, it is my view that it is Affairs and Citizenship. It is one of Australia’s biggest appropriate that allegiance be sworn to the Crown. I and most diverse events, celebrating Scottish and Celtic note that Prince William’s popularity is such that it may cultures. The gathering’s origins date back nearly be some time before we have another republic debate, 150 years to the first gathering in 1857. The 2010 but in my view it is also appropriate that we swear gathering was held at Fyansford Common, and allegiance to our electors as well. This is no radical although it was hoped it would return to Stinton Oval in idea. I point out that in Queensland in 2001 a reference Queens Park this year, it was held at the Geelong to sovereignty of the people was added, in Western showgrounds. I would also like to applaud the Australia in 2005 MPs were allowed to choose either minister’s determination to assist organisers in their the people of Western Australia or the Crown and in quest to return to their permanent home at Queens Park. 2006 the New South Wales Parliament dropped reference to the Crown altogether — its members swear Victorian Arabic Social Services allegiance solely to Australia and the people of New South Wales. Mr McGUIRE (Broadmeadows) — I rise to acknowledge the work of Victorian Arabic Social Swearing allegiance to the Crown and to the people of Services. Many members would know that VASS plays Victoria would be an appropriate amendment, in my a significant role in supporting Victorians from an view, to the formalities of this Parliament. It should be Arabic-speaking background. This role is vital in the an acceptable amendment to both monarchists and electorate of Broadmeadows. According to the 2006–07 republicans. census, almost 20 per cent of residents in Broadmeadows were born in the Middle East, the Clyde Road, Berwick: duplication largest number in any electorate in Victoria. Ms GRALEY (Narre Warren South) — Clyde I recently had the pleasure of attending a fundraising Road, Berwick, from High Street to the level crossing, dinner VASS held in Brunswick, along with my fellow is a traffic bottleneck. The local community was telling Labor colleagues the member for Brunswick, Jane us that it wanted the bottleneck fixed, and I was very Garrett, and Khalil Eideh, a member for Western pleased when the then Premier, John Brumby, visited Victoria Region in the other place. The dinner was a Berwick to announce a $55.6 million duplication wonderful celebration of the important work VASS project. The Liberal Party immediately criticised the undertakes, and at the same time it raised funds for the announcement, claiming that it would do nothing to new building it is relocating to in Broadmeadows. The ease the bottleneck as it did not include a grade new facility will be of a much more suitable scale for separation. Both the new member for Gembrook and a the growing staff and services needed to support this member for Eastern Victoria Region in the Council, diverse community.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 683 big-noting themselves I believe, were actively businesses, and local communities have been actively campaigning for a grade separation. campaigning to ensure that they protect this vital infrastructure. Currently they are looking at The former federal member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, revegetating 70 sites along the Yarra River. This is promised a grade separation during last year’s federal something that has been hard fought, and we will election campaign, although there was some confusion continue to fight. I am pleased that the Minister for around whether he had the authority to do so. There Environment and Climate Change will be visiting the was no word from Phoney Tony to support him. It has caravan park with me in the near future. come as no surprise that this commitment of the Liberal Party has fallen on the new Baillieu government’s pile The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has of broken promises. expired, and the time for members statements has expired. Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Gembrook will desist. Government: initiatives Ms GRALEY — This has been reported in our local media, with the member for Gembrook denying The SPEAKER — Order! I have accepted a that he ever gave a commitment to a grade separation statement from the member for Scoresby proposing the for Clyde Road. following matter of public importance for discussion:

The Brumby Labor government was committed to That this house congratulates the Baillieu government for the improving Clyde Road so that people could spend less many policy initiatives implemented in its first 100 days in time in traffic and more time with their families. It office and condemns the former Brumby Labor government for its reckless mismanagement of Victoria’s finances. completed the scoping study to determine the best way to ease congestion on Clyde Road and then provided Mr WELLS (Treasurer) — It is an outstanding the funds in the 2010 state budget. The community matter of public importance that is before the house at rightly expects that when their political leaders make a the moment; there is no question about that. The commitment, they will follow through with it. Brumby government tried to portray itself as a Residents voted for the member for Gembrook in the responsible economic and financial manager. That was knowledge that he was promising a grade separation. without any doubt a myth, and it was deceitful. When They would be absolutely beside themselves to know Labor came to government in 1999 it inherited a that this was no more than a cynical vote-buying surplus of $1.7 billion, and debt had been paid down to exercise that amounts to nothing post election. about $3.5 billion in 2002. We had strong productivity, we were the engine room of the country and Victorians Now he gets up in the house and starts making excuses were proud to be Victorians. about the Clyde Road duplication and untrue and false allegations about black holes. More excuses, more That is very different to the situation that Jeff Kennett excuses — stop making excuses and fix Clyde Road! inherited in 1992. When he took over from the previous Labor government, public sector debt was up to about The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has $32 billion and the deficit was unsustainable. In fact the expired. The member for Gembrook has 55 seconds. government was borrowing money to pay the wages of teachers, nurses and police officers, a totally Warburton Caravan Park: future unacceptable situation. What do we have after 11 years Mr BATTIN (Gembrook) — I attended a public of Brumby, Lenders and Holding? What have we meeting this weekend at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre inherited from the previous government? Let me tell the with many locals raising concerns about the lack of house that every single day we find another financial consultation from the previous government on the mess. Under every single rock we overturn there is master plan for the Warburton Caravan Park. I thank another black hole: lapsing programs with no ongoing the Minister for Environment and Climate Change for funding; election promises this mob made that did not his interest in this issue and in our community have the funding put aside for them; over and over businesses. again, black hole after black hole.

The caravan park in Warburton East generates But do members know what the biggest problem is? $1 million in income for Warburton residents and When there was a cost overrun or a situation, there

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684 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 were no solutions to fix the problem. What was Isn’t that the attitude of the previous government — Premier Brumby doing? What was the former Minister ‘Build at all costs. Don’t worry about accountability; for Finance, WorkCover and the Transport Accident don’t worry about financial responsibility; someone Commission doing to try to fix the problems? There else will worry about it’? That was Labor’s attitude was just no initiative there to fix the problems. This was from 2000 to 2010, during which time it kept procuring the minister who never requested a briefing the whole more and more loans. The debt increased from about time he was the minister for finance — not in one $3.5 billion in 2002 back up to $32 billion. Labor situation. The previous government’s members were members claim they are good financial managers, but reckless and irresponsible financial managers, and we despite that they just kept going to the bank to add more know what they did: they promised everything to and more to the debt about which somebody else will everybody but had no money to back it up. worry.

One of the real issues we had was that productivity And then we have the situation with myki. It started off under the previous government fell. Does the house at around $400 million and now it is up to $1.4 billion, know what the previous government relied upon? and we are stuck with the problem of trying to get it to Population growth; that is what it relied upon — work. The Melbourne wholesale markets — what an population growth and building new houses. That is absolute mess! Isn’t it funny that since the previous how it thought it could grow the economy. That was government has become the opposition all of a sudden never going to be sustainable. The level of productivity the big issue is cost of living expenses? We have been in this state over the last 10 years fell. During the 1990s asked a number of questions, but the opposition we were way above the Australian average. What members do not get it; they do not get how tough it is happened during the period from 2000 to 2010? We fell out there for people dealing with costs. below the Australian average on productivity. It was an absolutely unacceptable situation, and you cannot The previous minister for finance — he was the expect that situation to increase living standards into the minister for finance and water — created a big issue future. with the desalination plant, and Victorians will be paying for that for the next 28 to 30 years. Every time Let us just look at some of the cost overruns they have they get their water bill they will be remembering the left us with: regional rail, a simple $4.3 billion project. name Tim Holding. It was straightforward. What they were doing was just adding a railway line. An actual line that should be able Honourable members interjecting. to bring in the trains from Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. That is what you would think would be a The SPEAKER — Order! I ask members of the straightforward project, and they said it was government to desist. I do not think the Treasurer needs shovel-ready in 2009. When we went to them about the their assistance. cost overruns we asked them, ‘Why is this Mr WELLS — The Tim Holding tax is with us for $450 million?’. ‘We forgot to put in the cost for the the next 28 to 30 years. Every time we talk about water signals’, was their response — $450 million of cost prices people will remember the cost of the desalination overruns because they forgot to put in the signals. How plant. Where was the financial accountability or embarrassing can it be! responsibility in building that desalination plant to The federal government was going to put in $3.2 billion make sure that we were going to get value for money? and the state was going to put in $1.1 billion. The And then, when you talk about power costs, we see the federal government said, ‘We are going to defer smart meters hitting every single family over and over $400 million’, and that was because they were talking again. Do you know what the former minister’s to their mates. Since we have been in government the response was? It was, ‘Don’t worry about it. You will federal government has found out that it needs to defer thank us in time to come’. We will wait and see. another $500 million. And what was the response? The As we go through the budget expenditure review response from the now shadow Minister for Public committee process the level of frustration is Transport, the member for Northcote, was that unbelievable because every time we look at a program commuters ‘would not understand nor forgive the we find out it is a lapsing program. The previous abandonment’ of the project. When asked whether government funded programs for one, two or three Labor’s planning for the project had led to the cost years and then the money would just stop. But that did blow-out, the shadow minister would reply only that not stop the previous government from running around she was not the minister at the time.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 685 the state making promises over and over again, despite the agricultural and manufacturing base, so we have the fact that there was never any money for them. given that brief to the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, and it has started that good Yesterday, after a question from the member for Narre work. Warren North, the Premier mentioned funding for the pay equity case. The former Premier had said it would We have also started a savings program effective as of cost about $200 million, so we took that advice in good 1 January 2011, and that is important. We are seeking faith. We put aside $200 million and had it as a line to save $1.6 billion in the public service, and one of the item in the budget. But during our pre-election budget first things on the hit list will be the dirt unit. We are update briefing we asked the then government how going to wrap up that dirt unit. What a disgraceful much Labor had put aside for this. The answer was situation it was that ministers in the previous zero. Not one cent. And the Labor Party talks about government used a dirt unit to target the then opposition fairness and equity! It should be ashamed of itself. members of Parliament. But it got worse when they There was not one cent put aside for that budget line targeted a family, and it was even more disgusting item. when the grubs attacked the child of a member of Parliament. That was an absolute disgrace. There are One of the crimes of the previous government was to some families that will never forgive or forget how that allow productivity to fall over the last 10 years. Let me dirt unit worked during the election campaign, and it is explain the issue of productivity: the slow down in interesting that the Leader of the Opposition condoned productivity over the past decade, and especially in the it: ‘Let the dirt unit continue on. That is fine’. last five years, meant that labour productivity was 0.7 per cent compared with the national average of We are also doing reviews of myki, the smart meters 1 per cent. This compares to the 1990s, when Jeff and the Melbourne markets, and we will continue. But Kennett was Premier, when productivity was 2.7 per let me say this: the Baillieu government will be cent per annum and the national average was only financially responsible. It will be government that is 2.5 per cent. There was a significant improvement in decent and transparent. It will be one that delivers on its productivity during the 1990s compared to 2000. Why? election promises. It will be a government that governs The situation was very clear — there was less state for all Victorians, not just Labor mates. It will ensure regulation hampering productivity in the 1990s. By that citizens are safe on the streets and that trains, trams 2000 planning and environmental regulation was and buses run on time. We will have quality education starting to drown business, and then we also had a and health care. Victoria will be a state that we will be number of infrastructure bottlenecks in this state that very proud to live in once again. were slowing down productivity. Honourable members interjecting. What have we done? We have already committed to pages and pages of promises in the first 100 days. They The SPEAKER — Order! The members for Kilsyth were released on 9 March, and when we say we are and Prahran! going to commit to an election promise, we actually deliver it. Mr HOLDING (Lyndhurst) — I am sorry that honourable members opposite had to listen to the last In Treasury we started the — — 15 minutes from the Treasurer.

Ms Hennessy interjected. Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Altona The SPEAKER — Order! Members of the is on a warning. government will come to order.

Mr WELLS — The financial audit commission was Mr HOLDING — They were very successful at introduced. It is the first time it has happened in hiding him away during the election campaign. 17 years. We have implemented a high-risk, high-value assessment team in the Department of Treasury and An honourable member interjected. Finance. In other words we will not have a situation The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Kilsyth where any project will go out to the market and we will is on a warning. just tick it off, like the previous Labor government did. It will go through a tough, rigorous Department of Mr HOLDING — But eventually the Victorian Treasury and Finance process to make sure the taxpayer people are going to see why it is that the coalition had gets value for money. We said we wanted to broaden

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686 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 to conceal the then shadow Treasurer from the Mr HOLDING — According to the editorial she Victorian people at the last election campaign. pledged:

Honourable members interjecting. ‘The coalition will support the decision by Fair Work Australia on the pay claims for workers in the community The SPEAKER — Order! The Minister for sector and reflect any wage increase in our agreements with community sector organisations’. In an interview recorded on Environment and Climate Change is on a warning. the same day, Ms Wooldridge was equally unequivocal: ‘We’ll be making financial commitments in our policies in Mr HOLDING — And that is because he is just not relation to supporting that claim and if it’s more than up to the task. This matter of public importance today [$50 million a year], then we will be funding and supporting asks us to do two things. Firstly, it asks this chamber to it … We won’t be backing down from supporting that congratulate the Baillieu government on its first decision’. 100 days in office. Has there ever been a shakier start What a difference 100 days and an election make. That for a first-term government than the 100 days we have is exactly what this government has done. It is backing been subjected to since the election of this government away at 100 miles an hour, and that is why the Age in November last year? There has been no legislation editorial of today is spot on. passed in its first 100 days. There have been no changes to any act of Parliament. There has been no new law The Premier owes Victorians an explanation. passed by this Parliament in the government’s first Victorians are entitled to ask whether this is what they 100 days in office. voted for — are they getting what they voted for? Are Victoria’s teachers getting what they voted for? Are What did it get? It got 4 out of 10 from the Victoria Victoria’s police officers getting what they voted for? Police Association, and at the moment they are locked Are Victoria’s community sector workers getting what in a bitter pay dispute because the government has they voted for from this government? Victorians are broken its promise to Victoria Police officers — — entitled to ask.

Honourable members interjecting. This is a government that was elected promising to end the spin, and all of us have had to sit through the agony The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Prahran of question time and hear the spin from those opposite, is on a warning. those who said that question time should be an Mr HOLDING — The then Leader of the opportunity for ministers to answer questions. Opposition spoke to their delegates conference before The Premier was asked in the debate, ‘Do you promise, the election. The government has now indicated that it hand on heart, do you solemnly promise that ministers will be breaking that promise to police members. The are going to answer questions?’. What have we seen? government promised Victorian teachers that they We have seen spin and duplicity from those opposite. would be the best paid in Australia, the highest paid in This government promised it would end the waste, and Australia. It has now made it clear that it intends to we now have a Minister for Nothing — a minister break that promise to Victorian teachers. In fact it says whose file has been marked ‘Never to be promoted’ by that its budget strategy hinges on it breaking this the Premier and who has been stripped of his promise to Victorian teachers. What did this responsibilities. Government members are now so government do to community sector workers? It embarrassed at the situation they have created that they promised them wage justice, and the Treasurer got up are trying to wind it back and surreptitiously slip him here today and said, ‘We took it on good faith’. That is some responsibilities to create the impression that he is the claim he made. in fact not the Minister for Nothing! The Age has blown the whistle on the good faith of the This is the government that promised it would end the then opposition in the lead-up to the last election. I am waste. But what else? quoting from the editorial in today’s Age:

In a letter signed three days before the election, Mr Wells interjected. Ms Wooldridge asserted that Labor was ‘backing away from supporting the full pay rise’ — — Mr HOLDING — The Treasurer somewhat embarrassingly interjects. Hear, hear! End the spin, they An honourable member interjected. said. What is one of this government’s achievements from its first 100 days in office? We are supposed to The SPEAKER — Order! The member for believe that it is returning cows to the Alpine National Mitcham. Park. What were they called? Fuel reduction service

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 687 providers! This comes from the people who said they Under the subheading ‘National peers’ it says: would end the spin. I will give them some credit; at least they have now removed that reference to fuel Victoria’s AAA rating is well placed compared to most Australian states and territories whose ratings range from reduction service providers from the website. Has there AA1 to AAA reflecting its low debt burden, similar financial ever been a more embarrassing example of government metrics, and disciplined fiscal management. spin than that involved in the aborted trial of returning cows to the Alpine National Park? That is exactly what Moody’s said. However, the most ridiculous thing the Treasurer is asking of us today is Mr Andrews — The Japanese whaling not just that we ignore Standard and Poor’s and experiments? Moody’s but that we should ignore him. He is asking us to ignore the government’s own assessment of the Mr HOLDING — Exactly; the Leader of the financial performance of the Bracks and Brumby Opposition is spot on. Just as it was with whaling in governments. Two reports have already been tabled in southern oceans, we have seen in relation to the Alpine this chamber by none other than the current Treasurer National Park — — of Victoria that cite Victoria’s sound public finances as evidence for confidence in the state’s underlying Mr R. Smith interjected. economic performance and growth. What do the reports The SPEAKER — Order! The Minister for say? Hidden away on page 1 of chapter 1 of the Environment and Climate Change is on his second 2010–11 Budget Update is the statement ‘Victoria’s warning. He is out of his seat. finances are sound’. The 2010–11 Mid-Year Financial Report released last week also made absolutely clear Mr HOLDING — The coalition has been that the state’s public finances are sound. embarrassed and humiliated by the federal minister for the environment, who looked at the so-called rigour Mr Wells interjected. behind this scientific testing and exposed it for the The SPEAKER — Order! The Treasurer! nonsense it is: a high school assignment trying to be passed off as a legitimate environmental statement. Mr HOLDING — The Treasurer acknowledged as How humiliating! much when he released this report last week. However, members should not just take the Treasurer’s word for The embarrassing statement that we are being asked to it, Standard and Poor’s word for it, Moody’s word for it consider today goes on to say that the former Bracks and every credible economic and financial and Brumby governments should be condemned for commentator in Australia’s word for it. They can their reckless financial management. The Bracks and also — and I accept that he is not a credible economic Brumby governments maintained operating surpluses and financial commentator — take the Premier’s word each and every year for the 11 years that Labor was in for it. Straight after his briefing from the Department of office. Members should not take my word for it; they Treasury and Finance on coming to office, the Premier should take that of Standard and Poor’s, which came out and declared, along with the Treasurer, that reaffirmed Victoria’s AAA credit rating on the state’s finances were robust and sound and formed a 8 November 2010. In giving its reaffirmation of the basis for being able to affirm that all of the coalition’s state’s AAA credit rating Standard and Poor’s said: electoral promises were capable of being delivered. The government’s very strong financial management provides ongoing financial stability. Victoria’s good Victorians are entitled to ask what has changed in the governance — including its strong fiscal strategy and good last 100 days to have coalition ministers abandoning financial transparency — aids the state’s credit quality. promises on an almost daily basis. We know from Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s that the state’s What the Treasurer is asking us to believe today is that finances are sound and AAA credit rated. We know we he knows better than Standard and Poor’s and that he had a surplus in each and every year that the Bracks and knows better than Moody’s Investors Service, which Brumby governments were in office. We know the reaffirmed the state’s AAA credit rating on 8 February state’s public finances are regarded as sound by every 2011. In its ‘Summary rating rationale’ Moody’s said: financial and economic commentator in Australia. We Victoria’s credit quality reflects a long-term record of sound know the Treasurer has tabled documents in this house financial performance underpinned by the state’s prudent which confirm and affirm the state’s sound public fiscal practices along with historically strong growth in tax finances. We know the Premier himself has affirmed revenues and commonwealth grants. the soundness and robustness of those finances and affirmed upon coming to office that they formed a basis

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688 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 for being able to keep all of the coalition’s election The SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has promises. expired.

What has changed? Why does it seem that with every Mr WALSH (Minister for Agriculture and Food day that passes there is another example of a broken Security) — It is a great pleasure to rise to support the coalition promise that was made solemnly with hand on matter of public importance (MPI) put forward by the heart in the lead-up to the election and reaffirmed Treasurer, the member for Scoresby, saying that this following the election? The reason is that these people house congratulates the Brumby government for the have not made the transition from opposition to many policy initiatives implemented in its first government. They do not realise that they are now in 100 days in office — — government and it is their job to deliver on their promises. Honourable members interjecting.

The architect of the government’s ability to deliver on Mr WALSH — Sorry; the Baillieu government — its promises will be none other than the Treasurer. The and condemns the former Brumby government for its basis upon which he will be judged is how the reckless mismanagement of Victoria’s finances. government responds to enterprise bargaining agreements and on whether he can craft a budget which Honourable members interjecting. enables those agreements to be delivered. Mr Capital The SPEAKER — Order! I do not wish to have to and Recurrent is now in charge of whether or not the stand again to bring the house back to some order. I will government can keep those promises. ask members to listen in silence to the contributions Mr Wells interjected. being made by members on both sides of the house. Enough is enough. Mr HOLDING — I have dusted off Accounting for Dummies for the Treasurer. I offered it to him when he Mr WALSH — As I said, it is a great pleasure to was in opposition. Much to my chagrin, he did not take rise to support the MPI from the member for up the suggestion that Accounting for Dummies should Scoresby — — be on his shelf. Mr Holding interjected.

Instead we have learnt he has attached to his wall a The SPEAKER — Order! The member for checklist where he can tick off all those promises. What Lyndhurst has had his chance and is on his first does it look like at the moment? What is next to warning. ‘Making Victoria’s teachers the best paid in the nation’? Is it a tick or a cross? What is next to the Mr WALSH — The MPI says: column marked ‘Wage justice for Victoria’s police officers’? What is next to that at the moment? Keeping That this house congratulates the Baillieu government for the the promise made to them at the delegates conference many policy initiatives implemented in its first 100 days in office and condemns the former Brumby Labor government when the Premier, as the then Leader of the Opposition, for its reckless mismanagement of Victoria’s finances. spoke prior to the election. What is next to that on the Treasurer’s wall? What is next to the promises about The house has just listened to an extraordinary and wage justice for community sector workers? What is incoherent rant from the member for Lyndhurst — a next to the promise made to the Herald Sun after the rant that shows that he has not yet accepted that in election that the government would bring forward as a November last year Victorians made a decision. It does Christmas present the energy concessions? What is next not matter what Standard and Poor’s says, the Victorian to that on the little tick list on the Treasurer’s wall? We people decided that they did not like the way the know. Brumby government was managing Victoria’s finances. They did not like the fact that you could not trust the This is a Treasurer who has got absolutely no idea. All Brumby government. They did not like the fact that the his colleagues know that he is way out of his depth, and Brumby government was all about spin. They were all he brings into this place an embarrassing motion asking about spin, and Victorians rejected that last November. us to congratulate the government on the humiliating start it has had in office and to condemn a government One of the first things the Baillieu government that was highly regarded for its management of public promised to do was cut wasteful political advertising. sector finances. Policy achieved: that has been done. The Labor Party was all about blatant self-promotion with taxpayers

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 689 money; that has now been stopped. A key thing that has are finding that there are major problems in a number been said in this place many times is that the Labor of the water authorities because the former Minister for Party cannot manage money. Water just did not do his job. For 11 years the Labor Party wasted all the stormwater that runs off the streets If one goes back to 2006, one finds that at that time the of Melbourne. Labor Party said that desal was a hoax. I am glad that the previous Minister for Water is in this house at the Mr Holding interjected. moment. The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Honourable members interjecting. Lyndhurst has had his go and will come to order.

Mr WALSH — The previous Minister for Water is Mr WALSH — Labor wasted the recycled water it in this house at the moment. We now have the largest let be pumped out to sea. The Brumby government is desal plant in the Southern Hemisphere, a plant that is going to change all that. going to cost Victorians $23 billion over the next 27 years. Victorians are going to pay $653 million Honourable members interjecting. every year for the next 27 years, whether water is taken or not, so the availability charge will be $653 million Mr WALSH — Sorry, the Baillieu government is every year for the next 27 years. Every household in going to change all that. We have released in our first Melbourne will effectively pay nearly $400 every year 100 days a roadmap for Living Melbourne, Living for the next 27 years in what will be called the Holding Victoria. desal tax. The Holding desal tax will be $400 every Honourable members interjecting. year for every household for the next 27 years. A current new home buyer will have paid off their The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Kilsyth mortgage before they will have stopped paying the is on a warning. Holding desal tax. This is something that Victorians will have to blame the previous government for. Mr WALSH — Victorians are going to have an integrated urban water management system. The To look at the other issues on which the Baillieu government will use stormwater and recycled water to government has delivered, the Baillieu government has improve the livability of Melbourne by keeping parks plugged the pipe. The pipe has been plugged. In 2006 and gardens, sporting ovals and our open spaces green the Brumby government promised it would never take into the future. By using that water we will take the water from northern Victoria to southern Victoria. Nine pressure off the potable supply. These measures will months later that promise was broken. It was in tatters. improve the livability of Melbourne. When it comes to Country people know that they cannot trust the Labor water, it is about having local solutions for local issues. Party to honour its promises. That pipe became a Yesterday I was out at Doncaster with the local symbol of country Victorians’ hatred for the Labor member for the Doncaster Hill redevelopment project. Party and the fact that they could not trust what John It is a great project which will use stormwater and Brumby said, because the Labor Party cannot be recycled water to reduce potable demand in that area by trusted. Its members cannot manage money and they 50 per cent. It will also reduce the nutrient load going cannot manage projects. into the bay by 50 per cent. We are delivering on those sorts of projects, where the previous government would The Baillieu government has delivered on its promise, not. and the Ombudsman is now investigating the water savings projects in northern Victoria, because the Mr Pandazopoulos interjected. previous Minister for Water — — The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Ms Thomson interjected. Dandenong is out of his seat and out of order.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Mr WALSH — If members consider the Footscray is still out of her seat and is interjecting. She recommendations made by the 2009 Victorian is on a warning. Bushfires Royal Commission, they will realise that we are implementing recommendations which the previous Mr WALSH — The previous Minister for Water government would not. I congratulate the Minister for did not hold the water authorities to account in northern Environment and Climate Change on his work reducing Victoria to ensure that they delivered value for money. the fuel load to make sure there is a — — That is something that we are now addressing, and we

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Mr Merlino interjected. three times; it could not believe the news because it was so good. The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Monbulk is out of his seat and has a warning. Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park) — I am pleased to rise to debate the matter of public importance. I do so Mr WALSH — I am making sure there is a reduced because this is a government that was careless in what it fuel load in bushfire areas. The government has wished for at the last election. The fact is that it got into returned cattle to the high country to reduce the fuel government, but what the Victorian people have got is load. What I find interesting is that yesterday at the far less than that: they have a deceitful and dithering protests mock Friesian cattle were out on the steps of government. There is a failure on the part of the Parliament, not Herefords. The opposition does not government to understand the role of running a even understand the difference between dairy cows and government. It should reflect very carefully on that beef cows — that is how ridiculous it is. The Baillieu matter and start to think about how it is going to operate government is going to deliver on its promise to in terms of transparency and delivering what it said it manage the public estate better. We believe there is a was going to deliver to raise the living standards of need to manage the public estate better; we will not be Victorians. These are elements this government has to locking it up and leaving it. We will not be like the be tested on. Labor Party, which changed the sign on the front gate and believed that action delivered an environmental I was quite surprised to hear the previous speaker’s outcome. comments regarding the government’s commitment to implementing every single recommendation of the One of the key things the Premier delivered on during 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. We have the election campaign, which we will continue to discovered there is a 68th recommendation that no-one deliver on, is that we put the Greens last. We are not ever knew about — that is, returning cattle to the high like the Labor Party, which is captive to the Greens. We country. It is an amazing recommendation that I never put the Greens last. Ted Baillieu showed real leadership saw in the report made by the bushfires royal doing that. He is not like the Labor Party, which commission! The government is saying it has not only panders to and is a toothless lapdog to the Greens. delivered on its policy but has also created a new policy and recommendation from the bushfires royal Ms Allan interjected. commission of returning cattle to the high country. That The SPEAKER — Order! The member for is an astonishing statement made by a government Bendigo East is out of her seat. which is attempting to salvage a reputation, which in 100 short days it has managed to undermine through Mr WALSH — The final thing I would like to dithering and deception. This is the government we finish on is that we all know about the impact of the have to deal with over the next four years. Victorian floods. The Baillieu government is making sure that it delivers to flood-affected country All we have to do is to have a look at some of the areas communities. The mayor of Wangaratta recently had a the government purports it is delivering on. The visit from the Deputy Premier. The mayor put forward government claimed it was going to introduce a issues about the flood, and he said after the meeting, ‘It year-round energy concession for low-income is a stunning result’. Victorians. A commitment was made at the last election to do that from 1 July 2011, then an announcement was Ms Allan interjected. made by the Premier to introduce this concession a number of months earlier as an early Christmas present. The SPEAKER — Order! The member for The government then discovered — woops! — it had Bendigo East has a warning. Members should gone a bit too far. It was never going to deliver on that remember that warnings go through until the end of the promise. Month after month we heard nothing from this day. government until it was forced to comment on this election promise of a early Christmas present. Mr WALSH — After the visit from the Deputy Premier, the mayor of Wangaratta said, ‘It is a stunning Some 800 000 low-income Victorians out in the result’. The minister listened and changed things, community were counting on energy concessions whereas under the previous government the council coming through to help them meet commitments in the could not get any support for measures that it wanted in Christmas and New Year period, but it was a lie and a its flood support programs. The mayor said the council deception. That is what this government has delivered literally had to check the response from the government to Victorians. Through this embarrassment of not

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 691 meaning what it said — forget the no-spin came and we heard nothing from this government commitment — the government was going to let the because, in their form, government members have promise go through to the keeper. I suspect the shown themselves to be deceptive and not interested in government was going to wait for 1 July to tick over taking the community with them. and then go back to its original commitment. What it did was move on to a 1 March delivery date, but even There was no explanation from the Minister for Energy that could not be managed in this government’s feeble and Resources as to why that interim report would not attempt to demonstrate that it is capable of managing be released, and there was no explanation as to why the government. community stakeholder reference panel was kiboshed by the government. Let us strip it back. It was an We then got a ministerial order which had no reference opportunity for members of this government to put their whatsoever to 1 March; it referred to 24 February. The own political stamp on a process that was well on its minister did not even know the ministerial order that way to scrutinising how the recommendations relating she signed. This is what we have for a government. I to powerlines were to be implemented, with solid dare say that in 100 days government members have community consultation. They did not care about the managed to turn around the Titanic. The Titanic was community consultation. They did not care about the basically the goodwill and faith that the community work that had been done to date through the release of invested in them at the election to be good managers the interim report. What they cared about was the and to deliver on their commitment to transparency, semblance of product differentiation — that is, they their commitment to no spin and their commitment to would can the interim report and then have it cut the cost of living. resurrected at some later stage to make it look as though it was their report. On just that front let me say a few things in terms of the motion, the government’s commitment, its declaration Again, this is a government whose members talk about today that it has delivered on all these policy initiatives ending spin and being transparent. In fact what we have and that it is — in contrast, it says, to the Brumby is example after example of trickiness and secrecy in government — without spin, with no deception and government and arrogance when it comes to taking the with transparency. I point out that the Community community with it. I could go on for another half an Support Fund has suddenly disappeared from the hour or more on this front. Department of Planning and Community Development area; it has gone over into the Department of Treasury We certainly need to look at the fact that members of and Finance. There has been no explanation whatsoever this government have said the government would also from this government about how that fund of deliver policies and improvements in policy initiatives $100 million-plus a year will be used for the for all Victorians. We have to look only at its great community’s benefit. To date — after more than failure to date, a failure which it has yet to fully 100 days — the Treasurer has failed to explain to the explain — that is, its failure to commit $45 million to Victorian community just how that fund will be complete the final stage of the Olivia Newton-John utilised. When you look at the fact that many of the Cancer and Wellness Centre — to see a record of government’s policies were underfunded and blemished results from this government. This undercosted, you really have to wonder how that government will rue the day it turned its back on cancer Community Support Fund will be used. patients and politicised cancer services. This is a government whose members say there will be no spin, There is another very important matter. Here is a there will be transparency and there will be no secrecy, government whose Premier likes to declare that his is a but it has politicised the issue of the survival and government for the people that it is transparent and that wellbeing of cancer patients. Government members it has no spin and no secrecy. We only have to look at should be ashamed of this. If anything should go on the the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce to see the Treasurer’s board of achievements and delivery, it is reality. When we were in government we set about the opposite of what they say they were going to do. establishing a task force and a community stakeholder reference panel which would involve the community There are a number of issues on which this government and would have direct input from the community to is showing itself to be dithering and deceptive. Time getting critical and serious input on how some of the and again when the Treasurer has been asked how he power-related recommendations of the Victorian will deliver on reducing grocery prices we have got Bushfires Royal Commission would be implemented. spin. That is all we get. Where is the detail and where is An interim report was to be released at the end of the strategic action plan to tackle cost of living January for public consultation. The end of January pressures that ordinary Victorians are under? There is

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692 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 nothing other than paying lip-service to Victorians. Honourable members interjecting. Lip-service will take people over an election line, but it will not see government members through the next four Mr Wells — It is a matter of debate. He referred to years. Members should mark my words. I am amazed two documents, both indicating, he claimed, that they that in 100 days — a short time — this government has were — — well and truly undone itself. Its members have undone the goodwill that has been invested in them by the The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I ask the community and undone any semblance of potential Treasurer to resume his seat. The member for economic credibility in the eyes of Victorians. Lyndhurst has requested that the member for Caulfield withdraw. The normal practice is that a member Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) — I rise to speak on withdraws if another member is offended. I ask the this matter of public importance that has been brought member for Caulfield to withdraw. forward by the Treasurer: Mr Holding interjected. That this house congratulates the Baillieu government for the many policy initiatives implemented in its first 100 days in The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! Is the office and condemns the former Brumby Labor government member for Lyndhurst arguing with the Chair? I am for its reckless mismanagement of Victoria’s finances. trying to clarify. The member for Caulfield.

Before I begin, I think it is important to set the record Mr SOUTHWICK — I withdraw. Let me continue straight, because the shadow Treasurer has clearly to clarify what was conveniently left out by the shadow misled the house. He referred to page 1 of the midyear Treasurer in his remarks: update but did not look at what last week’s report actually says. Let us look at the midyear results that Looking forward the financial results will come under were released only last week: significant pressure from both expenditure and revenue risks. On the expenditure side, there are substantial risks associated Looking forward the financial results will come under with existing capital projects and underfunded recurrent significant pressure from both expenditure and revenue risks. programs, as well as emerging flood restoration and recovery On the expenditure side — — needs. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The member In terms of revenue, the main risks relate to the receipt of goods and services tax (GST) grants from the commonwealth for Lyndhurst. government. This reflects a likely downgrading of national GST receipts, consistent with slower growth in household Mr Holding — On a point of order, Deputy consumption and dwelling investment than indicated in Speaker, I am reluctant to do this, but the member for commonwealth Treasury’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Caulfield just said that I have clearly misled the house. Outlook 2010–11 published in November 2010. He cannot say a member has clearly misled the house Mr Andrews interjected. other than by substantive motion. Unfortunately I ask him to withdraw. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The Leader of the Opposition is being disorderly and is out of his Mr Wells — On the point of order, Deputy Speaker, place. the member for Caulfield is outlining that the shadow Treasurer misled the house in regard to his reference to Mr SOUTHWICK — The report continues: sound financial management — — The recent announcement by the Commonwealth Grants Honourable members interjecting. Commission to reduce the state’s GST relativity from 2011–12 will, if adopted by the commonwealth, also put The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I ask further pressure on the state’s revenues in 2011–12 and across opposition members to come to order. I understand that the forward estimates period. when a member asks for a withdrawal it is normally Who are the people in this house who delivered the spin done automatically, but I am not quite sure whether that we had to deal with for 11 years and who we what the member for Lyndhurst is asking the member continue to hear from? They are the members of the for Caulfield to withdraw fits into that category. I will opposition. just take a moment to listen to this. I would like to point out some of the important legacies Mr Wells — The member for Caulfield is clearly that have been left behind by the previous government. outlining that the shadow Treasurer clearly misled the Unfortunately every Victorian will be reminded of a house because he had two documents — — number of key things: debt, blow-outs in contracts, bad

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 693 negotiation and signing us up to deals that will leave us meters had an initial projected cost of $800 million, but in debt for a long time and will be required to be paid its current cost of $3.25 billion equals a blow-out of back through the good management of this government. $1.45 billion. The regional rail network was costed at If you ask Victorians what was significant in the $4.5 billion, as we heard from the Treasurer before, but Brumby government’s time and what the Brumby the previous Treasurer failed to even cost signal legacy is, you will clearly hear a number of words: crossings. The Wimmera–Mallee pipeline had a myki, desal, smart meters, regional rail blow-out — it proposed cost of $77 million, but the final cost was goes on. That is the legacy of 11 long, dark years. $266 million, which is a $189 million blow-out. It goes on; I have a list of them. Unfortunately it is Victorians It is so sad that it reminds me of the Batman movie The who will pay for and deal with this, and it is Victorians Dark Knight. The dark knight is, of course, who I feel sorry for. Batman Brumby, the caped crusader. He wandered in and wandered out, never to be seen again. On the first I also feel sorry for a number of the new people who sit day of this Parliament he did not even have the decency on the other side of the house — unfortunately they are to turn up. He was not sitting in the house. He just not here — because they have been left with this wandered off and vanished like Batman, never to be legacy. For the next four years they have to sit and look seen again. What did he leave us with? He left us with at the former ministers who signed them up to these absolute jokers on the other side of the chamber — deals. All the former ministers, including the previous sitting there, and one by one trying to defend the legacy Treasurer, signed us up to these fantastic deals and that he left behind. It is a big legacy that we have to pay contracts. It is very clear that we will fix the problems back and better manage. that the Labor Party has created.

Seriously, though, unfortunately it is not funny, because Mr EREN (Lara) — This is the second time the we have to fix the budget blow-out. We have to fix government has shown that it is out of ideas. The these problems, and it is not a joke. This is serious. We Treasurer has raised a matter of public importance have heard many times the Labor Party cast aspersions today which is an indication of his inadequacy as on our 100 days, and it is very convenient — — Treasurer and of his being part of a government that does not do much at all. I will come to what the Mr Eren — Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention government does not do and what it has not done in the to the state of the house. past 100 days, but first I want to mention some of the achievements of the previous government. Quorum formed. I am proud to have been part of the Bracks and Brumby Mr SOUTHWICK — We have been left with the governments, particularly as a regional member. We legacy of the 11 very bad years of the Brumby have seen record growth in employment, in population government. We have heard many times that myki had and in the amount of infrastructure spend that has an initial promised cost of $494 million, but the budget occurred, particularly around my area of Geelong. It result — and it is still being counted — is $1.35 billion, has been tremendous. We have a great story to tell. I which is a blow-out of $857 million on top of the thank the Treasurer for giving us the opportunity to problems of no scoping. The government’s attitude once again put on the record the achievements of the was, ‘Let us just go out, do a deal and hope for the former government. best!’. Before I begin my contribution proper, I would like to It is interesting that the former Minister for Water has put a quotation on the record. I will table the document been rewarded for his great management of the and make it available to members of the house. It says: desalination plant and water with the position of shadow Treasurer. Thanks to his fine negotiation skills Victoria has an economy larger than that of Singapore, the we have been signed up to $550 million a year for Philippines and New Zealand and constitutes almost 24 per 30 years. We thank him very much for that; we now cent of the national economy. The state has enjoyed an average growth rate of 3 per cent over the nine years to have to contend with it. 2007–08. With AAA credit ratings from both Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Services, Victoria has one of At the end of this Parliament I will collect money to the strongest and most resilient economies in the world. buy calculators for members of the opposition so they can add up. It is very clear that there have been Small businesses contribute greatly to the health of the Victorian economy and create a significant number of jobs, problems with every single one of their projects — goods and services. The number of new small businesses — desal, myki and smart meters. If the shadow Treasurer businesses that employ less than 20 people — has grown wants more examples, I will give them to him. Smart every year since 2001. More than 43 per cent of people

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employed in Victoria’s private sector work in more than Mr EREN — I withdraw that I said this matter of 300 000 small businesses — accounting for 96 per cent of all public importance was a joke. That is what I said — Victorian businesses. that this matter of public importance is a joke. That quote is from a document I printed from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The member Development website. The OECD is not some sort of for Lara is to speak on the matter of public importance. wacky consultant that the former Treasurer used prior Mr EREN — I am speaking on the matter of public to the election last year to justify his costings. We went importance. This matter of public importance before the through the Treasury; we were proud to go through the house is a joke. That is what I said. I do not know why I Treasury. The coalition government made promises need to withdraw that comment. The member for leading up to the election but it did not have the guts to Burwood has chewed up enough of my time. I want to go to the Treasury to cost some of its promises. talk more about what we did in government and I will The words in that quotation are not my words and nor compare that with the 100 dark days of this are they the opposition’s words. They come from the government; they are highly embarrassing days. OECD website. I dare any government member to Our achievements include our massive investment in challenge the credentials of one of the most respected regional Victoria. Government members have an axe to authorities in the world. I want to reiterate what the grind against regional Victoria. They know it; The OECD said: Nationals know it. When they look at the results of the … Victoria has one of the strongest and most resilient last election, everyone acknowledges that the economies in the world. government won because of the Frankston rail corridor. Government members know that. This matter of public importance is an absolute joke. The current Treasurer needs to justify his existence and All the excuses government members are coming up some of the promises the government made but cannot with are regarding this matter of public importance. keep. The government knows it cannot keep its They muddy the waters about what we achieved in promises. The government rubbishes the former government, about our credentials in government. We government. We are not going to put up with it. We are very proud of the 11 years we were in government, have a great story to tell, and we will stand here and tell because during that time every single budget handed it. I hope the media takes this matter of public down was in the black. importance for what it is — a joke. That is what government members are. They all know, and they are I recall that when I was in the other place every time the all getting red-faced as I speak. The government — — economy was mentioned I would say, ‘AAA here to stay’. Every single budget gave Victoria a AAA credit The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! Through the rating; every budget was in the black. Those budgets Chair. meant that the growth in regional Victoria — all over Victoria — continued. I am proud of that; I am proud Mr EREN — I will speak through the Chair. that during our time in government we put an extra 11 500 teachers back into the system; I am proud that Mr Watt — On a point of order, Speaker, I ask the we put 10 000 nurses back into the system; and I am member to withdraw his comment. I think he said we proud that we put an extra 2000 police back on the beat. are all a joke. Let us have a look at what the government has done in The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The statement the last 100 days. It said, ‘Teachers, if you give us our the member for Lara made was general. Is the member vote, we will give you a 30 per cent pay rise. It is not for Burwood taking the statement as a personal costed, but we think we can fudge the books and statement? somehow make this happen’. But guess what Mr Watt — Yes, I take personal offence. happened? Government members said everything to everybody just so they could get elected. Now that they Honourable members interjecting. are in government, all those teachers — who teach students who deserve a good education — are saying, The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I ask all ‘Hang on, we trusted what you said. You said you members of the house to take a deep breath. I ask the would make us the highest paid teachers in the nation’. member for Lara to withdraw the offending remark. But guess what happened? Teachers have been offered a pay rise of 2.5 per cent. That does not even cover the

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 695 consumer price index increases or any other increases Ms Ryall — Never. in the cost of living that are now coming through. That is an absolute disgrace, and the teachers will not forgive Mr BURGESS — Have they once said they could those opposite for that. I have already spoken to a have done better? number of teachers, and let me tell you, you do not want to upset the teachers — and members opposite Ms Ryall — No. have done that in their first 100 days. Mr BURGESS — Not one of them; and yet many I will refer to two news articles published today. The of them, particularly in the Bracks government but also first is from today’s Herald Sun and is headed ‘Pay rise in the Brumby government, were the same snivelling showdown looms’, and the second is an editorial in the creatures. What did they do? As the shadow Treasurer Age headed ‘The Premier owes Victorians an said in his contribution today, they managed to keep the explanation’. These are just in today’s media. This is budget in the black for each of their years. How hard why those opposite are here before us today with a would that be? Seriously, when you go out and tax the matter of public importance — to justify their existence Victorian people as much and as often as you like, how and to make all the excuses under the sun for why they hard is it to stay in the black? cannot commit to the promises they made before the An honourable member — And borrow. election. That is what this day is about and what the matter before us is about — using us to somehow find Mr BURGESS — And borrow, and at the end of excuses for them not to commit to their promises. That your term end up in massive debt again. Who would is exactly what it is. not be able to keep the budget in the black? For years now I have heard from the now opposition members Let me go through some of the list. There is the how fantastic they were that they kept the AAA scrapping of the regional rail link — I wish I had rating — after the Kennett government got it back for another half-hour — and the police numbers. Ted them. They kept the AAA. Who could not keep a AAA Baillieu is on record as having said that if he got into when they had gone from $19 billion in revenue to government he would put an extra 70 police on the beat $45 billion in revenue? If that was applied to your in Geelong. Do you know how many we have? We household, it would mean you had doubled your have eight. This is the man — — income, and should you be applauded simply because The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The you were able to live within that? I do not think so. This member’s time has expired. is most disgraceful — probably worse than the Cain and Kirner performances. Not only did those opposite Mr BURGESS (Hastings) — It is a pleasure to rise double the income and spend the lot, but they left this to speak on this matter of public importance. The state in $30 billion of debt again. How can they hold modern Labor Party really is a disgrace. It has let down their heads up? its history and let down those who have come before. The Labor Party has traded in its ideologies and What is really interesting about it is when things were principles for power and for government. Really the clearly not going well — and under the Brumby and best description of its attitude is by reference to what Bracks governments that was quite often — it was Graham Richardson said: ‘Whatever it takes’. That is always someone else’s fault. I remember listening to precisely what the previous Labor government did to contributions at the time from the shadow Treasurer, keep power in this state. the now Treasurer, of this state, in which he would point out the various things the Premier would say were We can go back and look at the Cain and Kirner years. the problems: ‘The Australian dollar is too high; ‘Oh The government was $30 billion in debt and had to no, the Australian dollar is too low; ‘No, hang on, it is borrow money. drought this time; ‘No, it is floods’. Every time there was a reason: ‘It was the Rudd government; ‘No, hang Ms D’Ambrosio interjected. on, it was the Howard government’. It was anything but the problem of the previous government, and that was The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The member where the problem was. for Mill Park has had her opportunity. Let us go through a few examples of those, shall we? Mr BURGESS — It had to borrow money to pay its Myki was going to cost $494 million — it is now employees, something that is unheard of. Have you $1.4 billion and we are still struggling to find out where ever heard anyone from the other side even admit they the end of that debt is. got anything wrong?

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696 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Ms Ryall — How much? they understand how business works, but they do not. They spent $9 million. Mr BURGESS — It is $1.4 billion. There is the desalination plant, and the shadow Treasurer is sitting at Ms Ryall — How much? the table. This is something the shadow Treasurer should really be proud of. The desalination plant will Mr BURGESS — They spent $9 million on a cost $23 billion. program called Gold Undercover, which means the gold is in the ground, but how much do you think Ms Ryall — How much? licences increased in Victoria?

Mr BURGESS — It will cost $23 billion — that is, Ms Ryall — How much? $654 million a year — whether we use it or not. What a disgrace. The former government has run up 30 years Mr BURGESS — None. Some $9 million was of debt. The shadow Treasurer is seriously challenging spent from 2006 to 2009 with no result at all. What a that ‘great’ member of Parliament, Peter Batchelor, a wonderful process that was. former member for Thomastown, who was at that time known for myki, fast rail and the smart meters, which I Another thing worth mentioning is that over the time of will come to in a moment. the previous government manufacturing fell to about 11 per cent, as a share of the economy, and Victorian Mr R. Smith interjected. exports were at an all-time low at 22 per cent. If I were responsible for those sorts of things, I would be hiding Mr BURGESS — Yes. He probably cost this state my head in shame, but somehow members of the Labor about $4 billion. The shadow Treasurer has surpassed Party, who seem to have more front than Myers, turn up that. He has cost this state $24 billion over 30 years. every day and keep saying, ‘But we got it right’. Not What a great achievement that is. one of them over there has yet apologised or even admitted that they got it wrong. Regional fast rail was going to cost $80 million. How do you go from $80 million to $839 million? How does This government has already introduced legislation to that happen? Did we ever hear an explanation of that? I abolish suspended sentences, legislation to expand the did not hear it, and I do not think anybody heard it. functions of Victoria Police protective services officers, legislation to give principals the power to ban, search Earlier I referred to smart meters. The original cost of for and seize weapons, legislation to enable tough new $800 million has blown out to $2.2 billion. What did penalties for drunken, loutish and threatening behaviour the Auditor-General have to say about it? — ‘no and legislation for new offences to deal with drunks discernible benefit’. It is $2.2 billion but there is no hanging around. We have improved ministerial discernible benefit. I would look away too, shadow standards in Parliament by amending the standing Treasurer. orders to require ministers to answer questions and limit answers — it is a pity that it has not had any effect on I refer to taxpayer-funded advertising. We have already the opposition. It has announced amendments to started to cut into that and will reduce it by 40 per cent. standing orders that would require members of The coalition government is also reducing excessive Parliament to be financially penalised for poor ministerial advisers and spin doctors by 25 per cent. behaviour in Parliament. We have also released the It will take sometime to overcome the problems the details, much to the chagrin of the opposition, of previous government created as far as the running down Labor’s desalination plant. It will cost $23 billion over of infrastructure when compared to growth throughout 30 years — what a disgrace! We have also released the state is concerned, but we are doing that and we will new datasets to improve the transparency of Victoria’s get it done. health system, halved liquor licensing fees for 10 000 small businesses and commenced an expert There is one other interesting program worth independent review of the state’s finances. mentioning which has recently come to my attention, and that is a fantastic program called Gold Undercover. It is a pleasure to speak on this matter of public That program, which was put out by the previous importance because it gives us the opportunity to revisit government in 2006, was aimed at increasing mining in the circumstances of the previous two governments and Victoria. It ran from 2006 to 2009. As I say, the aim to compare them with the government of the Kennett was to increase mining. Typically Labor members think era, which governed for just 7 years. Yet for the 11 years that the opposition was in government, it continued to blame the Kennett government for all the

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 697 problems it confronted and all the problems it left for Ms PIKE — Yes, and they are also arrogant and out the new government. Even in opposition, Labor of touch. members have still been blaming the Kennett government, yet the Liberals have been in charge of The question is why this is the case. Why is this so? this state for just 7 of the last 28 years. Why have we seen 100 days characterised by cheap political stunts, superficial ideas and populist rhetoric, There is a stark contrast between the performance of the and why is the new government so eager to denigrate so Kennett government and the performance of the Cain, many actions of the past 11 years that Victorian Bracks and Brumby governments. I have gone through businesses, citizens, health workers, education workers, the various matters that reflect the poor performance of communities, local governments and individuals the recent Labor governments, and it is clear that they themselves were engaged in? Forget the actions of really made a mess of Victoria — — government; let us just remember that for the past 11 years people in this community worked in The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The partnership with the government and put their own member’s time has expired. hands to the wheel to continue to build a strong Victoria. Every time we see the kind of rhetoric that is Ms PIKE (Melbourne) — I am very happy to speak in this MPI it is a direct insult to and denigration of on this matter of public importance (MPI) today, firstly, their contribution — the things they initiated, the things because Victorians really need to know what this Victorians created, the things the Bracks and Brumby government has been doing in the last 100 days, and governments backed and resourced and supported them secondly, because I think the way this MPI is framed to do. It is a direct insult to every single Victorian who reveals for all to see that the new government has now acted in partnership with those governments. made it very clear that it has no intention whatsoever of taking any responsibility for governing this state. It has What is the answer to that question? Why have we seen no intention of taking any responsibility for continuing this happen? I think it is because the new government to build a prosperous and vibrant economy and a fair has no ideological position other than self-interest. It and just society for Victoria. Rather, what the has no sophisticated policy framework. It has no plan, government will attempt to do as an excuse for not no purpose and no compelling story or framework on governing is create a scenario and fabricate a story of which to hang any sophisticated contemporary policy previous misadministration. Of course all that will do is answers for the future. That is why government justify its failure to deliver on its own election members are just flailing around. They remind me of commitments and also fudge the fact that it is clearly one of those blow-up creatures that you sometimes see without any vision, any passion, any ideals and any out on the Hume Highway in front of businesses, just compelling narrative to take this state forward. bobbing around and flailing in the wind, jumping on this and that as they stumble along blindly, because The consequence of that lack of vision and passion is they have no framework. They have no strong, 100 days of absolute inertia. So much so that after this profound ideological position. short period of time — it is generally called a honeymoon period — we have an editorial in today’s You just have to look at some of the big questions that Age headed ‘The Premier owes Victorians an are confronting our society. What about health? Where explanation’, which says: is the vision for a healthy community? Where is the vision for disease prevention? Where is the research on The Baillieu government needs to level with Victorians about which of its pre-election promises are going to be, or are in intervention on the big questions of cancer, cardiac danger of being, dumped or deferred … disease and diabetes? Where is the story-line, the framework, the policy parameter? It is nowhere. Where It concludes: in education is the goal that every single child be … it is disturbing to think who or what might be next. afforded the opportunity for a great education? Where Victorians deserve to know. is the goal to lift people out of their own particular and unique circumstances so that they can have every Whilst those opposite do not like to hear this editorial opportunity to shine? Where is the goal to use repeated, the reality is that they have not heard; let us education to enhance the productivity of our state and hope they open their ears and their eyes — — society? All we have is short-sighted, populist rubbish about searching kids’ bags or responding punitively to An honourable member interjected. what are very complex social issues. We get superficial responses to complex social issues. Where is the vision for social cohesion and inclusion, community building

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698 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 partnerships, the development of social and economic some of the commitments that have already been capital and environmental sustainability? Where, oh, honoured by the Baillieu government. We have where are these visions? Instead, all we have is hollow, introduced legislation for protective service officers on tedious, revisionist rhetoric of blame — and the public railway stations to make our railway stations places of is picking up on it. The Age has picked up on it safety. We have abolished suspended sentences. We articulately today. have introduced legislation to deal with drunks hanging around licensed venues. We have released the shameful In conclusion I want to draw the house’s attention to costs of the desalination plant. We have introduced another article that is in the Age today and is headed year-round concessions on electricity bills. We have ‘Class action chalks up results’. It is the story of the ended what would have been a $20 million waste absolute transformation of public education in putting fairy lights on the West Gate Bridge. That was a Victoria’s northern region. It talks about the challenges fine priority of the previous government — fairy lights that were facing that community, and it says: on the West Gate Bridge! It would have looked great, wouldn’t it? We have secured a better deal from Julia Three years after the reform began, every set of data is improving in the region, including VCE and NAPLAN Gillard on health funding, unlike the efforts of the results, attendance, staff, student and parent opinion present Leader of the Opposition when he was the surveys … Minister for Health.

It is a huge story of improvement and turnaround in Coalition members of Parliament have always had a education in the Broadmeadows region. very broad base of ideas; it is a broad church. Many of the members on this side of the house have had genuine This is the very subject of last night’s adjournment business experience, and we are used to balancing debate when, in some puerile attempt to score political budgets and getting projects completed on time and on points, the Minister for Education denigrated this budget. The reason is simple: we have to in small Broadmeadows education project. In doing so he also business, because if we do not, it is our money on the denigrated every single visionary educator, every single line. It is my house and my money on the line. And that teacher who gave up their job and every single member is how we should be treating the people of Victoria’s of that community who came together and said, ‘We money: as our money. It is all our money. want to do something for our kids’. In the coalition’s attempt to denigrate the previous government all it did Many coalition ministers actually have experience in was throw mud all over the passion and vision of every their ministries. The Treasurer is a certified practising community member who wanted to stand up for their accountant (CPA). Members opposite might laugh at community and for the government that backed them that, but he is a CPA; he actually is an accountant. This on that vision by providing them with the resources to is a fundamental difference. Coalition members have do it. put their money on the line. We do have business experience, unlike most of the members opposite, who In excusing itself for its lack of vision and action, in have come from a union official background. Labor doing nothing over the last 100 days and in constantly governments and ministers have a history of financial trying to sheet home blame to the previous government, mismanagement and allowing capital projects to run this Baillieu government, in essence, denigrates every well over budget. One only has to look at the financial courageous and decent-minded Victorian citizen who mismanagement of the Cain and Kirner governments to has wanted something better for their own communities see that was their hallmark. I remind members in the over the last 11 years and whom we backed and worked house of the loss of the State Bank of Victoria, the with to develop those communities. Pyramid collapse, which greatly affected my hometown This matter of public importance reveals so much more of Geelong, and the Tricontinental disaster. Those are about where the lack of ideological vision and just a few examples for the members present to hear. perspective is for this government. What we can expect The Bracks and Brumby governments, on the other more of over the next few years is half-hearted, shallow hand, had a litany of capital projects that ran well over attempts to respond in a quick, populist manner and no budget and well over time. Let us examine some of the long-term framework for building a sustainable main culprits: No. 1 on the list is the Wonthaggi Victoria. desalination plant. The original budgeted cost of Mr KATOS (South Barwon) — I rise in support of $3.1 billion has increased to $5.7 billion — $2.6 billion the matter of public importance submitted by the over budget. It is no wonder the union movement has Treasurer this morning. To start with I will look at nicknamed the desalination plant Treasure Island. That is where the $2.6 billion over budget has gone —

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 699 repaying favours to union mates. To make matters budget. That is a total of $40 million over budget for worse, the running costs of the plant are $653 million projects simply in the Geelong region. That $40 million per year — and it may not even deliver one drop of at the moment could have paid for building the water. And who pays for this? It is the Victorian secondary college in Torquay and also for a second taxpayer. What person with any sound management primary school for that town. The blow-outs in costs of skills would sign a contract for $653 million when the previous government are now at $11.917 billion and potentially the plant may not deliver one drop of water? counting. To put that in context, that is a quarter of the The answer is the Brumby Labor government and the state budget. That is enough to run the health or the previous minister, the member for Lyndhurst, who is at education budget for a year. It is staggering when it is the table as we speak. put in that context.

Let us take another example: myki. It has cost Since entering this place I have heard honourable $1.4 billion and counting. What I cannot understand is members opposite stand up on the adjournment and ask why the previous government did not go out and seek a ministers for additional funding for projects in their ticketing system that fitted the requirements of electorates. Many of them are worthy projects, and they Melbourne. Why did it not go to see what operates in have every right to ask ministers questions around cites like Singapore, London and Tokyo? Why did it funding, but perhaps if they considered all the overruns not find a system that worked and replicate that system that have gone down the gurgler — the waste and here? That is what should have been done. If it had, we mismanagement — not only would all these projects would have had a ticketing system up and running for have been built but we would be building more projects well under the cost of what the previous government now. did. It simply tried to reinvent the wheel at the expense of the Victorian taxpayer. So when opposition members consider raising matters on the adjournment with new government ministers How much additional rolling stock could that perhaps they should consider their 11 years of waste $1.4 billion have bought? How much signalling and and mismanagement. From all the debate I have heard new tracks could have been installed? It could have in the chamber today, it appears that, no matter what eased the pressure on our rail network right across the spin the Labor leopard opposite wants to put on what it state. In Geelong, for example, it could have paid for has or has not achieved, the bottom line is that a leopard the duplication of the track from the Geelong tunnel to never changes its spots: it will always mismanage the the proposed marshalling yards at Waurn Ponds and for economy, and it will always mismanage cost and the building of those marshalling yards. It could have capital projects. paid for the building of the new Grovedale station that the coalition has committed to. It could have provided Mr SCOTT (Preston) — In a way it tires me to six services per hour to Melbourne, with plenty of respond to some of the comments made by previous change left over which could have been used to speakers. Really — a leopard changing its spots! It is a supplement services to Ballarat, Bendigo and other pity some people gave up their day jobs. This has been parts of regional Victoria on the rail network. not so much a matter of public importance but a matter of self-importance. We heard from the member for While talking about rail let us talk about regional fast Caulfield, who seemed to be suggesting that the federal rail — another squandering of $880 million of grants commission is somehow the responsibility of the taxpayers money. To make matters worse, as the Victorian opposition. It is an intriguing proposition. I Treasurer mentioned earlier, the previous government was unaware of our great power in that area, but I stand forgot to include not only the cost of signalling but also corrected. The member for Scoresby — my good the cost of rolling stock — it forgot the cost of the trains friend! — touched upon his preselection. At some point that have to go on the tracks. What level of I will get to why the member for Scoresby is the incompetence have we encountered here? Treasurer, but it does relate to his preselection. The member for Scoresby has sought to eviscerate the In my own electorate of South Barwon and in the opposition in his usual ineffective style, but if one turns Geelong region there are still overruns. They are to his own work, and particularly his concern about perhaps not quite as staggering as in other areas of the debt and the implications for the future of Victoria, it state but they are still there. The upgrade of Geelong makes interesting reading. I know the member for road, or the Princes Highway, ran $30 million or 25 per Scoresby well, and persons who know him well would cent over budget. The Marshall railway station project know that reading large documents perhaps is not was $2 million or 66 per cent over budget. The Barwon necessarily his strong point. His own report tabled in Heads bridge project was $8 million or 20 per cent over this place, the 2010–11 Budget Update, on page 13

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700 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 discusses the state of debt in the various areas of difficult to keep a promise to pay teachers as the highest Victorian government and how over a period of time paid teachers in the land if you budget for zero, zero, the debt will actually decline. It discusses this based on zero. the actions of the previous government: I will check that again. For 2011–12, zero; 2012–13, These and other key financial indicators reinforce Victoria’s zero; 2013–14, zero; and 2014–15, zero. Further, there current AAA credit rating. have been many comments on the public record about It says this in words approved by the Treasurer. I how, ‘We have changed our mind. We have had these presume they were not written by him, because one difficulties’, but frankly I think this is what is referred tends to see the rhetoric of the current Treasurer in the to in economics as a strategic deception whereby you first few pages and then it seems to die out. However, seek to create an impression that is perhaps a little he has had a report tabled in Parliament that states that different to what you are doing, because if you are these and other current financial indicators reinforce promising to do something and have allocated nothing Victoria’s current AAA credit rating. to do it, perhaps it is not going to happen.

An honourable member — When was this? When? I know that may not be the case in the world of Yates When? Partners and long lunches, but in the real world if you allocate nothing, it will not happen. I regard this as Mr SCOTT — In this current Parliament. I will get being a particularly interesting broken promise, because to some of the Treasurer’s other quotes. it would seem to me that from day 1 it was not going to happen. It is a particular point that I am sure we will Mr Wells — Read the mid year report. return to during the term, and I am sure that Yates Partners ticked off on that one over lunch, but I am sure Mr SCOTT — I will get to the mid year report; I that it will be one — — will be most happy to. I do not understand why the Treasurer would want to proceed down that track, but I Mr Andrews interjected. will be quite happy to. The current Premier, when asked about the state of the finances after being elected and Mr SCOTT — As has been stated, it paid for the being briefed by Treasury, stated: lunch! Now we come to the mid year financial report. It was tabled again by the lunch partner there. It seems to The preliminary advice we have now received is that there are relate to a net result from transactions, a net operating no surprises in the financial position … so we will be balance for the state of Victoria and the general proceeding with our commitments. government sector of $340 million — that is a That was on 1 December 2010. On 21 December the surplus — and $482 million respectively, so that is a current Treasurer said: surplus.

In short, the coalition government stands by every single one We have a situation where according to documents of its commitments. tabled by the lunch-a-lot — sorry — the member for Scoresby we have a surplus, but because of the That is an intriguing proposition, because we are fully government’s financial difficulties it has to be breaking aware that teachers would find that to be a surprising promises to teachers. But hang on, those promises were proposition — — costed at nothing, not a dollar. Mr Holding interjected. Mr Andrews interjected. Mr SCOTT — Indeed — every one except the ones Mr SCOTT — Exactly. If a promise does not cost we’re breaking! However, that particular commitment anything, surely any change of circumstance would not was never intended to be correct, because if one affect whether it is going to be kept or not. I am sure examines the Yates Partners document, which was that is an issue the member for Scoresby could drafted a few days before the election in the quiet of the enlighten us on — perhaps even over lunch! I am sure night — and the Yates Partners lunch partner seems to Mary Bluett from the Australian Education Union will have disappeared at this point — the teachers pay find that to be something of great interest and increases over three years are very interesting. I wonder something that will be a real highlight of their future what they are? I might have to check them over the negotiations, which we understand are ongoing. They four-year estimate: the first year recurrent figure is zero; will be very interested that not a dollar was allocated to the next year figure is zero; the next year figure is zero; the teachers pay increases to make them the best paid and the year after that figure is zero. So it will be very teachers in Australia, because strangely enough that

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 701 would seem to be a strategic deception, which is quite It is interesting, as other members on the government common in negotiations but unfortunately does not tend side have mentioned in their addresses, that we can see to work when it is known by the other party. Anyway, I very clearly history repeating itself. By that I mean the digress. fact that we have an incoming coalition government having to sort out the true financial position of the state, The member for Swan Hill was so confused that on because it is one of those situations that inevitably three separate occasions he referred to the current comes when we come into government that we have to government as the Brumby government. Now, unless get in there and navigate our way through the inevitable there is some sort of Queensland-style coup d’état that financial mess that exists and get to the bottom of the he is involved in outside of Parliament and there is reality in terms of the financial position. Having done going to be some sort of move that we are unaware of, I that and having followed the only responsible, efficient do not think that is likely to be true, but it shows a great and effective methodology that we can to sort it out, we insight into the level of confidence and the level of then have to chart a responsible and attainable course self-regard that ministers in the current government back into a financially responsible and well-managed have that they regard the government as the previous position. government — an interesting state of affairs. As we have heard from the Treasurer himself in this I also noted the slightly post modern critique of capital place, under every stone that is turned over, in every markets that was made by the member for Swan Hill, area that is looked into, there is a new disaster, a new because I presume that the member for Scoresby will financial black hole to be discovered or a new secret be doing a tour of capital markets to discuss these sorts deal or contract that has been hidden from the taxpayers of issues after the budget, and he will have to introduce of Victoria. These are difficult arrangements to get to them to the new world where Yates Partners is a more the bottom of, and the Treasurer and his team have had important agency than Standard and Poor’s and to spend time trying to ascertain what the real and true Moody’s. I never knew; I thought that the Greens were position is. more the post modernist party, but unfortunately I think the member for Scoresby will head off, and he can As other members from the government benches have think of the words of the member for Swan Hill as he outlined so eloquently today, there are a whole range of wanders around and discusses with them their own examples that we can look at. I want to look at just a inadequacies and unimportance with the ratings couple, including what is probably the winner, which is partners and with the capital markets, but they will have the desalination plant. It is interesting to reflect on the no regard to such things. history of the desalination plant. It was a very strong coalition policy going into the 2006 state election. The I did note the fact that the budget is in surplus and that coalition policy was very clear and it was to build a there is a AAA credit rating that has been inherited. It modest-sized desalination plant so that we would be seems to be held as of no regard. In the world of Yates able to supplement our other natural water resources. I Partners and long lunches and where you promise remember very clearly that the Labor Party totally things that cost nothing, where you are going to make mocked the coalition policy at that time and dismissed people the highest paid teachers in the country, that it out of hand. As soon as the election was over in 2006, may be true, but in the real world that will not be the within a couple of months Labor had trotted out the case. very same policy, claiming it as its own great brainwave — ‘How smart we are!’ — having just Mr ANGUS (Forest Hill) — It gives me pleasure to pilloried the coalition policy a very short time earlier. rise to speak in favour of this matter of public importance. I begin by congratulating the Treasurer and The difference was that the desalination plant put his team for the excellent work that he has been forward by members of the then Labor government was undertaking in trying to get to the bottom of the real not a practical factory for water resources; it was to be a position of the state’s finances. It is a very difficult job, monument to themselves. By that I mean that it was and it certainly takes some time. As an auditor, I can going to be one of the largest in the world. In my view appreciate to some degree the hard work and effort that it is a monument to the previous government’s needs to go into trying to sort out the financial state of administration in that it is a monument to its financial affairs for the state of Victoria. It is certainly not incompetence and financial irresponsibility. The real something that can be done very quickly, but it needs to costs of this project have been hidden for so long from be done thoroughly and carefully so we can get to an Victorian taxpayers — that is, the construction costs, accurate position in relation to these financial matters. the operating costs and the other secret deals and backroom business that has gone on to make that

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702 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 project come online, not that it has come online yet, but That member promised unconditionally to a local to get it to the position where it will. community group a particular sum of money, some $60 000, in the dying days of the campaign. That was Others have eloquently outlined the legacy we are left an unconditional guarantee, and of course when the with, which is the fact that we, our children and our coalition took over the reins, came into government and grandchildren will pay $23 billion over the next started looking into it the money was not there. The 30 years. That is nine zeroes following the ‘23’, a local people have been let down and misled. I am sure staggering amount of money that the former Labor all my colleagues on this side of the house can cite government has lassoed the taxpayers of Victoria into. examples in their own electorates of these sorts of For all of us, our children and our grandchildren to be misleading and financially irresponsible matters. left with this financial millstone around our necks for the next 30 years is a shameful situation. The annual It is now up to us, the new government in Victoria, to cost will be over $550 million per annum, and that is sort out this mess. Having a quick look at the without even turning the tap on. How could you get newspaper just this morning I saw an interesting into a more financially irresponsible situation than that? example. The article is in the Herald Sun and has the It will go down in Victoria’s history as one of the great headline ‘Bungle leaves hospital limping’. It says: financial millstones for the state of Victoria. Victoria’s new $1 billion Royal Children’s Hospital will be We can go to a range of other examples, which again hamstrung when it opens because of a computer bungle. have been outlined by other members. The next one on The Herald Sun can reveal that a hospital proposal for a new my list is the whole myki debacle. The estimated cost IT system in late 2009 was overlooked by the former of the project was less than $500 million; so far the government. meter is still running flat out and we are at Overlooked! The new building has been built, but there $1400 million. That is just a lazy $900 million overrun, is nothing to run it with. The article goes on to say: and there is no product to show for it. Who in the world would keep paying good money after bad in a situation Patient records will instead have to be managed on ‘ tired and where there is no deliverable? This reflects the previous outdated’ systems — including paper records … government’s mentality about paying out money with … no accountability or deliverability. Myki will go down in the history books of this great state as an absolute Opposition health spokesman Gavin Jennings said the former financial disaster and as a legacy of the previous Labor government was considering the project for its 2011–12 government. budget — had it been re-elected. This is another example of a situation where Labor has At the other end of the scale — because not everything gone out with much fanfare and left a legacy of has to be at the top end of the scale — we can look at incomplete projects and financial failings. There is so the Marshall railway station. The original promised cost much I could talk about, such as the enormously of that project was $3 million. Lo and behold, the accelerating government debt that other members have project was done but the final cost was $5 million. It is talked about. just a lazy 66 per cent overrun. I equate that to a member in this room who is building a house getting a Let me conclude by again congratulating the Treasurer quote from the builder for $300 000 and then a bill for and his team on their diligence, hard work and $500 000. How does that work? How can the cost of perseverance in sorting out the financial mess left by something go out of control by that enormous Labor and getting to the bottom of these matters. Not percentage? It reflects that it has not been managed only are they informing us in this place, but they are properly and brought back under financial control. That also informing the Victorian taxpayers and revealing example is on the micro scale. We have the macro scale the true position of the state’s finances. on one hand, with the big projects like the desalination plant and myki, and then there are a whole range of other things along that scale between those and smaller projects.

Everywhere you look you see reflections of this financial mismanagement. It is a dreadful legacy for the people of Victoria. Even in my own seat of Forest Hill I have already come across a situation of a last-minute unfunded election promise by the previous member.

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COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY need for an urban fire brigade, and Boronia was very AMENDMENT (VOLUNTEER CHARTER) quick to hop on board. On 29 July 1942 Boronia Fire BILL 2011 Brigade was registered with the Country Fire Brigades Board, and in 1972 a decision was made to go with a Second reading semi-paid crew of almost half career firefighters and half volunteers. Debate resumed from 22 March; motion of Mr RYAN (Police and Emergency Services). The Boronia brigade responds to 1000 callouts per year and attends not only local incidents but also wildfires Mrs VICTORIA (Bayswater) — When I left off and fires in city buildings. Some of their volunteers yesterday I was talking about two of the volunteer fire have responded to thousands of callouts and have been brigades in the district of Bayswater, the Bayswater and with the brigade for many years. There is also a junior the Boronia Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades. fire brigade to help to train the next generation. As I They are slightly different in their make-up: the said yesterday, the busiest brigade anywhere in Boronia brigade has almost a 50-50 split of what are region 13 is Boronia, and its members do things to the known as career or paid firefighters and volunteers, absolute nth degree and with the greatest of whereas Bayswater has a team of 100 per cent professionalism. volunteers. The purpose of the bill before us and the amendment to I would like to make special mention of the Bayswater the act is to ensure that the volunteer charter, which was brigade. When I was first preselected and then elected introduced in 2001, is respected and brought up to date as the member for Bayswater it was under the watchful and that the interests of and impacts on volunteers are eye of Captain Craig Ferguson, who is an amazingly considered before any changes are made. It is designed inspirational man. His wife, Diana, continues on as the to set guidelines for the deployment of our CFA 2IC at Bayswater CFA station. Currently the gentleman volunteers and also to define the roles and at the helm is Captain Matthew Taranto, who has responsibilities not only of the firefighters but also of carried on very much in the footsteps of Craig the communications and peripheral staff. Ferguson. In his second-reading speech the minister said: Something like 97 per cent of the CFA’s human resources are engaged on a volunteer basis, which is an The Country Fire Authority … is responsible for the astounding number and one of the highest numbers prevention and suppression of fires in outer suburban Melbourne and the country areas of Victoria. anywhere in the world. We should be very proud of that. Australians are very good at volunteering whether Talk of prevention and suppression brings to mind an it be with the emergency services sector or the services initiative of the Bayswater CFA, called ‘control line’, sector, such as involvement through Rotary and which is now run statewide. Control line is all about community groups and that sort of thing. But at the incident management and training, and I have had the emergency services level there is a need to train the great pleasure of being able to sit in on control line volunteers to the next highest level, and that is activities in Bayswater, usually in the Knox area. It is something the CFA has always done extremely well. all about incident control and bringing the volunteers up My two brigades train every week, and they require that to scratch. It brings together all the emergency services training be done. They clean their fire engines on the such as the State Emergency Service, the police and the weekend, and I have seen them doing that. It is all part ambulance and fire services. Mock incidents are staged of the training and they do look incredibly spick and and lectures are delivered by visiting experts from span. Europe, the UK and America to make sure our volunteers are the most highly trained, professional The volunteer charter makes sure that the CFA volunteers anywhere in the world. We are very proud of recognises the needs of its volunteers prior to entering them here in Victoria. any negotiations or agreements with the United Firefighters Union. That is incredibly important. There As I said, the Boronia brigade is a little bit different in was a time when I was lobbied by local firefighters its make-up. In 1942, long before I was around, a public about the safety and quality of their uniforms and the meeting was called in Boronia at which it was decided fact that there were better and safer uniforms available that a fire brigade was desperately needed. It is amazing to them but they were being held up at a higher to be able to step back in time and look at the administrative level. I found that incredibly motivation for that decision. The increasing threat of a disappointing; these people put their lives on the line Japanese attack during World War II resulted in the for us as a community. If my house, God forbid, were

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704 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 to catch fire tomorrow, it is a local volunteer brigade should support the charter, because the charter is the that would attend. I want those people who give up creation of what was then the Bracks and Brumby their time and are away from their work and their governments. families to be protected in the best way they can be. It has not always been the case that their best interests I am very pleased to support this bill, and the have been at the heart of the CFA’s decision making. opposition is pleased to support the bill. It has been This bill will strengthen the respect we need to have for very interesting to listen to some of the contributions by these volunteers. members of the government. I guess some of them are quite young and have not been here that long, but I Other states have volunteer charters. In South Australia would like to take them back a few years. Some of the volunteer charter applies to the Country Fire Service them are not so young, but they are new and perhaps as well as to the South Australian state emergency need a little reminding of where we were, where the service. It is very similar in its nature to the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) was, when the Bracks charter, in that it demands that the best possible government came to office. outcomes for the volunteers are sought in negotiations about progression. In Queensland the Rural Fire Just to remind some of the new members who are now Service operates a similar charter, which was very supportive of the CFA — and that is to be introduced in 2008. One of the newest charters on the absolutely applauded — until 1998 the CFA volunteers block is that of New South Wales. On 3 March the had so little support that they had to provide their own NSW Minister for Emergency Services announced a boots, so it is all very well to hear government members new volunteer charter for the Rural Fire Service. Again say this is terrific and this supports the CFA, but it a very similar type of outcome is projected, and it will actually took a Labor government to ensure that the only strengthen and protect the volunteers who give so CFA had adequate funding and dedicated funding much of themselves. rounds for their ongoing support.

I am delighted that the people who help us will now be I live in a place called Bullengarook, which is a very supported and that that support will be strengthened. fire-prone area on the edge of Wombat State Forest. They have supported the community in the past, not Our local Bullengarook CFA brigade does a brilliant only through their firefighting activities but also job, as do all of the brigades across the Macedon through their community activities. I have even had the Ranges. They work incredibly hard. I think it was Bayswater Fire Brigade come and play Santa in the mentioned last night by a couple of members that not local shopping centre at Christmas time where some of only do they look after their own backyard — and the junior officers were Santa’s helpers. They had an thank God they do — but they will travel great absolute ball, and the community loved seeing them out distances during campaign fires, and some of them can and about in their turnout gear and uniforms, although be away for a week or more, giving up recreation leave Santa was dressed as Santa. They were very proud to be or taking time off from their workplaces, often to the standing there as CFA personnel, and I was very proud detriment of their own families. We have seen during to be alongside them. The delight on the faces of Black Saturday and other major fires such as Ash children was very evident. Wednesday that brigade members were at the station — we had one controller in Macedon during Ash This is a fantastic bill. I believe those on the other side Wednesday — and while they were out there helping are supporting it, and I am so pleased that they see others, their own properties were being burnt. So they common sense and that this needs a bipartisan do put their communities ahead of their own properties, approach. We need to respect our CFA volunteers who and they are to be commended for that. give of their time freely and without asking for anything in return, as well as all of our emergency Until one has a relationship with a local brigade and personnel. with brigade members it is impossible to understand how much work they actually do and how much they Ms DUNCAN (Macedon) — I would like to support give of themselves. On Sunday mornings when we hear the statements made by the member for Bayswater and that siren going and brigade members are going off to to remind her that of course the opposition will be their Sunday morning training, that is just a small part supporting this bill, because this charter, which has now of what they do. Despite the fact that they are unpaid recently been signed by this new government, is volunteers, they are a professional fire service. Their completely unchanged from that created by Labor, training is second to none, and they do a brilliant job. except for reflecting the name change to the volunteers They have to do a lot of training. That training regime association. It is not at all surprising that the opposition has been ramped up in recent years. They do much

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 705 more now than they have ever done in the past, and that number of brigades in my electorate that would have shows in the way in which they conduct themselves and been funded had we won the last election that how efficient they are at putting out fires. apparently will not be funded under the new government. I think that is a great shame, and it is not Some would argue that over the years as a state and as a demonstrative of a government that supports the country we have been quite good at putting out fires. In CFA — that is, the government’s commitment is the old days many of those fires would have burnt for considerably less, not just a little less but a lot less than much longer and over greater areas. Some would argue we had committed to achieving when in government, that our efficiency at putting out fires has enabled fuel which was building on the amount of funding that we loads to increase over the last 100 years or so to what had already committed over the last 11 years. they are today. However, we support this charter, as I have said. Why would we not? It is basically the charter Under this government brigades in my electorate that that was signed first by Premier Steve Bracks in 2001 are apparently now not going to be funded include and signed again in 2008, and now we are seeing it those at Lancefield and Newham, while the satellite being put into legislation, which is what this bill before stations at Bolinda, Monegeetta, Cherokee, Wildwood, the house does. Tantaraboo, Darraweit Guim and Hesket-Kerrie are apparently now off the radar as well. These are stations The bill will amend the Country Fire Authority that would have been funded had we been returned to Act 1958 to recognise the CFA as a volunteer-based office and had another term of government. I support organisation. This bill recognises the volunteer charter. this bill; the opposition supports this bill. As I have said It recognises that the charter requires the CFA to value, before, why would we not support it? respect and promote the contribution of volunteers to their wellbeing and their safety as well as to the safety We have a proud record of commitment to the CFA. of the community. It recognises the charter and When we were in office we more than tripled the recognises that the government and the CFA must CFA’s budget. In the 2010–11 year the CFA has a consult with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria on behalf budget of $399 million — an increase of 251 per cent of the volunteers on any matter that might reasonably from the $113.8 million budget when we first came to be expected to affect them. It recognises that the CFA office in 1999. Since 1999 an additional in performing its functions must have regard to the 702 firefighting appliances have been provided at a cost commitment and principles set out in the charter. It also of $148 million. We increased the number of full-time recognises the CFA has a responsibility to develop firefighters and introduced the community safety policy and organisational arrangements that maintain emergency support program, which was hugely popular and strengthen the capacity of volunteers, and this is and funded a lot of equipment in the Macedon incredibly important. It is a volunteer service that has electorate. just shy of 60 000 members. Not all of them are active, but many of them are very active. It is a very large We know the CFA does a fabulous job. We know its organisation, and it does need to ensure that all those members are incredibly well trained, but we need to volunteers work well with career firefighters and are ensure that training continues, that they are supported in supported in every way possible, not just in their their training and equipment upgrades and that we training but also in the supply of their equipment, with continue to recognise the valuable services they provide their safety being paramount. to all of our communities.

It is good to see this new government enshrining this I commend this charter to this house and the into legislation, and it has been interesting to hear many amendments to legislation to enable this to occur. I also comments made by government members about their urge the government to fund CFA brigades, not just in support and admiration for the CFA. All of that I fully my electorate of Macedon but across the state. We also support, and it is to be lauded. I would, though, like to need to ensure that their facilities are first class for the point out that before the last election, when we were in first-class services they provide to us. I commend the government, we made some significant commitments bill to the house. to CFA brigades. Over the 11 years that I have represented my area we have seen huge improvements Mr BULL (Gippsland East) — I move: to CFA brigades, in fact too many to number. In more That the debate be now adjourned. recent years the incident control centre being built in Gisborne represents a huge commitment that the Victorian government has made not just to the CFA but to emergency responses across this state. But there are a

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House divided on Mr Bull’s motion: Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs Ayes, 44 Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr Battin, Mr Northe, Mr Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr Noes, 43 Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr Allan, Ms Hulls, Mr McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr Andrews, Mr Hutchins, Ms McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr Barker, Ms Kairouz, Ms McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr Beattie, Ms Knight, Ms Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms Brooks, Mr Languiller, Mr Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms Campbell, Ms Lim, Mr Noes, 43 Carbines, Mr McGuire, Mr D’Ambrosio, Ms Madden, Mr Allan, Ms Hulls, Mr Donnellan, Mr Merlino, Mr Andrews, Mr Hutchins, Ms Duncan, Ms Nardella, Mr Barker, Ms Kairouz, Ms Edwards, Ms Neville, Ms Beattie, Ms Knight, Ms Eren, Mr Noonan, Mr Brooks, Mr Languiller, Mr Foley, Mr Pallas, Mr Campbell, Ms Lim, Mr Garrett, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr Carbines, Mr McGuire, Mr Graley, Ms Perera, Mr D’Ambrosio, Ms Madden, Mr Green, Ms Pike, Ms Donnellan, Mr Merlino, Mr Halfpenny, Ms Richardson, Ms Duncan, Ms Nardella, Mr Helper, Mr Scott, Mr Edwards, Ms Neville, Ms Hennessy, Ms Thomson, Ms Eren, Mr Noonan, Mr Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr Foley, Mr Pallas, Mr Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr Garrett, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr Howard, Mr Graley, Ms Perera, Mr Green, Ms Pike, Ms Motion agreed to. Halfpenny, Ms Richardson, Ms Helper, Mr Scott, Mr Debate adjourned until later this day. Hennessy, Ms Thomson, Ms Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr Howard, Mr REGIONAL GROWTH FUND BILL 2011 Motion agreed to. Second reading

Debate adjourned. Debate resumed from 3 March; motion of Mr RYAN (Minister for Regional and Rural Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections) — I Development). move: Ms ALLAN (Bendigo East) — This legislation is That the debate be adjourned until later this day. not just about regional Victoria. I ask the house: who House divided on motion: made that statement? Whoever made that statement is absolutely spot on when it comes to the Regional Ayes, 44 Growth Fund Bill 2011 that the house is considering Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr because this legislation and the fund proposed by the Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr Liberal-Nationals coalition government is not just about Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr regional Victoria. I ask again: who said ‘This legislation Battin, Mr Northe, Mr

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 707 is not just about regional Victoria.’? The person who Ms ALLAN — It was $1.6 billion that was made that absolutely accurate claim was the Deputy leveraged in new infrastructure for over 393 projects Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural around the state. When we released our five-year Development, the man who runs around the state blueprint Ready for Tomorrow — A Blueprint for claiming to represent regional communities, the same Regional and Rural Victoria last year, it included a man who is part of the Liberal-Nationals coalition that massive $260 million top up for the Regional is now attempting to con regional communities with a Infrastructure Development Fund. It delivered projects policy that has so many flaws. that would never have been built in regional communities — and will not be built into the future The bill would be more appropriately described as the under this Liberal-Nationals conservative coalition. Regional Growth Fudge Bill: it is a complete fudge on regional communities. It is important to go back to the Let us look at the great examples. In addition to new genesis of this legislation. To do that we need to travel schools, new hospitals and new investments in regional back in time to the 1990s when the Regional Victoria, we now have more direct daily flights into and Infrastructure Development Fund Bill 1999 was out of Mildura as a result of RIDF. There have been introduced in this chamber. It was the very first act of upgrades to the Mallacoota, Latrobe and Yarrawonga the then new Labor government. We introduced the airports. There is the fantastic stock over/underpass fund because we recognised that regional communities road safety program to help our dairy farmers. There is needed to be put back on the map after years of neglect the rail trail network that has been built up with RIDF by the previous Liberal-National party government and grants. There have been water for industry programs after cuts and closures. One hundred and seventy-six that have helped industries save water and at the same country schools were closed down and country time save money. There is that shining example in the hospitals and country rail lines were all closed by a north-east of the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, government that the now Minister for Regional and where The Nationals held the preselection for the Rural Development claims he is proud of. In October candidate for Murray Valley. The great tragedy not just 1995 he said in this place, ‘Country Victoria has never for Nationals members but for other regional Victorians had it so good as under this government’. is that that sort of infrastructure just will not be built under the regional growth fudge. The reason is that the When Labor came to government we had to put funds just will not be there, because this government is country Victoria back on the map after the former conning regional communities. I will go through why in Premier had also attacked the regions as the ‘toenails of a moment. the state’. We recognised that there needed to be a dedicated infrastructure fund. This was a policy that It is important to go back to a quote in the Weekly was driven by the former Premier, John Brumby. He Times of last June. Members will recall that when this developed the policy for this fund that was totally policy was released at the end of May last year it was focused on turning things around in regional Victoria. by way of a three-page press release. The editorial in We know this was vigorously opposed by those the Weekly Times had some very good advice that opposite. It was opposed by the Liberal-National party unfortunately has been completely ignored by the opposition. Its members hated this fund at the Leader of The Nationals. It was ‘Don’t take the bush beginning and they hated it while we were in for granted’. With this pale imitation of a fund, the government, when it was delivering projects on the government is doing exactly that: it is taking the bush ground. Their hatred of this fund has led to its abolition for granted. The fund will just not be up to the task of by the bill the house is debating today. Their hatred has delivering. This demonstrates a chronic inability of the spawned this pale imitation of a fund that will just not Liberal-Nationals conservatives on that side to really be up to the task of delivering for regional grasp or understand the policies and programs that are communities. about making a difference in regional communities and that need to be driven and implemented by government. I invite members to look at what the Regional They are policies and programs about growing and Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) achieved. supporting populations who are doing it tough and Through the $611 million that was allocated under this about investing in new projects that are all about fund to 30 June 2010 it was possible to leverage keeping the momentum going in regional Victoria. $1.6 billion in new infrastructure across the regions. Earlier I mentioned the blueprint for regional and rural Mr Wynne — How much? Victoria that the previous Labor government released in the middle of 2010. This came not just as a result of huge effort by the government and the former

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Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Mr Delahunty interjected. Development — and I will come to that former department as well — but also the enormous amount of Ms ALLAN — And I hope you do. The government work that was done in a genuine partnership with local is trying to pull a trick and deceive regional communities around the state. communities. It is going out and saying this is like a magic pudding, where all you have to do is whistle What was the one thing we were told during the twice and turn it around and you can have whatever you countless conversations we held and hundreds of want. This is the government’s attempt at a magic submissions we received? We were told that whatever pudding, where you can have whatever you want out of else we might do in regional Victoria we should not this fund. The problem is that when you open the door touch RIDF. We were told, ‘Don’t take it away; don’t the pantry will be bare because the funding will not be change it. If anything, build on it and do more. Give there. more funding and keep a dedicated regional infrastructure fund’. We listened and topped up that In the last four years of the Labor administration we fund with a massive $260 million. spent $1.6 billion on new education infrastructure, new health infrastructure and regional programs. This Here is a newsflash about a point that is clearly lost on regional growth fudge is providing only $500 million those opposite, because otherwise they would not have over four years. We know this because in a press come up with this hopeless fudge of a program and release on 31 May 2010 the Leader of The Nationals would not be defending it in the chamber today: the said that the Regional Growth Fund will help fund: Regional Infrastructure Development Fund was in addition to and sat aside from other programs operating … upgrades in infrastructure, community facilities and core education and health services … under Regional Development Victoria (RDV). The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is not a dedicated Core education and health services are now being infrastructure fund. I make this point because a delivered through this fund, whereas under Labor they spokesperson for the Leader of The Nationals was came out of the education and health departments. That reported in the Bendigo Advertiser on 28 February was the appropriate way to fund important 2011 as saying: infrastructure projects. This is why the opposition has so many grave concerns about this fund. … the new fund would deliver more than double the annual funding for projects in regional Victoria than the RIDF. I would like to go through some of the opposition’s That is a straight out lie and a con on country concerns regarding the bill. The bill establishes the communities. The RGF is not a dedicated infrastructure Regional Growth Fund, and I note that it is largely fund, and under the RGF infrastructure projects now modelled on Labor’s Regional Infrastructure have to compete with a whole lot of other interests, Development Fund Act 1999. However, it has been worthy projects as they may be. The decision the tweaked quite a bit to accommodate the government’s previous Labor administration took was to fund them pale imitation of a fund. Interestingly, in repealing the separately and not through funds that were dedicated RIDF the government has put in place a number of for regional infrastructure development. We funded a transitional arrangements that refer to the moneys left in dedicated leadership program and programs to help the RIDF trust. I appreciate the briefing I received from businesses grow, expand and invest in regional the government on this matter. However, when communities. We gave small towns their own dedicated questions were asked about what would happen with $50 million funds, and we provided local government the $260 million that Labor set aside in the forward with $21 million under the regional blueprint. estimates for the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund — whether that would sit on top of or be All of this was in addition to the other business of subtracted from the $1 billion — there was no answer. I government. RIDF did not fund new school and think regional Victorians might know the answer very hospital buildings, and it did not fund sport and well. recreation programs. Local government had its own separate funding. These all came through additional The opposition has serious concerns about the projects funding from other government departments. This is a that were committed well before the caretaker period great big con on regional communities by this was entered into last November. The member for government. It is trying to deceive regional Ballarat West and the member for Ballarat East are communities, as it goes out and touts this pale gravely concerned about the $1 million that was imitation — — committed on 16 June for vital upgrades to Eureka Stadium. Anyone who knows anything about footy

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 709 knows how successful the Ballarat Roosters are and pudding, because we appropriately funded the how strong the North Ballarat Football Club is. These Department of Planning and Community Development important upgrades are needed for the club, but what to enable its community support grants program; those has been received following inquiries to the grants were enormously successful in providing funds government? Nothing; nil. This money was committed to interface councils. by the previous government in the middle of last year, but this government cannot deliver it. We took to the last election a number of key commitments regarding those interface councils that Now we come to the really big issue. This bill provides were about supporting local communities. The for a change to the definition of ‘regional Victoria’. We cupboard was also bare for interface communities all thought that was pretty much settled. Under Labor, because of those opposite. By putting two and two 48 councils were listed and received funding through together you get the regional growth fudge, where the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund and interface councils and regional communities are now more broadly through RDV. This bill sneaks in a clause competing for the same bucket of money. So that hands the power to the minister to change, at the Warracknabeal and Werribee are now competing for stroke of a pen, the definition of ‘regional Victoria’. I the same dollar, and Benalla and Berwick are now go back to the minister’s second-reading speech, in competing for the same dollar. This is forcing regions which he says the bill is not just about regional to compete with each other for this funding. Victoria. That is because it is also about the nine interface councils. The reason this has come about is that the government — in one of those sneaky little moves you In his second-reading speech the minister said that the do when you come to government and change a few government would examine ‘other areas that should be things around — has taken the Community Support able to access the RGF’ and would examine ‘the issue Fund away from the Department of Planning and of councils in interface areas’. What this means is that Community Development and sat it within the the minister is removing the parliamentary scrutiny of Department of Treasury and Finance. We well changing those definitions. What is worse is that he is remember the last time this happened. Under the now adding another 1.2 million people who are going Kennett Liberal-Nationals government that money sat to be eligible for funding under the Regional Growth in Treasury, and all of it got spent in postcode area Fund. The population of those nine interface council 3000. areas equals 1.2 million. There is less money, and there are more people involved. The number of people who Sitting suspended 1.02 p.m. until 2.03 p.m. become eligible for the fund will double, and the scope of the fund will increase. Business interrupted pursuant to standing orders.

Before members get too excited about the gas allocation let me return to the history lesson we had DISTINGUISHED VISITOR earlier. Labor funded a natural gas extension program The SPEAKER — Order! Before we begin and accommodated those rural areas and interface questions I would like to acknowledge Mr Michael councils, but we had the courage to come and put that Polley, the Speaker of the Tasmanian House of to the Parliament. The current Minister for Police and Assembly. Welcome to our Parliament, Sir. Emergency Services had a fair bit to say about this issue in the house on 7 May 2003:

In addition nine more councils are going to be sharing in the QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE money. By definition, the original 48 councils are going to find it more difficult to access the fund. Ms Allan — On a point of order, Speaker, I refer to the answer given in question time yesterday by the Those communities are going to find it a damn sight Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business harder when they are competing for every single dollar. and Minister for Tourism and Major Events regarding Every single dollar under the Regional Growth Fund is jobs in regional Victoria. I would appreciate your going to be competed for by interface councils, and it is assistance, Speaker, in having the government clarify going to have more purposes. This is an important for the house just who is the minister responsible for point. regional jobs. The Minister for Regional and Rural Development has previously been that minister, but is it I want to make it absolutely clear that Labor supports now the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small funding to those interface councils. The proof is in the Business?

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710 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011

The SPEAKER — Order! This is not the time for are mindful of cost of living pressures, and where we that. can we will seek to address them. Cost of living: government performance Floods: Gippsland

Mr ANDREWS (Leader of the Opposition) — My Mr BLACKWOOD (Narracan) — My question is question is directed to the Premier. I refer the Premier to the Premier. Will the Premier update the house on to his commitment to keep supermarket prices down, the current flood situation affecting parts of Gippsland? and I ask: is the Premier embarrassed that according to documents released under freedom of information the Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — The sequence of Treasurer has failed to request even one briefing from weather events that Victoria has endured for some his department on ways in which he and the months now continues. Overnight there has been government might reduce the cost of living? another extraordinary flood event in Gippsland. Some 370 millimetres of rainfall was recorded at Tidal River Honourable members interjecting. overnight, with approximately 600 millimetres flowing through the main campsite at Tidal River. Parks The SPEAKER — Order! I will not call the Victoria staff worked with visitors yesterday afternoon Premier until I have quiet in the house. to move people to higher ground and suggested to people that they might like to leave. Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — This is a serious question, but I do not think it comes from a serious In other areas significant rainfall has caused flash Leader of the Opposition. flooding events. There has been some 140 millimetres of rain in the Moe area. Towns impacted the most were Honourable members interjecting. Moe, Fish Creek, Foster and Tidal River. In Thorpdale The SPEAKER — Order! The Leader of the there has been 109 millimetres; in Toora, Opposition has asked his question. 97 millimetres; and in Mallacoota, nearly 100 millimetres. There are moderate flood warnings in Mr BAILLIEU — The cost of living pressures that a number of locations, including for the Snowy, Genoa existed before we took office were substantial. and Latrobe rivers.

Honourable members interjecting. In Moe in particular there have been 80 requests for assistance, including some 6 calls from persons trapped The SPEAKER — Order! I have asked for silence; when driving through floodwaters. I take this I am not going to ask again. opportunity to remind Victorians that no-one should walk through, drive through, enter or play in Mr BAILLIEU — We rightly drew attention to floodwaters. It is simply too dangerous. In recent times that, and indeed the Treasurer drew attention to it. Since we have seen too many tragic events as a result of the election the Treasurer has acted. He has quickly people not following that fundamental rule. moved to reduce cost of living pressures. Indeed — — There have been some significant road closures and Mr Madden interjected. some landslips on the Princes Highway adjacent to the Moe township. I stress that that is not connected to the The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Morwell landslip which has diverted the Princes Essendon is on a warning. Highway. A number of commercial premises and some Mr BAILLIEU — Speaker, you will recall that the aged-care facilities have been inundated by now government when in opposition committed to floodwaters. introducing 12-month-of-the-year energy concessions. Going back to Tidal River, 200 to 300 campers have Not only have we kept that commitment but we have been impacted. As I said, they have been relocated. brought it forward to 1 March. That is just one example There are some groups down there at the moment from of the efforts this government has made. Frankston High School and Dandenong High School. The question asked by the Leader of the Opposition is They have struggled with communications, but I clearly designed to disguise his failure when he was a understand that they have satellite devices, that they minister to prevent cost of living pressures soaring. have appropriate and skilled staff with them and hat That is what happened under the last government. We there is no reason to think they are in any danger at present. However, there are communications issues

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 711 down there, and we will be monitoring that very The SPEAKER — Order! I have heard enough. I closely. do not uphold the point of order. The Premier was being very relevant to the question. That flash flooding has occurred in a number of areas. In the main street of Fish Creek flash flooding of some Mr BAILLIEU — That flexibility will be homes has occurred. There are no reports of injury at appreciated, particularly in country areas and areas of this stage. However, some assets have been damaged, high tourist value. It operated on the basis of and I understand the Darby River bridge has been exemptions under the previous government. It was a compromised significantly. This is a VicRoads bridge, confused, complex and contorted system of and it will be assessed later today. Power has been lost exemptions, and indeed the Leader of the Opposition to some commercial premises and wastewater treatment and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition were part of plants, and a holding tank will contain wastewater in that system. They provided the exemptions. There will that area. The road to Mount Oberon has a significant be flexibility on Easter Sunday, as there has been slip and is waist deep in mud, with vehicles and a bus previously. We are mindful that the party of the Leader trapped behind that landslip. of the Opposition — —

This is another example of the extraordinary weather Mr Hulls interjected. events we have had in recent months, and we will be paying the same attention to these issues in The SPEAKER — Order! The Deputy Leader of Gippsland — in particular in the Tidal River and the Opposition is on a warning. Wilsons Promontory area — and also in East Gippsland as has been paid to other events in recent months. Mr BAILLIEU — We are mindful of the influence on the Leader of the Opposition and the opposition Easter Sunday trading: employees parties from the relevant union. The flexibility will be there. Mr ANDREWS (Leader of the Opposition) — My question is to the Premier. I ask: can the Premier Mr Andrews — On a point of order, Speaker, again guarantee that no worker will be penalised for refusing I draw your attention to provisions under standing to work on Easter Sunday? orders that require answers to be relevant. The question was very simple: will the Premier guarantee that Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — The legislation that is anyone who chooses not to work will not be penalised? before the other house — — We are now almost more than 3 minutes in and the Premier will not answer the question. He should be Honourable members interjecting. directed to answer the question.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Altona! The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point The Leader of the Opposition! The member for of order. The Premier was being relevant to the Lyndhurst is on his second warning. question that was asked.

Mr BAILLIEU — That legislation, when it is Mr BAILLIEU — Let me say that there is no cause enacted, will free up Easter Sunday so that those for any employee to be concerned about the trading employees and employers can work together to decide arrangements which will apply when this legislation is who does wish to work, and indeed there is an enacted to free up arrangements on Easter Sunday so agreement between the substantial retailers and that employers in towns where there is a tourist and employees. commercial interest can trade if they choose.

Mr Andrews — On a point of order, Speaker, the I note that there are those on the front bench opposite question was very simply about whether the Premier who have enjoyed — — could guarantee that workers who refused to work on Easter Sunday would not be penalised and whether the Honourable members interjecting. Premier might offer a guarantee in that regard. That was what the question was about. It was a very simple The SPEAKER — Order! I will not ask again for question, and I would have thought it could be simply speakers to be heard in silence. Whether people are answered. asking a question or giving an answer, I want them to be able to be heard. I will not ask again.

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712 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Mr Andrews — On a point of order, Speaker, the have a brand-new hospital without an IT system is Premier was just about to refer, or perhaps had begun simply not acceptable. referring, to the opposition front bench. The question is not about the opposition front bench; it is about workers To make it worse, the shadow Minister for Health today being penalised and this Premier’s refusal to stand up said that the former government was going to put in a for them. bid and have it considered for the 2011–12 budget. That is what the shadow Minister for Health was going to The SPEAKER — Order! There is no point of do. Is it not funny that for 11 years you have all these order. bungles but in the 12th year Labor was going to fix everything? This is another legacy of the of the Brumby Mr BAILLIEU — I repeat that there is no cause for government. Every time we turn over another rock any employee to be concerned about the new trading there is another financial mess left by the previous arrangements which will apply on Easter Sunday when government. the legislation is enacted. These provisions have been available in many areas in the past by way of Ms Allan — On a point of order, Speaker, I refer exemption. Those exemptions were given by the you to page 155 of Rulings from the Chair, November previous government, and there will be no difference to 2010, where we find a previous Speaker has ruled that that effect because employers will be in the same in relation to a matters concerning a previous situation. government’s administration, ministers in answering questions — — Royal Children’s Hospital: funding Honourable members interjecting. Mr SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) — My question is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware that the Royal The SPEAKER — Order! I have said previously Children’s Hospital made a request for capital funding that I want points of order heard in silence. that was rejected by the former Labor government, leaving a multimillion-dollar black hole, and is he Ms Allan — The ruling is that ministers when further aware that Labor’s decision has put at risk key answering questions should make only passing clinical care areas, including the emergency department reference to the activities of a previous government. I and the neonatal intensive care unit? ask that you direct the minister to concern himself with matters regarding his actions. Mr WELLS (Treasurer) — Another day, another financial mess left by the previous Brumby The SPEAKER — Order! I have heard enough. I government. Virtually every day we find another black do not uphold the point of order. hole which has been left by the previous government. Mr WELLS — What the Baillieu government The Herald Sun reported today the sorry tale of the IT would like to know is: who was the minister system at the Royal Children’s Hospital. This responsible for building a $1 billion hospital without an brand-new hospital is a $1 billion project, and the IT system? Which minister would be so reckless and previous government boasted about its benefits. irresponsible as to do that? As I said: another day, However, we are just uncovering another black hole another financial mess. which shows that although it was building a brand-new hospital, it had done it without upgrading the clinical IT The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Kilsyth systems which underpin areas such as the emergency is on his second warning. department and neonatal and paediatric intensive care units. Mr WELLS — This is the legacy of the Brumby government. In a modern society you would expect that we would have the very best software and IT equipment, and the Police: Geelong Herald Sun is quite right to say this is a bungle. What the Labor Party was going to do was have this hospital Mr EREN (Lara) — My question is to the Premier. open without the latest IT equipment. I do not know I refer the Premier to comments he made on Bay FM: whether the previous health minister, the now Leader of the Opposition, was hoping for a punch card or abacus … you would have to have your head in the sand to not realise Geelong needs more police … We identified a system, but that is not the way the Baillieu government shortfall of over 70. We have committed to provide that. would work. I point out the fact that Slim Dusty had a pub with no beer, but for the former health minister to

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 713

I ask why the Premier has broken his promise and only Jones, into support for Country Fire Authority provided eight police officers to Geelong this year. volunteers?

Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — I state up-front that I Mr RYAN (Minister for Police and Emergency feel sorry for the member. With such devastating Services) — I thank the member for his question and questions as that he should be on the front bench. The for the great work he is doing in relation to these very previous government left this state with a police force important issues. with the lowest number of police per capita of any state in Australia and similar in terms of operational police I announced today the fulfilment of yet another on the beat. We, along with many others, identified the commitment of the coalition government. We made shortfall in Geelong — a shortfall denied for years. We commitments going into the election campaign that an committed to 1700 additional police in the first term. inquiry such as the one I have announced today would We will deliver on those police, and Geelong will get be conducted, and I am proud to say that this is another its fair share and some. commitment that has been met.

Honourable members interjecting. I think it is reasonable to say that there is enormous respect on the part of all members for the The SPEAKER — Order! The member for 59 000 volunteers who comprise the Country Fire Monbulk is on his final warning. Authority. We have great regard for the work they do. We respect enormously the critical role they play in Mr BAILLIEU — The interesting thing is that protecting all of us. The simple fact is that it is only two when we made that commitment in opposition it was and a bit years since the horrors of Black Saturday and actually the then government that ridiculed that the Gippsland fires, when we saw the members of the commitment only to turn around and try and match it CFA — together with the other volunteer groups and some weeks later. What was interesting to discover was many other agencies — doing what they did to protect that the previous government did not do anything about as best they could the people of Victoria. it. It did not advance recruitment or funding. The opposition sat on its hands, and the member can ask his I announced today an inquiry to be conducted by Judge question and what I say to him is — — David Jones into the arrangements that have been made between the organisation of the CFA on the one hand Ms Duncan — On a point of order, Speaker, the and the volunteers on the other. This inquiry will Premier is debating the question. I ask you to bring him commence on 4 April this year. It will conclude on back to answering the question. 30 June. His Honour will bring to this role an enormous amount of experience gleaned from not only his Dr Napthine — On the point of order, Speaker, the 25 years as a County Court judge but also, as members Premier was asked about police numbers and police would know, his current position as the chair of the numbers in Geelong. He is being very relevant to the AFL tribunal. He was also the special investigations question in outlining the commitments made by this monitor in Victoria from 2004 to 2009, and he has vast government with respect to increasing police numbers. experience in his former roles as the chair of the Legal He is being extremely relevant to the question. Aid Commission, chair of the Australian Broadcasting The SPEAKER — Order! The point of order was Tribunal, president of the Accident Compensation not raised about relevance, it was a about debating. I Tribunal and other such appointments. ask the Premier to return to answering the question. Judge David Jones will be inquiring into the effects of Mr BAILLIEU — We will deliver on our all arrangements that have been made by the CFA with commitments. I say again that the member who asked regard to the critical issues of recruitment, training, the question has clearly been asleep at the wheel and deployment, utilisation and support of CFA volunteers, had his head in the sand for 11 years. because these matters are absolutely crucial to the functions not only of those volunteers but of the Country Fire Authority: inquiry organisation itself.

Mr TILLEY (Benambra) — My question is to the The terms of reference touch on a number of matters. Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency They talk about the availability of general or specialist Services. Will the Deputy Premier inform the house of training for volunteers so that the CFA is able to the purpose of the inquiry he announced this morning, maximise the utilisation of volunteers and realise to be headed by former County Court judge David volunteer potential. For example, in the training of

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714 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 incident controllers — those involved in the incident reduce emissions, there will be a price for and a cost to management teams — it is very important that CFA that. volunteers have the capacity and the ability to be trained and to advance into fulfilling those important The mechanism for that on a systemic basis will be a roles. result of actions taken by the commonwealth. We have argued from the start that that ought to be done in a way The judge will consider any impediments to the ability which makes it very clear to all Australians, and from of CFA volunteers to undertake any particular role our point of view all Victorians, what the cost will be, within the CFA. He will investigate matters pertaining what the compensation will be, what the impact on jobs to the capacity of the volunteers to be appointed as will be and what the impact on the economy will be. employees of the CFA. He will consider mechanisms to enable and ensure that volunteer voices are heard and At this stage we are on to the next generation of a their experience is utilised in accordance with the proposal coming out of the commonwealth. It would CFA’s commitment under the volunteer charter. seem that there is still a fair way to go. You do not have to read the papers too hard to know that there is still a I am sure all members remember that in the course of great degree of uncertainty. What Victorians want to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission know — — enormous regard and attention was paid by the commission to that all-important issue of local Honourable members interjecting. knowledge and the way the volunteers and their knowledge — which is intimate to so many of them in The SPEAKER — Order! The Leader of the their local areas — enables us to better contend with the Opposition! threat of fire. Mr BAILLIEU — The Leader of the Opposition This will be a very important inquiry. Eventually asked, ‘What is your position?’. I think he was referring recommendations will be made to me. I will consider to the Prime Minister! There is still huge uncertainty that report, and I am sure it will be a valuable tool in about which way the commonwealth wants to go. The guiding the future of that great organisation, the CFA, point we make is that we want to know, in a transparent and in assisting the volunteers who are its fundamental way, what the impact on jobs will be and what the base. impact on the economy will be, and we do not want to sacrifice Victoria’s economy or Australia’s economy. Carbon price: government policy Ms Neville — On a point of order, Speaker, the Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine) — My question is to the Premier was asked a very simple question: is the Premier. I refer the Premier to the comments by the government supporting a national carbon — — Minister for Environment and Climate Change: The SPEAKER — Order! What is your point of As a whole of government we acknowledge that a [national] order? carbon price is going to be the way to go … Ms Neville — The Premier is debating the question. Given that a member for Western Metropolitan Region in the Council, Mr Finn, has said that a national carbon The SPEAKER — Order! It is not a chance to ask price will see ‘businesses hit the wall, we are going to the question again. see industries go offshore and we are going to see massive unemployment and huge social Ms Neville — He is debating the question, his disharmony’, I ask: in light of this confusion, can the answer is not relevant to the question, and I ask you to Premier confirm that the government is still committed bring him back to answering the question. to a national carbon price? The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — We have had a of order. I believe the Premier was being very relevant number of debates in this chamber in recent years, and to the question. our side of politics was prepared to support the Mr BAILLIEU — I say again: we want to know emissions trading scheme post-2007; we were prepared and Victorians want to know what the price will be that to support a carbon pollution reduction scheme, which is proposed by the commonwealth, what the impact on was debated in this house in, I think, November 2009; jobs will be, what the impact on the economy will be, and we have made the point that if we are going to what the compensation will be and what the results will

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 715 be. There is still a great degree of uncertainty, and we pleased to be able to inform the house that, due to the look to the commonwealth to resolve that. cooler months of summer and autumn, we have been able to push our burning efforts forward quite quickly Mr Andrews — On a further point of order, and that the Department of Sustainability and Speaker, the environment minister was very clear about Environment and Parks Victoria staff have now been this. He supported a carbon price, indeed a national able to complete 100 000 hectares of fuel reduction carbon price. The Premier is not being relevant to the burns. I take this opportunity to congratulate those staff question that was asked. This was very simple: does he for their efforts in achieving this initial target so early in support his environment minister or Mr Finn? the year.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member would be The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission well aware from the time he has spent in the Parliament concluded that we need to step up our efforts in order to that the answer has to be relevant to the question. achieve a much higher fuel reduction burn target. I am delighted that we in the Baillieu government have Ms Hennessy interjected. stepped up and are very ready to achieve the targets we The SPEAKER — Order! I advise the member for have set ourselves and that the royal commission has Altona that it is not that funny. The answer being given set for us. It is clear that before the election it was only was relevant to the question; it is a matter of how the the coalition that was prepared to embrace all of the question is asked. bushfires royal commission’s targets and recommendations. Indeed in government it is only the Mr BAILLIEU — Let me make one final point: at coalition that is prepared to take the tough decisions to the recent Council of Australian Governments meeting get to the burn target that we have set ourselves. it was very clear that many other jurisdictions have the same view we have — that is, there is a need for an We understand that there are concerns for local grape engagement with the states; a need for an engagement growers and winemakers about the issue of smoke taint. with the community as to the cost on jobs, the economy That is why over the last few weeks we have made sure and compensation and what the results will be. We are that we have been in constant contact with seeking that engagement from the commonwealth. At winegrowers. We have also been speaking to the local the moment we are left with a large degree of council and the mayor there. We understand there are uncertainty from the commonwealth, and we look concerns. We have been talking to them to discuss forward to the commonwealth clearing that up in due those concerns, and we also talked to them about the course. It would seem there is a fair way to go. need to protect their communities from bushfires. Bushfires: fuel reduction Honourable members interjecting. Mr R. SMITH — You would have thought that the Mrs FYFFE (Evelyn) — My question is to the issue of rural community protection would be a very Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Will important one and one that would engender bipartisan the minister update the house on the government’s support. I have heard, during my answer, the member program for fuel reduction burning? for Ripon call out with an interjection. For many of us Mr R. SMITH (Minister for Environment and here, it is probably the first time — — Climate Change) — I thank the member for Evelyn and The SPEAKER — Order! The minister should acknowledge her advocacy in this area over a number ignore interjections and return to answering the of years. question. An honourable member interjected. Mr R. SMITH — It is probably the first time we The SPEAKER — Order! I say to the member for have heard the member making a sound, unscripted, in Albert Park that that is enough mooing from him — question time. and enough from other members in the house too; The SPEAKER — Order! The minister will return otherwise I will be rounding them up and putting them to answering the question and ignore interjections. out the door. Mr R. SMITH — What is important is that while Mr R. SMITH — I thank the member for Evelyn the government has made a commitment to achieve for giving me the opportunity to speak on the very these fuel reduction burn targets in order to protect rural important issue of bushfire mitigation. I am very communities, the opposition seems to have a problem

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716 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 with it. The opposition seems to want to jump out at Mr R. SMITH — The Baillieu government is every opportunity and stop us from protecting rural absolutely committed to achieving our fuel reduction communities. The fact of the matter is that this burn targets and to protecting regional and rural government is absolutely committed — — communities from the impact of bushfires.

Ms Green — On a point of order, Speaker, I think Honourable members interjecting. the minister is misleading the house. The member for Evelyn, who asked the question, has previously raised The SPEAKER — Order! The member for many times the issue of the impact — — Hastings is on a warning.

The SPEAKER — Order! The minister was Alpine National Park: cattle grazing answering the question, and I would like him to return to answering the question. I do not uphold the point of Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine) — My question is to the order. I ask the member to sit down. Premier. I refer the Premier to comments in relation to the cattle currently being managed by the so-called fuel Honourable members interjecting. reduction service providers — comments from his Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point Environment — that the government is: of order. I ask the minister to return to answering the question. … quite lucky that there are still a few remaining lead cows in these herds … Those cattle stick to the areas and the tracks, and they teach the other cattle the appropriate way to move Ms Green — On a point of order, Speaker — — through that country. The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point I ask: what is the scientific basis on which the of order. I will not ask the member again to sit down. parliamentary secretary has made these comments?

Ms Allan — On a point of order, Speaker, it would Mr Ryan — On a point of order, Speaker, the assist the house and the operation of the house if question is clearly out of order. It should properly be members raising a point of order were given the directed to the member to whom the comments are opportunity to conclude their point of order before you attributed. How can the Premier possibly answer a made your rulings. I ask that the member be allowed to question framed in that form? conclude the point she was making. Mr Andrews — On the point of order, Speaker, the The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point Deputy Premier is putting it to you that questions of order. cannot be put to the Premier where there is any reference to a comment from a member of his Mr R. SMITH — In conclusion, while the government. A member of the government, a opposition is not prepared to have the courage to parliamentary secretary no less, has made a comment protect its communities, I will say that the government and that would seem to be a member of the government is committed to implementing the putting forward the government’s position. The leader recommendations — — of the government is accountable for all comments Mr Andrews — On a point of order, Speaker, with made by members of the government, and it is perfectly the greatest of respect to you, I say that an answer to a appropriate for a shadow minister to ask the Premier his question about fuel reduction burning is not an views on the comments of a member of his opportunity for the minister to attack the opposition. government. He is, after all, the lead steer. That is what he is doing — not particularly well, I The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point might add, but that is what he is doing. That is clearly of order. in defiance of rulings you have made and the custom and practice of this house and its standing orders. You Mr Hulls interjected. should bring him back to answering the question in relation to government business and only government The SPEAKER — Order! The Deputy Leader of business. the Opposition is also on his second warning for the day. The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point of order. I ask the minister to resume answering the Mr BAILLIEU (Premier) — The basis of the question. question is some sort of assumption that the member to

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 717 whom the shadow minister attributes the comment is example to the rest of the world that here we celebrate somehow unaware of the behaviour of cattle. our diversity and showcase our strength. It was great to Anyone — and I would have thought that the Leader of see both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition the Opposition was in this category, but perhaps not — jump up and join the dancing group to dance the who has watched cattle move in the field will know kalamatiano that originates from Messinia, a wonderful they operate on a herd mentality. region of Greece. The Consul General of Turkey and the Consul General of Greece also participated in the Ms Neville — On a point of order, Speaker, this is a dance. scientific trial being undertaken by the government in the alpine areas. Mr Baillieu interjected.

Mr Foley interjected. Mr KOTSIRAS — It was a wonderful night, and as the Premier said, the Governor also took part. It was a The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Albert wonderful night and also a great symbol. This was the Park is on his second warning. start of Cultural Diversity Week.

Ms Neville — The question was specifically about Victoria is the multicultural capital and the heart of not the basis of the individual knowledge of the multicultural Australia. Other states try to imitate, try to parliamentary secretary but whether the government copy, but Victoria leads the other states in that we has investigated the scientific evidence and on what celebrate and harness our cultural and religious basis that claim can be made. diversity. Why should we not? Forty per cent of Victorians were born overseas or have at least one The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point parent who was born overseas. It is wonderful. People of order. here have come from over 230 different countries, Mr BAILLIEU — I would have thought the speak over 180 different languages and practise over definition of ‘herd’ went to it. You only need to go to 116 different faiths. It is therefore important that we the dictionary. This is basic animal behaviour. I would display our cultural heritage and unity. Cultural have thought that if anybody understood the herd Diversity Week is a means of doing do this. instinct it would be members of the Labor Party. Cultural Diversity Week aims to provide an opportunity Cultural Diversity Week for all Victorians to learn about the different cultures in Victoria by participating in a number of activities and Mrs BAUER (Carrum) — My question is to the events. Cultural Diversity Week shows us how it is Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship. Will important that we harness the potential that makes us the minister inform the house of the various events the different in order for us to benefit and prosper government is organising to mark Cultural Diversity economically as well as socially. Throughout the week Week? the government will provide a platform for the various groups to participate, to engage and to perform, as well Mr KOTSIRAS (Minister for Multicultural Affairs as showcase their cultures through other mediums such and Citizenship) — I thank the member for her as food, arts and crafts. question. Last Saturday night the Crown entertainment complex came alive with music and dance. It was a Cultural Diversity Week commenced on 19 March and night where different cultures came together as one will continue until 27 March. Some of the events family to highlight the reality that multiculturalism is include Viva Victoria, the Quest awards, a day at the part of the Australian identity — it is a reflection of zoo, Harmony Day and numerous other ethno-specific who we are. Over 1400 Victorians joined the Premier events organised by local council groups and supported and the Leader of the Opposition to experience a night by the VMC (Victorian Multicultural Commission). of entertainment, a night of energy and a night of I encourage all members to find the time to participate coming together. in these events. This is about how we move forward Ekol, a Turkish dancing group, joined forces with collectively to promote better understanding and mutual Manasis, a Greek dancing group, to perform for the first respect, but there are still obstacles and many time together. They held hands and danced together for challenges, such as racism and discrimination, that limit the first time. Both groups were proud of their cultural the ability of some Victorians to participate actively in heritage, but they were also proud Victorians on that society. It is vital that as a party and as a Parliament we night. It was a great symbol for our society and a great stand up to racism and discrimination in a united and

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

718 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 bipartisan way. I look forward to working with every Planning and Community Development. This is an member of this house to ensure that this happens. important area to point out in the course of the debate, because it relates directly to this government’s gutting I also need to thank Hakan Akyol, the acting chair of of Regional Development Victoria. It was established the VMC, for making the night possible. It was a by the previous Labor government as a responsible and wonderful experience. I thank the members who flexible agency, and key to that was having the CEO of participated, and I hope next year’s event will be even Regional Development Victoria report directly to the bigger. minister to ensure that the responses were getting out on the ground. Whether it was responding to job losses or whether it was about investment attraction, it was PERSONAL EXPLANATION about making sure that the response was there with Ministerr fo Education councils and local communities. The results in this area speak for themselves. In the time Mr DIXON (Minister for Education) — I wish to of RDV over 120 000 new jobs were created in make a personal explanation. I refer to the point of regional Victoria and $11.7 billion generated in order raised yesterday by the member for Bendigo East facilitated new investment across our regions. RDV and at the end of question time. The member raised as a RIDF were the twin pillars that drove the economic point of order an apparent failure by me to respond to success of regional communities, and they are being an adjournment item raised by the member for Yan fundamentally destroyed by this government in this Yean within the 30-day time limit set out in the legislation. The government has abolished the regional amended sessional orders. infrastructure fund and torn down RDV by stripping out I have reviewed my records, which confirm that in its job creation role. It has handed over the husk of response to the adjournment issue raised by the member RDV to the regulatory bureaucrats in the planning for Yan Yean on 8 February 2011, my department department. posted my reply to the member on Monday, There are many people in country Victoria who are 28 February, well within the 30-day limit set out in the gravely concerned about what this means. This is an sessional orders. issue I raised during the briefing on this legislation with Ms Green — I request a copy from the minister, the department and with the government. There is because my office certainly has not received that letter. certainly great ambiguity in regional Victoria around who is responsible for what when it comes to creating and growing regional jobs. Yesterday in question time REGIONAL GROWTH FUND BILL 2011 we were all given some assistance when what the government thought would be a stunning attack instead Second reading turned out to be a stunning revelation to all of us. It is now the Minister for Small Business and Tourism who Debate resumed. will be responsible for job growth in regional Victoria. It is no longer the Minister for Regional and Rural Ms ALLAN (Bendigo East) — I resume my Development, who had that responsibility up until now. contribution on the government’s Regional Growth This is just further evidence of the emasculation of Fund Bill 2011. Where I left my commentary before Regional Development Victoria and of how the loss of lunch I was talking about how the government has been focus on jobs spells a serious end to that period of exposed with this piece of legislation for ripping off the growth and development that we have had in our regions and for forcing interface communities to now regions up until now. compete with regional communities for vital funds. If you are in Warracknabeal, you are competing with Regional communities are already onto this. The dogs Werribee for scarce government funding. If you are in are barking around regional Victoria, and I can assure Berwick, you are up against Benalla for funding, and the minister of that. The minister may not be able to the funding cupboard has been reduced overall. This is hear them as he sits up there in his ivory tower. He may a great big con on regional communities by this not be able to hear them because he is sitting there with government. his hands clasped over his ears determinedly trying not to listen to these concerns and criticisms. However, I Going through the various elements of the legislation, put it to the house that the government has got it wrong the next one I want to touch on is the inclusion of a new on this issue. It has got it badly wrong, and it is not delegation to the Secretary of the Department of hurting the Labor Party in getting it wrong; it is not

REGIONAL GROWTH FUND BILL 2011

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 719 hurting the Labor opposition. What it is doing is hurting communities the government represents. There will be regional communities. a mad scramble for the remaining funds, and many good projects and programs will not be able to be I cannot understand why in its hatred for Labor the supported because this government is driven by government is trying to tear down a good program with ideological hatred of something that the previous Labor a good agency in RDV that was built up over time. It is administration established that delivered results on the something that Labor created and supported throughout ground. As I said, the government would have received regional Victoria that delivered results. We all would more respect from the regions if it had built upon the have more respect for the government, and particularly fund rather than not. This is where there are a number for the minister, if it had kept the agency as it was — if of significant concerns from stakeholders and councils the government had built on this agenda and built on around the state. the foundation of RIDF and RDV. Instead, because of this government’s hatred of Labor, it is tearing it down. As I do the rounds, communities and councils are As I said, it is not Labor it is punishing but the regions telling me that they see the government’s actions for themselves. what they are. They see a lack of transparency with the fund and realise that handing the minister the power to The final area I want to touch on is what will be funded change the definition of ‘regional Victoria’ at the stroke under this fund and how much of the fund is left. The of a pen means they have to now compete with minister makes a lot of noise about $1 billion, but there metropolitan areas for funding. They can see they have is an old saying that is starting to do the rounds in already lost the responsiveness of Regional regional Victoria, and the question is: when is $1 billion Development Victoria. They are telling me they do not not $1 billion? see ministers out in regional communities anymore and that they have lost their responsive agency at the local Mr Mulder interjected. level. One local government official told me their Ms ALLAN — The answer is when it is handed to council’s representatives had to travel to Melbourne — the Minister for Regional and Rural Development to something they did not previously have to do — to get spend, because this $1 billion is not in fact $1 billion. It their important views and issues heard by this is great to see that the Minister for Public Transport government. That is a terrible way to treat regional thought that was a funny line and enjoyed the joke, communities, particularly because they have been because I can tell the house why it is not $1 billion. It is supported in such a strong way by Regional because it now funds education and health. It funds Development Victoria. core services — the minister himself describes them in Members have to look no further to see that this has that way — which were previously funded under the been a successful model than at the fact that, as was normal business of government but which are now advocated by Victoria with the support of councils and going to be eligible for funding under this new regional communities, the commonwealth picked it up when it growth program. established Regional Development Australia. It is I have already referred in detail to the fact that there are implementing this approach nationally. Instead of being now an additional 1.2 million people who are eligible in lock step with the commonwealth and working in a for this fund. Whilst those people represent tripartite way — the federal government, the state communities that are well worth supporting, those government and local councils working together — we communities should be supported through funds that are now completely out of step with what is happening are dedicated to their needs and not be forced to around the country. Again, that means we put at risk compete with regional communities for that funding. many good projects and programs that are about The leverage requirements needed under this fund will keeping the momentum going in our regional no longer be there. As I said earlier, RIDF was a fund communities. that leveraged significant returns. The $611 million Why is this happening? Because this government is invested by this government yielded $1.6 billion in new systematically going about destroying what Labor built infrastructure across the state. up simply because Labor built it up and simply because Finally, as was revealed by the opposition last week, it was a Labor initiative. This government should have 70 per cent of the fund’s first four-year allocation has built on the fund instead of turning it around. It has already been spent by this government on its existing arrogantly torn it down and terminated all that good election commitments. That leaves very little for the work and all those good programs. We have to communities Labor represents but also very little for the remember the last time that the Liberals and The Nationals were in charge of a program like this, and

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720 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 that was when they ran the regional partnerships foundations have been built up, and we are damn proud program at the national level under the former Howard that it was Labor that built those foundations up. This is Liberal-Nationals coalition government. It was so badly all driven by hatred — hatred of something that Labor rorted and run so appallingly by The Nationals created — and by not seeing credit where it is due and ministers responsible for it that the Australian National not building on those foundations. That is a sad Audit Office had to step in and review the operation of outcome for regional communities. the fund. It released a damning report of the fund in which it found that projects were more likely to That is why I have put the request to the government be — — that we have an opportunity to consider this bill in detail. I would like only a short amount of the house’s Mr Mulder — On a point of order, Speaker, I ask time, perhaps an hour, for the consideration-in-detail that the member return to the bill — the Regional stage so that we can consider some of the points I have Growth Fund Bill 2011, not the federal or Nationals laid out during this contribution that now will not come fund that the member for Bendigo East is referring to. as a surprise to the government. Members of the government are not responding to that request. I hope The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point they respond favourably, because a number of the of order. The member was being relevant to the bill issues are not just being raised by Labor but before the house. communities in regional Victoria have also raised them with me and my colleagues. Councils and communities Ms ALLAN — It is absolutely relevant, because it are concerned. goes to how the conservative parties treat regional communities. They do not treat them with the respect This is where I come back to the comment made last they deserve. The report found that Howard year in the Weekly Times where it was said to the then government ministers had awarded grants for projects opposition that regional Victoria must be treated with that had not been properly assessed, for projects that more respect. We certainly respect regional Victoria. government departments had advised against and to That is why we have supported communities in groups that had not even applied for funding. This bill regional Victoria for such a long time. We want to see takes away the parliamentary scrutiny of changes under that continue, not because of party politics but because the act. This bill provides the minister with all sorts of it is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to support powers, in partnership with the secretary of his regional communities, not treat them as the toenails of department, to allocate funds to interface councils and the state. communities, and that is of grave concern to regional communities. Mr WELLER (Rodney) — It is my privilege to speak this afternoon on the Regional Growth Fund Bill In summing up, the opposition’s concerns about this 2011. As I start, I will make just a couple of comments bill are not driven by politics, and that is why the Labor on the contribution made by the member for Bendigo Party is not opposing this legislation. Our concerns are East, who is showing obvious symptoms of withdrawal first and foremost about regional Victoria not being from her ivory tower. She has neglected to tell the treated with respect by this government, as it is not Parliament that while there was indeed $611 million putting in place the policies and programs to keep the allocated over the 11 years of the previous government, momentum going. Our concern is seeing a government it was only allocated; it was never spent. That is why that is not prepared to do the hard work anymore. It is we have to get it out there and get it spent. not easy to create jobs in regional Victoria. You have to work hard at it, you have to work with communities Ms Allan interjected. and the private sector and you have to have some tools in your kit bag that you can pull out to help along the Mr WELLER — She went on to say that regional way. This is about understanding what the priorities of communities do not want the change. I do not know communities are, and this government, with this where she is living. I also represent parts of regional legislation and with its actions in the first 100 days to Victoria, and the communities out there are saying that destroy Regional Development Victoria, is clearly not they look forward to the creation of the regional policy understanding a fundamental principle about what is advisory committee, which will be in charge of needed to support regional communities. advising the minister on how to spend 60 per cent of the structural investments, which are important to the What the government is going to try to do is skate off whole state and not just the regions. The regional the back of the hard work of Labor in partnership with committees will have 40 per cent, and they will make local communities over the past 100 years. Those up their minds on where it should be spent on a local

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 721 basis. This is what the communities have been asking Ms Allan interjected. for, and this is what will be delivered by the Baillieu-Ryan government. The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Bendigo East! The Regional Growth Fund will support the continued economic development of regional Victoria by Mr WELLER — The north–south pipeline took investing in infrastructure and services that regional away 75 000 megalitres of water, in conjunction with industries need to compete effectively in national and the food bowl project. Members of the previous global markets. We have to remember that over the government talk about a sham. They said they could term of the previous government — when I represented save 425 000 megalitres of water by investing the electorate of Rodney, which I represent again in this $2 billion. The food bowl project will never deliver any term — we saw Greenham abattoirs go back to one of the savings predicted by the previous government. Its shift, with 120 jobs lost; we saw Nestle cut jobs at members predicted 425 000 megalitres of water Tongala and Echuca; and we saw Murray Goulburn at savings; it will be lucky to deliver 90 000 megalitres Leitchville lose 80 jobs. We also saw Kevin Swan’s when we have a proper audit. sawmill at Picola lose five jobs. It might be thought that five jobs are not many, but Picola is a town of Ms Duncan — On a point of order, Speaker, I 90 people and to lose five jobs is devastating for that appreciate that this has been a broad-ranging town. Jerry Swan’s sawmill at Barmah was closed, as discussion, but on any measure what the member for was the Echuca sawmill. Rodney is saying has nothing to do with funding. I do not see its relevance at all to the establishment of the During the previous term of government we also had Regional Growth Fund. the north–south pipeline, which took 75 000 megalitres of water from northern Victoria. That is equivalent to The SPEAKER — Order! I uphold the point of the water used by 150 dairy farms, which equates to order, and I ask the member for Rodney to return to 1200 jobs. They were taken away by the previous debating the matter before the house. government. Mr WELLER — I refer to clause 5 in part 2 of the Ms Allan — In similar terms to a previous point of bill, which states: order, Speaker, this bill establishes the Regional There must be paid out of the Fund amounts to be used to — Growth Fund; it is not about water infrastructure projects. I ask that you bring the member back to (a) provide for better infrastructure, facilities and services in addressing the matter before the house. regional Victoria; (b) strengthen the economic, social and environmental base The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point of communities in regional Victoria — of order, as I did not uphold the previous point of order. That is what the Baillieu-Ryan government is about; it Mr WELLER — As can be seen, government is not about undermining the strength of regional members are about regional growth, and we want to put Victoria, as we saw go on in the years before. It in place policies that support regional growth. By continues: taking 75 000 megalitres of water from northern Victoria the previous government took 1200 jobs out of (c) facilitate the creation of jobs and the improvement of northern Victoria. That does not help grow the career opportunities in regional Victoria — communities. That is about creating more jobs and careers in regional Ms Duncan interjected. Victoria, not taking them away, as we saw done by the previous government — The SPEAKER — Order! I notice that the member (d) support the planning for and the development of projects for Macedon is on the list to speak, so perhaps she in regional Victoria. could control herself until she gets that chance. That will be done so that we can actually have Ms Allan interjected. development take place where the jobs are needed in regional Victoria. The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Bendigo East had 30 minutes; the member for Rodney Why is this important to my electorate? If members go has 10 minutes. I ask the member for Rodney to to the schedule, which lists the shires and municipalities continue. that are covered by the bill, they will see that they

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722 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 include Campaspe shire, Gannawarra shire, the City of The SPEAKER — Order! I will warn the member Greater Bendigo, the City of Greater Shepparton and for Bendigo East if she does not desist. Moira shire. So all the municipalities that I represent are catered for by the bill. Mr WELLER — The program, with $1 billion over eight years, will generate jobs and give a future to In her contribution the member for Bendigo East spoke regional Victoria, which it has been singing out for for about a top up of $260 million, which is $65 million a over 11 years. Regional Victorians are looking forward year. This fund will be a $1 billion project, which will to the delivery of this program. be $125 million a year. The previous government went to the election with a promise of only $65 million a Mr TREZISE (Geelong) — While I note that the year as a top up. opposition will ultimately not oppose the Regional Growth Fund Bill 2011, which establishes the Regional Ms Allan — On a point of order, Speaker, the Growth Fund, as a member who represents the major member for Rodney is now misleading the house. It is regional centre of Geelong I do have — and the incorrect, as I pointed out in my contribution, to opposition has — major concerns with the compare the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund establishment of this new fund. with the Regional Growth Fund. Over the past 11 years I have been a proud member of The SPEAKER — Order! If the member for the Bracks and Brumby governments and have seen the Bendigo East believes that the member for Rodney is effectiveness of those governments’ Regional misleading the house, there are forms of the house the Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in providing member for Bendigo East can use. real and important funding to infrastructure projects in regional Victoria, including Geelong. I am now very Ms Allan — I will do that. concerned, as are the people of Geelong, that this new so-called fund is nothing but a funding cut, not only to Mr WELLER — In her contribution the member infrastructure projects but also to important areas such for Bendigo East spoke about the ability of the minister as health and education across regional and rural to include other areas and said former government Victoria. The new fund is just another example of this members are clean. Whatever happened to the government’s smoke-and-mirrors policy delivery being commitment to supply gas to rural councils in regional dressed up as a plus for regional and rural Victoria Victoria? All of a sudden then Premier Bracks included when in fact it is a real funding cut in important areas the interface councils. Consequently, gas was never such as education and health in regional and rural delivered to Heathcote. That is one of the things that Victoria. will happen under this Regional Growth Fund: Heathcote will receive gas. There is a commitment for Although we are debating this bill only today, in gas to be supplied to Heathcote. Heathcote definitely Geelong we have already seen very strong evidence needs a gas supply. It is a town of lower socioeconomic over the last couple of months — the last 100 days — status. of the Baillieu-Ryan government’s smoke-and-mirrors policy delivery in Geelong. For example, prior to the I represent pickers, pruners and shearers — those types last election the now opposition and then Brumby of people — and we should get them a cheap form of government committed $165 million to health in the heating, given that the previous government took away Geelong region; $50 million was to be spent on a new the area’s right to use firewood. Heathcote needs gas as community hospital south of the Barwon River and a cheap form of heating and to give the town a chance another $65 million was to upgrade Geelong Hospital. to attract industry. There is a chicken-and-egg situation A couple of days before the state election the now here. There has always been the argument that there is Baillieu government committed itself to that project. In not enough industry to justify bringing gas to the town, the last couple of weeks we have seen the government but because there is no gas, industries will not come. renege on that. The Baillieu government is now saying This government is prepared to put money on the line it will chip in $50 million over the next eight years — and invest in bringing gas to country towns. The that is, the next two terms of government. We are ex-minister spoke about — — already seeing, dressed up in the guise of this fund, a Ms Allan interjected. reduction in health funding in Geelong.

Mr WELLER — You didn’t get out of your ivory Another example from the last election campaign was tower very often. the Brumby government committing $15 million to the important upgrade of the Geelong library and Geelong

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 723

Heritage Centre. That centre sees something like more than $500 million. One can easily see there is an 100 000 people go through it each year, and it had not absolutely gaping hole and a huge reduction in funding had any major funding or upgrades for 50 years. On the to centres like Geelong. eve of the election the now Baillieu government committed $15 million. Again it was smoke and The bottom line for schools and hospitals in regional mirrors. We have not yet seen that money, and nobody centres like Geelong, other regional areas and country within the community of Geelong, including the local areas is that this will be a huge funding cut. Once this council, can get any type of commitment as to when fund is in place it will mean nothing more than a huge that money will become available. funding cut for regional and rural Victoria in areas like health, education, and sport and recreation. The list Mr Katos interjected. goes on.

Mr TREZISE — The member for South Barwon, The shadow minister for Regional and Rural as a former councillor, would well and truly know the Development pointed out that under any regional importance of the library in Geelong, so it is about time growth fund, jobs are an important component. These the member for South Barwon got off his hands and jobs are in important areas like my electorate of started to provide some type of support in attracting that Geelong. The Brumby and Bracks governments’ use of $15 million to Geelong. These are examples of the the RIDF had a huge focus on jobs creation in regional government already reneging on promises to regional Victoria. This commitment was seen around 2005–06 Victoria. We are seeing fudged policy delivery, as this at Ford Australia. There were 500 jobs slashed from the debate around the new Regional Growth Fund shows. Ford factory in Geelong. The then Premier, Steve Bracks, and the then Treasurer, John Brumby, went to Acting Speaker, it is also with grave concern that I note Geelong with their sleeves rolled up and worked hand that included in this new fund is core funding for in glove with people like Marin Burela, the CEO of schools and hospitals. Like the former Bracks and Ford Australia, to save those jobs. Brumby governments, which had a real commitment, Acting Speaker — Speaker, sorry. Pick me up next In Geelong at present there is a Salmat call centre that is time I call you Acting Speaker. The Bracks and employing 227 Geelong people. Salmat had one Brumby governments had a real commitment to contract with Telstra; it has lost that contract. On education and health. Under this regional funding, 31 May the 227 people who have those jobs are going education will see a cut. For example, Acting to be made redundant. Under the former government Speaker — — we would have been in Geelong with our sleeves rolled up, saving those jobs. Not one minister — neither the The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Premier nor the Minister for Employment and Geelong has his first warning! Industrial Relations — has been to Geelong to talk to the executive directors of Salmat. I have met with them Mr TREZISE — Thank you. You are a very good on a number of occasions. They are crying out for Speaker. Every member on this side of the house assistance to save those 227 jobs. This government has understands the absolute importance of education for totally ignored them. children; it is paramount to their future. Under the Bracks and Brumby governments the Geelong There has been a dismantling of Regional Development electorate saw a multimillion-dollar upgrade of every Victoria, and we have seen government members school bar none, including Geelong East, Tate Street, taking their eyes off the ball in regard to jobs in South Geelong and Chilwell primary schools, and the Geelong and across regional Victoria. Salmat is a good list goes on — not to mention the $26 million that was example. I plead with this government, including the committed to Western Heights College, which will minister at the table, the Minister for Public Transport, open in the next couple of months. to at least come to Geelong and try to help us save those 227 jobs. Under the Baillieu-Ryan government the Regional Growth Fund will include funding for health and In the short time I have, Acting Speaker — — education. This will effectively slash funding by something like $1.1 billion over the next four years. In Ms Edwards — Speaker! the last four years of the previous government we spent something like $1.6 billion on education, health and Mr ISETREZ — Did I say ‘Acting Speaker’ again? other infrastructure through the RIDF. Using this new It is important that the government work to continue to so-called fund the Baillieu government will spend little support regional Victoria. During the 1990s we saw the Kennett government treat regional and country Victoria

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724 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 as — and this is in Kennett’s own words at the time — by the recognition that these young people simply the toenails of the state. I would hate to think that in cannot afford to obtain a university education. 2011 we will see this government return to those bad old days of the Kennett government. The Labor government denied the existence of that information for several years. I and other members of Dr SYKES (Benalla) — It is a pleasure to rise to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee contribute to the debate on the Regional Growth Fund repeatedly raised questions with the then Minister for Bill 2011. I really welcome this initiative on the part of Education and the member for Bendigo East, who was the Baillieu-Ryan coalition government, because it is then the Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation going to enable the addressing of serious social and who was previously at the table. As the minister disadvantage issues that we in country Victoria face by she simply denied that there was such a terrible level of providing equitable access to financial assistance for social disadvantage in country Victoria. people in communities in rural and regional Victoria. The bill, which was put together by a responsible The other issue is that the Labor government’s response government, will ensure the responsible and transparent was somewhat ad hoc and very minimal in terms of the management of taxpayers funds. There will be local level of assistance. I will look at the levels of assistance input into the setting of priorities. and whether or not they are equitable. Under the previous Labor government the Public Accounts and We have many examples of social disadvantage in my Estimates Committee had doubts about the funding that wonderful electorate of Benalla. Firstly, in terms of was going out to country Victoria, in that rural and Benalla the Vinson report, Dropping Off the Edge, regional areas were lumped together. When the identified the community of Benalla as suffering committee both asked the ministers directly in serious social disadvantage. All the indicators say that committee and made requests to the government, the the social disadvantage situation deteriorated Labor government refused to separate the funding dramatically over the last decade when the Brumby and going to regional cities such as Bendigo, Ballarat and Bracks Labor governments were in power. Geelong from the funding going to the smaller rural communities. We are not saying that the regional cities Secondly, in terms of the community of Strathbogie, should not get their money — we welcome that — but which is slightly closer to Melbourne, figures which the Labor government would not separate those two have been pulled out by people working in health because it knew damn well that the smaller rural services highlight that Strathbogie is a socially communities were missing out. disadvantaged community. It is a community with a lot of older people and people on limited incomes. That Mr Nardella — That is rubbish. community in the shire of Strathbogie dramatically misses out on the provision of services that other people Dr SYKES — The member for Melton interjects. I take for granted. Many of those services need to come invite him to look at the recommendations from PAEC in from outside of the shire rather than being provided in numerous reports and from numerous committee locally. These are services that many people would take meetings, where he will see that the Labor government for granted. refused to acknowledge and make public that information. What was the former government’s response to this issue of social disadvantage? Firstly, its response was By contrast, we have the situation of this bill coming denial. As we know, education is the passport to before the house, as mentioned in the media release of prosperity away from poverty. The year 12 retention 21 October 2010, which makes the comment: rate in country Victoria is around 67 per cent, whereas Allocations to individual councils will be based primarily on the state average is in excess of 85 per cent. That is a need and population to ensure smaller, financially struggling massive gap; there is a massive lower achievement rate rural councils receive their fair share of funding. in country Victoria in comparison to the city. This issue is reflected further in terms of the uptake of university It further states: education by country Victorian young people. … Councils will not be forced to chase grants or use Something like 30 per cent of them go onto university, resources liaising with government departments regarding whereas the metropolitan rate is about 55 per cent. grant opportunities. Research identified the reasons for that difference in academic achievement as being a lack of money, a lack The reason I raise that issue is that local councils have of ability to do it and lower aspirations. Often those come to me saying, ‘Bill, we are concerned about aspirations of parents and young people are influenced whether the smaller rural councils’ — that includes the

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18 identified by the Whelan report, 5 of which are in mainstream community life, strains in family relationships my electorate, and I am talking about Strathbogie, and intergenerational welfare dependency. Mansfield, Murrindindi, Alpine and Benalla; 5 of my 7 That is what the former Labor government was rural councils are cash strapped — ‘are going to get our prepared to inflict on country Victorians, and that is fair share or whether we are going to be rolled over’. Where has that concern come from, when Minister what this bill and the people on this side of the Peter Ryan, a man of great integrity, has made it clear Parliament, who care about country Victorians, will that they will be looked after? I will tell you where it address. We will see people in country Victoria having has come from. Recently we have seen some opposition their say, getting access to their fair share of money and members in the area out there scaremongering and climbing out of the social disadvantage black hole they spreading absolute mistruths. We will see the have plummeted into under the Labor Party and getting Baillieu-Ryan government delivering fair and equitable back to having a fair and reasonable lifestyle and an access to money for all Victorians, including our opportunity for their kids to grow up proud to be smaller communities. country Victorians.

The other thing that is important relates to how the Mr NARDELLA (Melton) — I will not be money is allocated and spent. Under this legislation opposing this legislation, but what we have just had is 40 per cent will be available to be spent primarily at the 10 minutes of rubbish, of absolute fairytales that have discretion of local communities who come together as been made up in regard to our term in government. I small regional groups. That makes a lot of sense. It will understand that The Nationals, who back in 1999–2000 give our smaller communities the ability to ensure that opposed the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund their needs are looked after. Even the other 60 per cent (RIDF), which they are now getting rid of, are saying will be allocated on the basis of input from respected they are going to punish country people, rural people people in country Victoria who will come up with and provincial people by bringing in this Regional propositions. We will not have shiny-bottomed Growth Fund (RGF). bureaucrats in Melbourne and Melbourne-based politicians dictating what infrastructure will be put in The member for Benalla wants to talk about social place and as a result coming up with ill-judged disadvantage. He wants to talk about the seven long, propositions. We only need look at the Building the dark years of the Kennett government when country Education Revolution expenditure to see what can go people were treated as the toenails of Victoria. He wrong when ill-informed bureaucrats and politicians wants to talk about the job losses during those seven from the Labor Party come up with spending long, dark years. He wants to talk about how his propositions. Not only is what has been put in place schools ran down over those seven long, dark years. inappropriate, but the management of the projects has This fund will not assist with social disadvantage. The been absolutely appalling. government talks about this being a $1 billion Regional What we have is a government that will come into Growth Fund, but in actual fact it is not. It is a fund for place. We have people on our side of the Parliament the next four years of half a billion dollars — who know about putting our money on the line, putting $500 million this term and then $500 million the term our money at risk and ensuring that it is managed after, if the coalition gets re-elected. It is not a $1 billion properly. We have people on our side of the Parliament fund at all. This fund can then go to providing schools, who care for country people and have been concerned public transport, hospitals, police stations — all the about the experience of country people over the last core things that should be dealt with via the state decade, a lot of it generated by natural disasters but a budget. hell of a lot more of it impacted by the callous, could-not-care-less attitude of the former Bracks and The member wants to talk about social disadvantage Brumby governments. and spending this money in areas that should be spent on systematically in the education system to bring To highlight that point I refer the Parliament to the everybody up to the metropolitan average, which Labor River Red Gum Forests Investigation — Draft has been working towards. This money will not assist Proposals Paper for Public Comment by the Victorian in that; you have to have a systematic approach to bring Environmental Assessment Council. I indicate the everybody up. Unfortunately The Nationals are not that impact of the VEAC report and the proposal for the red bright. They do not understand systems; all they do is gum forests. It states: criticise public servants and bureaucrats. They do not At an individual level there are also a range of potential understand how to put in place real solutions for impacts of the loss of employment for individuals and their country people. families including poverty and financial hardship, reduced future work opportunities, reduced participation in

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One of the real solutions with the RIDF and what it was This government does not, and will not, believe in about was creating jobs and opportunities for people in doing the right thing by country Victorians. If we have country and provincial areas. The honourable member a look at the way the government operates, we find we for Benalla, who has a very short memory span, asks: have already had the example from the member for what have they ever done for us? In Benalla the art Geelong where 227 people are threatened with losing gallery was built under RIDF — it would not have been their jobs and not one minister of the Crown — not one funded any other way; it was certainly not funded under from The Nationals, not one from the Liberals — has the Kennett government — and the sport and recreation gone to talk to Salmat to try to work through, as we did reserve was upgraded. More importantly, RIDF was with the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund, about saving the timber mill and about working with how they could try to save these jobs. Government the community and with Regional Development members come in here shedding crocodile tears and Victoria to find a solution to keep jobs in the country saying, ‘This is terrible. We have to do better for rural and in small towns. and provincial Victoria’, but when it comes to doing something this conservative Baillieu government is The honourable member for Benalla wants to talk about good at words but no good at action. It is no good at small towns. This is a person who is very good at putting in place the things that are needed. We in the shedding crocodile tears: ‘Oh, country Victoria is being Labor Party do not want to talk about the old hard done by. I’m crying crocodile tears’. But what is government and what occurred. This is an issue about this legislation doing? It is adding to those small people, families and children who are there now and are towns — the towns with populations in the 200s, 500s facing losing their income and facing a bleak future. and low thousands — the 1.2 million people in the The government puts together this legislation, but it interface council areas. This is the type of crocodile will not do the hard work. Laziness in opposition has tears that the member for Benalla comes in and continued as laziness in government. That is the sheds — and the member for Rodney before him. It is problem. only The Nationals members who are speaking on this bill because they reckon it is their fund. They reckon This mob, these ministers, these backbenchers, are very this is the way they are going to win back the seats from lazy. They are so lazy that when 227 families are us in rural and provincial Victoria. It ain’t going to be looking down the gun barrel of losing their livelihoods, that way, because as much as he talks and sheds they cannot travel to visit them. How many kilometres crocodile tears about Gannawarra and the five small away is Geelong? It is 75 kilometres away. They will councils in the electorate of Benalla, the local member not leave their ivory towers here in Melbourne and get is still going to vote for the 1.2 million people in the in their white, chauffeur-driven cars, which The interface council areas to be able to access this fund. Nationals have fought a long time for. All they need to do is get in the back door and plonk themselves in the I am sure people in my electorate of Melton or people seat and they can be driven out there to talk to the in Caroline Springs in the electorate of Kororoit want to people at Salmat. But they will not do that. come under the RGF; they want to get access to $500 million. Over at Hillside of course they should I tell the house, though, that the government will have access to this $500 million fund for this period of achieve the $500 million target in regard to the time because they are part of the Shire of Melton, Regional Growth Fund because it will put under it which, like the City of Wyndham, the City of Hume everything other than what it should be there for: the and others, will have access to this fund. The member jobs and the people of regional and provincial Victoria. for Benalla talked about the 18 smaller councils, 5 of That is why we have these concerns. which are in his electorate; it is all about shedding crocodile tears. Mr KATOS (South Barwon) — It gives me great pleasure to rise to support the Regional Growth Fund If you talk about disadvantage, you have to talk about Bill 2011. This bill supports the legislative framework putting real money into the education system. You for the implementation of the coalition government’s cannot start talking about slashing $338 million from policy to invest $1 billion in rural and regional Victoria education as a whole, which is what this government is over the next eight years. I recall some of the rhetoric talking about, and then say, ‘But we have to bring that used to come from the other side of the house people up in Gippsland and other areas of the state’. On saying that Victoria was the best place to live, work and that basis I will be supporting this legislation, but the raise a family. Members who were here in the previous opposition does have concerns about it; that is why we Parliament, such as the Minister for Corrections and the want to bring it into committee, which this government Minister for Public Transport, who are at the table, will not do. If it does, then that will be fantastic. would have heard that. All of a sudden, in four months,

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 727 what has happened to Victoria? Where has it gone? Has We have a plan to equip regional Victoria with its fair it disappeared? Is it not functioning any more? What share of funding to improve local services, facilities and absolute drivel. infrastructure so regional communities will be best placed to accommodate the state’s population growth. The Regional Growth Fund will provide funding over By growing regional cities and rural communities we and above normal state government expenditure — it is can take the pressure off Melbourne and create new not replacing core state government expenditure. It will prosperity and opportunity in regional Victoria. Over seek to address a broad range of issues. It will provide the past 11 years the Brumby and Bracks Labor better infrastructure, facilities and services. It will governments failed to invest sufficient funding to assist strengthen the economic, social and environmental base communities in overcoming the real barriers to growth, of rural and regional communities. It will create jobs and they ignored future opportunities. and improve career opportunities for regional Victorians. It will support local project development, Funding under the previous government was and that is probably one of the key aspects of this fund. determined by the government’s priorities, not by local Forty per cent of the funding will be determined by priorities. That is what this fund seeks to address. It will local communities based on projects they wish to invest give local communities the opportunity to decide where in; the decisions will not be made in the ivory towers in their 40 per cent of funding goes. The members for Melbourne. Forty per cent of the fund will be controlled Geelong and Melton suggested earlier that this will by local communities in local areas. The other 60 per replace health and education funding. That is absolute cent will be strategically distributed. The money will be nonsense. Under the previous fund, the Regional allocated according to specific needs of local Infrastructure Development Fund, early childhood communities rather than the priorities of government, learning, health care, and training and skills as was the case under Labor. development were areas that were ineligible for funds. Under this funding arrangement, however, a local Importantly the Regional Growth Fund will provide kindergarten or a local health provider could actually flexibility and allow community members to have a apply for funding to supplement government strong regional voice and take a front seat in the driving expenditure. and prosperity of their own communities. Sixty per cent of the funding will be strategic and will support One thing that this project will deliver is natural gas to economic projects that provide better regional country Victoria. Natural gas has been available in infrastructure facilities and services. We on this side of Victoria for more than 40 years. It supplies around the house believe the regional cities and country 1.5 million domestic customers, but smaller and communities are the future drivers of growth and regional communities have missed out. The Energy for prosperity in Victoria. But to achieve this we must the Regions program will initially provide gas to provide a strong foundation for growth. The Regional 12 regional areas. One of these areas, although not in Growth Fund will promote a grassroots approach to my electorate, is very close to me. It is Winchelsea, identifying community projects. It will provide flexible which is in the member for Polwarth’s electorate. funding through five regional development committees Winchelsea, in the Surf Coast shire, has a great capacity (RDCs) that will help communities fix gaps in services for employment prospects. It is situated on the Princes and infrastructure and create job opportunities. The five Highway and has a rail link. This is an example of how non-metropolitan RDCs will be strengthened so that bringing cheaper energy to the regions could actually they can play key roles in working with communities to drive employment. Winchelsea has a lot of potential to identify, assess and improve priority local projects that create employment, given its proximity to Geelong and will benefit from the 40 per cent of the fund. The RDCs its key infrastructure links. will support rural communities by assisting with strategic planning and processing funding applications The remaining 40 per cent of the fund targets local to save local councils, community groups and projects and is divided into a local government businesses time and money. infrastructure account and the Putting Locals First Fund, which focuses on locally identified priority Victoria’s population is surging, but under the previous projects. Together the two streams of funding will government the majority of this population was ensure that an appropriate balance is achieved to best projected to settle right here in Melbourne, putting support regional Victoria in creating growth, prosperity pressure on this city’s already overburdened services, and a better quality of life. Despite Labor’s housing stock and transport networks. The Victorian scaremongering to the contrary, the Regional Growth Liberal-Nationals coalition believes regional Victoria is Fund will supplement general government expenditure, a key to balancing Victoria’s future population growth. including in the areas of education, health and police.

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The coalition will work closely with local councils and time — they were not a coalition then. They laughed at local communities through the five regional it, yet we committed $611 million to RIDF on the first development committees to determine priority local occasion and then committed a further $260 million initiatives that provide better infrastructure, facilities through Labor’s Ready for Tomorrow regional and services that drive regional development in blueprint, which was brought forward. Labor supported Victoria. I commend the bill to the house. $1.6 billion worth of investment across regional Victoria. It supported 393 major projects across Mr HOWARD (Ballarat East) — I am very pleased regional Victoria and in the Grampians region, which to speak on the Regional Growth Fund Bill 2011 meant $96 million was spent towards $213 million because I am very supportive of regional Victoria worth of projects because the money invested by this gaining its fair share of state government funding. government in regional infrastructure projects attracted some funding from local government and other funding To place this bill in context, we remember back to the from investors to ensure significant investment in last coalition government in this state, the Kennett regional Victoria. government, which simply did not provide any significant funding for regional Victoria. Under that What was the focus of the Regional Infrastructure former coalition government all major infrastructure Development Fund? It was on providing infrastructure projects were in Melbourne, and regional Victoria fell to the regions which would promote economic behind. When the former coalition Premier, Jeff development for the towns and cities that gained that Kennett, was asked about this he said, ‘Well, you have funding, and that would in turn provide jobs for those to build up Melbourne so that eventually the toenails of communities — a very important thing. We want to see Victoria’ — that being regional and country Victoria — growth across this state, and if we are to have growth in ‘could maybe eventually get some of the blood pumped the regions and encourage people to see that the regions out to them’. are great places to live, they need to see that we have jobs in those areas to meet their needs. So regional Victoria was considered to be the toenails under that former government, and that is why I stand RIDF was developed under the Bracks and Brumby here in Parliament now and why I stood for Parliament Labor governments, and in the municipalities within in 1999. It is why the people of Ballarat East voted their Ballarat East, Ballarat City Council received Liberal MP out and elected me in at that time. They $38 million worth of funding; Macedon shire received supported Labor and Steve Bracks because they knew $12 million; Hepburn shire received $15 million; and he came from and understood regional Victoria and so it went on. Some fantastic projects were developed, was genuine in his desire to see Victoria governed for such as upgrades of Sovereign Hill, which is a major all Victorians, and that meant that country and regional tourism supporter in Ballarat. Many jobs come into Victoria would at last get their fair share. That is why Ballarat on the back of Sovereign Hill, so that was a Labor was and continues to be committed to regional very useful and important form of investment. Victoria. We saw significant investment in the University of Under the former government we first of all saw Labor Ballarat Technology Park at Mount Helen, where the committing to regional rail service upgrades, which global innovation centre and the IBM information meant great benefits to regional Victoria, as did the technology centre were built, and now 1100 people are unprecedented funding to rebuild schools in regional working at the technology park. So it is providing jobs Victoria and to build new schools across the state. It is in that important ICT area and creating more jobs in why we saw unprecedented funding going into hospital that growth sector of our industry. upgrades in regional Victoria, in towns including Ballarat and Kyneton, and in other areas. We ensured We saw major funding provided to rebuild the Hepburn that the Community Support Fund was no longer used spa resort at Hepburn Springs, which again is a central just to build major projects in Melbourne but was focus for tourism in the Hepburn region, and that has, spread out to support communities across the state, and as expected, helped to support ongoing growth in we saw many communities across my electorate and tourism and of course employment in the Hepburn the whole of Victoria benefiting from the Community region. Along with this development was support for Support Fund money. streetscape works in many of the smaller towns and for construction of tourism information centres in places That is why Labor introduced the Regional such as Creswick, and we saw numerous very Infrastructure Development Fund. That fund was voted important projects that were focused on ensuring great against by the Liberal and National parties at the

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 729 job opportunities and economic development Ballarat, can help support Ballarat and its jobs? No, we opportunities. have not seen her there. In fact in all of my time in Parliament I cannot recall having seen that minister, as When we looked at planning ahead for the election we either the minister or the opposition spokesperson, ever committed $10 million to the Eureka stadium in come to Ballarat. Ballarat, and I am sure the member for Ballarat West will want to say more about that. That was aimed at It is time that the government got serious about bringing not just AFL football games to Ballarat but Ballarat, that the Premier came up to Ballarat and that many more high-profile sporting, entertainment and the minister responsible for employment in regional exhibition events, which in turn would mean economic Victoria came up to Ballarat and worked with the benefit and more jobs for Ballarat. The project was Ballarat community to support jobs and development in strongly supported by the City of Ballarat as well as the our region. But it does not seem that this will happen, user groups associated with this precinct, and clearly it and I believe under this legislation, while we are not was going to stimulate greater prosperity for the city of opposing it, we will see empty promises from the Ballarat. Liberal-Nationals coalition for regional Victoria — promising a lot but delivering very little out of this We also saw a commitment of $600 000 towards the fund. Daylesford Spa Country Railway, which again was going to support the Daylesford spa country group and Clearly people will recognise that Labor continues to enable it to rebuild its railway track out to Bullarto, to support the regions. We will be arguing for support for build a historic replica station at Bullarto and to build the regions, and this government will languish. on the tourism opportunities in the Hepburn region. Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — I move: I am pleased to see that although we were not successful at the election, the Ballarat people clearly That the debate be now adjourned. voted for Labor, recognising the importance of these Ms EDWARDS (Bendigo West) — I would like to projects. I am at least pleased to see that the Liberal oppose the adjournment of this debate. This bill is far coalition government has changed its tune from the too important for regional members in this house to be former Kennett government days when it completely gagged by the coalition government. This bill is far too turned its back on regional Victoria. This government important to have the debate gagged. It is too important recognises that it needs to try to impress regional for the future of regional towns and communities, and Victoria and so it has announced this Regional Growth as a new member of this Parliament and as a Fund. representative of regional Victoria I am extremely disappointed that I will not be given the opportunity to My concern, like that of everyone in regional Victoria, speak on this bill, along with other members for is that this is a smoke-and-mirrors game. What we are regional Victoria such as the member for Ballarat West, getting under regional growth funding is not a Regional who also has concerns for the future of development in Infrastructure Development Fund, as we heard from the that region. member for South Barwon a moment ago. Rather it will include applications for funding for kindergartens, There has been much spin and rhetoric from health services and a whole range of other services that government members who have spoken on this bill this should be and are appropriately funded from other afternoon. They have not been convincing in giving significant buckets within the state budget. reasons why this bill will benefit regional Victoria. I would suggest that some members have been walking In terms of employment, we seem to have had a change around with their heads in the clouds and have not been in ministerial responsibilities whereby the Minister for looking around to see the impressive development Regional and Rural Development will not even have infrastructure improvements across the regions made responsibility for jobs in regional Victoria because, as over the last 11 years by the previous Labor we heard yesterday in question time, the Minister for government. There are several initiatives in Bendigo Innovation, Services and Small Business is to be West that I am concerned about that may not receive responsible for employment in regional Victoria. That funding under the Regional Growth Fund, and it is minister seemed to be gloating about the fact that there important that as a new member of Parliament I were 600 jobs stalled at Vertex in Ballarat. Has she represent my electorate and push for those issues to be been up to Ballarat to talk to the Ballarat City Council brought to the attention of the Parliament. about that? Has she talked to Vertex Australia about how she, as the minister responsible for employment in

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Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Acting she is passionate about her own electorate, but that is a Speaker, as you would well understand, being a very matter for another time. senior member of this place, this is a very narrow debate. It is about the adjournment; it is not to canvass Mr Donnellan — On the point of order, Acting the detail or matters that may affect the member’s Speaker, the member’s comments relate specifically to electorate. I ask you to bring the member back to the her interest in continuing the debate on the Regional very narrow debate on the adjournment. Growth Fund Bill 2011, which I think is terribly relevant. Mr Donnellan — On the point of order, Acting Speaker, there has been a very wide-ranging debate by The ACTING SPEAKER members on both sides of this house. There has been (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! I uphold the point of very broad interpretation of relevance. order. I ask the member to speak specifically to the reasons for her not supporting an adjournment of this The ACTING SPEAKER debate. (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! I do not uphold the point of order. The member is familiar with the rules of Ms EDWARDS — As I have indicated, this bill is the house and will take particular notice and care in her far too important for debate on it to be adjourned. There comments. is a great vibe and a sense of things being very forward moving in Bendigo West, and I would be very upset if I Ms EDWARDS — It is really disappointing that were not allowed to speak on this bill given that there opposition members are not allowed to hold the may be the possibility that things will not progress and government accountable when it introduces a new bill move forward in Bendigo West. This bill may not to this Parliament. This bill is vitally important to the benefit the regions of Victoria. In fact there are future of the regions of Victoria. It is not a bill to be indications already that it will not benefit the regions of taken lightly. There are many members of Parliament Victoria. It is very concerning that the government has on this side of the house who would like to speak on gutted regional development and its focus on jobs and this bill, who have issues they need to raise in their replaced it with the flawed Regional Growth Fund. I electorates and who want to represent their electorates oppose adjournment of this debate. in this Parliament and have the opportunity to put forward issues of concern to them because they feel Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections) — Very they may not be funded under the Regional Growth briefly on the adjournment, the significance of this bill Fund. It is important that they be given this opportunity. is not in any way diminished. As I indicated yesterday in relation to the adjournment of debate on another bill, We have been gagged on this debate, and I am currently discussions are continuing with the opposition extremely disappointed. As I said, there are a number of on this bill. The position is that there was an issues in my electorate alone which have not been understanding that we would go through the lead addressed by the Regional Growth Fund and which speakers, the three and the two structure, which has may not be funded by the Regional Growth Fund — in been a standard part of the operation of this Parliament fact, they probably will not be funded by that fund. for some time. That will get through. There is also an These include really important matters such as the new agreement to come back to the address-in-reply this jail being turned into a community hall and the Fortuna evening. We then propose to deal with two more bills Villa site, which the Labor government committed and, subject to discussions to accommodate our needs $7 million to — — and the opposition’s needs in relation to the bill, there is an agreement to come back to this bill tomorrow at The ACTING SPEAKER some stage to enable it to go into committee before the (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! The member for adjournment debate. Bendigo West is starting to stray a little and should confine her comments to the adjournment of the debate. Ms KNIGHT (Ballarat West) — I rise to oppose the adjournment as well. I was elected to represent the Ms EDWARDS — The $7 million that during the people of Ballarat West, and I cannot think of any election campaign Labor committed to fund the better way to do that than to speak to this Regional improvements to Fortuna Villa, which is an absolutely Growth Fund Bill 2011, which goes to the heart of the impressive building in Bendigo West — — people in my electorate. They certainly do not expect me to sit down and be quiet about a bill that I have Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Acting some real concerns about. They do not expect me to do Speaker, the member is clearly straying from the very that, and I will not do it. I need to be able to speak on narrow debate, which is on the adjournment. I am sure

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 731 behalf of the people of Ballarat West in respect of their West does not quite understand the nature of this very future. Certainly those who remember the Kennett narrow debate. Perhaps if you could explain to her the years and how my area was ignored would certainly nature and effect of this particular matter, she could want me to speak up on their behalf. I absolutely come back to the topic of this very narrow debate. oppose the adjournment of the debate, particularly in light of the fact that we had the member for Brighton The ACTING SPEAKER gloating about jobs in my area — — (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! I do not uphold the point of order from the Leader of the House, but I do Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Acting ask the member for Ballarat West to be conscious not to Speaker, I am speaking very slowly so the member stray from this very narrow debate. understands, which will of course be to your benefit. This is a very narrow debate. There will be an Ms KNIGHT — I apologise, Acting Speaker, I opportunity to canvass a wide range of matters relating stupidly thought that the Regional Growth Fund was, in to the bill, but not during this debate. This is a motion to the opinion of government members, about jobs as well adjourn the debate on this bill, and contributions should as about everything else. be confined to that very narrow aspect. Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Acting The ACTING SPEAKER Speaker, my opinion, while it is very important, is not (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! At this stage I will not relevant to this very narrow debate about the motion to uphold the point of order, but I remind the member that adjourn. While my opinion should be of some it is a narrow debate and she should be conscious of not significance to the opposition, it should not be to straying from the particularities of this debate. canvassed in this very narrow debate, which should be confined to the narrow issue of adjournment. Ms KNIGHT — Thank you, Acting Speaker. While I would expect to be patronised by the Minister for The ACTING RSPEAKE Corrections, I certainly do not welcome it. The people (Mr Pandazopoulos) — Order! I agree that it is a of Ballarat West elected me to represent them and to narrow debate. I will not uphold the point of order. I ensure that any Regional Growth Fund will look after think the member is making a passing comment about their interests in terms of employment and the way she took the point of order. However, she infrastructure development. I have real concerns about should in the next 17 seconds quickly focus on why she whether this bill does that. opposes the motion to adjourn debate on this bill.

I believe I have the right to speak on that. It is what I Ms KNIGHT — That is okay. I will just make it was elected to do, and it is what I thought we were all very clear that I oppose the motion to adjourn. here to do, but apparently not. Apparently there are different rules now. I know I am new, that I have not Mr CRISP (Mildura) — I rise to support the motion been here for very long and that I have a lot to learn, to adjourn the debate. Regarding some comments made but I thought a basic principle of this place was that by the member for Bendigo West on this matter, we are when a bill is introduced and that bill will directly not gagging the debate, we are simply adjourning it. I impact on a member’s electorate, then that member note that the opposition is supporting this bill, and I may get a chance to speak on the bill. It is a crazy therefore think the carry-on at this stage is hypocrisy notion I know! I would welcome the opportunity, as bordering on time wasting from those opposite. As for would the people of my electorate, to speak on this bill. the member for Ballarat West, I think she I am sure the people of my electorate were incredibly endeavoured — as much as you would tolerate, Acting offended yesterday when during question time the Speaker — to jump the queue in debating this particular member for Brighton gloated about jobs being lost. issue. That is slightly better than the time wasting, but in relation to her argument to you about there being Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Acting different rules, I see the rules as being no different to Speaker, I am sorry if I am being patronising, but what they have been since I have been in Parliament. I starting to discuss what was raised in question time therefore totally support adjourning debate on this bill. yesterday is clearly outside the scope of this debate. It is Let us just get on with doing the job. a very narrow debate. It is on a motion to adjourn the debate on this bill, and raising matters canvassed in House divided on Mr Morris’s motion: question time is perhaps a little bit out of the ordinary. I Ayes, 44 am sorry if I am sounding patronising, but that is the Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr nature of the debate. Perhaps the member for Ballarat Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr

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Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr Summary Offences Act 1996 to increase the penalties Battin, Mr Northe, Mr for being drunk and disorderly and otherwise amend Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs that act. I note that the act will commence on Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms proclamation or on 1 February 2012. Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr In introducing this bill the government has said it is Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. delivering on its election commitment to introduce Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr tough new offences relating to antisocial behaviour at Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr or near licensed premises as well as higher penalties for Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr failing to leave licensed premises when drunk, violent Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs or quarrelsome. While I do not wish to quibble about Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr whether the provisions of the bill are tough, I do wish to Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr raise some matters of concern regarding the McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr enforceability of some of the provisions and the McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr practicality of others. I do this because it is important Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms for the Parliament to play an effective role in Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms scrutinising any bills brought before it for their efficacy Noes, 43 in fulfilling the policy intentions. Let me be clear: Allan, Ms Hulls, Mr Labor has always been very serious about backing Andrews, Mr Hutchins, Ms well-thought-out measures that lead to the reduction of Barker, Ms Kairouz, Ms alcohol-related assaults and the responsible Beattie, Ms Knight, Ms consumption of alcohol in the community. Brooks, Mr Languiller, Mr Campbell, Ms Lim, Mr Carbines, Mr McGuire, Mr I wish to step through some of the more pertinent D’Ambrosio, Ms Madden, Mr elements of the bill, and I will start with the creation Donnellan, Mr Merlino, Mr and application of barring orders. The bill creates a Duncan, Ms Nardella, Mr definition of ‘responsible person’, who is someone Edwards, Ms Neville, Ms other than a licensee or permittee who has a managerial Eren, Mr Noonan, Mr Foley, Mr Pallas, Mr authority over the running of a licensed venue. It Garrett, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr excludes employees, for example, such as crowd Graley, Ms Perera, Mr controllers and people serving behind the bar. It is very Green, Ms Pike, Ms much an authority rested in someone who performs a Halfpenny, Ms Richardson, Ms Helper, Mr Scott, Mr managerial function at the premises. Hennessy, Ms Thomson, Ms Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr The bill provides new powers for licensees, permittees, Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr responsible persons and police officers to issue barring Howard, Mr orders to troublesome patrons, barring them from Motion agreed to. entering or remaining in licensed premises for a set period of time. The bill redefines the term ‘the vicinity Debate adjourned until later this day. of licensed premises’ to being a public space that is within 20 metres of the licensed premises. The bill also allows for the issue of graduated barring orders for up JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT to one month for the first order issued to a particular BILL 2011 patron, three months for the second and six months for the third barring order. Further, the bill creates new Second reading offences which prohibit a person on a barring order from entering or remaining on licensed premises or Debate resumed from 3 March; motion of remaining in or re-entering the vicinity without a Mr O’BRIEN (Consumer Affairs). reasonable excuse. A new offence is being created to Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park) — I rise to speak prohibit a person refused entry or who has been on the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2011. This requested to leave a licensed premises from remaining bill seeks to amend the Liquor Control Reform Act in the vicinity of that licensed premises without 1998 to enable persons to be barred from licensed reasonable excuse. premises and their vicinity in certain circumstances and These barring orders are proposed as an additional to otherwise amend the act. It will also amend the power for licensees and other responsible persons in

JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 733 managing the behaviour of their patrons. This power or their staff. We are talking here about a drunk, violent will be in addition to the current common-law provision or quarrelsome person giving their name and other which allows licensees to determine who can or cannot details for the purposes of allowing a responsible be on their premises, and it is important to keep that in person to fill out a barring order form, and that drunk, mind. Let us be clear: there now exists a common-law violent or quarrelsome person physically accepting that right for licensees to determine who can or cannot be piece of paper from the responsible person is very on their premises. unlikely, in my opinion.

A licensee, permittee, responsible person or member of However, I do note that a barring order does not the police force equally may serve an order on a person necessarily have to be issued at the time of the barring that person from entering or remaining on behaviour occurring, and this point has been confirmed licensed premises for a specified period if, firstly, the by the department in a briefing to me. The police can be person is drunk, violent or quarrelsome in the licensed called in to issue an order at a later point, away from the premises, or, secondly, they reasonably believe that the premises. This in turn raises the question: what is the safety of the person, or that of any other person in the point of this power existing at all for persons other than licensed premises, is at substantial or immediate risk as police officers, if the police have to be called in, a result of the consumption of alcohol by the person. whether at the time of the problem occurring or at a later stage? This is a point we need to consider. These A concern I have with this power is that a member of matters of practical application do cause doubts as to the public — that is, a responsible person — is issuing a whether these new powers will in fact be used by legally enforceable order to another member of the responsible persons other than police officers. public. The power to issue orders usually rests with authorised officers, and police officers are a notable I return to some of the particulars of the bill. The example. I believe this may be the first time that a duration of a barring order is a period not exceeding legally enforceable order will be allowed to operate in one month for a first incident, a period not exceeding the way it is presented here in the bill. Again, it is an three months for a second incident and a period not important point to be noted in this debate. exceeding six months for more than two incidents. At this point I wish to raise a matter of concern regarding I refer the house to comments made by the president of the record keeping of barring orders issued by Liberty Victoria, Professor Spencer Zivcak, on this responsible persons. Importantly, the bill does not matter. He confirmed to me his view that powers of this require barring orders to be logged centrally with the kind ought to be exercised by the proper authorities, in director of liquor licensing. Department staff have this case the police. Professor Zivcak further said that advised me that there will be no central register, this could actually provoke bad behaviour. Whilst the meaning there is really no way of monitoring whether second concern of Professor Zivcak will be tested over this new power is being used or its effectiveness in the course of time, it is nevertheless important that we being able to curb and deal with problematic patrons. note the departure from the usual conferral of such Effectively the government is creating a situation where powers. The question for us as legislators is whether the it will have absolutely no way of ever knowing how policy imperative justifies such a departure. It must be many barring orders have been issued by people. said that it raises concerns regarding the restriction on the right to freedom of movement in a public space. The minister may be able to shed some light on some of these matters, but how can the government ascertain the The barring order will be in a prescribed form prepared success or otherwise of this power? I would have by the department, and this is the only way a licensee thought that, given the commitment of the government can determine the patron’s identity. If a patron refuses and its seriousness in being tough on problems that are to provide personal information for the form, the alcohol related to deal with assaults and the like in areas licensee will have no recourse other than to call the surrounding or in licensed premises, it would have put police to have them issue the barring order. some thought into maintaining or establishing a means by which it could assess the effectiveness of these Department staff have advised that guidelines will be powers. It is a bit unbelievable that we have a issued to licensees on what the threshold for substantial government that says it is tough on the matter of or immediate risk is. When we consider the threshold alcohol-related violence on our streets but provides no provided under the bill — ‘drunk, violent or way of knowing whether the unique extension to a quarrelsome’ and ‘at substantial or immediate risk’ — I member of the public issuing a barring order to another believe that it is doubtful that licensees will want to use member of the public — and members should this power on patrons, given the associated risk to them remember that this is a uniquely attributed power —

JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011

734 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 actually works. One really has to wonder whether the entry has been refused or if the person has been government is walking the walk or talking the talk on requested to leave. Essentially, if a patron is refused this matter. It is important that we do hear from the entry, it is for the 24-hour period. I know that licensees minister before this bill arrives in the other place, and I and permittees have welcomed having the ability to do hope that he will be able to provide an explanation for that enshrined in law, but there is no clarity about how why there will be no central register. these two new offences will work in practice. The police will need to be called in to deal with a patron Another matter I have raised with the department is who refuses to leave, so if a licensee or responsible what happens if a licensed premises changes hands. person wishes to have someone leave the premises for Will an existing barring order continue to be viable? up to 24 hours and someone refuses to do that, the The department has said that barring orders will no police will need to be called in. longer apply since the licensed premises from which a person was barred no longer exists. I seek confirmation Here it becomes less clear how the following 24 hours from the minister whether this is the case. If he were will be tracked in practical terms. Let us assume that the able to provide this information, that would be very police are brought in if necessary. That is one way of good. This could be a result of the government’s failure dealing with the practicality of the ban. The next to require a central register from which a new licensee 24 hours is an interesting area to look at — for could receive information. If we had provision for a example, will the licensee need to take a photo or the central register in this bill, the new licensee could name and address of the person who has been ejected ascertain whether there were existing barring orders for 24 hours so that staff can identify that patron over applicable to or viable in respect of the licensed the course of the following 24 hours? As shiftwork is premises they were taking responsibility for. It is involved at licensed premises we know the staff important to ensure that there is a joined-up, seamless working the next day are not always the same people way for new licensees to be able to ascertain this. I ask who were there on the previous night, so another the minister: does this not undermine the value of the important point is how the person will be correctly barring order issued by the licensee? I would have identified. It would be greatly appreciated if the thought this would present some difficulties with regard minister could at some stage, before the bill is presented to the continuity of a barring order. in the other place, provide some information in that regard. I also ask whether the minister could provide an explanation on a related issue. If a police officer issues There is another concern. The department has agreed a barring order in relation to a specified licensed with me that under the 24-hour banning provision in the premises and the same licensed premises changes bill a patron can be refused entry for reasons that are hands, how will the new licensee know that an active not alcohol related. The reasons for refusing entry can barring order is in place against a particular patron? be anything from a person’s sex, race, dress code or size of the group — that is right. Importantly, the From my reading of the bill the police are also not penalty for these offences is 20 penalty units. I note that required to log barring orders with the director of liquor the bill protects against licensees using the personal licensing. I think these are critical points, and I think it details of the patron against whom they have issued a is fair that we receive some response or explanation for barring order. Interestingly, however, this does not why this might be the case. While the licensee or specifically apply to a responsible person who is not the responsible person is able to issue a barring order, they licensee but may be the person issuing the barring are not able to issue infringements or penalties order. Again I seek clarification from the minister on associated with breaches. Obviously this is an why that is the case. There may well be a solid and important differentiation, because that is absolutely a simple explanation for that. matter for the police. To issue a barring order police are required to produce Licensed premises will now be taken to mean any identity unless they are in uniform. That is standard public area within 20 metres of a licensed premises. practice. However, there is no requirement for a Barring orders aside, there is a new offence for refusing licensee or responsible person to produce proof of to leave a licensed premises or its vicinity if entry has identity. People may well say it is clear they are in been refused or if the person has been requested to authority, and that may be sufficient. Police can leave for up to 24 hours. I noted earlier that licensees specifically request the personal details of the patron in already have the ability to exercise this function order to issue a barring order. There is nothing in the through common law. A new offence is created for bill that allows a responsible person, other than police returning to the vicinity within the 24-hour period if officers, to request this information.

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I turn the attention of the house to the increased stakeholders who will be affected by this bill. I ask the penalties and new penalties outlined in the bill. The bill minister to offer some assurances that this matter will increases the penalties for refusing or failing to leave a be clarified for Clubs Victoria, because as I said it is licensed premises if requested to do so by a responsible generally supportive of the bill. person or a member of the police force. For the existing offence of being drunk, violent or quarrelsome the I have already talked about the new and increased penalty increases from 20 penalty units to 50 penalty penalties for offences, so I will leave them to one side units. It increases the penalty for drunk and disorderly for the moment. There is a technical change. The bill behaviour in public places for a first offence to repeals section 141(2)(ea) of the Liquor Control 20 penalty units or three days imprisonment, and to Reform Act 1988 to correct a previous drafting error. 20 penalty units or imprisonment for a month for a However, the second-reading speech or explanatory second or subsequent offence. This is an increase of memorandum does not explain what that technical error 10 penalty units, but the term of imprisonment remains is. Depending on the nature of that drafting error, which the same. The bill provides for the new offences to be is not explained, this may have implications for its treated as infringeable — that is, it provides for interpretation by the courts. on-the-spot fines. These are offences of 20 penalty units for entering, remaining on or staying in the vicinity of Mr O’Brien interjected. licensed premises from which a person has been barred. Ms D’AMBROSIO — I would hope the minister I have some concerns as to how the use of powers would have been thorough enough to comment on this conferred on a responsible person managing a club may matter, which he has obviously overlooked, in the contradict dispute resolution procedures in club rules. explanatory memorandum and his second-reading This is an important point, but I certainly do not wish to speech. He needs to be a little bit more careful in make it sound as though it is of grave concern. I raise preparing materials for the consideration of the house. I this matter because it is a grey area that Clubs Victoria wonder if this oversight by the minister can be wishes to have clarified. Its concern is a fairly nuanced explained and the drafting error, as the minister one, but nevertheless it is valid. It stems from the fact describes it, can be put on the record for the purposes of that a board or committee of management, comprising potential court matters that may arise in which people club members, may have a situation where an need to have regard to that section of the legislation. employee, being a club manager acting as the In short, I note the comments on the bill made by the responsible person, wishes to be able to exercise the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, which power to issue a barring order or a 24-hour ban against include comments on this matter. I hope the minister a patron where that patron is also a club member. The will have a little more regard for issues raised by SARC concern of Clubs Victoria is how its rules, which are than he does for those raised by me. As far as I am based on the model rules of the department, and the concerned it is fine if he wishes to treat this matter as an provisions in the bill intersect. On the one hand, the oversight on his part. I hope he does better in his club has rules with dispute procedures which are written response to SARC’s request for an explanation. equally applicable to club members; on the other hand, SARC has raised some issues, including that fact. It a club manager may want to be able to manage the also comments that there is no statutory provision in the premises utilising powers under this bill. bill for independent review and makes comments on Clubs Victoria is generally supportive of the bill — and the engagement of freedom of movement. that needs to be said quite clearly — but it is a little Mr O’Brien interjected. unclear about the industrial relations implications that may arise between a club’s board and its employees. Ms D’AMBROSIO — Again, if the Minister for Consumer Affairs wishes to interject, he may wish to Mr O’Brien interjected. put that comment into his letter of reply to SARC and Ms D’AMBROSIO — Maybe the minister needs to see how its members feel about it. We are certainly explain that to them. The minister has to be far more seeing a minister who seems to be strutting his stuff, responsive to community concerns as they arise, rather thinking he does not have to answer to anyone, not even than simply making off-the-cuff remarks. It is of SARC, which is a very highly respected committee of concern that after just over the 100 days the the Parliament. I hope the minister will reconsider his Liberal-Nationals coalition has been in government it attitude. has become extremely arrogant. Anyway, I will Before finishing up, I want to remind the house of the continue to represent the views of the community and record of members on this side when we were in

JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011

736 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 government. Labor introduced various robust measures Ms D’AMBROSIO — If the minister keeps to improve public safety and reduce alcohol-related listening, he will find out. He must realise that he has to harm in the community. These include new powers for have a little bit of patience when he is in government. Victoria Police to shut down a venue for 24 hours where they believe there is a risk to public safety. May I As I said, random search powers in designated areas say that I will be going to a few more of these were also given to police. That is not to mention the measures, which are still in place. I do not hear record number of police on our streets. New licensing anything from the minister in terms of his views being conditions were introduced, as was a freeze on new that they need to be repealed, so I believe they are very late-night liquor licences in certain areas. There were robust measures that certainly need to be considered in robust community education campaigns, which are very this debate. important.

Labor also introduced a new offence of disorderly I could go on, but I will not do so. There was certainly a conduct, giving the police the ability to issue very strong and robust response from the previous on-the-spot fines for this new offence. That was a government on what are and continue to be serious practical and timely way of dealing with problem problems around alcohol-related assaults. offenders on the street. The existing offences of ‘drunk and disorderly’ and ‘drunk’ were also introduced by the I ask for one last piece of information on the bill from previous government. Fines for these offences were the minister — that is, why has the minister not doubled from 1 July last year. included in the bill the government’s election commitment to ban for up to two years from all Powers were given to police to ban troublemakers from licensed premises across Victoria persons convicted of entertainment precincts for up to 72 hours, and for up to alcohol-related crimes? It could be because that is 12 months on a court order. Tough new weapons laws something for a later bill down the track in this term of and strict new closed-circuit television requirements to government, or it could be that that promise of help police identify and apprehend those responsible for government members was always going to be violence and antisocial behaviour in and around absolutely unenforceable. I think it is important that the licensed premises were introduced. government squares off with the community on why it has left this element of its election commitment out of In government Labor also extended search powers in this bill. designated areas. In finishing up, I state that the opposition does not Mr Newton-Brown — On a point of order, Acting oppose the bill. Speaker, the member for Mill Park is not debating the bill before the house; she is making comment on a Mr NORTHE (Morwell) — It gives me great previous bill of a previous government. pleasure to rise to speak on the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2011. The bill amends the Liquor The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Eren) — Order! Control Reform Act 1998 to enable persons to be There is no point of order. barred from licensed premises and their vicinity in certain circumstances and otherwise amends that act. Ms D’AMBROSIO — I inform the member for The bill also amends the Summary Offences Act 1996 Prahran, who is a new member of Parliament, that there to increase the penalties for being drunk and disorderly is the custom and practice of many years standing in and otherwise amends that act. this house that lead speakers are able to deal with issues that are related to bills. From the outset, I wish to respond to the contribution by the member for Mill Park. I note that in the first Mr O’Brien interjected. 20 minutes her contribution was clear, succinct and sensible, but it went downhill from there. While she Ms D’AMBROSIO — That is right. The minister expressed some concerns about administrative and did not have to stay here. clerical issues in the bill, we eventually got to the ‘not Mr O’Brien interjected. oppose’ element, which is important.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Eren) — Order! The measures in the bill before the house are part of a Through the Chair. The minister will get his chance. range of legislative initiatives to tackle antisocial behaviour, public drunkenness and alcohol-fuelled violence in this state. Prior to the 2010 election, the coalition committed to maintaining public order in this

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 737 state and to combating the appalling behaviour of what alcohol-fuelled violence. One of those that is interesting is essentially a minority of people. As members know, and in my view unfortunate is that between 1999–2000 the majority of people who go into licensed premises do and 2007–08 alcohol-related ambulance attendances so to have a good time, and generally that is what rose by 167 per cent. During the same period of time happens. We need to deal with that small minority presentations to emergency departments for alcohol which is made up of an element of people who want to intoxication nearly doubled, night-time assaults rose by go out and make a nuisance of themselves to other 49 per cent and there was a 47 per cent rise in people. alcohol-related hospitalisation. It is not just individuals who experience hardship because of this; it also puts Antisocial behaviour is not confined to just King Street enormous pressure on our emergency services and or the general metropolitan area of Melbourne. Many health system. This is not just the responsibility of regional centres, such as those in my own electorate, licensees; it is a whole-of-community issue to tackle unfortunately have had their own share of challenges what is essentially a scourge. with respect to alcohol-fuelled violence and people making a nuisance of themselves with an excess of Key aspects of the bill are an increase in penalties and alcohol. the creation of new offences and penalties. These are dealt with in clauses 7 and 9, which amend the Liquor One of the local initiatives in our community is the Control Reform Act 1998 and the Summary Offences Traralgon CBD Safety Committee. It consists of the Act 1966. The member for Mill Park spoke about some local police, local business people, licensed venue of the increases in penalties and the establishment of operators, licensees and the community in general. new penalties. For example, under the Summary They get together and look at local initiatives. Today Offences Act 1966 the previous maximum penalty for a we have before us state government initiatives that will first offence of drunk and disorderly was 10 penalty supplement local initiatives to help combat that type of units. That will double to 20 penalty units. The penalty behaviour. It requires a whole-of-community approach for an infringement is currently set at 4 penalty units to try to change the culture of people who go out and and will increase to 5. The new maximum for a second not only annoy other people but make life difficult for offence will be 20 penalty units, and the new all those around them. infringement will rise from 4 penalty units to 10 penalty units. This sends a strong and clear message to those This is a very important election issue. During the last who might breach these offences that it is not a sensible Parliament, I conducted a community survey in my thing to do. One would hope that people would own electorate. The no. 1 issue that came back in understand the consequences of a second offence, response to that community survey was the need to particularly after being issued with a first offence, and ensure that community safety was improved refrain from undertaking such activities. significantly. Section 114(2) of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 If members look at some of the statistics around alcohol states: and the abuse of alcohol over a period, they will get some sense of the need to introduce the measures that A person who is drunk, violent or quarrelsome must not are before the house today. Statistics show that there refuse or fail to leave licensed premises if requested to do so was a 42 per cent increase in alcohol-related assaults by — between 1999–2000 and 2007–08. That is an appalling (a) the licensee or permittee; or statistic. Assaults on street lanes and on public transport increased by 27 per cent between 2005–06 and (b) an employee or agent of the licensee or permittee; or 2009–10. The figures show a rise from 7927 to (c) a member of the police force. 10 101 incidents. When you sit back and consider that, it is just appalling. Between 2005–06 and 2009–10 The penalty for the existing offence of failing to obey a assault offences on licensed premises rose by direction to leave a premises has risen from the 14.3 per cent. Again, that is enough to cause alarm and previous maximum of 20 penalty units to the new to make people understand that what was in place maximum of 50 penalty units, which is a substantial before was not working and that we need to consider increase by anybody’s reckoning. There is also the such measures as we have before us today. establishment of a number of new offences, including remaining in the vicinity, re-entering licensed premises The parliamentary library has generated a very good and failure to comply with a barring order by entering document on this bill. The document lists other or remaining on a licensed premises from which a elements in our community that are impacted by person is barred.

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Clause 4 of the bill, which includes proposed we often see it in public places. The opposition does not section 106D, refers to barring orders. The member for oppose the bill. In government we worked hard to Mill Park outlined some concerns around the address matters related to antisocial behaviour caused administrative application of this, but the government by excessive consumption of alcohol in public places, thinks it is a very important element of the bill. It gives but we can always do more. I note that some aspects of licensees the flexibility to produce barring orders for the bill seek to provide greater confidence and greater people who are making a nuisance of themselves and opportunities for venue licensees and permittees to interfering with other people. The industry has been address matters of antisocial behaviour on their calling for this for a long period of time, and I will premises that relate to alcohol consumption. elaborate on it a bit further. It provides flexibility for licensees to issue a barring order for a maximum of one While it is important for the Parliament to make laws in month for a first offence. A second offence within a regard to these matters, it is also about how people deal three-year period entitles a person to a barring order of with these matters in their local communities. I will use a maximum of three months. If a person receives three an example from my time on the Banyule City Council, barring orders within three years, there is a penalty of a which covers the Ivanhoe electorate, during which we barring order of up to six months. That is referred to sought to address matters of antisocial behaviour and a further in proposed section 106G. lack of community confidence and safety around licensed premises by introducing local laws that Also in clause 4, proposed section 106J talks about the provided police with extra powers to fine people and prohibition of a person who is subject to a barring order confiscate alcohol rather than using the summary from entering or remaining on a licensed premises or offences of arresting them and taking them to court. remaining in or re-entering the vicinity of the licensed These are small matters, but they relate to the bill. premises without a reasonable excuse. As the member for Mill Park elaborated, that essentially means within a We often talk about licensed venues. Many people public place within 20 metres of a licensed premises. would see these as being hotels, pubs and clubs, but in Unfortunately some incidents have been highlighted in shopping strips, in many instances, there is the sale of the news of people undertaking such activities. Again packaged alcohol, and there is a need to provide this is something that licensees and the industry have confidence and support to local businesses and been calling for, and I will elaborate further on the communities using those shops to give them peace of support from the industry. The Sunraysia Daily of mind and confidence that the law is there to serve them 8 March 2011 states: and that police have the right powers to address issues that concern local communities. Senior sergeant Bill Panagiotaros of Mildura police said the new legislation would ‘enhance our ability to swiftly deal We found in the Ivanhoe electorate that we needed to with a minority group whose behaviour whilst intoxicated is address those issues more. We are not in the CBD nor not only inappropriate but impacts on others within the community’. regional centres where there are large concentrations of people and licensed venues. We found that in small I think that says it all. On 21 March 2011 the Latrobe shopping strips where alcohol can be sold and made Valley Express reported: available you can still have the same sorts of problems that this bill seeks to address. Crown hotel owner Peter Pacunskis said he felt the tougher laws would give licensees more control and ‘curb the The purpose of the bill is to amend the Liquor Control violence and behaviour around towns in the morning’. Reform Act 1998 to enable persons to be barred from There is more support of this kind from eminent people licensed premises and their vicinity in certain within the industry. The Australian Hotels Association, circumstances. There are other amendments to the act amongst others, has supported this amendment before in the bill as well, but I will focus on some of the us. This is about tackling crime and getting tough on aspects that address barring orders. Other aspects that people who make a nuisance of themselves to other relate to the barring orders also relate to the definition people, and it is time we stamp it out. I am proud of this of a responsible person. This refers to ‘a person government for doing so. responsible for the management or control of licensed premises’, who may be the general manager or bar Mr CARBINES (Ivanhoe) — I am pleased to rise manager. The definition does not extend to security to speak on the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill personnel or other officers, which is a prudent step by 2011. Everyone in this house clearly abhors violence. the government and provides an opportunity for the Unfortunately a lot of antisocial behaviour and violence community to have greater confidence in the way this is the result of excessive consumption of alcohol, and will roll out.

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The proposed barring orders provide an additional I also think it is important to address the matter of power for licensees, who already have some rights reporting back. Finding a way to monitor the frequency under common law. The orders will provide some and effectiveness of the barring orders needs to be added opportunities for licensees and some staff to done. That would be good data for the government to implement some of the measures in the bill. be collecting, and there might be a way that can be done. I am interested to hear further in the The Australian Hotels Association has indicated its government’s response as to whether there will be support for the bill. That leaves people in no doubt provisions in the legislation for licensees to report to the about the fact that there will be a price to be paid if department on the number of barring orders that have people choose to behave in an unruly or unsociable been issued so we can get a sense of the effectiveness manner in licensed premises. of these extra orders.

What I have a concern about and what I am looking The opposition supports the bill, but a lot of concerns in forward to understanding more about from the the community relate to young people. While I am not a explanations of the government is how we can provide parent yet I can understand people’s concerns. Going protection and support for those in licensed premises out to licensed venues is in many cases a rite of passage who seek to act on what will be the new laws when this for young people. They do so with their friends, and bill is passed. I would like to know how they will order often they do that because of camaraderie and to look out of a licensed premises someone who is drunk, after each other. We have seen a number of advertising violent or quarrelsome; how they will deal with being campaigns over the years along those lines. put in risky situations with those who are unruly and who fit the definitions about behaviour in this bill; and What we are always looking to do is to provide how they will bar those people or ask them to leave. opportunities to give the community confidence that These are issues which already have to be dealt with by there continue to be initiatives that empower licensees, licensees of premises, and the extra barring provisions law enforcement agencies and the community through proposed by the government are not opposed by the their understanding that these powers are available. Labor Party, but there need to be good supports in place They should be able to demand and expect licensees in to support the licensees and staff of these venues who venues to understand the powers. They should be able will have the opportunity and the power to implement to say, ‘You need to be protecting us as patrons from these barring orders. this sort of behaviour’.

As we know, there are a lot of incidents in our There is an obligation not just on licensees; we are community that involve people who are not only wanting to ensure that they are supported in terms of alcohol affected but in respect of whom in many cases how they apply the new barring orders. We want to there is also other substance abuse going on. I have make sure the community understands the potential spoken to many licensees in my electorate who have inclusions of some of these initiatives and barring standing in the community and many years of orders. Community members need to understand and be experience. They often talk about the fact that they have clear about these initiatives and barring orders so they seen people who are antisocial as a result of the can advocate for and understand their rights when they excessive consumption of alcohol in many situations are patrons lawfully going about their business in a over many years, but what we are seeing more of these licensed venue. These things are a part of the bill and days are people who are also affected by drugs. That are to be commended. A barring order can be varied by combination can leave people, including licensees and the person who has issued the order; it can also be patrons, in dangerous situations, so there needs to be an varied by the director, either upon request or on the empowering of licensees regarding barring orders, and director’s own motion. It is interesting that a request for there needs to be support regarding how they are going revocation may be made by the person barred, the to deal with people who are not only alcohol affected licensee who issued it or a member of the police force. but also drug affected. I have a question regarding the Scrutiny of Acts and Whilst calling the police will always be one option, it is Regulations Committee, which has noted that: also important to get an understanding of how barring orders will be enforced by licensees. They need to get … no statutory provision has been provided in the bill for an independent body to review a decision by the director — support from the government about how they will do that. There could probably be some more detail of liquor licensing — provided by the government about that. under part 7A (barring orders).

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I would be interested to hear more from the government liquor licensees who perform the serious task of about the rights of those who wish to pursue or keeping our licensed venues safe. Yes, we will be challenge barring orders that may apply to them. giving them a power under this bill, but it is a power that they need to fulfil their responsibilities and that the In closing my comments in support of the bill I indicate community needs to be kept safe. there is an ongoing desire from all members of this place to empower law enforcement and to empower There is no doubt that over the past 11 years the licensees and put obligations on them around how they previous government allowed a culture of violence and deal with their venues and with their patrons. The drunken behaviour to take control of our licensed ongoing concerns people have will be addressed in part premises and our streets. Despite the release of dodgy by the bill. But there are some aspects on which it figures late last year designed to lull us into a sense of would be helpful to get some further advice from the false security and into believing everything is okay and government, such as how we might manage the crime prevention is getting better, in actual fact between numbers of the barring orders that apply over time so 2005 and 2010 we had a 14.3 per cent increase in we can look at further initiatives in this place to provide assaults in licensed premises. greater confidence to the community that when people are out on the town at licensed venues and behaving Everything is not okay. Going out in Melbourne is now appropriately, they will have the support of this place a frightening experience. I recall a night out in the city I with this legislation. had with my wife in December last year. It may have been a bit of a post-election celebration. Mr NEWTON-BROWN (Prahran) — I rise to support the bill, which makes significant advances in Ms Thomson — Deputy Speaker, I suggest that the refining the framework in which the responsible sale state of the house requires a quorum to be called. and service of liquor is regulated. In essence, this bill will enable liquor licensees to better fulfil their The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! A quorum obligations to provide a safe venue for patrons, and it needs to be called; ring the bells. Order! Members will provide a safer and more attractive venue for cannot leave the chamber when a quorum is being patrons. Who wants to go to a venue and be harassed by called. Order! drunks and aggressive people? Quorum formed.

The ALP seems to be implying we are being a bit Debate interrupted. heavy-handed here. The member for Mill Park was concerned that members of the public will be given too much power to issue these notices, suggesting that NAMING AND SUSPENSION OF MEMBER liquor licensees may abuse this power. We expect liquor licensees to take on enormous responsibilities. Member for Footscray Every day they are at risk of fines and criminal charges for failing to fulfil their responsibilities and duties. Yet The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I name the the member for Mill Park thinks they cannot be trusted member for Footscray, and I call the Speaker into the with the responsibility of filling in a form, and that they house. may abuse that power and say, ‘I don’t like your shoes’. The SPEAKER resumed the chair. Ms D’Ambrosio — On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, the member is clearly misrepresenting the The SPEAKER — Order! The member for comments I have made in my contribution, and he Footscray has been named. I call the Leader of the should be talking about the — — House.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! That is not a Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections) — I point of order. move: That the member for Footscray be suspended from the service Mr NEWTON-BROWN — The member for Mill of the house for the remainder of the day’s sitting. Park even called on her trusted friends at Liberty Victoria in support of the argument that there is great House divided on motion: potential for abuse with this bill — such as someone saying, ‘I don’t like your shoes, you’re barred’; ‘You Ayes, 44 dance like Peter Garrett, you’re barred’. It is an insult to Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr

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Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr and vibrant nightlife, among many things. Along with Battin, Mr Northe, Mr my colleagues in the opposition I strongly believe that Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs alcohol-fuelled violence on our streets and in our Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms entertainment precincts is unacceptable, as is any other Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr sort of violence. It tarnishes our image as a great place Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr to either live or visit. That is why the Labor government Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. worked hard in office to reduce all forms of violence. Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr That is why Labor delivered 1750 front-line police and Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr an additional 120 to directly combat alcohol-fuelled Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr violence and crimes and public order issues. Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr When talking about this bill it is important to Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr understand the current situation which will be affected, McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr enhanced or modified by this bill. The previous Labor McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr government provided power to police to seek a court Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms order banning troublemakers from an entertainment Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms precinct for up to 12 months. It also created the new Noes, 42 offence of disorderly conduct and gave police the Allan, Ms Howard, Mr ability to issue a spot fine for that offence. It doubled Andrews, Mr Hulls, Mr the fines to $478 for the offences of being drunk, and Barker, Ms Hutchins, Ms drunk and disorderly. The police were given powers to Beattie, Ms Kairouz, Ms shut down a venue for 24 hours where they believe Brooks, Mr Knight, Ms Campbell, Ms Languiller, Mr there is a risk to public safety and new powers to move Carbines, Mr Lim, Mr people on from certain areas where there is fear that D’Ambrosio, Ms McGuire, Mr there will be a bit of conflict. Donnellan, Mr Madden, Mr Duncan, Ms Merlino, Mr The Labor government introduced a new risk-based Edwards, Ms Nardella, Mr licensing structure whereby venues presenting more Eren, Mr Noonan, Mr Foley, Mr Pallas, Mr risk of harm are asked to pay more. There were many Garrett, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr other measures taken by the Bracks and Brumby Graley, Ms Perera, Mr governments to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence. We in Green, Ms Pike, Ms the opposition are proud of those measures, and it is Halfpenny, Ms Richardson, Ms Helper, Mr Scott, Mr pleasing to note that this bill is not a deviation from the Hennessy, Ms Thomson, Ms process triggered by the Labor government to combat Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr alcohol-fuelled violence on our streets and in our Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr entertainment precincts. Motion agreed to. The centrepiece of this bill before the house is to insert The SPEAKER — Order! I ask the member for a definition of ‘responsible person’, create new offences Footscray to leave the house for the rest of the day. around barring orders and provide powers to allow non-police officers to carry out police duties in some Honourable member for Footscray withdrew from instances. chamber. A responsible person is a person responsible for the management or control of licensed premises. It is not JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT exactly clear who is a responsible person and who is BILL 2011 not. The bill covers general managers, managers and bar managers. It might not extend to security staff, Second reading crowd controllers, bartenders, service and other staff who are not in a management role at the licensed Debate resumed. premises. It does not specify whether any other staff will hold the powers under delegation to issue barring Mr PERERA (Cranbourne) — I wish to make a orders in the absence of managers. few comments on the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2011. Victoria in general, and Melbourne in There is also little guidance in the bill as to how the particular, is a place renowned for its cultural diversity responsible person can issue an order against someone

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742 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 who is drunk, violent and quarrelsome or putting working and they are unable to identify people who someone at risk as a result of their intoxication. were barred in the previous 24 hours? Therefore it is very likely that police will regularly be called to issue these orders. This raises the issue of A licensee or permittee must not disclose any records whether the powers will be exercised by the responsible gathered in relation to their patrons. That is a person or whether the police will regularly be called requirement put in place pertaining to the maintenance instead. If this is the case, some parts of the legislation of records of barring orders for licensees. However, will be redundant. there is no provision in the bill that deals with misuse of the information, nor are there any associated penalties. These powers are in addition to the police banning The records must be destroyed within three years. powers given to licensees and other responsible persons However, if the licensee changes, the barring orders to assist in managing the behaviour of their patrons. cease to exist. The concern here is that the responsible person is a member of the public who is not trained to enforce the We on this side of the house have an ongoing law or to issue a legally enforceable order on another commitment to make our streets and communities safe. member of the public. Currently under the act When in government we brought in a number of well-trained police officers may issue a banning notice measures to increase public safety in entertainment in respect of a designated area and a court can issue an precincts and to discourage any sort of violence, exclusion order. This legislation gives power to whether alcohol fuelled or race based. Therefore we civilians and allows them to play some policing roles, will not oppose this bill. and the execution of these powers needs to be closely monitored. Ms WREFORD (Mordialloc) — I move: That the debate be now adjourned. Liberty Victoria has expressed concerns about giving these kind of powers to civilians, which it believes Mr LANGUILLER (Derrimut) — I oppose the should only be exercised by the proper authorities. motion of adjournment of this important debate, and I There is no provision in the bill for the licensees to wish to speak on it. This is the second time that report to the department, the director of liquor licensing members representing the western suburbs of or the police on the number of barring orders they have Melbourne have been precluded from being able to issued. Therefore there is no way to monitor the argue their case on behalf of their communities. The effectiveness or frequency of use of barring orders. same is true for many other members on this side of the chamber on an important piece of amending legislation. A new offence will be created for refusing to leave the In my judgement and in the judgement of others in vicinity of licensed premises, which is within 20 metres opposition this is another broken promise. The coalition of the premises. If entry has been refused, the penalty is not delivering to teachers, as has been highlighted for a breach is 20 penalty units. This proposed section previously by my colleagues on this side of the house. does not specify the reason for the refusal of entry. It is Kim Wells is now the Treasurer, and the possible that refusal could occur for reasons other than Liberal-Nationals coalition election commitment was a drunkenness or violent or quarrelsome behaviour. teacher’s pay increase for 2010. These decisions are not necessarily taken by uniformed trained police officers who are expected to carry out Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Deputy their duties ethically. Therefore there is a possibility Speaker, the member is straying from the narrow that the refusal of entry to the venue could be based on debate. This is a debate about the adjournment of the things such as appearance, dress code, sex, race or bill, not about the bill itself, and talking about the group size. It is to deviate from the real issues to Treasurer is completely inappropriate. I ask you to suggest that it could be based on the type of shoes a bring the member back to the very narrow debate. person is wearing. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I was Another new offence created by this legislation will be listening, and I do believe the member was coming that of returning to the vicinity of licensed premises back to the debate. within 24 hours if entry has been refused or if a person has been requested to leave. It is unclear in the Mr LANGUILLER — I will come to this very legislation how this offence will work in practice. Will debate, and I will come to the Justice Legislation all people refused entry to or ejected from a venue have Amendment Bill 2011. Deputy Speaker, I refer you and their photo or address taken so they can be identified in also the members on the other side of the house to the the following 24 hours? What if different staff are Liberal-Nationals coalition 2010 election commitment.

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I also refer to the budgets. In relation to banning violent coalition 2010 election commitment, yet on this very drunks from entering licensed premises for two years, bill introduced by the government there is not a single for the current 2010–11 budget there is zero allocation; financial commitment — zero commitments to dealing for the 2011–12 budget, zero; for the with this legislation. 2012–13 budget, zero. Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Deputy Mr Wynne interjected. Speaker, I have been listening to the member for Derrimut, and it is hard to actually get the thrust of his Mr McIntosh — On a point of order, Deputy argument given that he is now dealing with financial Speaker, as the member for Richmond has clearly commitments. He is straying well and truly beyond the identified, the member is speaking on the bill — but not very narrow debate, which is on the motion for the on the adjournment motion. It is a very narrow debate, adjournment of debate. and it should be narrowed to the adjournment. I ask you to bring him back to the adjournment, not the bill. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I uphold the point of order. The member’s time has expired. Mr LANGUILLER — On the point of order, Deputy Speaker, I am arguing that we are being Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections) — Very gagged, and on this side of the house and on behalf of briefly, this is a gimmick and an orchestrated campaign. the electorate that I represent — — It has been standard operating practice in this Parliament for the last four years to have three speakers The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! What is your from the opposition and two from the government to point of order? get through all the bills on the government business program. It is now almost to the evening of the second Mr LANGUILLER — I should be able to put my day of the sitting week and we have had these point of view through the Parliament. We are entitled orchestrated campaigns to delay, to dispute this to — — matter — —

The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The member Ms Pike interjected. for Derrimut will resume his seat. He knows that I have been quite lenient while he has been speaking, and I do Mr McINTOSH — Bronwyn, it is a — — uphold the point of order raised by the Leader of the House. The member, to continue on the motion. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The minister knows very well that he must use the correct title when Mr LANGUILLER — On the motion, what is addressing another member. It is disorderly not to do happening today in fact happened yesterday, and it so. appears that this will continue to happen. We are saying on behalf of the people that we represent that we are Mr McINTOSH — It was just the screeching that entitled to put our point of view. Why are we holding got me terribly distressed; I just couldn’t help myself! the government accountable to this point of view? It is The important thing is that this is just part of an because the government, when in opposition, said it orchestrated campaign to delay the government would be transparent, that it would allow accountability business program. The reality is that, as everybody and that it would uphold democracy. One would have knows, there is an agreement to come back to the to argue that a good measure of democracy is that those address-in-reply debate once we have heard from all of of us who have been properly and constitutionally the lead speakers. We have one more bill to deal with, elected should have the opportunity to make a and we should just get on with the matter. contribution in relation to bills. Ms DUNCAN (Macedon) — I also rise to oppose I put it to you, Deputy Speaker, that this is another the motion. I take offence to the comments made by the broken promise, that we are being gagged and that the Leader of the House moments earlier describing this as government is not delivering on the promises it made a stunt. What this side of the house is trying to do is a prior to the election. It said we should be able to speak. number of things. The first is to hold the government to It said we would be able to argue the case, that it would account. In its election commitments the government allow itself to be held accountable and that there would held itself up as the moral majority which would have be transparency. My point is that on behalf of the complete transparency in the Parliament. ‘Bring back people of the Derrimut electorate and the western democracy’, I think is what the then opposition suburbs, and on behalf of those who are unable to put members said. The second is that as the member their case, I refer members to the Liberal-Nationals representing the Macedon electorate I have spent some

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744 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 time preparing for this bill, and while it has been cannot on the one hand go to the election and in your repeated to us that this is simply an adjournment of the first few days in government talk about a transparent debate and not a gagging — that is the government’s Parliament, a new paradigm and a new way of doing position — we have no assurances that we will ever get business in this Parliament and then on the other hand back to this bill. We are still waiting for the Leader of almost immediately retreat back to the old tactics. the House to tell us whether we will be able to move into the consideration-in-detail stage and examine the The former opposition, now the government, is using Regional Growth Fund Bill 2011 in detail. this tactical strategy, led by the Leader of the House, to essentially shut down debate. The opposition has a The Leader of the House is not in a position to give the number of speakers on the list; we have worked our opposition any assurances on any matter at this time. way through three of the five speakers. It would not be We are still waiting to hear back as to whether there within the wit of the Leader of the House to have a little will be a consideration-in-detail stage of the Regional flexibility, yet he did so on many occasions when I was Growth Fund Bill 2011. While the Leader of the House sitting on that side. At that time the Leader of the says this is simply an adjournment of debate, we have House, as the member for Kew, in a bizarre way had no reason to have confidence in his ability to speak on some form of understanding with the government about behalf of the government. I therefore oppose the how bills might progress — how many speakers we motion. would have, over what period of time, which bills we would need to go into consideration in detail on and Mr KOTSIRAS (Minister for Multicultural Affairs which would involve a lengthy number of speakers. and Citizenship) — For four years I was the Opposition Whip and for four years the Labor Party followed the We have five speakers on this bill. This matter could same pattern: three speakers from the opposition and have been resolved very quickly and easily, been voted two speakers from the government. It has been going on and finished, but for the intransigence of the Leader on for four whole years — — of the House — Mr Arrogance, Mr Hubris — who says, ‘We are in power here now. We will decide how Ms Duncan — On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, the house will be run. There will not be any cooperative the minister is not being relevant to the motion before arrangement between your side of the house and our the chamber. side of the house’. Guess what? We are Her Majesty’s opposition, and we are going to hold you to account, The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! I believe the and indeed we will debate — — minister was going to speak about the motion. The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! Through the Mr KOTSIRAS — The motion is to adjourn the Chair! debate. It has been happening for the last four years on every single government bill, and it is appalling for the Mr WYNNE — We will on every occasion hold hypocrites on the other side to come into this chamber these people to account for all of their legislation. It is today and say things have to be different for us. It is just quite proper for us to examine this legislation in detail a gimmick; it is a stalling tactic. I support the because it is an important piece of legislation. We have adjournment motion. a number of speakers who wish to speak on this matter. Both of my colleagues who have spoken before me Mr WYNNE (Richmond) — We oppose adjourning today certainly are on the list and wish to speak, but not this matter because this is an extremely important bill the Leader of the House. He says, ‘No, we’re the on which the government went to the election. It goes government now. We’ll decide how the Parliament will to the heart of some of the law and order policies that be run. There will be no committee process on very the now government trumpeted during the election important bills’. This motion is a very bad portent for campaign. We think this is an important piece of the future management of this house, and we oppose it. legislation. We have a number of speakers, and in the 11 years that I have been in this Parliament by and large House divided on Ms Wreford’s motion: Parliament has worked in a very cooperative way. It has been a hallmark of this government when in opposition Ayes, 44 that there has been robust debate, as there always Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr should be, and robust testing of propositions within Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr Parliament. Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr Battin, Mr Northe, Mr Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr But the very early days of this new government are an Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs extremely troubling portent of the future, because you

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Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms Hodgett, Mr Victoria, Mrs Katos, Mr Wakeling, Mr Noes, 42 Kotsiras, Mr Walsh, Mr Allan, Ms Howard, Mr McCurdy, Mr Watt, Mr Andrews, Mr Hulls, Mr McIntosh, Mr Weller, Mr Barker, Ms Hutchins, Ms McLeish, Ms Wells, Mr Beattie, Ms Kairouz, Ms Miller, Ms Wooldridge, Ms Brooks, Mr Knight, Ms Morris, Mr Wreford, Ms Campbell, Ms Languiller, Mr Carbines, Mr Lim, Mr Noes, 42 D’Ambrosio, Ms McGuire, Mr Allan, Ms Howard, Mr Donnellan, Mr Madden, Mr Andrews, Mr Hulls, Mr Duncan, Ms Merlino, Mr Barker, Ms Hutchins, Ms Edwards, Ms Nardella, Mr Beattie, Ms Kairouz, Ms Eren, Mr Neville, Ms Brooks, Mr Knight, Ms Foley, Mr Noonan, Mr Campbell, Ms Languiller, Mr Garrett, Ms Pallas, Mr Carbines, Mr Lim, Mr Graley, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr D’Ambrosio, Ms McGuire, Mr Green, Ms Perera, Mr Donnellan, Mr Madden, Mr Halfpenny, Ms Pike, Ms Duncan, Ms Merlino, Mr Helper, Mr Richardson, Ms Edwards, Ms Nardella, Mr Hennessy, Ms Scott, Mr Eren, Mr Neville, Ms Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr Foley, Mr Noonan, Mr Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr Garrett, Ms Pallas, Mr Graley, Ms Pandazopoulos, Mr Motion agreed to. Green, Ms Perera, Mr Halfpenny, Ms Pike, Ms Debate adjourned until later this day. Helper, Mr Richardson, Ms Hennessy, Ms Scott, Mr Herbert, Mr Trezise, Mr PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES Holding, Mr Wynne, Mr AMENDMENT BILL 2011 Motion agreed to. Second reading Debate adjourned. Debate resumed from 3 March; motion of Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections) — I Mr McINTOSH (Minister for Corrections). move: Ms ALLAN (Bendigo East) — I rise to lead the That the debate be adjourned until later this day. opposition’s response on the Parliamentary Committees House divided on motion: Amendment Bill 2011. I am sure the government will be very eager to know what the opposition’s position is Ayes, 44 on this bill. I am not pleased to advise the government Angus, Mr Mulder, Mr and the house that the opposition is not supporting the Asher, Ms Napthine, Dr bill. Baillieu, Mr Newton-Brown, Mr Battin, Mr Northe, Mr Ms Asher interjected. Bauer, Mrs O’Brien, Mr Blackwood, Mr Powell, Mrs Ms ALLAN — There are many good reasons, and I Bull, Mr Ryall, Ms Burgess, Mr Ryan, Mr can assure the Minister for Innovation, Services and Clark, Mr Shaw, Mr Small Business that if she stays for the duration of the Crisp, Mr Smith, Mr R. presentation she will get to hear the very sound and Delahunty, Mr Southwick, Mr reasonable position we have when it comes to the Dixon, Mr Sykes, Dr Parliamentary Committees Amendment Bill 2011. Fyffe, Mrs Thompson, Mr Gidley, Mr Tilley, Mr

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How we arrived at this point of having the bill land here Committee and the Outer Suburban/Interface Services in the Parliament tells the story very well of how this and Development Committee. However, 6 of the government in its — what are we up to now, chaps? — 12 joint investigative committees provided for under first 120-odd days still cannot quite get its act together. the legislation still have to be established. It still does not recognise that there are various functions and roles that are required of a government, I will have a look in a moment at why there are still six whether it be answering questions in question time, committees yet to be established. Really it comes down passing legislation or doing some of the basic work to to the fact that the government has not knuckled down, make sure the fundamentals of having a smoothly done that work and got its act together to make sure the operating Parliament are put in place. Parliament is fully operational. It is over 110 days since the election and we still have not got those If we recall the very first day of this Parliament, we will parliamentary committees established. Because the remember that the government was more intent on government cannot even meet the rather simple, garden parties and cucumber sandwiches than it was on straightforward and basic requirements under the getting down to the business of a legislative program. existing legislation, and because instead of sitting down There were quite a few fascinators there that day. and having a chat with the opposition and saying, ‘Hey, Indeed the fascinators were probably brighter than we are in a bit of a pickle. How can we work through some of the contributions by the government members this — — on that day — and more fascinating. Acting Speaker, you will recall that it was the opposition that did the Ms Asher interjected. business of government that day and required the government to bring its legislation into the chamber. Ms ALLAN — The opposition indicated on many The government was quite happy to have a day of occasions that we were more than willing to assist the garden parties, cucumber sandwiches and the like, but government, and the Minister for Innovation, Services we were ready to do some work and get down to the and Small Business, who is at the table, knows that full business of scrutinising the legislation. We were well. We made overtures to the government that we shocked that there was no legislation provided by the were prepared to assist with establishing the government beyond the first readings. We demanded committees, as was required under the current that the government bring it on and have Parliament legislation. We had our own suggestions — I do not start to consider those bills. need to go into them now — but unfortunately a negotiation was not able to be arranged with the If I can jog the memory of members in the chamber, it government. was also the opposition on that day that moved to establish two of the most important parliamentary It is interesting to note that this seems to be the way of committees — the Public Accounts and Estimates this government at the moment. There is not a lot of Committee (PAEC) and the Scrutiny of Acts and negotiation going on, whereas normally what should Regulations Committee (SARC). Those members with happen is that there is an understanding that both sides good memories will also recall that those attempts to have a role to play in the smooth operation of the establish these committees were rejected by the Parliament. The government has its job, which is to government. The government rejected the opportunity pass legislation and to put proposals before the house, to establish these committees at the earliest point and but the opposition has a very important role as well, and allow them to get on with their important work of that is to ensure that there is an appropriate level of scrutinising legislation and examining budget and scrutiny of those bills and also to represent our parliamentary accounts processes. That opportunity was constituencies. rejected by the government, and what has since Each of the 88 members of this place has a very followed is a sorry tale of a government that has not important role as an individual member of this house. been able to fulfil the very simple requirements under Unfortunately I do not think that is appropriately the existing Parliamentary Committees Act 2003. recognised by the government at this stage, but I am an To date, PAEC and SARC have been established. optimist — I am always an optimist — and I am sure Those two committees were the first to finally be that one day we will see an opportunity for some established by the government a few weeks ago. In its further negotiation and cooperation. However, as of next attempt the government has established four of the today we have unfortunately not seen as much as we other joint investigatory committees — those being the would have liked to have seen of the smooth operation Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee, the Education of this Parliament. That is why we are seeing this bill and Training Committee, the Electoral Matters come before the Parliament. The government is going

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 747 to use its numbers to ram through this chamber a bill Greens parties had the numbers in the upper house. The that is about changing the composition of this Labor Party formed government in the lower house, legislation and changing the membership requirements and there was a mechanism of oversight and review in and the quorum requirements of the joint investigatory the upper house, particularly as the numbers in that committees, because it cannot get its own house in house were not held by the governing party. order. At the moment, however — and this is the outcome of It was a bit of a giggle to read the second-reading the last election — the government holds the numbers speech and see the justification for this legislation. It in both houses of Parliament. What comes with that is a talks about changes to the upper house, a reduction in very serious responsibility. A government should not the number of members in the upper house and a few play with that responsibility by ramming through other bits and pieces, but really it is nothing more. The changes to legislation like this using its numbers and amendments in this bill seem to be what could be without sitting down and attempting to negotiate. We described as a ruthless attempt by the government not start to wonder if this is to be the first sign of many that only to change the requirements of the Parliament but we are going to see from a government that is going to also to reduce scrutiny of the activities of the adopt the copybook approach used by John Howard in government. his last term in Parliament, where he had the numbers in both houses of Parliament. The member for Melton, Amongst the changed requirements under this who has been around a bit longer, was reminding us — legislation — including changing the composition, the membership and the like — the requirement is removed Ms Wooldridge interjected. for a quorum to make up the members in each house. At the moment the quorum requirements for the joint Ms ALLAN — I won’t go there. The member for investigatory committees of the Parliament are that they Melton was reminding us of the experiences of the must not consist exclusively of members of the Council 1990s. That is where you start to see extremist-type or the Assembly. I think that is quite reasonable. It has legislation being pushed through the Parliament with been longstanding practice — — the use of numbers. I am not saying that this is extremist legislation, but it is unnecessary legislation. It Mr Nardella interjected. is taking up the Parliament’s time, which could be used to debate things like the Regional Growth Fund Ms ALLAN — I thank the member for Melton. Bill 2011, which is one that you and I, Acting Speaker, That is why they are called joint parliamentary might like the opportunity to further examine and committees. It is to ensure that members of both houses investigate in more detail. I think it is a real shame that have equal representation and equal weighting on those at these early stages of this parliamentary term we are committees, but it also points to a very important aspect already seeing that the government is more willing to of the institution of Parliament and to how government use its numbers in a very blunt, ruthless way rather than is formed in this state. to take a reasonable approach to working things through with the opposition. We all know — I hope most of us have done Politics 101 at some stage of our lives, either the In changing some of the requirements for committees, practical way or the theoretical way — that government the government has proposed that although the is formed by a majority of members in the lower house. legislation requires that there be a maximum of That is a requirement of the constitution. However, the 10 members, it is moving that there be only 5 members upper house has a different role. It is meant to be a for most of the committees. I think this is also an house of scrutiny and a house of review, although that admission — and this might upset some of those is not always the case, particularly since changes were members opposite, but I have to say it — that there made in 2003. For the record, I recall the bitter might be a lack of talent over there, that they cannot opposition of the now government to those changes in quite make up the numbers and that they cannot quite 2003 to make the upper house more democratic and find the people. more accountable to the people of Victoria. But I digress. It had been the practice that the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) had 10 members and the The upper house will from time to time be made up of a Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC) mixture of members representing different political and all the other joint investigatory committees had parties or having stood as Independents. We saw that in 9 members. I am happy to be corrected, but I believe it the last Parliament when the Liberal, Nationals and was 9 members on those other committees. However,

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748 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 what we are seeing here is that the government has Ms Asher — Yes, requirements. But it is not proposed that there be only 7 members on PAEC and removing the requirement for both houses. The member SARC. One can already see that this is a significant gag for Bendigo East is misleading the house. on the operations of the independent parliamentary processes, as reducing numbers reduces resources and Ms ALLAN — I would hate for the Minister for the opportunity for scrutiny. That is exactly what the Innovation, Services and Small Business, the minister government wants; that is the Trojan Horse in this bill. at the table, to be corrected, but I think she will find that What they want to see is a reduction in the scrutiny that the legislation removes the requirement for a quorum to is applied to the operations of government. be made up — I said quorum.

I am sure the member for Melton and perhaps the Ms Asher — It is the quorum, not the membership. minister at the table, the member for Doncaster, will The member for Bendigo East said ‘membership’ and also remember this experience from the 1990s, when now she has adjusted. the previous government treated committees, particularly PAEC, with complete contempt. I hope that Ms ALLAN — It is just as well that we have the is not the path we are going down now with this Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business at reduction in membership and resources to PAEC and the table to pick us up. I thank the minister for saying SARC. I can assure the government that we have some that the quorum requirements are made up of members fine members who have stuck their hands up for both of both houses. Clearly the member for Sandringham committees. Government members are going to know would agree with me on this position. They were the all about it through the committee process and they are comments that he made in November 2007 about the going to experience the delight of participating in it, composition from the main political parties which are particularly in the PAEC process, as we get closer to represented in the chambers of both houses. We look budget time. forward to his support on this legislation when it comes to the vote on this bill. My position on the parliamentary committees is one shared by most members, though perhaps I should not As I said, this is a piece of legislation that we did not put the words into the mouths of the new members as really need to spend our time on, but we are and it is they have not had a chance to put their position on the what it is. record. However, the many people in this chamber who Honourable members interjecting. have served on various committees would agree that there is great value in those committees. The opposition Ms ALLAN — They are a helpful bunch when they would say, the more the merrier; why just limit the want to be, Acting Speaker! number of committee members to five? There is an allowance for up to 10 members. We have plenty of The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! people who are eager to serve their constituency and The member, through the Chair, and I ask government this Parliament by sitting on a committee. members to cease interjecting.

Indeed I would like to make reference to a champion of Ms ALLAN — Thank you, Acting Speaker. the parliamentary committee system who outlined why Perhaps the members who are a bit excited and a bit it is one of the great features of the Westminster system vocal can ask, ‘Why aren’t we passing more of Parliament. I quote from Hansard of 27 November legislation? Why did it take more than 100 days to pass 2003. This member said: legislation through the Parliament? Why is the first bill that we passed through the Parliament one that rips off One reason is that it has composition from the main political retail workers and one that will punish retail workers parties which are represented in the chambers of both houses. and families on Easter Sunday? Why is it that this bill Both houses. Remember that this legislation is had to be rammed through the upper house in the dead removing that requirement, for the quorum in particular of night until early yesterday morning? Why is it that to be made up of representatives — — the Premier refused to guarantee in question time today that no worker will be penalised on Easter Sunday?’. Ms Asher — It is not removing the requirements. That is what we should be spending our time on, not this legislation. For the reasons that I have outlined, this Ms ALLAN — Yes, it is. Members are to be of both reduction in resources to the independent parliamentary houses? No, the quorum requirements for committee processes — those that scrutinise the members — — operations of government in particular — is why we do not support the passage of this legislation, and we will

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 749 be voting against the bill when that opportunity comes want? Does she want the Speaker on a committee? in the chamber. Does she want the Deputy Speaker on a committee? Does she want the Cabinet Secretary on a committee? Ms ASHER (Minister for Innovation, Services and Does she want 22 ministers on committees? They are Small Business) — This bill will allow the preposterous suggestions. Does the member for parliamentary committees to operate given the changed Bendigo East want the President of the upper house on numbers in the house. Unfortunately a lot of what is a committee? The fact of the matter is that almost all of contained in the bill is in response to the belligerence of the backbenchers and the parliamentary secretaries are the ALP, because the government genuinely attempted on committees, because that is the configuration of the to form the committees without altering the legislation. numbers in the house. This is the result of the election. Currently committees are required to have two upper This is what the Victorian people decided the numbers house MPs and two lower house MPs. This bill will would be, and it is preposterous for the member for make that one upper house MP and one lower house Bendigo East to suggest that ministers might go on MP, so the committees will still be joint. For a quorum, committees, because they are the people the committees currently what is required is the majority of members of are meant to be scrutinising. a committee. There is no longer the necessity to have one person from one house, just to have a majority The attitude of the opposition is the reason why we present, and I will outline the reason for that in due have a bill. We made every attempt to have a sensible course. discussion about having committees within the existing structure. The fact of the matter is that this opposition is There have been two drivers of this bill. The first driver belligerent, uncooperative and spoiled. is a logistical, factual one — that is, there have been changes to the upper house and changes to the number Honourable members interjecting. of committees, and there is a circumstance after the election where the numbers in the Legislative The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! Assembly are tight. These have been the drivers — — The Minister for Corrections and the member for Bendigo East may take their conversation outside. I Ms Beattie interjected. would like to hear the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business in peace. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! The member for Yuroke is out of her place. Ms ASHER — From day one opposition members have shown us their style. We have seen an opposition Ms ASHER — In terms of upper house numbers, deliberately obstructing things such as inaugural effective from the 2006 election upper house numbers speeches. We do not have question time any more; we dropped from 44 to 40. In terms of the workload of the have point of order time from the point of order upper house — and I am trying to be marginally fair to princess! We have obstruction after obstruction. the ALP here — three additional committees were formed in the upper house, which required a significant The ALP has offered only seven upper house members workload for upper house members. for the committees. ALP members know — I do not think the member for Bendigo East is so stupid as to not In recent times there has been an increase overall in the know — that we are not in a position to form the number of joint committees. The Education and committees. The reason that the Public Accounts and Training Committee was formed in 2003, the Electoral Estimates Committee (PAEC) and the Scrutiny of Acts Matters Committee was formed in 2006, the Outer and Regulations Committee (SARC) were able to be Suburban/Interface Services and Development constituted is that the government was able to provide Committee was formed in 2003 and the Rural and two members from the lower house and two from the Regional Committee was formed in 2003. So we have upper house to form those committees. On the numbers fewer numbers in the upper house, more committees we have in the upper house the government is not able that are not necessarily joint committees in the upper to provide two upper house members and two lower house and more committees overall. house members for every committee.

Ms Allan interjected. We — foolishly, I might add in retrospect — thought the opposition might be cooperative. What a mistake Ms ASHER — The crunch is — and whilst the we made over that. As I said, from day one this has member for Bendigo East made an allegation that the been a belligerent and uncooperative opposition. There coalition was too lazy and could not put numbers on is no way known that we could have the numbers on committees — what does the member for Bendigo East

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PAEC and SARC that the opposition wants, because the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee and you do not put ministers, the Speaker or the Deputy five for all the other committees. Speaker on committees such as that. These are the numbers in the house, and they are what we are dealing Honourable members interjecting. with. This matter could have been approached with goodwill, but there was no goodwill from opposition Ms ASHER — Now I am hearing reference to this members. That is why we find ourselves in this being retribution because of a budgetary circumstance. situation. Ms Allan interjected.

I make reference also to the fact that the member for Ms ASHER — ‘It is retribution’, says the member Bendigo East is now talking about a discussion about for Bendigo East. It is retribution from the opposition. parliamentary committees between governments and The committees need to get on with their work. We oppositions. There was a discussion in the 54th have a range of references for the committees. In Parliament because three Independents held the balance particular I am very disappointed that the reference for of power. There was a discussion in the 56th Parliament the Environment and Natural Resources Committee because the upper house was controlled, if you like, by (ENRC), which is an evaluation of floods, is not able to different parties from the government. Let us look at the proceed because the ALP has not provided the requisite 55th Parliament, in which the ALP had an numbers to form the committees. overwhelming electoral victory over this side of politics — there was no discussion when the ALP had In conclusion, the fact of the matter is that under the numbers. There was no negotiation in 2002. Now existing legislation it would be impossible for this ALP members suddenly say there should be cross-party government to form the committees, because we cannot discussions, when there was no discussion in 2002. provide the upper house members to constitute the Unfortunately I have been around for a long time and committees. have been involved in this committee process — — Mr Nardella — You’re lazy. Honourable members interjecting. Ms ASHER — It has nothing to do with laziness; it The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! has to do with numbers. You are a member of the ALP; I remind the member for Melton that I can hear him you should understand numbers. very clearly. The Leader of the Opposition is interjecting out of his place. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! Minister! Ms ASHER — At the moment we propose 12 committees; 6 have been constituted and 6 will be Ms ASHER — As I said, ALP members have constituted after the passage of this bill. One reason for provided only seven upper house members in this the change to the quorum — as I said, it is still exercise. That shows their ill will and belligerence and obligatory that there be a member of the upper house how much they want to obstruct the committee process. and a member of the lower house so that they are joint When it actually goes through this bill will allow the committees — is the behaviour of ALP members. Now, committees to do their good work and will get around if we want lead speakers on a bill, which was a practice an obstructive, spiteful, outrageous and belligerent followed by ALP members year after year, they are opposition. voting against the adjournment of the debate on bills. One of the reasons for the change to the quorum is that Ms HENNESSY (Altona) — Is it not stunning to I have every confidence that ALP members have the hear talk of belligerence, retribution and revenge, when capacity, given their attitude and their belligerence, to just three short months ago members of this put the kibosh on the work of the committees by government stood before the Victorian people and withholding their upper house MPs, even if they had made a commitment to openness, accountability and provided upper house MPs to constitute the integrity? ‘We’ll be different’, they said. What an committees. illumination we have just seen from members on the government side of the house in respect of this bill. The committees do very valuable work. I have learnt a They have reverted to form, and it has not taken too lot about the ALP in opposition over this process. It has long. disappointed me, because with goodwill the committees could have been composed of, on the numbers, seven Still burning in the minds of many Victorians are the for the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee and shameless attacks of the Kennett government, whose

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 751 ministers are represented quite handsomely on the front It is interesting to reflect on the fact that the Fitzgerald bench today, well schooled in the art of diminishing report into corruption, entitled Report of a Commission institutional accountability and the masters of of Inquiry Pursuant to Orders in Council, highlighted diminishing scrutiny. The lions have woken again, and the importance of an effective Parliament as one of the they have reverted to form to undermine parliamentary most critical tools in the fight against corruption. I am democracy and the tools that are absolutely crucial to pleased to see the Minister responsible for the hold government to account. We have just heard a establishment of an anti-corruption commission — the whole range of contributions from those on the other Minister for Alleged Anticorruption — in the house side who have talked about the numbers, their swelled today. Tony Fitzgerald not only talked about the need ministry and their inability to fill the positions on the for an impartial Speaker; he also spoke about the need committees. They forget the purpose of having a for an effective and well-resourced opposition. What parliamentary committee system. was the first thing the coalition did after being elected to government? It gutted the resources of the It is important that this bill be seen in the context of this opposition. government’s activities, because it demonstrates in an ongoing fashion just how footloose and fancy free Mr McIntosh interjected. government members are when it comes to scrutiny. They have been in power for a short, lazy three months. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! I do mean lazy, because at every juncture that members The Minister for Corrections! of this government have had an opportunity to match their rhetoric with action, they have failed Ms HENNESSY — The government does not take spectacularly. Let us be under absolutely no illusion: institutional checks and balances seriously. It has this is a bill designed for the government by the started to relentlessly undermine any tool that can government to reduce scrutiny of the government. critique the decisions and performance of the government. The Fitzgerald report also talked about the This is a government that has already reduced the critical importance of parliamentary committees in the number of members of the Public Accounts and fight against corruption. Tony Fitzgerald called them Estimates Committee, which scrutinises how Victorian ‘an independent source of information to aid proper taxpayer funds are spent. This government said, ‘We parliamentary debate’, because committees scrutinise don’t want too many pesky opposition questions’. The the expenditure of money. government has reduced the number of members of the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, which Mr McIntosh interjected. scrutinises the proper exercise of law-making powers Ms HENNESSY — The Minister for Alleged and how this government impacts upon the rights and Anticorruption keeps saying, ‘Give us the numbers’. freedoms of Victorians. The government has said, ‘No, This is the government that has no problem expanding we don’t want too many questions about that’. the size of its ministry. It goes for more white cars, The incursions on parliamentary scrutiny have just whet more offices and more ministers, but it reduces the this government’s appetite, because there is more! numbers on committees that may scrutinise the Government members do not want to reduce just the executive. This is a turnabout — number of members of other committees; they want to The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! reduce the number of representatives from the Legislative Council. Before we forget, I remind Ms HENNESSY — from the Minister for Alleged members that the Legislative Council is in fact the Anticorruption. Do you know — house of scrutiny. The reason that committees of bicameral systems of Parliament have representatives Mr McIntosh interjected. from the upper house is that it is in the lower house that the government is formed. In diminishing the scrutiny The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! and role of members of the upper house this The member for Altona! government diminishes scrutiny of the government. Ms HENNESSY — what he told this house in There are many issues that I and those on the other side 2007? Do you know what he said then? of the house would inevitably disagree about, but I never thought one of them would be an appreciation of The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Northe) — Order! and basic respect for the basic tenets of Westminster Let us all take a deep breath. I advise the Minister for parliamentary democracy. Corrections not to keep interjecting across the table.

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When I give a direction to the member for Altona I Sitting suspended 6.30 p.m. until 8.03 p.m. expect her to adhere to it.

Ms HENNESSY — It is interesting to remember GOVERNOR’S SPEECH that in May 2007 the now Minister responsible for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission stood Address-in-reply in this house and said: Debate resumed from 9 February; motion of Courtesy of the taxpayers of the United Kingdom we met Mr GIDLEY (Mount Waverley) for adoption of with members of the United Kingdom Parliament and spent address-in-reply. two weeks there looking at all aspects of parliamentary democracy as it operates in Westminster. Mr WELLER (Rodney) — It gives me great When this minister argued in this house for improving pleasure to rise this evening to do my address-in-reply the capacity of committees to hold the executive to the Governor’s speech. The Governor outlined the accountable, he stated: progress that the government wishes to make over the next four years in its busy program of managing the Without that power bestowed upon the legislature to hold the economy and creating opportunities for the people of executive accountable, the government can grow to be all Victoria. powerful and perhaps to a point where it can exceed its authority and refuse to be accountable on rather trivial bases. I will go through the program. The government will In 2007, in supporting a bill to increase the size of the manage Victoria’s finances, and with a strong plan to parliamentary Public Accounts and Estimates deliver improved services and reduce waste it will Committee, he stated: reduce the regulatory burden to improve Victoria’s competitive position. As members know, much of the It is important to include as many people as possible from this Victorian economy relies on exports. It is the utmost place in the committee process … priority of all governments to make sure that our export What has changed? This minister has the temerity to industries are competitive. It is imperative that any come into this house and beat his chest about his government do that, but every time we introduced numbers while the government is reducing the number another bill during the last Parliament there was more of representatives on the committees that will scrutinise red tape, which strangled the businesses of Victoria. him. An honourable member interjected.

The Baillieu government has no problem with making Mr WELLER — I heard the interjection ‘Rubbish’. its cabinet bigger, but it cannot support a parliamentary At one stage in the last Parliament — I know it may be committee system that scrutinises it. We also ought to wrong to say this but I should clarify this issue — the remember that this government has rightly come in for previous government decided we had to get a permit to stick over cash for ministerial access. For $1500 you rip rabbit burrows; it was a knee-jerk reaction to the could sup with the Minister for Planning or the Minister problem. It is the responsibility of farmers. Farmers for Public Transport. There are issues around scrutiny. have to manage their vermin, yet the previous This government now says, ‘We were the champions of government made out that we had to go and get a integrity’, but at every opportunity it has had to prove permit to rip rabbit burrows. We were getting strangled this it has failed spectacularly. by red tape when we were meant to be competitive in In conclusion, let us remember that the Fitzgerald the international marketplace. The previous government report opined the importance of an effective and never understood that, but this government understands capable Parliament. Tony Fitzgerald said that the the pressures on farmers. We will be looking to reduce Parliament should serve as a forum for an inquest into red tape so that our export industries can be competitive public administration. These government members in the international marketplace. want to be the pallbearers at the funeral of openness and The government will establish a Regional Growth Fund accountability, and they ought to hang their heads in of $1 billion. This is a fund that will drive employment shame about it. That is why we oppose this bill. and growth in regional areas of Victoria. We are Debate adjourned on motion of Mr MORRIS looking forward to this, because we need to grow all of (Mornington). Victoria. We have a wonderful opportunity here. Every year $75 billion is generated in regional Victoria. We Debate adjourned until later this day. need to grow that so Victoria can once again be the proud food bowl of the southern hemisphere and Asia,

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 753 as it used to be years ago. We need to have a government that is going to deliver gas to these towns competitive industry here once again. We need to invest that have waited for so long. this money so we can move forward. The Governor spoke about community safety. The The government will introduce stamp duty relief for number of front-line police in this state will be boosted young farmers. What we need to do is make sure that with an additional 1700 recruits. What we must the next generation of farmers is there. We need to remember is that we have not said where these recruits encourage young people to enter the agricultural will be going, but I tell you that 1700 recruits will fill a industry and its support industries. By reducing stamp fair few holes. The previous government will say that it duty on agricultural land we will encourage the next matched that number, but let us remember that its first generation to enter into agricultural industries so that response was to say that we would never be able to we can produce here and create many jobs. Twenty per afford it. Three weeks later it came out and said that it cent of jobs in Victoria are created by agricultural could. industries. If we let agriculture go, we will be letting jobs in rural Victoria go. This is a very important Another important issue for rural areas is the position for the government to be taking — — government’s commitment to the stock squad. Lambs are currently priced at up to $250; that is about $60 a Honourable members interjecting. leg! No wonder lamb has become so dear in the shops. When we are paying $250 per lamb it is quite a The ACTING SPEAKER (Dr Sykes) — Order! I lucrative business for some of the thieves that are ask the members of the government to have due respect operating. It is very fortunate that we have a for the member and to listen to him. government that is committed to bringing back the stock squad. Mr WELLER — Would the Acting Speaker like me to speak louder? Then we come to health. Indeed I come to one of the pleasures of this government’s term in office. Over the The Governor said $160 million will be invested in term of this government $40 million will be spent by rural shires. That is $1 million per year for 40 shires: the state on the Echuca hospital, which means that over 4 times 40 is $160 million, which will be invested the next four years the first stage of the redevelopment during this term of government. It will be invested in of the Echuca hospital will be completed. I made roads. There has been a deterioration in rural roads over repeated requests and extensive representations to the the last 11 years. Fortunately over that 11 years it did previous Minister for Health, but I could not get the not rain much, but in the last 12 months it has become former government to move on this redevelopment. apparent that there has been a lack of maintenance of However, I must say that the Baillieu-Ryan the roads. It is timely that this $160 million be invested combination has committed $40 million to the Echuca in rural and regional shires so that the burden on hospital over the next four years, and the news of this ratepayers will not be too great and the shires can has been gratefully received in my electorate. improve the roads. There is a major backlog of maintenance to be addressed. This is one of the All we need now is for the federal Labor government to outstanding things that has been committed to. come to the party. We are definitely going to spend that $40 million and we are definitely going to spend the Over the next four years $100 million will be invested $13.5 million that the federal government committed in natural gas. The town of Heathcote in my electorate during the federal election in August of last year, but is marked for natural gas. Heathcote is very deserving. the first stage of the redevelopment will cost People in Heathcote come from lower socioeconomic $66 million, so we need the federal government to backgrounds than most people who live across Victoria. come to the party with another $12.5 million. It could They cannot afford to pay for modern gas for their do this under its regional hospitals program. The federal heating. Unfortunately the previous government took government agreed to provide this funding last year away their rights to firewood, so they need another when it was buying off the Independents in order to cheap source of heating. The town needs jobs, and it form government. The state has requested that Echuca needs to attract new industries. You cannot attract new be one of the recipients of that funding, so I look industries unless there is cheap energy such as gas. forward to the federal government coming up with the This investment of $100 million in natural gas across balance so we can do the whole $66 million Victoria will be a boon for regional Victoria. It will redevelopment. If the federal government does not drive jobs right across regional Victoria. It is an come to the party, we will be building a $53.5 million absolute must. I am proud to be part of a Baillieu-Ryan

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754 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 hospital in spite of it. We are looking forward to seeing After the 2003 fires all we got was a report that the that hospital redevelopment in the Echuca area. government of the day ignored, and after the 2006–07 fires we got another report that the government ignored. There is a pertinent line here with respect to education. Unfortunately we had to have the terrible fires of 2009, The new coalition government will give principals and and then the government did not accept the full report school communities greater decision-making powers in and would not adopt parts of its recommendations. how they run their schools effectively. When the Fortunately we now have a government that will adopt previous government was working under the Building the full report. It is getting on with the job and already the Education Revolution program local school delivering on it. councils were told what they could have. We have committed that we will go back to the old model, where The speech also states: the school principal and school council have input into what they want and what they need. The government will hold an independent judicial inquiry to investigate the probity of decision making in the implementation of the food bowl project and the north–south Tongala Primary School in my electorate is a case in pipeline … point. I went to Tongala during the last election campaign, and I have been there many times prior to This is another one we have already delivered. The that. During the election campaign the grade 6 students Minister for Water is at the table. He did not muck at the Tongala Primary School wrote me a letter saying around; he got on with the job. He got the Ombudsman they were very frustrated because even though they out there, and I am told the Ombudsman has been were to receive $2.5 million in funding they could not overwhelmed with submissions from people spend it as they could not get a quote to come in under disgruntled with how the food bowl project has been that amount for the works they were applying for. At managed. No-one is disagreeing with having an that time I spoke to the then shadow Minister for upgrade of the irrigation districts, but it has been poorly Education, who is now the Minister for Education — managed. As we know, the previous government could he is a good minister — and he said that if the coalition not manage major projects, and the food bowl came to office it would allow schools to project manage modernisation is a major project it has failed dismally their own redevelopments. In effect this gave schools on. another 20 per cent to spend. Also on water, the speech says the government: The Tongala Primary School is rapt to the back teeth because one of the first things I did on 29 November … will continue to listen to communities opposed to the guide to the … basin plan. was ring the new minister. I told him he had made a commitment and we were going to deliver on it. He What the federal Labor government has been quite said that of course we would. The news got back to the secretive about and will not answer: how much water it Tongala Primary School, and the students and staff are wants? Does it want 3000 gigalitres? Does it want rapt to the back teeth that they are now going to have 4000 gigalitres? Does it understand what impact that the building they wanted, which is well within budget, will have on northern Victoria? In effect that will take and we are letting them get on with the business of 50 per cent of the water out of the gravity irrigation doing what they do. We on this side listen to the districts in northern Victoria. community. We get on with what we do, and we do it well. Honourable members interjecting.

The Governor also spoke about bushfire response. He Mr WELLER — It is an absolute disgrace. To said: expose our communities to that sort of threat is just not on. We will be standing up for them and making sure The government will ensure that bushfire prevention is made we get a good result out of the Murray-Darling Basin a basic, year-round role of government. plan. Today we heard the Minister for Environment and Another major reform will be advertising standards. Climate Change announce that we have met our target. The speech says: This will be the first time in about 14 years that the target on cold burns has been met. In the years leading The government will end the use of taxpayers funds for up to it we have had many a report that we have been self-promoting party-political advertising … reaching only about a third of our target. Here we are, only about four months into our four-year term, and we We have all seen those ones. There was Premier Bracks have delivered the commitment for the first time. in his red helicopter; they made the ad before they

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 755 called the decision. We saw John the Builder out there community for Labor’s core values of fairness and with his yellow hat getting on with building Victoria, equality. It also reminds me that many working people when it was all spin — all spin. We now know that the in Melbourne’s west rely heavily on the Labor Party to full amount is not there. We will be getting on with ensure an even distribution of wealth and services investing in projects rather than investing in spin. We throughout the community. will be on the job rather than just wearing yellow hats and pretending we are builders. As I said in 2007 during my inaugural speech, the confidence and faith that my family and the people of Mr NOONAN (Williamstown) — It gives me the Williamstown electorate have in me will be the pleasure to stand in this great place and make my first source of everything I do during my time in office. official address-in-reply speech. Whilst we are four Whilst I remain true to these words, I am pragmatic months into the new Parliament, I want to begin by enough to accept that actions speak louder than words, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on and it is Labor’s actions in the electorate of which we meet this evening, the people of the Kulin Williamstown over the last three years that I will speak nation, and I pay my respects to their elders both past about briefly. and present. Since 2007 Labor had invested more than $40 million In paying my respects to our indigenous people I want in the government primary and secondary schools in to congratulate the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, for my electorate. This included major funding for committing to conduct a national referendum — — rebuilding works at Bayside P–12 College, both at the Altona North and Newport campuses, plus completely Honourable members interjecting. rebuilding Newport Gardens Primary School.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Dr Sykes) — Order! Labor helped open a new dialysis unit at Williamstown We will extend to the member for Williamstown the Hospital, investing $400 000 whilst substantially courtesy of listening to his speech. increasing Western Health’s operational budget and staffing numbers. Labor substantially increased the Mr NOONAN — I congratulate the Prime Minister number of rail services on the Williamstown and for committing to conduct a national referendum on Werribee lines. Labor provided more late-night and recognising our indigenous people in the constitution. weekend bus services, and also introduced a SmartBus My hope is that the Australian people will acknowledge service from Altona to Mordialloc. that this future referendum will provide our nation with one of its best opportunities to place our indigenous Labor funded two new major bike trails at a cost people at the fore and guide our country towards a new totalling in excess of $12 million. These included the dawn. Federation Trail extension between Brooklyn and Yarraville and a new off-road bike path between I also offer my congratulations to Ted Baillieu and his Spotswood and Footscray. Labor reduced crime in the government on winning the 2010 election. Whilst every Hobson’s Bay area and increased police numbers. member in this place would prefer to sit on the government benches, I was reminded recently that the Labor invested heavily in community facilities such as health of our democracy rests largely on having an Scienceworks, the Altona North library, the Bayfit effective opposition. In saying that, I congratulate Leisure Centre, the Yarraville community centre, the Daniel Andrews, the new Leader of the Opposition, and Newport Community Arts Centre, the Williamstown I wish him every success in his new role. cricket ground, the Newport Gardens children’s centre, The Clare Court early learning centre and, most I acknowledge the enormous contribution that the pleasingly, Yooralla’s Western Early Childhood former Premier, John Brumby, made to public life and I Intervention Services in Altona North. Each of these wish him well in his political retirement. In time I hope improvements I now point to as the legacy of Labor’s he will reflect positively on the contribution he has time in office. made to the state of Victoria. This draws me to the future of Melbourne’s west, of I thank the people of the Williamstown electorate who which the Williamstown electorate is an integral part. have supported Labor candidates continuously since We know from the recently released research report of 1904. In fact in the 2010 poll almost one in two people demographer Bernard Salt that Melbourne’s west has voted for the ALP as their first preference, indeed a become the fastest growing residential region of remarkable outcome given the changing demography of the area. It demonstrates the high regard of my

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Australia, which in itself is a remarkable feat. In the WestLink road tunnel, a new metro rail tunnel Bernard’s words: between the inner west and the inner south-east, and a host of smaller projects, including cycling paths. All of The west hasn’t just wrest the title of Victoria’s growth these projects were substantial in size and cost and none corridor, but has snatched the title on a grand and national scale. could be delivered without serious planning or consultation. They would clearly all take time to The population figures are compelling. In the first deliver, but such is the importance of a project like the decade of the 21st century, the local government areas regional rail link to the western region of Melbourne covering Melton and Wyndham added 124 000 new that Bernard Salt referred to it as a ‘game-changer’. residents. To place that figure into context, it was the equivalent of adding the entire population of the City of He also said that it would be like a ‘sugar hit’ to the Greater Bendigo or more than half the population of west, creating more localised demand for workers, Geelong into Melbourne’s western suburbs in just contractors, labourers and consultants. He is not wrong, 10 years. And the west will continue to grow. Based on either. It is estimated that a project like the regional rail Bernard Salt’s report, the population of the west is link could create up to 10 000 direct and indirect jobs, likely to grow by approximately 250 000 people over which would add enormously to the prosperity of our the next 15 years, from a current base of around region. The construction of the regional rail link would 740 000 to just under 1 million people. Whilst this also free up much-needed capacity on our western growth will be concentrated in Melbourne’s outer west, metropolitan rail services, allowing them to carry up to the municipalities of Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, 9000 additional passengers every hour in collaboration Hobsons Bay and Brimbank are also expected to grow. with our regional network. This should not be lost in We are really seeing a rebirth of Melbourne’s west and the debate about a regional rail link. It is about more a balancing, in a sense, of Melbourne’s residential than a regional rail line; it is about freeing up capacity population. in our western metropolitan region.

The region’s relative affordability is driving our But the big question for a member like me and my population growth. The fact that a homebuyer can still community is: where to from here? Will any of these secure a house and land package for somewhere in the projects go ahead? Just as the fundamentals are now in order of $300 000 makes the area highly sought after. place to assist the west’s renewal we find ourselves in a But we know that relative affordability will not be state of uncertainty. Whilst I appreciate that at the state enough to secure the prosperity of an area. As Bernard election the new government made no commitments Salt says, it goes beyond this. In examining this issue, about any of these projects, it has now had about four he stated: months to assess the importance of each of these important projects. On the regional rail link, what we Affordability must be triangulated with job opportunities, and are starting to hear from the new government is a line with quality-of-life issues that deliver social infrastructure about cost blow-outs and black holes. It needs to be such as schools, shops, a sense of community and public transport. understood that this is political posturing, and it suggests that the new government may not be serious This was echoed by Sir Rod Eddington back in 2008 about delivering that particular project. when he completed his east–west transport needs assessment for the previous government. He made a As Eugene Duffy, the prominent editor of the Hobsons number of comments about the dangers of failing to Bay Weekly, stated earlier this year: invest in Melbourne’s growing regions, particularly the But it’s time for the new government to step up. The west. He stated in that report: honeymoon is over. The carping of opposition should be left behind. Blaming a former government will endear them to There continues to be a clear east–west divide in terms of no-one. trends in household characteristics, skills, education background and employment. Improved transport On the vital WestLink road tunnel between Australia’s connections are critical to overcoming this divide, supporting strong growth in the west and boosting the competitiveness of premier container port, the port of Melbourne, and the the western region economy. west, we hear from the new government that it is not much interested because Infrastructure Australia has As a result, the previous government announced and not been prepared to put money on the table as yet. commenced funding for a number of those key infrastructure projects for Melbourne’s west through On trucks and the truck action plan, we are again the Victorian transport plan. These included the truck hearing very little. On the metro rail tunnel between the action plan for Yarraville, the regional rail link project, inner west and east, there is silence. It is pretty clear

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 757 from my vantage point that the west is not a priority for professional, scientific and technical services, health the new government. It has no policy agenda for the care and social assistance, transport and logistics, west. This was confirmed in a piece written by tourism and retail. But of course more can be done to respected local journalist Charlene Gatt in the Star promote and create new and varied job opportunities to newspaper back in December last year. Under the generate diverse local employment in the future. heading ‘Libs snub west’, the piece reads: Health remains a serious issue in the west, and the Premier Ted Baillieu has snubbed the west less than a month committee has identified that the region needs to after the state election. develop a health strategy. This strategy needs to include Star posed 10 questions to the new premier on 30 November a focus on preventive health to combat the rapidly via email, inviting him to discuss his vision for the west and growing rates of chronic disease and illness, especially calling on him to commit to promises made during the among our migrant population. election campaign.

Despite repeated assurances by his chief media adviser Simon Finally, the committee has identified an urgent need for Troeth, Mr Baillieu missed Star’s first deadline of improved road and rail infrastructure to address the 2 December, and again last Thursday. challenges of future population growth, which I have already spoken about. The committee has stated that the Where do these comments leave us? The new state major urgency for the region is reducing pressure on the government needs to understand and acknowledge that West Gate Bridge, and that is evident to those living the decisions made today about Melbourne’s west will and working in the west. shape our entire region for a generation to come. There is a host of other priorities in the committee’s One group that has been doing a lot of work around this draft report for the region, all aimed at ensuring that particular area and examining the potential Melbourne’s west continues to grow and prosper in the development of our region is the Western Melbourne future. I commend the Western Melbourne Regional Regional Development Australia Committee, which is Development Australia Committee on its work thus far. chaired by Bill Jaboor. The current commonwealth It has highlighted a range of priorities and made a government established Regional Development strong case for major infrastructure investment to Australia to bring together all levels of government to support our population growth. enhance the growth and development of Australia’s regions. As I cast my focus forward to this four-year term of the Baillieu state government I want to make clear my In our region we are very fortunate to have a highly determination to ensure that the western region of professional committee, which has already identified a Melbourne receives a fair share of government range of priorities for the region’s development. The investment. In my view underinvestment by this key is to improve education outcomes, and this is government will entrench social disadvantage in the particularly pertinent given that the level of education west, which in turn will limit job creation and completed influences employment outcomes. The commercial investment. It serves no-one’s interests to committee has identified that only 4.7 per cent of those go down that path. Our great state needs to embrace in our region who completed year 12 are unemployed, Melbourne’s west and capitalise on its potential. We while for those who did not complete year 12 the have a chance to become one of Victoria’s premier average unemployment rate is 7.7 per cent. gateways. This state government has a chance to deliver Additionally, the proportion of western Melbourne for Melbourne’s west, and if it gets it right it can create residents with post-school qualifications is lower than its own positive legacy in our region. the average for metropolitan Melbourne. Accordingly, building world-class education and training facilities As the member for Williamstown I will be doing must be a priority for our region. everything I can to hold the new government to account. It can be assured that I will advocate strongly Western Melbourne Regional Development Australia not just for the people of the Williamstown electorate Committee has also identified job creation as a priority. but for the people of the western region of Melbourne, It has identified that our population growth is who are experiencing an unprecedented level of growth outstripping our jobs growth. A recent report by in numbers and who will rely on the delivery of Victoria University highlighted that about half the services, infrastructure and investment by this resident workforce leaves the region daily to go to government to ensure the region does not go backwards work. The good news is that some job sectors in the and that a social divide is not entrenched between the west are growing rapidly. These include construction, west and the rest.

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Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — It is a great In 1901 the distinctions between state and federal privilege, by virtue of holding a seat in this house, to functions were largely unblurred. The arrangements have the opportunity to participate in the that had been agreed upon between the founding address-in-reply to the Governor’s opening speech at colonies theoretically provided some certainty in terms the commencement of this 57th Parliament. It is indeed of assigning duties to the commonwealth and the states. an honour and a great responsibility to be elected by my The terms were defined by section 51 of the peers to attend this house, and I am sure all of us in this constitution. In addition there was some capacity to place have the same view regardless of our viewpoints make laws where none existed. There also existed on other matters. override arrangements and the ability of states to refer matters to the federal Parliament, which has been done I am reminded of this responsibility and honour every on many occasions since then. time I walk up the front steps to engage in debate on the affairs or the future of this state. After four years in The financial relations that were entered into resulted in opposition — and I am sure many of my colleagues the states being effectively — and, it would appear would say, ‘Only four years?’ — it is indeed a across the distance of time, unexpectedly — deprived refreshing experience to achieve government and to of their principal revenue stream. The expectation was have the opportunity to implement the blueprint for the that three-quarters of surplus funds remaining from state presented by the coalition, to be engaged in the commonwealth revenues — the principal revenue in the task of keeping faith with the Victorian community and early days was from duty — would initially be returned in the delivery of good government in accord with the to the states, and from a particular point in time the priorities in the Governor’s statement. That of course balance remaining would be returned. I understand that includes a growing economy, services that work, strong did in fact occur. families and vibrant communities, a secure water supply, a healthy environment — and without that there But — surprise, surprise! — in 1908 the Surplus is nothing else — and, perhaps most important of all in Revenue Act was passed — and it was debated in the the context of a state election, a government you can chamber in which we are sitting tonight. In the course trust. of the passage of that legislation trust funds were created which dealt with commonwealth surplus, so the The government has made an impressive start on its states were left short-changed. In part, section 96 of the agenda, and the fact that we have only just returned to constitution provided a mechanism to fill that vacuum. debating the address-in-reply attests to the strength of Section 96 is the provision that allows the the government’s legislative program. It has to be said, commonwealth to make payments to the states for however, that the antics of opposition members and particular purposes and on such terms and conditions as their apparent desire to use every procedural device in it sees fit. However, these arrangements did not allow the book to derail debate and to try, albeit with zero the states to have control over their own destiny, so effect so far, to prevent the government from more than 100 years ago the states were in effect implementing its program has probably had some side deprived of a large part of their capacity to control their effect on that as well. own destiny.

That program, that comprehensive blueprint for the It is interesting to note the comments of a former future, was reflected in the Governor’s speech, but in member of this house for the seat of West Bourke and the course of this contribution I would like to focus on later for the seat of Essendon and Flemington, who the future from a slightly different perspective and remarkably was the Australian correspondent to examine an issue I believe to be a critical one: the London’s Morning Post in 1902. The member said: future sustainability of our state. I wish to ask, perhaps in an indirect way, whether we indeed have a future as As the power of the purse in Great Britain established by degrees the authority of the Commons, so it will in Australia a state. On the surface of course we do; we have a very ultimately establish the authority of the commonwealth. The bright and promising future. But a dark cloud lurks just rights of self-governance of the states have been fondly beneath the horizon, and it goes by the formal term of supposed to be safeguarded by the constitution. It has left commonwealth-state relations. It has become more them legally free, but financially bound to the chariot wheels popularly known as the blame game. It has dominated of the commonwealth. recent political debate to an unprecedented extent, and That quote appeared in a paper by another former that is because it is becoming almost impossible to tell member of this house, Premier Sir Rupert Hamer, and which functions should be carried out by local and state the person quoted was Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. governments and which responsibilities should be held One certainly has to acknowledge, 109 years on, the by the commonwealth.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 759 prescience of his comments. Unfortunately as each year recent decision to slice $2.5 billion off the state’s GST passes those comments become more and more receipts, a decision that will have a critical impact on appropriate. our budget — and we all know about the cuts to the regional rail link funding of almost half a billion We have moved a long way since 1901, as we had to dollars, or $450 million. Our share of total revenue and as we should have. In many ways we have made continues to decline, and as it declines more and more considerable improvements to the way the federation strings are attached to it. Our ability to influence our works and the way we do business between the states own direction and our own future declines with each and the commonwealth, with the national regulatory imposition. Revenue is used as a blunt instrument to framework for business and the professions and the direct and impose federal priorities on the people of move to a seamless national economy. All those recent Victoria. It is a one-size-fits-all system, which has no innovations, like many that went before them, have regard for the interests and people of individual states. been essential components in the growth of the nation and the continued growth in our national and state In recent months — perhaps it may be 12 months ago standard of living. I certainly do not argue that the now — a fast train was proposed for the east coast. commonwealth should retreat to its original role, to go There were to be many stations in New South Wales — back into its corner and stay there, but I argue most unfortunately I could not find the related clipping strongly that the current arrangements that hand control before I came here to speak — but from recollection it of most revenues to the commonwealth do not deliver was 10 or 12. In Victoria there were going to be just the best outcomes for the Victorian community. two — one at the Melbourne terminal and one at Tullamarine, and from Tullamarine it was going to go A culture of blame shifting has developed because the straight through the middle of your seat, Acting commonwealth — and this is an entirely apolitical Speaker, express to Albury, with absolutely no comment; both sides are equally complicit in this — opportunity to develop the Victorian regions affected has used the national taxation stream available to it to by that scheme. Our interests were completely and advance its own political interests, whatever they are, utterly ignored and the more populous state of New by imposing its views on the states, by becoming South Wales was the winner. involved in areas traditionally administered by the states and in many cases by establishing a competing The federal government long ago moved beyond its public sector organisation at vast expense to taxpayers section 51 responsibilities. It moved into school funding all around the country. The process has not been driven under Menzies and into health funding under Whitlam. by a desire for reform; rather it has been driven simply Under Rudd and Gillard, under the guise of ending the by a desire for short-term political gain. Patch upon blame game, it has moved into almost every patch upon patch, the system creaks along. It is still conceivable facet of Australian life, most recently in working, but only just. Unless we have change, unless urban planning. In almost every case the move has been we actually challenge the system, as a state we are on a matched by a huge expansion of the Canberra-based slippery slope, one that will inevitably lead to the bureaucracy, which has zero understanding of failure of the state or at the very least the transformation conditions on the ground and which has next to no role of what is still a sovereign government into a service to play at all in the state scene in terms of the delivery delivery agency for the commonwealth. of services and the delivery of infrastructure, all at huge cost to the Victorian taxpayer. Some might think that is a good thing. Perhaps somewhat predictably, I am certainly not one of those The structure of our national taxation system means we people. It is not, as some uncharitable souls might are entirely at the mercy of the federal government think, simply because I like having a seat in this house. when it comes to capital spending — or to use the To me that is entirely immaterial, as are the parochial current jargon, infrastructure spending. It is easy to issues. It is because I believe the state system performs criticise the states for not keeping pace, but the revenue a critical role in protecting the interests of Victorians stream simply has not kept up. This is not an argument and, particularly in this context, in protecting the about states’ rights, it is about the rights of the people of interests of Victorian taxpayers. the states, it is about the rights of Victorians to build the sort of community they want to have and live in now One does not have to look too far back to see some of and the sort of future they want to build, and not to the difficulties with the current system. It would be simply hand over our hard-earnt cash to see it spent interesting to have the time to work through what has elsewhere in the country. happened since Federation, but for the purposes of this discussion a recent example will suffice — that is, the

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In the time remaining I would like to recognise the infrastructure exist to support the growing communities efforts of those people without whose assistance I of Bellarine. would not be here. Politics, as we all know, is a team sport, and I am very fortunate to have great support The Bellarine and Geelong communities were well from a wide cross-section of the community. I have a supported by the Bracks and Brumby governments. For great local Liberal team, led by Terry Leech and Arthur the first time there was a significant commitment to the Ranken, who both worked tirelessly for the cause. I also economic and social wellbeing of the region. There want to recognise the efforts of a number of other local were things like job creation, relocating the Transport figures, including Peter Angelico, Greg Dixon, Accident Commission to Geelong, building health and Christine Nekrasov and so many others who worked so education services, basically rebuilding the Grace hard for the Mornington victory. I am particularly lucky McKellar aged-care facility and rebuilding Geelong to be supported by a great staff, and I want to say a big Hospital. There was also the development of other thankyou to both Raeleigh Speedie and Debbie important community-based infrastructure and, of Mitchell, who do so much to make my office work and course, the putting in place of vital transport who contribute so much to my endeavours. Your hard connections such as the ring road and regional fast rail, work and support are truly appreciated. which was all about ensuring that the region could continue to thrive and support its families and Then of course there is one person even more important communities. than those I have mentioned: someone who has been there right from the start; someone who is critical to the There was also very strong commitment and support success of the campaign. She is a true force of for some of the smaller and larger communities in nature — my darling wife, Linda. Without her I would Bellarine. No project was too small or too large to be not be here. considered. It was those many improvements that saw the residents of Bellarine continue to support Labor The Baillieu government has laid out a blueprint that representatives in the recent election. It was also the will transform the state in the next four years, and I vision and commitments we outlined for the future that welcome the opportunity to be part of that great work. resulted in their ongoing support. The investments we have made in Bellarine will continue to pay dividends The ACTING SPEAKER (Dr Sykes) — Order! I for many years to come for the residents and call the member for Bellarine, and I ask the member, communities down there. As I said, we supported many with the lead cow, to show us where we need to go important small and large projects that really have made an important difference to the lives of many Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine) — I will get to talk about families and communities. cattle maybe a little later for you, Acting Speaker. It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity tonight to I am also pleased to report that all of the commitments participate in the debate on the motion for the adoption we made in the 2006 election were delivered in that last of the address-in-reply to the Governor’s speech. Firstly term. For example, there was the funding for the and most importantly I place on record my appreciation aquatic centre — the pool for Bellarine residents, which to the people of Bellarine for the trust they have once cost $2.5 million and was delivered and built in that again placed in me in re-electing me as their local term. There was a substantial reduction in bus fares. representative. I thank them not only for their support in That was a commitment we made that fixed a historical the election but also, importantly, for their support over problem of an overpriced bus fare regime in Bellarine. the last eight-plus years. It has been and continues to be That was delivered and has led to an enormous increase an honour and a privilege, and of course a huge in the use of buses in the Bellarine region. We also responsibility, to be their local elected representative. It committed to beach improvements at Clifton Springs in has also been a privilege to have been the representative the Fairy Dell area. People who have visited there of the Australian Labor Party in the seat of Bellarine would know this north-facing bay is a fantastic, over the last eight years and to have the opportunity to beautiful area, but due to cliff erosion over a period of represent the party over the next four years. time the beach became inaccessible for many residents. Through the use of groynes, an upgrade to the beach I want to take the opportunity tonight to reflect on the and new facilities, it has become a thriving area for the many changes and improvements made over the last residents of Clifton Springs to appreciate. four years to improve the lives of families and residents of Bellarine. I also want to put on record some of the We also committed to rebuilding and upgrading the critical issues that need to be addressed over this historic Queenscliff pier, which was delivered. We four-year period to ensure that appropriate services and committed to additional recurrent funding for the

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Marine Discovery Centre. If members have been down One of the concerns I have now is what happens to to Queenscliff and have not visited that centre, I those other community priorities that I identified and encourage them to do so; it is very popular among that I worked with the local community on to determine schools and families right across the state. If I what our commitments would be if we were elected to remember correctly, more people go through the government. These were really important commitments Marine Discovery Centre than go through the that unfortunately were not matched by the Liberal Melbourne Museum. It is a very well utilised Party and The Nationals during the election campaign. facility — — To give you a sense of those projects, for example, we committed $20 million for the duplication of the Mr Walsh — Why didn’t you give it ongoing Bellarine Highway between Grubb Road and Shell funding? Road. Why did we commit to that? We committed to because in the last term of our government the council Ms NEVILLE — Which is why we increased its approved a new structure plan for Ocean Grove which ongoing recurrent funding. will see thousands and thousands of houses built in that Mr Walsh — No, you haven’t. It’s a black hole. particular area. Without that duplication, we will have major traffic and safety issues in that area. That is why Ms NEVILLE — We delivered our election we committed to it. It is why we worked with council commitment. We also committed to rebuilding the and with the local community to get behind that project. Point Lonsdale Primary School and delivered and Unfortunately there has been no commitment from opened that brand-new facility — that whole new those opposite. school — for the children of Point Lonsdale. We committed to continuing the community renewal A sum of $6 million was committed to the project in Whittington, which, again, we delivered. We redevelopment of the Portarlington Primary School to extended that really important project, delivering job virtually rebuild what is a great local community opportunities, early childhood opportunities and school — a school that is in historic heritage buildings improved schooling opportunities for some of the most that in their day I am sure were fantastic, but we wanted disadvantaged residents in Geelong, for another three to build state-of-the-art facilities. Over the previous years. We also committed to planning for additional couple of years the school has gone through all the hospital theatres and mental health beds. Not only did planning requirements and all the work it needs to do in we do the planning, we built the additional theatres as order to receive funding. What we really need to know well as the mental health beds. and what the school and the school community want to know is: will this government support the We delivered much more on top of that too. If I could redevelopment and rebuilding of the school? give just a flavour of what was delivered in that Unfortunately we have not heard anything and the four-year period over and above our 2006 election school has not heard anything. commitments, I note that we funded the Queenscliff sports club building upgrade, we rebuilt St Leonards In respect of another really important project there was Primary School, we upgraded the Point Richards boat $5 million towards the Shell Road sporting precinct — ramp, we built the headspace facility in Drysdale, we again, that is ready to go. Council is behind it, and the funded the East Geelong men’s shed and we provided federal government has put some money in. We funding for the restoration of the Portarlington rotunda committed $5 million. That project is absolutely critical and the streetscape works in Portarlington. for the growing population down there. But what we heard from the sports minister was, ‘No, no, we didn’t We provided a record boost in bus services. We know anything about it’. That came as a bit of a shock provided funding for traffic lights in one of the worst to me. Apparently the government did not know intersections in Leopold. We provided upgrades to the anything about it. Bellarine rail trail. We provided funding for upgrades to the Bellarine railway — again a great asset on the Mr Walsh — Did you talk to us, though? Bellarine Peninsula. We provided funding for the Ms NEVILLE — Was there not a Liberal candidate upgrade of the St James Church hall in Drysdale. We down there, apparently in touch with the community? provided netball court improvements in Newcomb. Were there not some upper house Liberal and Nationals These are some of the many key projects that we members? Where were they for the last four years, supported in the last term over and above the election because apparently they were unaware that one of the commitments. key priorities going forward for the Ocean Grove residents was this sporting precinct? Where were they

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762 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 when the federal government committed to that in its The Baillieu government was not committed to funding election policy? I have raised this with the sports the Geelong cultural precinct, but somehow that found minister. its way into a document. Everyone in Bellarine is unclear on whether the Baillieu government supports Mr Walsh — Did you raise it with us before the the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and library election? You knew we were going to win. upgrades. It is critical that the people of Geelong know about this, because the federal government is currently Ms NEVILLE — It is interesting; I thought they considering funding applications. had local representatives down that way. They put newsletters in the letterboxes down there, but I want to make a couple of brief comments as the apparently they did not take any time to talk to people shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change. to get a sense of what the community needed. Again the Critical issues for our children and for the future of all sports minister, unfortunately, appears not to our communities include responding to environmental understand or know the needs of that community. challenges and to climate change. When Labor was in government it had a very strong record in that area. There was $2 million for the Leopold community However, I am very concerned — and I think the hub — again, a priority children’s centre down there for broader community should be very concerned — about a growing community in one of the biggest areas in where we are heading in relation to environment and terms of families and young people — but there was climate change issues under the governance of those nothing from those opposite. opposite. We know that technically the Baillieu There was $500 000 for the Drysdale sports precinct — government supports a renewable energy target, but it again, more sporting ovals and soccer fields for another has not set any targets to achieve it. It says it supports growing community in Drysdale and Clifton Springs. the target, but no action is planned to achieve it. This government’s lack of support for wind farms might There was $4 million for the Potato Shed, which is a even take us backwards. regional arts facility and is now at capacity. This facility needs to be expanded to provide for the schools but also We have had silence from this government on the issue for the broader community. of climate change, which is said to be a commonwealth issue. Apparently we need a carbon price. Nevertheless, We committed to the streetscape in St Leonards and in this place today we hear from the government that its also to the upgrade of the progress hall in St Leonards. members are not sure what their position is. Are they All of these projects are ones that the community has for it or against it? Do they believe in climate change or fought for and argued for, and they are the ones we got do they not? These are absolutely critical issues, and at behind. the moment the government appears to be backing away from a whole range of positive initiatives that There are partnerships between me, the community and Labor put in place. the council. I can certainly say to those opposite that I will now be working hard in my role to ensure that they I would have liked to have gone into detail on the issue see the priorities Bellarine electorate residents have of cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park, but I will identified and that they get behind these really critical run out of time on that issue. Allowing cattle to graze in community projects and do not allow Bellarine to be the alpine area is an example which just touches the left behind and punished by this new government. surface. Not only will this government take no significant action in relation to the environment and Other question marks hang over some of the climate change but it will also take us backwards. What commitments made by those opposite in Geelong. will happen to our national parks? What will happen in There is the hospital upgrade and the second hospital, to relation to meeting emissions targets? What will happen which Labor committed $165 million. Those opposite in terms of meeting renewable energy targets? We are committed to that project as well, and guess what? We going to go backwards, and that will be a sad day for discovered after the election — after the Victorians. Liberal-Nationals coalition had deceived and misled the people of Geelong — that only a very small percentage Obviously this is my opportunity to thank a number of of the project will be delivered in the first term of this people who assisted me during my last term and in my government. The residents of Geelong will not get their re-election campaign. I thank all the ALP members and second hospital until goodness knows when, and that is all the community members who volunteered in the an outrage. lead-up to the election and on election day, especially given the weather. In particular I thank Liam Rodgers;

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 763

Rob Hurley; Monica Hayes; my campaign manager, Of course I also thank my husband David, who has Grant Dew; all my electorate staff over the last four come to many functions with me, perhaps not willingly years, who have done a great job, including Denise, all the time but he comes along, and he has been a Kim, Martelle, Josh, Marg and Bernadette; the ALP strong supporter. David looked after my signage with head office for its support and leadership; and my my brother Clive, who came out from England parliamentary colleagues Ian, John, Richard and particularly to work the election. Sadly my signs were Darren. I say a sad goodbye to Michael, who did a great damaged on a continuous basis. David and Clive would job. I want to thank my team in the ministerial office spend 1½ to 2 hours each day driving around replacing who supported me over the four years, especially Sue, or repairing damaged signs. It is sad that politics is Hamish, Barb and Cathy. I want to thank and reduced to that — that opponents attack signs that cost acknowledge the great support and work of the money which has taken a lot of time to raise. I thank Premier’s office over that four-year period. my brother Clive most sincerely. He worked assiduously for me, including on the booths. His I also want to acknowledge my parents, who have standard response to anyone who said, ‘Why should I always supported me. Unfortunately my mother did not vote for Christine Fyffe?’ was, ‘Because she is my get to celebrate with me this year. I also thank my son, sister’. I think he won me more votes with his broad who has two parents in Parliament — a minister last Staffordshire accent than anything else that I did on that time — and went through two elections last year. I am day. A sincere thankyou to all of those people who very proud of him. I love him very much, and he is worked tirelessly. what is most important in this life. The prepolling was very difficult. It was in a factory Mrs FYFFE (Evelyn) — I rise to speak on the area. There was no veranda or other shade. It fried you address-in-reply to the Governor’s speech. Before I talk or it rained or the wind blew. There were trucks and about the issues raised by the Governor of Victoria, I other vehicles going up and down. Fortunately on the would like to thank the people in my electorate for ground there is a lot of friendliness, as in many country re-electing me. They elected me in 1999, in 2006 and areas, between Labor and Liberal supporters handing last year. I would like to thank Brian McCarthy, my out how-to-vote cards, and we were all helping each electorate chair; Maria McCarthy, who helped a lot other, sharing sunscreen lotion and providing shade with the fundraising; and my staff, including Jill with umbrellas. The returning officer and his staff were Hutchison and Ruth Barendse, who like many others terrific. They opened a huge roller door so that we worked so hard and so tirelessly last year to ensure that could go inside and shelter from the rain and the sun. the Liberals would be represented in Evelyn. I hope when choosing sites for polling booths the I also thank June Delbridge, who has been a long-time Victorian Electoral Commission will pay some supporter and has worked extremely hard; Dorothy consideration to the volunteers, many of whom are Hill; Elizabeth Lithgow; Rex McConachy; and many elderly, who work for all parties standing out in all others on the electorate committee who come out kinds of weather. Moving traffic is a danger when you tirelessly time and again, helping to man the street stalls are supposed to be so many feet from the door to the and listening posts and attending the fundraisers, and polling booth but that distance actually puts you into who are there at prepolling and on election day. I thank the middle of a road in an industrial estate. I ask the them all most sincerely. Victorian Electoral Commission to be more careful in selecting the polling places. I also thank my family. All of them turned up in full force for election day, and I do not know how I would The Governor’s speech was interesting in many ways. have managed without them. My grandchildren As one listens to it one reflects on what has happened, manned the Mount Evelyn booth with my son and my or perhaps what has not happened, since the previous daughter-in-law. It was terrific to hear Charlotte say — Governor’s speech. I looked at the address-in-reply when someone said to her, ‘Who is this?’ — ‘That is speech I gave in 2007 after being re-elected. I raised my gran. You should vote for her’. I was watching issues that had been of concern for many years about Charlotte enjoying the whole concept of an election. I the public transport system. I spoke about how it was really appreciated it because they came down from becoming more unreliable, with more late trains and Sydney, and we had a great time at home with the broken down trains, and about the lack of adequate bus whole family there. Even though it was chaotic and services for the growing population. busy, it was terrific. When I re-read that speech a little while ago I thought that nothing much had changed from the time I gave the

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764 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 speech in 2007 till when I was re-elected in 2010. In it meant was that places like Lilydale were being fact, it had deteriorated. I was receiving more disregarded. We may not be the crime capital of complaints in my office about cancelled trains, late Victoria, but we certainly have a lot of incidents, trains, inadequate bus services, lack of parking at because, sadly, alcohol is a serious problem out there, railway stations, the violence and the fear of being far more of a problem than illicit drugs. unsafe on the trains. More people had come to me saying they were too scared to go on the trains late at The new sergeant who started last year came from night — by late at night they meant after about Richmond, and he said the incidence of drug abuse and 8.30 p.m., not even after 10.30 p.m. or 11.00 p.m. dealing in illicit drugs in Lilydale was nowhere near what he had expected but he was surprised by the Some ladies had regularly gone into town to shop. They amount of alcohol-induced violence and the number of would have a day out, go to David Jones, or Myer, have young people walking around drinking on the streets. I afternoon tea and come home. But they had stopped have to commend him for the work he and his officers doing even that because they felt unsafe on the trains as have done around Lilydale station and Lilydale’s Main a result of the bad language, the dirt, the litter that was Street in removing troublemakers and policing a lot of thrown around, the lack of regard and the fact that when that area, but, again, he is being restricted by the lack of they made a complaint to railway station staff — that is, police on duty to call on. if they could meet any railway station staff — they felt that their complaints were ignored. So they had stopped I was reading again in the Governor’s speech about the doing what for a country person is quite a treat: going cost of living. It is one of the saddest things when you once every couple of months into town for a day out have elderly people telling you in the winter that in the with friends. middle of the afternoon they either went to bed and watched the television from their bed or sat covered in The violence outside the stations is something else. blankets because they could not afford to pay for the Mindless acts of violence, fights between young people, power to heat their homes. The cost of everything has seem to spring up no matter what time of day it is. I had just been going up and up. The previous government one lady come in great distress to my office, which is spent a lot of time criticising the former Kennett very close to Lilydale railway station, at 3.30 p.m. government, but one thing the Kennett government did because there was a fight between a large number of was tell the people of Victoria every time prices were young people in the bus depot just outside the station. going up. The people of Victoria knew. What we have She was absolutely appalled. had with the former Labor government is an annual price increase, and until people get their bills they are Of course the police respond as best they can, but they not even aware of it. That may have made the Kennett are understaffed. The police roster at Lilydale station government unpopular at times, but it was out in the may say there are X number of people on it. Let us say, open, whereas the former government under premiers for example, there are 27 people listed on the roster, but Bracks and Brumby just did it quietly, so it sneaked in when you take away the people on maternity leave, you and the bills went up and up. People have been finding take away the people who have been seconded to other it very difficult. positions and you take away the people who are on long service leave, you are left with an inadequate number. The lack of money going into public housing over the The officers are finding it very difficult to go out and last 11 years has been appalling. I spoke in 2007 about respond to jobs, because there are many jobs where a lady with six children who had been sleeping in one they really have to go two up. When someone who is room because they could not get accommodation. mentally ill is having an episode the officers have to go Money for public housing has been increased but so has two up because they do not know what situation they the population, and that money has not been coming out are going into. When a fight is reported, as was the fight to my electorate. All I can do is talk about my electorate between young people that was seen by that lady, if and the people who come to my office looking for there is only one vehicle, one divvy van, for the whole somewhere to stay. In relation to funding for of the Yarra Valley, it could be half an hour before that emergency housing, because of the blockage there was van comes back down to the police station. nowhere for the people who had been in emergency housing to move on to, and then new people wanted to The emphasis on safety in the city I quite understand, go into the emergency accommodation. It has caused but officers were being taken from suburban stations to dire situations. Sadly, it is families who suffer the most. fill the positions in the city when the former A single person can for a time — until their friends get government was saying it was putting X number of tired of them — sleep on the floor or on a couch, but police on the beat there. That sounded terrific, but what people with a family, when circumstances beyond their

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 765 control have made them homeless, can experience great that is what he is doing: he and his mates are playing difficulty in securing a rental property. The lack of truant and they have been separated, because the government housing has severely impacted on that. principals at high schools work very well together and have a system whereby they move children who have In terms of education, in so many of the schools in my got into trouble. But it is not helping them. He is going electorate the principals — I knew many of them years to leave school early because he still cannot read and ago when they were teachers in some of the regional write to a standard that makes him feel adequate. If one schools before they became principals — would tell me does not feel adequate, one becomes badly behaved or quietly about the problems they had. Last year one becomes withdrawn. principal told me that their first speech therapist did not visit the school until the end of April 2010, because for I only have a few seconds left. It was rather sad for me some reason the whole system changed and everything to read what I was talking about in 2007 in my was centralised so although they were allocated a address-in-reply speech and take note of the issues I speech therapist it took months for them to come out. A raised. I stand here again in 2011 and say that in the young child starting school who is needing help with intervening four years the previous government did speech or any other learning disability being left very little to alleviate the problems in the Yarra Ranges. without the necessary therapy can and will fall behind. I also heard about problems whereby children who had Mr DONNELLAN (Narre Warren North) — First hit grade six were going on to high school but were and foremost it is an honour to speak in this debate and unable to read and write because the funding had not to have been returned as the member for Narre Warren been supplied for an aide so that they could get that North. It is a great honour, and I very much look special assistance, the extra help they needed. forward to working hard for the constituents of Narre Warren North. I have the deepest admiration for every teacher, and I owe so much to the teachers who taught me when we I would like to thank various people who have helped were in classes of 45 and 50 in very crowded, very busy me: Robyn Hale, from my office; Alex Drummond; schools. I really admire what teachers today have been Matt Landolfo; Brad Garrad; George Droutsas; Keith doing, because so much is expected of them — so Pimblett; my mother, Helen Donnellan; and Lisa much that is outside the basic principles of education Picolo. They all worked assiduously hard on my and just teaching children how to read, write and look campaign from start to finish. for information. They are also expected to do what many parents should be doing. It is hard for them to see My role in the next four years will very much be to students that they know would improve if they could keep the government to its commitments. Various just have an aide only to find out that no funding is commitments have been made, which include the main coming through. They see children whose parents are one that many people in my electorate were very keen moving them from school to school because they are on, the $24 million in funding for the Casey tip. I struggling, and in these cases the child becomes understand that at the moment there are some questions unhappy because they are falling behind. over how and when or why that is going to be paid or not paid, so it will be interesting to see how that I heard of an example of a child at Wandin Yallock develops. Primary School, where the school was asking for $5000 to provide an aide — not very much. He was a big boy There were various sporting facility commitments whose parents could not afford a tutor. They came to made, including some to Gleneagles Secondary see me. They were really worried about him going on College, a school in my electorate. I think there was to high school, because they knew that when he got also the Berwick Football Club, and a couple of others there he would fall even further behind. At a small, which are very important to those communities. There nurturing school like Wandin Yallock he felt safe and were no commitments in relation to one car park at the comfortable, but his parents were concerned that he railway station in Hallam which has been expanded. would get into trouble if he went on to a high school There was a commitment by the former government to without the funding for an aide that he could have taken upgrade that facility to a premium station, and I would from primary school with him. be keen to work towards seeing if we can get that delivered. Naturally if one does not feel like part of a group, one starts to spend time with those who are outsiders. Looking at the issue of hospital beds in Casey, I Children need to belong to other groups of children. understand there was some consideration of that at one One could see where this boy was heading, and sadly stage by the Liberal Party but in the end it was not

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766 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 committed to and as a result there will be substantial world; we had a substantial commitment from the pressures. There was a commitment from us as the Indian community — many representatives and government at the time of an extra 32 to 40 beds — I community groups — and it was embarrassing not to think it was possibly 32 — to deal with that pressure. see one backbencher, one minister or anyone from the As that area grows and Cranbourne develops further Liberal Party or the coalition attend. that hospital is going to be very important to that community. There was a suggestion by, I think, the I was even more surprised when a couple of days later I candidate for Narre Warren South that the Liberal Party saw an article in the Age of 16 March entitled would consider widening of the Hallam bypass, and ‘Premier’s state-of-the-arts plans’. It starts by saying: obviously that is something I will be following up. Ted Baillieu won’t discuss funding but has thought a lot about arts activities and precincts … To date the government’s record has not been good. As members are well aware, in the last couple of weeks which is very important. Half-way through the article, there have been commitments made to the police. I one of the paragraphs starts: guess we are just starting the EBA (enterprise bargaining agreement) process but in its initial offering Other commitments include support for a Bollywood film the government seems to be below what the police were festival independent of the Melbourne International Film Festival … promised or expected. We have the issues in relation to teachers — making them the best paid in the country. It was strange that there were no representatives at the That is another specific commitment which I guess is Indian film festival to show the government’s under negotiation within the EBA, but it does not look commitment to the Indian community after the Premier as if they are going to be the best paid in the country. quite clearly enunciated his desire to support a We have the commitment to the community service Bollywood film festival. There was a rumour that one workers. How would I describe it? It was far-reaching minister suggested to one of the people involved that and unlimited. That seems to be limited now. because it was a Labour Day long weekend — how ironic that members of the Liberal Party and others These were specific promises that obviously many of were off on holiday celebrating the eight-hour day — these people expected the government to commit to, they could not attend the film festival. It was strange stick to and actually deliver. They are commitments because we have an important relationship with India that I as a shadow minister and also as the member for and because it is important for communities to express Narre Warren North, where we have many police, their beliefs, storytelling and cultural life through film. teachers and community service workers, will be expecting the government to meet, because people who A legacy of the federal Liberal Party in recent years, have changed their vote would be very disappointed to and this is something I am very concerned about, is the find they changed their vote for no reason at all. The development of a culture of middle-class welfare. What role of the opposition will be very much to ensure not we had during the Howard years was the development only that the government keeps those commitments but of a desire for a bribe for the middle class in every also that it governs well. That is probably the most budget. I got one: I got $5000 when we had our baby. important thing of all. It is the opposition’s role to push, That is now means tested but at the time it was prod, harass, harangue and ensure there is improvement ridiculous. Suddenly every budget became essential in the way the government undertakes its role. watching because there was always a bribe. There was a $1000 bribe if you were alive, $1000 if you were Thinking about that, on 12 March I attended Bollywood dead, $1000 if you breathed and $1000 if you were an and Beyond, the theme of the Indian Film Festival, apprentice. There were bribes everywhere. That which was very well attended by the Indian developed into an attitude of saying, ‘I deserve community. It featured what you would call Bollywood something and everything’. superstars who came out to Australia. We had Vidya Balan and Ali Zafar, two very well-known Bollywood The money could have been spent in better ways, such actors in India. Unfortunately I was the only member of as in the long-term development of infrastructure and Parliament who attended and I was rather surprised the like, which generates multiplier effects for many because invitations had gone out to various ministers years to come. Instead we had the development of and others. It was quite embarrassing but I was happy middle-class welfare with an attitude of saying, ‘I to represent the government, the opposition and always want something even though I do not everybody else in the Parliament because here we had necessarily need it’. It was concerning that the money one of our most important trading partners. We had just went on bigger widescreen TVs. That is the legacy representatives from the biggest film industry in the we have been left with at the federal level. The budget,

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 767 which is hardly the most exciting thing God ever put on Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s or even the earth, used to be an incredibly boring proposition every Department of Treasury and Finance reports. year for most people in the community, but people Apparently they are all rubbish. watched it. Are we to believe serious commentators or someone Another thing which greatly concerns me has been the who seems to struggle with the exercise of presenting flood recovery process. Initially there was the offer of and putting together a budget? You can run around $5000 to sporting clubs, which was insulting when carrying on like a pork chop about black holes, but you many of these clubs had lost their facilities and were have to get someone to back you up, because no-one is totally devastated. All that was on offer was $5000. It going to believe a pack of jokers. That is what we have was bizarre; there was no plan. It was as if the at the moment in government, a pack of jokers. If you government were saying, ‘We are going to insult you. want to start calculating things in nominal measures We are going to offer you $5000 and that might help instead of real terms and discounting them backwards, you clean the floor, but it will not do much else’. then you would look at CityLink and say — —

I noticed that today there was finally a media release Honourable members interjecting. from the Leader of The Nationals saying that flood-affected councils across Victoria will be eligible The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Weller) — Order! for flood money works up-front, but this announcement The member for Narre Warren North without was made some time after the floods. It seems like the assistance. government is dawdling. I understand that Regional Development Victoria has had to vary the way in which Mr DONNELLAN — Thank you for the it funds managers to try to assist some of these sporting protection, Acting Speaker. If you want to start clubs. It seems like the government is saying, ‘We did calculating things in nominal terms, it is going to be a not have a plan, we did not know what we were doing, very interesting exercise. We have not seen too many of but now we will get RDV to try to fix it up’. Okay, the government’s commitments at this stage. My RDV is full of very capable public servants, and they suspicion is that infrastructure works will go backwards will probably do a good job, but it seems to me that at 100 miles an hour. But if you were going to start there was no plan and no organisation. As for that doing it in a nominal way, you would have to look at $5000 offer, to be honest it was lucky those clubs did CityLink and say its cost would be somewhere between not strangle people because it was an absolute insult. I $5.6 billion and $6 billion. At the time it would have heard from one of the clubs that the situation got so been the most expensive exercise anyone in the country toxic the Premier had to ring a club and say, ‘Calm had ever seen. down, we will sort it out’. If the coalition wishes to do things via a nominal That is fine, and I am sure it will be sorted out. I have method, then we are going to have a lot of fun over the not mentioned that club today because I certainly do not coming years, because no-one else uses a nominal want it to be punished, but it is obviously very method. Most other people understand discounted cash concerning when the Premier has to get on the phone flows, and that is the way they bring it back to real personally and ring someone to say, ‘Calm down; we money terms at today’s value. But if we are going to do will get you the money to fix up your clubrooms’. It things in a nominal way, it is going to be a bundle of should have been done properly; it should have been joy. I suspect sooner or later the Treasurer will get planned; there should have been a centralised agency; himself into trouble. If he cannot understand the and $5000 was not going to do it. Compared to the difference between capital and recurrent costs, we are $100 000 that we offered at the time we were in going to have a ball of a time in relation to capital government, $5000 is a joke. Hopefully RDV will fix infrastructure in nominal and real terms. up the mess that other people have created. It is not I see my role here as holding the government to account good. for its promises. It is not doing a good job of this at the This furphy of the black hole is absolutely ridiculous. moment. We now have a unique form of calculating The only black hole in this place is the hole between the capital costs introduced by the Treasurer. No-one else Treasurer’s ears. No-one else in the community in the country does that. That is all right; we will cop believes his drivel. Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s that for the moment and use it against the government both say the budget is great and is in order, yet we are at a later date. The Treasurer is going to have a very supposed to believe the Treasurer, someone who I think hard time putting together a proper budget. If the has not even practised accounting, knows better than government cannot stick to its promises, it is going to

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768 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 be a very funny situation. The only black hole is The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Weller) — Order! between the Treasurer’s ears. The member for Yan Yean will get her chance.

Dr SYKES (Benalla) — The one redeeming feature Dr SYKES — I wish to acknowledge the of the previous speaker, the member for Narre Warren contribution of many people to my being here today, North, is that he supports the Brisbane Lions. Other including the efforts of my wife and my staff, who than that his presentation reflects a jaundiced view of amongst other things — — history. It is absolutely classic that members on the other side of the house have not yet got it. They are Ms Green interjected. now part of history. Time has moved on. We are the government and they are the opposition. I should say Dr SYKES — The member for Yan Yean took the that the previous presentations this evening were words right out of my mouth: my long-suffering wife enlightening. When I was sitting in the Chair I heard and staff. I am here and the member for Yan Yean is the member for Rodney, a person well known to us, over there. I will stand here and represent my people to give a very enthusiastic presentation on what is the best of my ability. The member for Yan Yean might important to people in country Victoria — the people remember that in doing that we stopped the The Nationals in particular represent. establishment of a toxic dump at Baddaginnie, we stopped the establishment of an offenders centre at From my point of view as a member it is a pleasure to Mount Teneriffe and we plugged the pipe — and we be contributing to the debate from this side of the house have a few more jobs to do yet! because whilst it is still very hard work at least now we get reward for effort. We are not continually hitting our In thanking my supporters, I acknowledge my wife and heads against a brick wall, with ministers who were my staff. I acknowledge also other people who have unreceptive, unresponsive and callous in relation to the helped me to be here, including David Evans, a former needs and plight of country Victorians. Now we have member of the upper house, who could be described as ministers who are approachable and who will get things the deputy member for Benalla. done. The debate so far has been interesting. Some As other members have, I would like to acknowledge contributions have been made. I congratulate the that I am very proud to have been re-elected as the member for Williamstown on his speech, in which he member for Benalla. For those new to the Parliament, I acknowledged and reflected very rationally on what have come through this system first having contested needs to be done. At other times we have had and lost, which is a great learning experience. Then I presentations, particularly from opposition members, won by a small margin and since then things have gone that have clearly reflected a state of denial. They ain’t quite well. got it: they are there and we are here. Unless the members of the opposition realise that they need to Ms Green interjected. learn the lesson that they were voted out of office because they cheated on the Victorian people, they Dr SYKES — The member for Yan Yean just failed to deliver, they lied and they twisted, they will cannot help herself. She has not worked out that she is remain on that side of the house for a long time. now in opposition and that she needs to listen to the government. Our newly elected members on this side are a feisty bunch who are doing very well. They have come in Ms Green interjected. with a passion and desire to represent their electorates and they are doing a damned good job in the first Dr SYKES — If opposition members are going to 120 days. represent the people they claim to represent — that is, the people of Victoria, the working families — it is Another thing about what we are dealing with at this about time they woke up to themselves and instead of stage is that members of our side of the house are playing games in the Parliament and wasting coming in representing people who have a great hope parliamentary debating time got on with and that we will address the 11 years of neglect on the part contributed meaningfully to debate so we can achieve of the previous government. Certainly that has caused outcomes for the benefit of all Victorians. us a lot of grief from our perspective as country Victorians. Ms Green interjected. Here we have the member for Bendigo East coming in. Welcome. It is a pity that she chose to yawn as she

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 769 came in because to her it is all boring. It is lovely to We have a situation where the Victorian patient have her here, because she has been part of the problem transport assistance scheme has been neglected for the and we are now part of the solution — we are the last 11 years by the Labor government, and now people solution. in country Victoria need to be addressed. A similar situation exists with the non-emergency patient Looking at some of the things that need solving, one is transport scheme. the problems with our health service. I am very pleased that our new Minister for Health and the Parliamentary Water is our source of life. It is a source of wealth, and Secretary for Health have come to the electorate of as we have heard from other speakers, the Labor north-eastern Victoria. They have listened to people government wanted to steal it from us. It wanted to put who, due to a lack of care over the past decade, have in place a pipeline that was going to suck the felt poorly done by. For example, Alpine Health is wealth-generating potential from northern Victoria to looking to have in place a system that will provide Melbourne when Melbourne had other means of health care both for local people and for those who meeting its water requirements. In relation to water we come to our alpine resorts — a level of health care that also have the Murray-Darling Basin plan, where the is commensurate with what people in Melbourne would federal Labor government is seeking again to suck the expect. Similarly there is the Mansfield hospital, which heart out of country Victoria on an absolutely spurious looks after local people as well as visitors to Mount basis, and has failed to deliver. In my area of Benalla Buller and Mount Stirling. That hospital struggles we have had the decommissioning of Lake Mokoan, financially, but we are looking forward to it being and through that the wealth-generating capacity of the adequately resourced to meet local needs and the needs Broken Valley system has been absolutely decimated. of visitors under our new government. The Benalla hospital similarly needs support for the development of We have heard about the need for education. In my the Morrie Evans aged care wing to look after our electorate we have many communities that experience ageing population. serious social disadvantage. As I said earlier this evening, education is the passport from poverty to Continuing with health services needs, I note there is a prosperity, and young people in country Victoria are major problem with ambulance services. It is absolutely missing out. We need to overcome the 11 years of disgraceful. For example — — neglect by the previous government. We need to put in place a system where there will be a Benalla education Mr Nardella interjected. regeneration program, with the Minister for Education at the table. We also need to put in place an upgrade of Dr SYKES — We have the member for Melton, the Mansfield Secondary College and Myrtleford P–12 toothless attack dog. A dog that is no more; a dog that, College. if I were still practising veterinary medicine, I would have put down. I would have put him down! At one stage the former Minister for Roads and Ports was here in the chamber, and I remind members that Mr Nardella — He’s having a go at me. the transport system in my electorate in country The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Weller) — Order! Victoria is appalling. There is a need to maintain The member for Melton will get his turn! transport from isolated communities such as Woods Point into Mansfield and then from Mansfield to Dr SYKES — In relation to health services in our Benalla, and the Ovens Valley transport system is area, leaving aside the animal health services, we have needed to connect young people with educational a situation where the alpine resorts are inadequately opportunities between Bright and Wangaratta. serviced by ambulance services, as are towns such as Transport is needed to connect people with the health Mansfield, Bright and Mount Beauty. Nagambie, which services they need — to bring people from Bright, is a thriving and growing town, currently relies on the Porepunkah and Myrtleford to Wangaratta to then catch community emergency response team — the the train to Melbourne. One problem is that there is no volunteers — to provide basic ambulance responses train to Melbourne, because the previous Labor that other communities take for granted. We have government could not put in place a replacement people in country Victoria in areas such as Mount railway line. A number of us have sought to address Beauty that miss out on being able to qualify for that, and I am pleased that with the new Minister for reasonable assistance measures, such as going to Public Transport we can look forward to that rail centres like Albury-Wodonga. system being in place in June.

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Linked with that is that I am hopeful we can put a Baillieu-Ryan government will continue to deliver for railway station at Glenrowan so that the good people of the next four years, and the Baillieu-Ryan government Glenrowan, which is in Ned Kelly country — stand and will be elected in four years time because it is deliver, and all that stuff — can have access to public delivering for the people of Victoria. transport. People will be able to come to our area, see the Ned Kelly history and go to the new Winton Ms GREEN (Yan Yean) — It gives me great wetlands in the comfort of public transport. pleasure to join the debate on the address-in-reply. I wish to place on record my heartfelt thanks to the Another issue in country Victoria is that the cost of community of Yan Yean for electing me for a third living is skyrocketing. Power, water and gas are all time. It is an extremely humbling experience to be major costs, and I commend one of the great fighters elected three times and now to represent the state’s for justice in the Ovens Valley, Cheryl Sanderson, who most populous electorate, which is a beautiful electorate continues to maintain pressure so that those basics are made up of suburbs, gorgeous townships and delivered to country Victorians. green-wedge communities. We are blessed with fantastic national parks and natural assets. We are I saw other community needs in my area when, a week bordered by the Kinglake National Park to the north, or two ago, I called in at Dinner Plain in the beautiful Warrandyte State Park to the south and the Craigieburn high country. My good friend the member for Yan grasslands to the west. The beautiful spine of the Yean has been up there and would know that Dinner electorate is formed by the Plenty Gorge parklands. Plain needs a school so that the young people can be educated. The community needs access to transport so It was in the last term that the terrible tragedy of the that people can get from Dinner Plain to Omeo or down Black Saturday bushfires afflicted communities in the to Harrietville. People in Mount Hotham the road needs electorate that I am privileged to represent. I would to be sealed need access to medical services. At Mount particularly like to offer my support again to those Hotham the road needs to be sealed at the time of year affected communities in Whittlesea, Kinglake West, when we need the road to function, rather than break up Humevale, Arthurs Creek, Strathewen, St Andrews and like it has for the last six years. Christmas Hills. I will support them in their continuing journey in recovery as I did over the last two years. We are looking to support the people of Harrietville, which is a lovely village in the Upper Ovens Valley, in I want to place on the record my thanks to my partner, their quest to be a sustainable community. We need to Steve, to my beautiful sons, Blake and Carlo, to my put in place a sewerage system that is compatible with extended family, to the fantastic staff who are in my their community. We need to deliver them water, assist office now and who have served me over the time that I them in converting to solar energy and look at have had the privilege to represent the great electorate extending the bike track up the valley so that people, of Yan Yean, and to the fantastic branch members of including many from here — including the member for the Labor Party in the electorate of Yan Yean. It has Narre Warren South — can come to beautiful been incredibly tough over the last couple of years. We north-east Victoria, savour the ambience and then pop lost branch members to the bushfires and a number of in at my place and have a cool chardie. members lost homes and had families in a similar situation. I want to thank them. Despite their own The other thing we need to do in government is look at difficulties they continue to support me and the Labor a broader range of activities. In my role as values in the electorate of Yan Yean. Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries I will address the issue of controlling wild dogs, which create Yan Yean is a marginal seat and has been since its havoc in Gippsland and north-east Victoria — and in creation in 1992, yet I have a great respect for the this house, albeit they are toothless wild dogs in this electorate of Yan Yean and I have always taken it house! We need to put in place a system that manages incredibly seriously. I need to serve my constituents those dogs, and that is why we have introduced aerial every day of my political life, keeping that uppermost baiting. We will deliver on a control program. We will in my mind. It is an absolute travesty that the also look after recreational fishermen and others who conservatives on the other side — members of the want to enjoy, in many cases, their twilight years. Liberal Party — offered no plans, no support and no solutions to the communities of the north. They offered In the last 30 seconds I want to say that, in spite of the absolutely nothing in terms of infrastructure or service criticisms of the left-leaning media and the opposition, delivery to the great Yan Yean electorate. If they do not the fact is that the Baillieu-Ryan government has think you are going to elect them, they offer you delivered on many promises in its first 110 days. The nothing.

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The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Weller) — Order! I For the Northern Hospital, in partnership with the remind members that there is to be no food or drink in federal government, Melbourne University and Deakin the chamber. University — after all the years of the Howard federal government, which had done its best to undermine the Ms GREEN — As I said, Yan Yean is the most medical workforce and refused to provide an increase populous electorate in the state. This government has in funding for training of nurses and other medical made no commitments to the electorate — no money practitioners or give any support to health services in for schools, no money for hospitals, no money for the north — we gave a commitment for an academic roads, no money for public transport, no money for and medical research precinct. That has meant that two people with disabilities, no money for sporting facilities of the three newest hospitals in the state will be located and no money for emergency services, including in the north. That is something of which I am proud. much-needed Country Fire Authority stations. It was This government has given no commitment. You not good enough for the Liberal Party and, its ball and would think that the north was invisible in terms of chain The Nationals. They made no commitments to health needs. the electorate, but they are comprehensively putting the wrecking ball through Labor’s major job-generating While we are talking about the needs of the north, this infrastructure projects and services to support the government seems to be not just ignoring the health of communities of the north. people in the north but putting the wrecking ball through major job-generating projects. I put the As an example, I single out the Olivia Newton-John government on notice that we are absolutely united. Cancer and Wellness Centre, which requires a very Labor holds 11 of the seats in the north, and we will small amount of money in terms of the state budget. work assiduously to point out to the community not just The last time the Liberal Party was in government one in the north but right across the state that this is a of its final efforts in its death throes was a plan to sell job-wrecking government. It is not good enough that the Austin Hospital, that great hospital that not only regional development has no job-generating focus at provides support to the north-east of Melbourne but all. We saw that yesterday when the member for also offers specialist services to the Victorian Brighton in relation to whatever portfolios she has community across the state. When we were in now — tourism and some other frippery — criticised government we did not sell off this hospital; we funded the previous record of job generation in Ballarat. The it and rebuilt it, and it was the biggest public hospital Minister for Regional and Rural Development sat project ever in this country. The Austin is co-located doggo at the table, saying nothing about jobs in regional with the Mercy Hospital for Women. Victoria. It is the same in the north.

We have taken seriously the health needs of people in As a government we went through a wide consultation the north. This government will be judged for not process about the relocation of Melbourne’s fruit and supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and vegetable markets to the north. There was an extensive Wellness Centre. An enormous number of my process of consultation, and there was great support constituents, particularly women, have suffered from from the sector. I acknowledge that not all of the cancer or are being treated for cancer, and if this centre market providers wanted to move from Melbourne’s is not finished with the money that was set aside and ports and Footscray, but this government has tried to committed to it by our government — a small amount mislead them into thinking that they will not have to of money — it will be an absolute travesty. This move. Anyone who has heard the Minister for Planning government will be judged as heartless and uncaring for talk about Fishermans Bend and other things in relation not being prepared to put money into this great project. to Melbourne’s ports will understand that the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market has My mother is now almost five years into remission to move, and the proposal for the site at Epping was from breast cancer. Many other women like my supported by the seven local governments in the north. mother — there will be up to 2000 women per year — The state and federal MPs and all the local governments will not be able to access cancer services if the Olivia were absolutely united. Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre is not funded. I call on this government to support the families Almost 80 per cent of the freight that goes to the of the north who need cancer services. In government Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market we had a great cancer strategy to deal with this terrible comes down the Hume Highway, adding to the traffic killer. This government does not care. congestion on the Western Ring Road as it comes into the ports area. That will be addressed by the investment. We did the groundwork to ensure that the

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772 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 north was going to be the best location for the market. Local resident Kylie Christmas, who has been We invested in and supported the Hume bypass, and we campaigning for safety improvements at the supported the extension of Edgars Road to Cooper intersection, has said: Street. We supported the duplication of Cooper Street, and I was pleased to announce $10 million in funding The intersection is dangerous, congested and turning right is impossible. for the triplication of Cooper Street at the front of the market to allow access to that market. The two access People cut through the Mobil service station on the corner to and egress points mean it is a great location for the avoid it, which is also dangerous. market. I hope something can be done about this. I am concerned that this road investment will not In the five-year period ending 31 December 2009 there continue; I am concerned that this market is not going were 23 casualty crashes recorded at this intersection, to be relocated there. That means there is a wrecking including 8 serious injury crashes. I have also been ball going through 10 000 jobs that would have been contacted by Mr Peter Strong, who told me that further located in the north of Melbourne. We have major accidents have occurred at this intersection. He would developers — — like to know if there are now any plans to improve this intersection. Clearly something needs to be done to The SPEAKER — Order! The honourable member improve the situation. may continue her speech when the matter is next before the Chair. I understand VicRoads has found a practical solution to the problem. It is now important that VicRoads begins Business interrupted pursuant to standing orders. work.

The Brumby Labor government was absolutely ADJOURNMENT committed to fixing this intersection. The previous The SPEAKER — Order! The question is: Minister for Roads and Ports was working diligently to make the intersection safe. Labor has a strong record of That the house do now adjourn. massive investment in local roads in the city of Casey. Over $500 million was invested when we were in Pound–Shrives roads, Hampton Park: safety office. I do not hold out much hope for the Libs matching that during their term of government. It is Ms GRALEY (Narre Warren South) — Tonight my unbelievable, but true, that not one dollar was promised adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for road projects in the electorate of Narre Warren for Roads and concerns the Pound Road and Shrives South by anybody in the Liberal Party. Road intersection in Hampton Park. I notice the minister is not in the house. I know he is a very difficult Ideas for the improvement of the intersection have been minister to get a straight answer from, but I will pursue floated in the past, including the installation of a this matter. roundabout and traffic lights. The minister must ensure that the best possible solution to fix this severe safety The action I seek is for the minister to ensure that safety hazard is found and implemented now. He should fix is improved at this intersection immediately. I have the problem. received many phone calls, letters and emails from concerned residents of my electorate regarding this I ask the minister to ensure that safety is improved at intersection and have relayed some of these to members this intersection immediately. of the house before. The Pound Road and Shrives Road intersection has been a site of long delays, particularly Emmaus St Leo’s Old Collegians Football for motorists trying to turn right into Pound Road. Club: facilities These delays have caused frustration which in some cases has led to dangerous driving and even car Mr WATT (Burwood) — My adjournment matter accidents. The intersection has been the site of many is for the attention of the Minister for Sport and casualty crashes. It is a very busy area; it is one of the Recreation. I know the minister is aware of the plight of busiest intersections in my electorate. People use it to Emmaus St Leo’s Old Collegians Football Club in my get to their homes, to schools and to shops. electorate after meeting with Ronchs, Dave, Graham and Phil last year.

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The club’s facilities are run down and in need of an Macedon would be honoured. Having formed upgrade. Recently I met with a local councillor who government the coalition said it would honour all of its told me these facilities should have been fixed years candidates’ election commitments. I call on the minister ago. Four and a half years ago the former Labor to ensure that this promise is honoured in the upcoming member for Burwood promised the club he would help state budget and that funding is allocated for this it to get new facilities, but he sat on his hands and did election commitment. nothing. The club has done an enormous amount of work to get to this point. After discussions with both I have written to the Minister for Education on this the Whitehorse City Council and Deakin University I matter, and while in his response he did not commit to know there is the will from both of these bodies to fix providing this funding in the forthcoming budget, he this facility so it can be a resource for the whole did indicate that Gisborne Secondary College was community. included on a priority list to ensure that those schools in desperate need of an upgrade have funds committed to I thank the minister for his commitment to the them. Bennettswood Reserve clubhouse, and I ask that he once again visit the club to discuss a way forward to Under the previous Labor government students around enable the club to get its facilities. Victoria have enjoyed the benefits of government investment in school buildings and increased teacher Gisborne Secondary College: funding and support staff numbers. Stage 4 funding has been identified, and funding was committed under the Ms DUNCAN (Macedon) — The matter I wish to previous government. I ask the minister to fund these raise is for the attention of the Minister for Education. I important facilities at Gisborne Secondary College in want him to ensure that Gisborne Secondary College the upcoming state budget. receives funding in this year’s state budget. East Gippsland, Ballarat and Wimmera sports Gisborne Secondary College is the largest secondary foundations: ministerial visit college in the Macedon Ranges and has seen significant funding allocated to it under the previous government; Mr BULL (Gippsland East) — I raise a matter for it funded stages 1, 2 and 3 of the school’s master plan. the attention of the Minister for Sport and Recreation. I Stage 4 will complete Gisborne Secondary College’s was recently contacted by the secretary of the East master plan and its building program, and will provide Gippsland Sports Foundation, Mr Tony Claridge. He a new gym and a new music and drama centre. Stage 4 was acting on behalf of his foundation but also two will continue to give students the very best possible other prominent sports foundations in Victoria, the learning environment. Parents rightly expect the best Ballarat Sports Foundation and the Wimmera Sports the government can offer for their children. These Foundation. He has requested a meeting with the upgrades will provide students with state-of-the-art minister to discuss the role of these organisations in learning environments and provide teachers with the their respective communities. facilities they need to continue to provide a world-class education. The East Gippsland Sports Foundation is the organisation with which I am most familiar. It has a In addition to stage 4 the community has been terrific reputation in East Gippsland. It was established advocating for some time and raising funds to build a to provide financial support and encouragement to netball and basketball stadium on the grounds of those young men and women in the community who Gisborne Secondary College. This is a much-needed have the potential to achieve at the highest levels in community facility. Gisborne does not have an indoor sport. To date the East Gippsland Sports Foundation basketball stadium, and basketballers and netballers has supported 38 athletes with scholarships, and it often have to travel far and wide on Saturday mornings presently has between 15 and 20 athletes on its books. to attend games. This would be a joint facility shared It is currently assisting athletes in a variety of between the general community and the school but disciplines, including athletics, basketball, located on the grounds of Gisborne Secondary College. cross-country skiing, cycling, AFL, hockey, Rugby League, sailing, squash, swimming, table tennis, During the last election campaign the Liberal candidate taekwondo, triathlon and volleyball. This organisation promised to provide $3.5 million for the Gisborne is clearly servicing young athletes in a wide variety of indoor sports stadium. Following the election Liberal sports. These are young athletes who have the potential Party spokesman Simon Troeth stated that election to succeed at the highest level. They often have to travel promises made by the Liberal candidate in the seat of to Melbourne not only to compete but also to train. That

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774 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 places a great financial burden on many of their precinct and who feel unsafe because they must walk to families, who are often from very low socioeconomic their cars at night. I have spoken to the parents of backgrounds. graduate nurses who are concerned for their children’s safety and are anxious about their having to walk The foundation is administered by a board of directors sometimes quite long distances alone to get back to who are very well respected in the local community, their cars at night. and it was started with an initial investment of $100 000. Those funds were raised within the I have met with the members of the Hospitals community. The scholarships provided by the Emergency Landing Pad, the group of people who are foundation are drawn from the interest raised on that lobbying strongly for a helipad to be constructed as a initial investment. Like all three sports foundations in priority and who also believe that a helipad on top of a country Victoria, the East Gippsland Sports Foundation multistorey car park is not only a viable solution but a clearly has the best interests of the athletes and their sensible one. I am extremely worried about the older families at heart, and it has come to the rescue on a people who require regular treatment and who struggle number of occasions to get these kids to their sporting to park near the hospital. This is an issue that will affect events. In regional Victoria there are many young most of the residents in the electorate that I represent at people with hopes, dreams and potential who, if given some stage, and the long-term solution is to commit to the encouragement, can rise to new and better sporting building a multistorey car park. I call on the minister to heights. listen to the people of Ballarat West and to build a multistorey car park as a priority. The action I seek is for the minister to make time to meet with representatives of the three foundations to Warburton Caravan Park: future discuss their most important roles in their respective communities and gain a greater understanding of the Mr BATTIN (Gembrook) — I rise to call on the terrific work they are doing with junior athletes from Minister for Environment and Climate Change to attend right across the state of Victoria. with me at the Warburton Caravan Park to discuss an important issue. Over the past five-plus years Yarra Ballarat Health Services: car parking Ranges Shire Council has been working on developing a master plan for the Warburton Caravan Park. The Ms KNIGHT (Ballarat West) — I wish to raise a caravan park has provided a great camping and holiday matter for the attention of the Minister for Health. The place at low cost for thousands of visitors each and action I seek from the minister is for him to commit to every year, whilst also providing low-cost housing for building a multistorey car park at Ballarat Health local residents. Services. I raise this issue with the minister on behalf of the constituents of the Ballarat West electorate, who are Tourism is essential in a town like Warburton. A recent finding access to the hospital difficult due to the Warburton Chamber of Commerce meeting, attended restricted parking available. The issue is causing a great by 50 local residents, is evidence that local people deal of distress to both the workers of the hospital and understand the importance of this issue. If the master those who need to attend for appointments or treatment. plan in its current form were adopted, an economic loss This also affects people who are visiting sick friends or of $1 024 676 would be felt by that local community. relatives at the hospital. This estimate is based on 1250 camping site nights and 400 cabin site nights being lost. Car parking is becoming a worse problem due to the expansion of Ballarat Health Services, the expansion of Warburton cannot afford to lose more tourism, which it the St John of God Hospital and the increased is striving to regain after the devastating Black Saturday attendance at the nearby Australian Catholic University bushfires. Although it was not directly hit, the local Aquinas campus. The increase in services provided at economy was hit hard. The Yarra Ranges Shire Council both the hospital and the university is to be welcomed; is the responsible agent and committee of management. however, the government must match Labor’s It received confusing and conflicting information from commitment to build a multistorey car park. This is the previous government that has forced it to release a what the people of the Ballarat West electorate voted plan that will hurt business in the long term. Many local for. It is also what you would expect from a community groups have supported the need to allow forward-thinking government. camping along the river. Groups like Warburton Chamber of Commerce, Millgrove Residents Action I have spoken to so many nurses who are shift workers Group, Warburton Primary School, Upper Yarra Arts who have to park their cars away from the hospital

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Centre and Warburton Highway Tourism Association As a result of the baby boom there is already a lot of all support camping in the Warburton area. pressure on many kindergartens around the state for more places to be provided. This demand will grow as a This government is working to support our tourism result of a Council of Australian Governments towns and ensure that they survive for many agreement to increase four-year-old kinder hours from generations. I have met with Mr Andy Walker, 10 to 15 hours from 2013. Many representatives from currently the lessee of the property. In our discussions our local kindergartens have been saying that they can we agreed on the importance not only of this great provide extra hours only if their facilities are expanded. camping facility for the future but of our mutual I have noted that many councils have also been echoing responsibility to the environment. We have discussed these concerns. possibilities ranging from continuing to allow camping at the majority of sites to marginally reducing some The City of Frankston is a perfect example of a shire sites and relocating the cabins. Andy Walker maintains with a need for adequate funding. Frankston is home to the property concerned and ensures that the waterways 25 kindergartens, 28 registered playrooms and are protected. He is active in his work to eradicate 29 child-care centres. Frankston shire has identified that weeds on his property and keen to revegetate some of it would require an additional $14.7 million to support the areas in the site. additional infrastructure. This additional funding over seven years would support the requirements created by Removing 70 sites from the Warburton Caravan Park the baby boom and also support additional hours for will have an adverse effect on the local community and our kindergartens. put further strain on local businesses. The owner-manager of IGA Warburton is concerned that his Frankston is also home to two new integrated leaning future expansion and increase in staff will be put at risk and care hubs. One is located in Karingal and the other if we do not work with the council to review this is being constructed in Frankston North. Integrated matter. learning and care hubs are a great initiative and are subsequently funded by federal, state and local After many years of consistent misinformation from the governments. I seek the opportunity in working with previous government I call on the Minister for the City of Frankston and the federal government to Environment and Climate Change to visit the deliver additional integrated leaning and care hubs in Warburton Caravan Park to meet with the lessee, the both Carrum Downs and Langwarrin. chief executive officer and the mayor of the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the chair of the Warburton Chamber In responding to the pressures and initiatives such as of Commerce to clarify this issue and instil some those we see in Frankston, during the election campaign certainty in the future for the Warburton Caravan Park we on this side of the house committed an extra and surrounding businesses. $100 million capital funding over four years to enable kindergartens to build 335 additional kinder rooms and Kindergartens: Frankston create the capacity for 10 000 new kindergarten places. We also promised $20 million over four years to Mr PERERA (Cranbourne) — I raise a matter for expand the network of children’s centres. I urge the the Minister for Children and Early Childhood minister to provide adequate funding to support the Development. The action I seek is for the minister to growing needs of our kindergartens in the Frankston provide adequate capital funding to support the growing area. needs of our kindergartens, especially in the Frankston area. Gippsland Water Factory: funding

Let us not kid ourselves: kindergartens play a very Mr NORTHE (Morwell) — I rise this evening to important role in our children’s learning capacities. seek an action from the Minister for Water. The action I Kindergarten also prepares our children for the school seek is for the minister to release the final report of the years. When our children attend kindergarten they learn Deloitte review that sought some answers as to why the the basics in maths, science, reading, writing and other Gippsland Water Factory was delivered over time and life skills such as socialisation. I have met many parents over budget. of young children who have allowed their child to skip kindergarten, and they have then grown to regret this From the outset I note that the principle of the decision. Gippsland Water Factory is supported and is a good one. Essentially it recycles and reuses domestic and industrial wastewater. Australian Paper reuses 25 per

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776 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 cent of that recycled water, and the other 75 per cent is EMF, as they are sometimes called — in relation to the used to treat the open channel that flows down to the proposed expansion of the Brunswick terminal station. regional outfall sewer at Dutson Downs. It treats approximately 35 million litres of water per day, so it is I have previously raised an adjournment matter in an important project. relation to the significant — fourfold — expansion of this terminal station for the attention of the Minister for The initial estimate of the cost of this project was Energy and Resources, and I thank the minister for his around $128 million when first announced and response both in this place and in writing shortly after. unfortunately the cost is probably close to double that It is a shame that some of his colleagues were not so figure at this point in time. I acknowledge that the timely. previous government contributed $50 million, but the point about my wanting the release of the document is However, I am concerned that in the response of the that it is essentially the ratepayers of Gippsland Water Minister for Energy and Resources, in which he refused who are subsidising this project to the tune of a to engage with stakeholders as requested, he significant amount. demonstrated that he has not fully appreciated the level of community concern about this proposed What we have seen is that Gippsland Water ratepayers development. The record shows that he has been quite have had an increase in their water rates of 71 per cent dismissive of the community and its considerable over five years. On average we pay the highest water anxiety about such a large-scale substation being bills in comparison to other water authorities in the state proposed in a residential area. Further, the Minister for of Victoria. As you can see, this is a significant issue Energy and Resources did not respond to, or in any way for our community, and it deserves to understand and address, the health and safety concerns that were raised know why the cost blow-outs have occurred and why by the community. This is despite the fact that there is a this project was not delivered on time. I call upon the lack of precedent anywhere in the world for a facility of minister to ensure that transparency occurs with respect this magnitude being located in a highly residential to releasing this report publicly. area.

I made numerous representations to the former Minister The community remains deeply concerned, particularly for Water on this very matter, and I will give him due after the response of the Minister for Energy and credit: he did respond to my requests at the time, but Resources, that other non-residential sites have not been unfortunately there was no joy. In fact on four fully considered. SP AusNet is currently going through occasions he responded to me in that same manner — the process of a regulatory investment test for the without any success. I have also raised this very same proposed development, but the community remains matter in this place on numerous occasions, very anxious that this process does not take into unfortunately without any success at all. account long-term exposure to EMF.

The new Minister for Water has certainly taken an The local residents group has written to me on several interest. He has visited the site, and he understands the occasions regarding the community’s concerns about uniqueness of this project and the benefits it brings. I the regulatory process, and I quote from the group’s also hope he has an understanding of the issues that our most recent correspondence: community members have with respect to this. He has met with consumer advocates in our region and The power companies have stated that they will comply with the ARPANSA and NHMRC guidelines. The NHMRC understands the importance of the Deloitte review being guidelines were produced in 1989 and are now rescinded. released publicly so that the ratepayers of Gippsland There are no current NHMRC guidelines. Water can have an understanding of why the cost blow-outs occurred and why the project was not Honourable members interjecting. delivered on time. Ms GARRETT — I am sorry if those on the other Brunswick terminal station: health and safety side of the house do not think this is an important issue, but the people in my community are deeply concerned. Ms GARRETT (Brunswick) — I wish to raise a I would ask that members listen to the concerns of my matter tonight for the attention of the Minister for community regarding health and safety issues Health, and the action I seek is his investigation and associated with an extraordinary substation being built assistance regarding community concerns about in their street. long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields — or Mr Southwick interjected.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 777

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for serves the people of Victoria. Most importantly, when Caulfield! the coalition engages in consultation — —

Ms GARRETT — Indeed! The community Honourable members interjecting. believes that if the regulatory test is determining a location based on economic and short-term Mr GIDLEY — For those opposite I say that we considerations, then the terms of reference are too are going to do a funny thing: we are going to narrow for a location such as the Brunswick site. I ask genuinely seek people’s input and not have a the Minister for Health to intervene to address the fraudulent, sham consultation process. community’s concerns about health and safety. I call on the Minister for Planning to come out to the Planning: Mount Waverley electorate Mount Waverley electorate to provide us with an update on the coalition’s plan in relation to the Mr GIDLEY (Mount Waverley) — I rise to raise a important steps that have been taken, and I commend matter for the Minister for Planning. I ask him to him for them. I ask him to provide that update and to provide an update on the coalition’s plan for a put behind us those sad days of the Bracks and Brumby transparent, sustainable and, most importantly, fair governments. planning system in the Mount Waverley electorate and in Victoria. Planning is important to my community of Responses Mount Waverley. As a suburb which is inbuilt, planning is crucial for shaping its future. Whether it is Mr R. SMITH (Minister for Environment and Blackburn Road, Springvale Road, Highbury Road or Climate Change) — I rise to respond to the member for Huntingdale Road or whether it is the Glen Waverley Gembrook, who raised a matter regarding the master activity centre, planning is important. plan that is being put together for the Warburton Caravan Park. I have some knowledge of this issue. Unfortunately for our community and for the rest of Indeed it has been raised with me by a number of his Victoria we know that over the last decade Victoria’s constituents in recent times. planning system has not balanced those important tenets of sustainability, development and fairness. We I have done a preliminary investigation and have found only have to look at a couple of key points to see that there is some confusion about whether or not the very clearly. Melbourne 2030 was a plan which did not previous government had placed some restrictions work; it was a plan which was forced on so many around the formulation of the master plan by the communities, including the Waverley area community. committee of management, which is the Yarra Ranges It was developed without a coherent strategy about council. Certainly I am keen to get some clarity around what is reasonable population growth in inbuilt areas. this issue, and I really want to ensure that the relevant stakeholders have a clear understanding of how to Amendment VC71 was developed for higher density progress this issue for an optimum outcome, and so of development across transport routes that include course I will be more than happy to join the member for Springvale Road, Blackburn Road and Highbury Road. Gembrook in his electorate to meet with those Again it was a sham planning system imposed on the stakeholders as he has asked. people of the electorate. Who could forget the Windsor Hotel story? It was a fraud and a sham consultation Mr DELAHUNTY (Minister for Sport and process in which the then planning minister had no Recreation) — I respond to the request from the intention whatsoever of engaging in good planning. member for Burwood, who is a very committed and hardworking member of this house on behalf of his But thankfully those days are gone with the election of electorate. As we all know, Victorians value a coalition government. The coalition has already participation in sport and sporting achievement. They removed amendment VC71, which in my community all want to see increasing participation, but I am has meant that concerns about Springvale and particularly keen to see it. I want more people to be Blackburn roads — those SmartBus routes — which more active more often. were going to be open slather for developers at the hand of the Brumby government have now been removed. Back in November I went out to Burwood with the now Our government is going to replace Melbourne 2030 member for Burwood, and at the Bennettswood Sports with a planning document that is fair and reasonable Ground I met with people to discuss the possibility of and which takes into account local communities and getting some assistance for the upgrade of facilities out there. I have to say the facilities, including the changing rooms and the toilets and those kinds of things, were

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778 ASSEMBLY Wednesday, 23 March 2011 very ordinary. Those things are very important for written by Harvey Bates, who is the patron of the sporting people. foundation. He wrote that back in 2004 this small group of businesspeople met to discuss the unsatisfactory I was made aware of the various activities that are out situation and decided to step in and help budding there, so we committed $300 000 to assist with the sporting champions. Many champions have been redevelopment of this very important Bennettswood supported by the East Gippsland Sports Foundation. Sports Ground. When I was out there I met with the president, Steve Ronchi, and past players David I have also had some contact with the Ballarat Sports Mahony and Graham Burgess. They are great people Foundation, which is chaired by John Burt, OAM. That who are very committed to their sport. I am keen to go is not the John Birt who coached me in 1971 at out there again, and I will take up the invitation from Essendon; it is another John Burt. This foundation also the member for Burwood to meet with these people and plays an important role. It was established back in 1994 others out there in relation to the implementation of the to help sporting groups. I know a fair bit about the commitment, which will be delivered by this Wimmera Sports Foundation. It is chaired by Mary government sooner rather than later. I can assure the Raynes. member for Burwood and the people out there that it will be delivered. An honourable member — That’s got nothing to do with Gippsland East. The other request directed to me tonight was from the member for Gippsland East, who is passionate about Mr DELAHUNTY — All of these very important his electorate. He is an asset to his community, to The people are coming to meet with us in a couple of weeks Nationals and to this Parliament because of the work he at the invitation of the member for Gippsland East. I is doing in here on behalf of the electorate. I went down want to highlight the fact that the Wimmera Sports there last year with him — he was a candidate at that Foundation was developed by a man by the name of stage — and I met with many people, including those at Peter Irwin, who was with Caltex at that stage and later the East Gippsland Sports Foundation. Right across of Irwin Wimmera Petroleum. The foundation put Victoria a lot of our young budding athletes have money in when the government would not at that stage. difficulty in being able to participate in elite sporting Tom Gawith, a great friend of mine when I played events. With the support of their parents and people football, was also a very committed person. It was back within the community they expend a lot of effort to get in 1985 that they established this group. to these events, and there are a lot of costs involved in travel and accommodation. Without their parents’ Over the last 10 years the Horsham Sports and support and community support they would have even Community Club has tipped another $55 000 into this greater difficulties in attending. foundation, and it has been through interest on this money that many sporting champions, such as Lauren The Victorian state government has the Victalent Hewitt, who has won a gold medal in running, and program, which has existed for many years and through Melissa McClure, a basketball champion, have been many governments. The federal government has a local supported. Also supported have been Jason Niblett, sporting champion program. We also have three who won a gold medal at the last Commonwealth foundations — the Gippsland Sports Academy, the Games; Aaron Bruce, who is a star basketballer; Tim Ballarat Sports Foundation and the Wimmera Sports Houlihan, who plays with the West Coast Eagles; and Foundation — which supply additional funding. They Mark O’Brien, who is a cyclist. The list is extensive. are very keen to work with the government of the day, and I will take up the offer from the member for An honourable member interjected. Gippsland East. I think we should meet with this group Mr DELAHUNTY — No, they don’t have one in during the next sitting of Parliament. Swan Hill. I am happy to meet these three groups. They I will give a little bit more background to the East play an important role in supporting champions right Gippsland Sports Foundation. It was established many across Victoria. I will have a great discussion with the years ago to support sporting groups. When I went member for Gippsland East and these groups in a down there I met with the chairman, Alan Cross; the couple of weeks time. secretary, Tony Claridge; and other board members, The SPEAKER — Order! I thank the minister for including Bob Yeates, Mike Anketell and Peter the trek along the trail of remembrance through East Dullard. They are a very important group of people Gippsland and far beyond. who do a lot of work, and they are keen to work with the government of the day. I was reading a piece

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 ASSEMBLY 779

Mr WALSH (Minister for Water) — The Minister The SPEAKER — Order! The house will now for Sport and Recreation obviously forgot the Swan adjourn until 9.30 a.m. tomorrow. I look forward to Hill sports assembly, but we will come back to that seeing you all then. later. House adjourned 10.38 p.m. I respond to an adjournment issue raised by the member for Morwell about the Deloitte report into the Gippsland Water Factory. It is a project to take wastewater from the urban areas of Gippsland and from Australian Paper’s plant in Morwell and also to return treated wastewater to Australian Paper to be used. The project replaces what was an open sewer running from that area to Dutson Downs and then out to sea, which was a blight on the region and something that you would not expect to find in today’s society.

Conceptually the project is very good. It was instigated by the Brumby government and at the time was budgeted to cost $140 million, and the state government contributed $50 million towards it. As with a lot of the Brumby government’s water projects and other projects, it has run over time and over budget. It looks like it will cost somewhere near double the original budget, which is a disappointing result for Gippsland Water’s customers, as that water authority charges the most of any authority in the state — partly because of the cost overrun for this project, which was instigated by the Brumby government.

The then Treasurer asked Deloitte to conduct a review of this project. When we came to government the resulting report was in draft form and had sat on the shelf for 18 months. It is disappointing that the Treasurer was concerned about the project and asked Deloitte to conduct a review but then did nothing about it. Shame on the previous government for doing nothing about an issue when it actually identified that there was a problem!

We have dusted off the draft report and asked Deloitte to finalise it. It has been in discussion with Gippsland Water to clarify some technical issues in order to finalise the report. When it is finalised we will publicly release it. This shows that the Labor Party could not manage money or major projects in government, and in this instance it realised it had a problem with the project, had Deloitte look at it and then let the draft report sit on the shelf for another 18 months. I assure the member for Morwell that we will release the report once it is finalised. We will show that the Labor Party in government could not manage money and most definitely could not manage major projects.

Mr KOTSIRAS (Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship) — I will refer all other matters to the appropriate ministers for their direct response.

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