FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches August to December 2016
Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Melbourne’s West Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorder Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Electoral Integrity
Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] Web www.berniefinn.com
Authorised and printed by Bernie Finn MP, Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook. This material was funded from the Parliament Electorate Office & Communications Budget. FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches August to December 2016
CONTENTS Operation Cosmas...... 3 Crimes Amendment (Carjacking and Home Western suburbs police numbers...... 3 Invasion) Bill 2016...... 19 Wyndham City Council...... 3 Tullamarine Freeway...... 20 Corrections Amendment (No body, Brimbank City Council...... 21 no parole) Bill 2016...... 3 Corrections Legislation Amendment Bill 2016...... 21 Brimbank school sites...... 4 Western distributor...... 22 Education complaints commissioner...... 4 Sunbury rail services...... 22 Watergardens railway station...... 4 Sunbury rail services...... 23 Government performance...... 4 Road tolls...... 23 Local Government Amendment Bill 2016...... 4 Western distributor...... 23 Local Government Amendment Bill 2016...... 6 Safe Schools Program...... 23 Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences) Bill 2016...... 7 Melbourne-Sunbury road...... 25 Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Centre...... 8 Sunbury rail services...... 25 Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Centre...... 8 Sentencing (Community Correction Order) and Crimes Amendment (Carjacking) Bill 2016...... 8 Other Acts Amendment Bill 2016...... 25 Sunbury Residents Association...... 9 Craiglee Vineyard...... 26 Vocational education and training...... 9 Western suburbs roads...... 26 Vocational education and training...... 9 Sunbury planning...... 27 Notices of motion...... 10 Medical Treatment Planning and Notices of motion...... 10 Decisions Bill 2016...... 27 Tobacco Amendment Bill 2016...... 11 Medical Treatment Planning and Autism services...... 12 Decisions Bill 2016...... 28 Government performance...... 12 Sunbury Road duplication...... 28 Sunbury rail crossings...... 12 Hume planning scheme amendment...... 28 Brimbank school sites...... 13 Sunbury university site...... 28 Minister for Public Transport...... 13 Sunbury local government...... 28 Minister for Public Transport...... 14 Hazelwood power station...... 29 Wyndham police numbers...... 14 Road congestion...... 29 Road Safety Road Rules 2009 (Overtaking Equal Opportunity Amendment (Religious Bicycles) Bill 2015...... 14 Exceptions) Bill 2016...... 29 Livestock Disease Control Amendment Yellow Ladybugs...... 30 Bill 2016...... 15 Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Sunbury road congestion...... 16 Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016...... 31 Footscray Primary School...... 16 Government performance...... 31 Western Bulldogs...... 16 Youth justice centres...... 31 Sunbury road safety...... 16 West Gate Freeway...... 31 Police and Justice Legislation Amendment Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Miscellaneous) Bill 2016...... 17 Amendment Bill 2016...... 31 Autism programs...... 18 Tullamarine Freeway tolls...... 32 Bulla bypass...... 18 Government performance...... 33 Sunbury Road duplication...... 18 Airport rail link...... 34 Melbourne and Olympic Parks Amendment Justice Legislation Amendment (Parole Bill 2016...... 18 Reform and Other Matters) Bill 2016...... 34 Wyndham schools...... 19 Sunbury rail line emergency access...... 35
Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 • Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] • Web www.berniefinn.com
IN 2 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Questions without notice ensuring that we are all safe in our own COUNCIL | Second reading 16 August 2016 homes. 17 August 2016
COUNCIL | Adjournment Operation Cosmas 16 August 2016 Corrections Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My question is to the Minister for Training and Skills representing the Attorney- Amendment (No General. This question, I should point Wyndham City out, does not seek any information which body, no parole) would identify individuals involved, Council and as the previous acting minister has Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Bill 2016 already disclosed information to the wish to raise a matter for the attention of Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Parliament, this question seeks an update the Minister for Local Government, and at do not intend to speak at length on this to former Acting Minister Scott’s detailed the very beginning I would like to say that particular bill, because I think it is a bill information on the outcomes of Operation this latest stuff-up within her portfolio is which is very straightforward and very Cosmas, which is targeting Victoria’s gang- something to behold; something that is in logical. I think this is about justice. It is related crimes. So I ask the minister: as of fact in total keeping with the reputation about justice for victims and it is about today, of those who have been arrested as that this government has built up over the justice particularly for victims’ families. part of Operation Cosmas, how many have last 18 or 19 months. Can I also say that I have to say straight up here today that been given a custodial sentence and how my dismay at the news that the Hobsons I am — and we, I believe, on this side of many have been convicted and sentenced Bay City Council may be dismissed is, in the house are — firmly on the side of the to a non-custodial order? my view, fully justified as Hobsons Bay is victims. When it comes to the increasing one of the finest councils in the western crime rate in this state, when it comes Supplementary question suburbs and why it would be under a to some of the heinous crimes we see cloud I have absolutely no idea at all — committed, we are with the victims. We Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I none. I have had correspondence today are with the victims’ families, and that is look forward to the minister getting from both the mayor and the deputy what this bill is all about. That is the only back to me with a response. For my mayor expressing their concerns, to thing that this bill is about. It is about supplementary question, Minister, as of understate things somewhat, and I have to providing justice, something you do not today, of those who have been arrested agree with them. If the minister wishes to hear very much about these days. You as part of Operation Cosmas how many sack a council, sure, she can go ahead and hear about parole boards, you hear about have been released on bail and how sack Wyndham City Council — everybody lawyers and you hear about this judge and many people have been released without would be very happy with that — but that judge, but you do not hear very much charge? leave Hobsons Bay alone. It is a very good about justice. council. I have said in this house time and time The matter I wish to raise tonight is a again, and it is worth saying again, that COUNCIL | Members statements question of the integrity of the electoral what we need in this state more than 16 August 2016 process as we come into the election anything else is a justice system to replace period of October, when we will have our legal system. The legal system is not municipal elections. I am informed by a there to provide Mercedes cars and big number of people within the municipality houses to lawyers. It is there to provide Western suburbs of Wyndham that there is one councillor justice for victims and for their families, who is preparing to nominate no less than and that is what this bill aims to do. I police numbers 40 other candidates so that he personally commend Mr O’Donohue for putting this Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It can control the Wyndham council after forward. I think it is a very, very impressive was my very great pleasure and very great the election. I do not know how this latest concept and a very, very impressive piece honour to address a rally in Caroline debacle impacts the possibility of that of legislation. Springs last Saturday. At this point I happening, but people are openly asking, It is very sad that the ALP and the should congratulate Maria Kerr and her ‘Is Wyndham the new Brimbank?’. We Greens have decided that they will not team of local residents on their initiative remember what Brimbank was when Cr support this bill. But given the Labor and and hard work in putting this great Suleyman had control. We remember the Greens coalition’s attitude towards gathering together. what Brimbank was not all that many punishment, it should not come as any Hundreds of local residents joined years ago, and it is a very different surprise, because they are soft. They are together on this occasion to send a clear situation now under the administrators, soft on crime, they are soft on criminals message to the Premier and his dodgy but people are very concerned about what and it should not come as any surprise government: ‘We want more police, and is going on in Wyndham. that they are opposing Mr O’Donohue’s we want more police now’. One speaker I ask the minister to direct the local bill. explained the trauma she and her family government directorate to keep a very This legislation is a huge step forward have suffered as a result of a recent home close eye on the electoral process in for justice. I cannot imagine how anybody invasion. Her bravery in standing before Wyndham and particularly the actions of could oppose this legislation, but what the large crowd and telling her story was Cr Intaj Khan, who is not just happy with we are seeing over here today from the inspirational. The people of Caroline building a Taj Mahal down in Wyndham other side is something that I suppose Springs, indeed the people of Melbourne’s but now apparently wants to build his own should not shock any of us, given their west, are scared. The crime wave has them empire as well. I ask the minister to direct record. Again, I commend Mr O’Donohue living in fear, and there are nowhere near the directorate to keep an eye on what is on bringing this legislation forward. I enough police to protect them. I recently happening in Wyndham. look forward to voting for this bill very, accompanied the shadow police minister, very soon, and I appeal to the Greens Edward O’Donohue, on a visit to Point and to the Labor Party to reconsider their Cook, Werribee and Caroline Springs, and position in the interests of providing this, let me tell you, is a very genuine fear justice for victims and for their families. for those right across the west. Any government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens. When Daniel Andrews finishes kicking around volunteer firefighters and wrongfully sacking councillors, he might care to direct his attention to doing his job:
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 3 COUNCIL | Constituency questions important that the minister does appoint COUNCIL | Members statements 17 August 2016 a truly independent commissioner so 30 August 2016 that the autistic community — and I include families in that — can have confidence that any complaints or issues Brimbank school that they have will be handled in a fair Government and reasonable way. I ask the minister to sites ensure that this commissioner that he has performance Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My so recently confirmed will be appointed is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It constituency question is to the Minister truly independent, because anything less was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who for Education. I refer the minister to the will be just not good enough. in his 1875 poem The Masque of Pandora eight school sites in the City of Brimbank told us, ‘Whom the gods would destroy and surrounding areas currently for sale, COUNCIL | Adjournment they first make mad’. He must surely and I ask the minister: what demographic 18 August 2016 have been referring to the Andrews studies, reports or information exist that government. This government is a demonstrate that these school sites will Dansaster, and madness is perhaps the not be needed in the future as a result of only word that can describe a government urban consolidation or younger families that scraps a much-needed road at a cost moving into the catchment area of these Watergardens to taxpayers of $1.1 billion. Is it madness school sites, and will the minister make railway station to carve up neighbourhoods with a three- the justification for these school site sales Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) storey concrete monstrosity? publicly available? — I wish to raise a matter this evening Ms Crozier — Sky rail. for the Minister for Public Transport, Mr FINN — Sky rail indeed. ‘Madness’ COUNCIL | Adjournment and it concerns a major problem at might best describe a Premier publicly 17 August 2016 Watergardens railway station. It is a attacking volunteer firefighters, heroes major concern, particularly for people of our state — and losing an election with disabilities and for elderly people as for his federal leader in the process. A well. The lifts have broken down at this Premier causing a civil war within his Education particular railway station some 43 times in own government is clearly mad, but the past two years. You can well imagine that is what we have today. Madness has that makes it extremely difficult for people been established beyond all doubt. Now complaints with special needs to access the platforms. comes the destruction. In these last final There is only one ramp for people to weeks, maybe even days, of the Andrews commissioner use, and it is on the opposite side of the government, millions of Victorians hope Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I platform. It often takes five to seven days its demise will be quick. Probably best to wish to raise a matter for the attention of for lifts to be repaired. invoke the mercy rule. If this government the Minister for Education. It concerns was a cow, it would be put down. the minister’s confirmation recently As a result of the constant breakdown that he will appoint an independent of these lifts, the Melbourne Metro Rail commissioner to deal with parent Authority and Public Transport Victoria COUNCIL | Second reading complaints and issues with regard to their (PTV) have been forced to supply maxi 30 August 2016 children’s education. The point that I wish taxis for special needs commuters who to make to the minister and the request have no other way of using the train that I have for the minister involves the to get to their doctors and hospital need for this commissioner to be truly appointments and other appointments Local Government independent. We need a commissioner as well. This, as you would imagine, is who is independent from the minister’s creating an enormous amount of difficulty office; we need a commissioner who is for my constituents in the Watergardens Amendment Bill independent from the Department of area. I find it just astonishing that we have Education and Training. a lift there that has broken down so often. I 2016 just do not understand how the PTV could Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I As one would know, I speak to families allow such a situation to exist. rise to speak on the Local Government with a child with autism on a pretty Amendment Bill 2016, and I understand regular basis, and the Victorian education So I ask the minister to direct the PTV to build an additional ramp to service there is some reason for haste on this department does not have a great record bill because the government has left this when it comes to education of children both sides of the station and make a commitment to ensure that maintenance particular matter until the 11th hour. It with autism — quite the opposite, in fact. has known that the problem has existed I have in past times had reason to get up of lifts and repairs are carried out in a timely manner. For people to have to for quite some time, as I understand in this house and, well, basically carpet- it, but it declined to do anything about bomb the education department for its wait for up to a week for a broken-down lift to be fixed seems to me to be quite it. It declined to fix the mess that it had attitude toward autistic education in this created. This is part of a new phenomenon state. If this independent — so-called insane. That is just ridiculous. I ask the minister to direct her attention as a matter in Victoria known as Dansaster, and it independent — commissioner is too is something that has been created by closely associated with the department, or of urgency to this. It might seem like a less than serious matter for her, but let a government that just rolls from one indeed is from the department, that will disaster to the next. Every day is a new very much prejudice the issues and the me assure you that for my constituents, many of whom have disabilities or are disaster, and of course the ‘Dan’ is self- complaints that parents of children with explanatory. People from one end of autism may have. aged, it is a major obstacle to having a reasonable quality of life. It is a major the state to the other are bemoaning the This is an extraordinarily important obstacle to them enjoying the life they state of Dansaster that we are suffering in issue because, as we know, the number should be allowed to enjoy. I ask the Victoria as we speak. of children with autism is ballooning, minister to direct her attention to this and You have got to say — and I have yet and the education of these children is ensure that the additional ramp is built to hear anybody from the other side absolutely crucial. If they are not handled at Watergardens and also ensure that the actually contradict this or even attempt to in a way that they should be, if they do not lift, when it does break down, is fixed in a contradict this — that this is yet another receive the education that they should, rapid manner. huge Labor stuff-up. I have said this on then it will jeopardise their quality of life many occasions now, but Labor just keeps for the rest of their lives, it will jeopardise giving us more stuff-ups so I keep talking the quality of life of their families and about them. The Labor Party is good at it will jeopardise any opportunity they one thing: it is good at stuffing things up. have to make a meaningful contribution Ms Fitzherbert interjected. to society. So I think it is extremely
IN 4 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Mr FINN — The money loss, Ms the way people are treated. There is no friendship with Ms Suleyman, who was Fitzherbert, is a part of the Dansaster that room for competence to start with or any the mayor of Brimbank at a time when I speak of. It is part of the Labor stuff-up sort of consideration for people who are it was pretty corrupt and pretty crooked. that it has come to. In Labor terms it is a attempting to do the right thing, because We talk about conduct. We know what stuff-up that is a work of art. It is not just this government is in a position where the Labor Party do if you are mayor of a your common garden variety stuff-up. it does not actually know what the right corrupt and crooked council, do we not? When Labor stuffs something up, it stuffs thing is, much less attempt to do it. Ms Fitzherbert — Preselect you. it up good and proper, and that is what it We have had this monumental stuff- Mr FINN — They give you a safe seat. has done on this occasion. I have to say up that has created havoc throughout That is exactly right. You show how to run that when I got wind that Wyndham City the local government community across a council and you show how you look Council was to be dismissed, when I had the length and breadth of Victoria. Here after your mates, and they will give you a phone call from one of my local papers we are at the 11th hour; at the stroke of one of the safest seats in the state. That and the journalist said to me that the midnight tomorrow night 13 councils is what they did with Ms Suleyman, who Wyndham council was to be dismissed, and a number of other councillors as well is in another place, after her stint — or a I said, ‘What’s the feeling?’, and he said, were going to be sacked. Here we are, couple of stints, I think, from memory — ‘There’s dancing in the streets’. That really the day before, with a government that is as mayor of Brimbank. did not surprise me, I have to say. But of finally getting around to fixing it, but only I want to congratulate the course not every council is like Wyndham, because the opposition put the screws which we can all get down on our knees administrators of Brimbank because I on them; it put the pressure on them in a think they have done a tremendous job. and give thanks to God for, I can assure fairly big way. you. John Watson, Jane Nathan and John It seems to me that there is a trend here. Tanner have done a brilliant job out at I had an email from the mayor of It does not matter what the issue is in this Brimbank. Just a couple of weeks ago I Hobsons Bay City Council asking, ‘Why state at the moment, the government does was at the opening of the new Brimbank are they doing this to us? We have been not do much unless the opposition pushes Community and Civic Centre, and it so very good for such a very long time — it into it. That is a sad fact of life. The only is something that has to be seen to be since we got rid of Tony Briffa in fact’, as thing that this particular government has believed. You would not have thought the former mayor down there who caused excelled at is stuffing things up, which has that in the middle of Sunshine there more trouble than I have seen in a fair become, as I say, almost a daily event — — would be such a brilliant building — put while. I have to say that the Hobsons Bay Mr Leane — You said that. together, obviously, with the support council is a particularly good council, of the Brimbank council under the and I have to say once again that that Mr FINN — Yes, I have said that. I am just making sure, Mr Leane, that you get administrators and, I have to say as council is one that I have not heard any well, the former coalition government. I trouble about or from, which is a bit of the message. As I say, the only things that they are good at are stuffing things recall being there the day that the then a rarity because usually when councils minister, Jeanette Powell, attended the start acting up the constituents are on the up and fighting with each other, which, I understand, they are particularly good Sunshine Library to announce that the phone to me quick smart, as they have then coalition government was allocating been in Wyndham in very large numbers at. I see Mr Leane over there nodding his approval — — the millions of dollars necessary to get over the last year or two. Certainly in this project up and running. It just goes to relation to Hobsons Bay I have not had Mr Davis — They are getting a lot of practice at the moment. show, in this particular case anyway, that that experience. The Hobsons Bay council there is a significant legacy to the people is a very solid council. It is a very stable Mr FINN — They have had a lot of of the western suburbs from a Liberal council and a very responsible council, practice and I have a feeling, Mr Davis, government. yet the Labor Party was going to sack that they are going to get a lot more every councillor. Not only was it going to practice before they are finished. They I know that Mr O’Donohue could talk sack every councillor, it was also going to are going to get a lot more practice in about the legacy from his area when he ban every councillor from running for re- this Labor Party in Victoria because, was the minister. We could go on for quite election in October. Not only was it going as we know, we have a Premier who is some time about the enormous legacy to ban every councillor from running for desperately trying to save his job at the that the coalition government left people re-election in October, it was going to ban moment. The walls are closing in on him. in the west, but I think possibly the best every councillor from ever running again, He is looking for friends, and friends are one is the current administrators, who are forever more. very, very hard to come by in his particular finishing up. They have done a superb job at Brimbank. They have turned Brimbank These councillors had technically situation. Indeed he has looked to the local government community. There are from what was the laughing stock of breached the law in that they thought they local government across the nation into had done the right thing but perhaps they no friends there for him, because they look at him and say, ‘Well, look what you something that we can all be very proud had stood on one leg when they should of and proud to be associated with. I did have stood on two or they might have have done to us. Look at the position that you have put us in as councillors, as CEOs, not think we would ever say that again, been at the wrong angle or the sun might let alone say something of that nature have been caressing their right cheek as servants of our local municipalities, our local communities. Look at the position so quickly after the debacle under Ms when it should have been caressing their Suleyman just a few short years ago. left cheek. These are matters that cause that you have put us in, and now you want the Labor Party to go into conniptions, us to turn around and support you? Well, This bill is to fix up, as I said earlier, and of course that is what this legislation honestly’. They are saying to the Premier, another Labor mess. I do not mind is about fixing today. These people are ‘You would have to be joking’. coming here and doing that every so good councillors, they are hardworking We have had debates in this place often, but I have to say that it is getting a councillors and they are good over a number of years now about little tedious. How many times do we have representatives of their communities. conduct at various levels of government, to come into this place to fix up Labor’s They were just told out of the blue one but certainly I think local government stuff-ups? How many times do we have day when the government rang up and has been uppermost in our minds. We to fix up where Labor have got it wrong said, ‘You’re all sacked. Get ready — start only have to go back a few years to the and have had to come cap in hand to the packing your bags. It’s all over’, and as you Brimbank debacle, when the Labor Party Parliament, to the people of Victoria, and can understand, that came as somewhat in Brimbank used the council for factional say, ‘We may have made a mistake here’. of a shock. payback for looking after their mates for a They are really good at making mistakes. whole range of — — We, unfortunately, are in a position where I had discussions with a number of we have to spend copious amounts of time councillors from around the state — even, Mr Leane interjected. fixing those mistakes. Acting President Ramsay, councillors in Mr FINN — I have to say to you, Acting Mr Leane interjected. your region — who had expressed some President, I mentioned Brimbank and significant dismay at the way they had Mr Leane all of a sudden took a great Mr FINN — Mr Leane knows exactly been treated. I had to explain to them that deal of interest. I do not know what Mr what I am talking about. As he indicates, in the state of Victoria, where we have Leane’s interest is in Brimbank. I do not he knows exactly what I am talking about. Dictator Dan running the show, that is know whether he has struck up a close I think it is sad that the people of Victoria
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 5 do not have a government that they can We have discussed the difference from the minister of what it is to reaffirm a trust to get things right. That is a great pity. between an endorsement and a commitment to the code as distinct from In this particular situation it has caused declaration, and we have discovered that signing a declaration to abide by it. Is enormous distress to a great number of there probably is a difference but that there a difference? Is there no difference? I people across the state of Victoria. I am we do not actually know what it is. I now am really keen to know, because as I said, hoping that this bill will go some way move down to Wyndham City Council. We we do not want to be back here next year towards fixing their distress and certainly have got some interesting councillors at perhaps doing the same thing again. fixing the mess that Labor left us in this Wyndham. I am sure Mr Melhem would ______particular area. agree that there are some interesting councillors at Wyndham, and I would have thought that some of them would not Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I COUNCIL | Committee stage know what the code was if it jumped up take on board what the minister says. I am 30 August 2016 and bit them on the head. At Wyndham certainly not referring to those councillors City Council all councillors signed to who have deliberately decided not to reaffirm their commitment to the code but sign the code, but I would have thought, did not sign a declaration to abide by it. Is and in my view any reasonable person Local Government there any chance at all that the minister would have thought, that if a councillor just might be able to tell me the difference signs to reaffirm their commitment to the Amendment Bill between reaffirming their commitment to code, that would have been sufficient. the code and declaring they would abide The fact that it is not sufficient should by it? concern us all, and I would like to know 2016 why signing to reaffirm a commitment Contributions duing the ______to the code is not sufficient and what Committe stage of the Bill would make it sufficient. What is the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I difference between a reaffirmation and a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — In am not, in fact, taking this opportunity declaration? I am not trying to be difficult; reference to this matter, you would have to attack Wyndham council, otherwise I think it is important that we try to avoid to admit this is a total and unmitigated I would make reference to the fact that this happening again. If people are aware stuff-up, as I might have mentioned when word came through that we thought of the difference between the two, then earlier during the second-reading debate. they were going to be sacked there was I think we are in a far better position to I am very anxious to know how this dancing in the streets. It is a fairly strange ensure that we do not go there again. answer that I have received from the happened in order to avoid it happening ______again. I would be interested to know: in minister, because if you go to the papers terms of the Hobsons Bay City Council, that have been supplied with the speech, in table C — — Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — where apparently all councillors signed If you are going to get dirty, Minister, An honourable member — That is the an endorsement of the code but not I can only say that we really need an inspectorate’s report. a declaration to abide by it, could the answer to this. This goes to the very minister tell the house the difference Mr FINN — That is the inspectorate’s core of the legislation. Going back to between the two? Review for councils compliance with Code local government in this state now, if we of Conduct. I do not know whether you ______do not know the difference between a have read this, Mr Dalidakis, but this is in reaffirmation and a declaration, and if fact the inspectorate’s report. In table C Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I we do not know the difference between on page 6 it refers to the Wyndham City an endorsement and a declaration, then would have thought in fact that the Council, and it says: purpose of the bill would very much cover how can a government be taken seriously the question that I just asked. It surprises All councillors signed to ‘reaffirm when it goes out to local government me a little that the minister has responded their commitment to the code’; not a and says, ‘We want you to sign this thing. in the way that he has. I think it pretty declaration to abide by it. We’re not sure what it is, but we will important that we do know and we do This is table C of the document from have a chat to the inspectorate about it’? find out what the difference is between an the inspectorate. I would really love to What we need is a definitive statement endorsement and a declaration, because know, as I am sure a good number of here tonight in the house as to what the if we are to avoid this sort of situation people in Wyndham, including most of differences are between an endorsement happening again, we obviously need to the councillors, would love to know, how and a declaration as well as between a know. I ask the minister whether he can reaffirming their commitment to the code reaffirmation of a commitment to the provide some sort of guidance. I do not is different from signing a declaration to code and a declaration to abide by it. necessarily want a lengthy diatribe, but if abide by it. After legislation passes through this house Hansard is often read to inform he could provide some sort of guidance ______as to what the difference between an those in the judiciary who may be making judgements on it at a later time, so I endorsement and a declaration is, that, I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I think, would go some way towards easing think it is important that the minister cannot help but agree with the minister makes his position and makes the the confusion that may have already that the great Ronald Reagan was a great occurred. government’s position very, very clear contributor to democracy over the years tonight. He should not palm it off to the ______and indeed throughout the world. What inspectorate but tell us tonight exactly that has to do with local government in what he means, what the government Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — Melbourne in 2016, I am not exactly sure, means and what the legislation means. Very good indeed, Minister, and I thank but perhaps that is a question we can ask He should also tell us what the difference you for your offer to do that. I believe that a little bit later on. But I am not actually between an endorsement of the code and these are matters that should be examined asking the minister for commentary. I am a declaration to abide by it is, as well as in depth, because we want to avoid this not asking the minister for judgement. I the difference between an affirmation sort of thing happening again. We do not am not asking the minister to condemn or of a commitment to the code and a want to be here at 10 to 9 on a Tuesday otherwise judge the inspectorate. All I am declaration to abide by it. In my own night in the future fixing up Labor’s stuff- doing — — opinion we are playing with words, and I ups. Mr Somyurek interjected. think if words matter, it is really important Mr Dalidakis interjected. Mr FINN — He looks happy tonight, that the minister inform the house tonight Mr FINN — We will be here doing other doesn’t he? You can’t wipe the smile what these words mean. things, but we do not want to be here off his face. That is Mr Somyurek, for ______fixing Labor’s stuff-ups, as has already the benefit of Hansard. He cannot help himself. been mentioned. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I am not asking any of that of the Is this legislation being put forward to minister. All I am asking is for a definition
IN 6 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE this house by the government or by the whose lives have been up-ended with having been murdered in their own beds inspectorate? the emotional stress and the strain on after being sexually abused. It is beyond them and their families, I think it is only my comprehension. I cannot possibly ______reasonable that they get an apology from understand how anybody could do that to the government for this monumental another human being, much less a child. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — stuff-up. Will the minister give us a So I welcome this bill. The only criticism It seems to me that the minister at the guarantee, an assurance here tonight, that that I would offer in this legislation is that table is taking exactly the same stance that apology will be forthcoming? it does not go far enough. that created much of the problem here I would like to see much harsher in the first place. He is refusing to take sentences for this sort of pond scum that responsibility for the wording of the COUNCIL | Second reading we are talking about, because as far as legislation, or indeed the impact of the 30 August 2016 I am concerned these creatures have legislation. Now, all I am asking is: what forfeited their humanity and should does this mean? That is so that the people receive the full wrath of our community. who are supposed to abide by the law I was going to say our legal system, but actually know what to do. I would not Crimes the full wrath of our legal system does have thought that that is something that not tell you all that much. It is nothing is beyond the scope of a legislator — to to write home about because since Rob know what the law means, to make clear Amendment Hulls was Attorney-General and made all to people what they should do. If the the judicial appointments for 11 years our minister cannot do that and he wants to (Sexual Offences) justice system — it was a justice system palm it off to the inspectorate, then I think once; it is not a justice system any more we have a problem. We have a problem Bill 2016 — is now a legal system, and the benches again of a minister and a government Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — of Victoria are occupied largely by civil that just will not take responsibility. They It gives me — well, I was going to say libertarians and people who put the rights stuffed it up once; they would not take ‘pleasure’, but it does not really give me of criminals ahead of the rights of victims. responsibility. We are here at the 11th pleasure at all to speak on the Crimes Is it any wonder that a good number of hour, when we should have had this fixed Amendment (Sexual Offences) Bill Victorians have given up believing in our months ago — months ago — and now 2016. And having listened to Dr Carling- legal system and our justice system? They the minister is here at the 11th hour and Jenkins’s contribution it gives me even less know that the ordinary person — the he will not tell us what this means. He will pleasure, because I think what Dr Carling- ordinary man, woman or child — has no not tell us what councillors are supposed Jenkins has brought to this debate and chance, they believe, of getting real justice to do to abide by this law. Now, if the to this house tonight is a reality check for in this state. government cannot tell councillors what us all in that we are not just talking about they should do to abide by the law, how words on a piece of paper and we are not I have to say it does bewilder me, and are they supposed to abide by the law? just talking about laws that will be sent off I know there are some in this house I mean, it is the government that makes to a library to be studied and off to courts who may be able to enlighten me at the law; it is not the inspectorate. It is to be filed; in fact we are talking about the some stage, how somebody can go into the government that makes the law, so if impact these laws will have on real people. a courtroom, put on a cloak and a wig the government cannot tell councils and What we have in this world of ours and be paid a huge sum of money to councillors what is going on, I have to ask today is some pretty sick puppies. We have defend a scumbag, to defend a murderer, you, Minister, how do you expect them to some people around who probably do not to defend a child molester, to defend a abide by the law? deserve to be. When I see and hear of the drug dealer — to defend people who sort of foul sexual abuse — or indeed any cause such enormous pain, who cause ______abuse but particularly sexual abuse — of such enormous agony to so many in our children and those who are vulnerable, community. I just put that on the record Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — those who cannot defend themselves, it for the benefit of those who may be able One more question — I think. We have gnaws at my very being. It is something I to, as I say, enlighten me at some stage. seen over recent times, and I have had find intolerable, something that none of us Many have tried over the years, I hasten councillors come to see me, send me in this house or anywhere else, I believe, to add, and many have failed, so if people emails, call me — — should be prepared to put up with in any would like to give that another shot, Mrs Peulich — Even Labor councillors. way, shape or form. please feel free. Mr FINN — Yes, even some Labor I spend, as I am sure you are aware, The comments that Mr Rich-Phillips councillors — exactly right. I had one on Acting President, a fair bit of my life made in his contribution I think are very the phone this afternoon in fact. defending those who cannot defend true. He was spot on the mark — that is, They have been exceedingly distressed themselves. That is something I wish I the attitude to law and order in this state by what has happened over the last had been out of the room for when it was has softened to an extent where we now few months. I mean, we have had handed out, because it would make my have people, predominantly young people people who have had their lives almost life a lot easier if I did not feel that way, I am saddened to say, who are from uprooted. These are people who live for but I do. I cannot stand to see particularly countries where law and order is not the the council. They are totally committed children hurt in any way. I hate to see norm, who commit crimes in Victoria and as local councillors yet are told that they bullying, I hate to see people with who are out on the streets within hours are to be dismissed for reasons that disabilities being picked on and I hate to after the police arrest them, because of a are beyond their understanding at this see people being taken advantage of in magistrate who feels sorry for them or is point, and clearly beyond the minister’s any way. For a person to think that they committed to looking after the offenders. understanding as well. So if a minister can take it upon themselves to sexually And they think they can do it all over does not understand it, I do not see how abuse another human being is abhorrent again. the councillors can understand it. What in every way. It is something that, yes, this We have people — I am loath to call we need to know, and what I would really bill goes some way to addressing, but it is it an underclass, but it almost is — like to know, is: will the government a subject that we really need to take on on particularly young people, who have no do the right thing by these people and a much larger scale in the community. respect for the law. They have no respect apologise? Will they apologise? Like Dr Carling-Jenkins, I have a bit of for other people. They have no respect for In the instance of the Hobsons Bay trouble speaking about this. It is to me a other people’s property. They believe they City Council, they should certainly very emotional subject and one that hits can do anything as long as they are strong apologise to the councillors. There is some some pretty raw nerves with regard to enough, fast enough and big enough suggestion out at Wyndham that they what we see and hear happening. Every to do it. You know, we have seen home should apologise to the community for day we see reports of children being invasions on a growing scale. Just a few not sacking the council, but I will leave abused by their mother’s boyfriend or weeks ago I spoke at a rally at Caroline that to one side. But for those councillors their stepfather or somebody else. We Springs along with Mr Melhem and with who have been put through the wringer, have seen reports recently of young girls Mr Iddles of Police Association Victoria, and there were 1000 people at that rally.
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 7 Now, you know, it was a relatively pleasant strengthen our laws, and I am pleased this might care to have a chat to the Sikavitsas Saturday morning. To get 1000 people at law that we are debating tonight will do family, who own Tullamarine Bus Lines, Caroline Springs on a Saturday morning that. But we also need to give our police and reorganise that route so that the means that something is wrong. People the resources and the authority to do their elderly folk from various multicultural know that something is wrong if you job, because there are a lot of police who backgrounds will have the opportunity to can get that number of people out on a are concerned that if they do their job the use public transport to get to their senior Saturday morning when there is so much way they should, they are going to end up citizens group each week. happening. You know, you could be doing before the beak. That is something that your shopping, you could be doing your they are genuinely concerned about. That gardening or you could be taking the kids is something that they should never have COUNCIL | Constituency questions to the basketball or the footy or whatever to worry about. 31 August 2016 it may be. There is so much on, and yet Of course, as I touched on, the third close to 1000 people came out on that thing that we must be very aware of and Saturday morning to show their concern. very concerned about is the way the It was more than concern; it was anger judiciary in this state is letting law and Gladstone Park and it was fear. order go to hell in a handcart. We have heard reports of vigilantes I join with the opposition in not Senior Citizens around the place, because people are opposing this bill. I urge the government terrified and are keen to protect their to take up the three areas that I have Centre families. I have to say that I cannot blame proposed this evening, because I think Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) them for that. They have been put in that it is something that is truly terrifying — My constituency question is to the situation because they feel, if they ring for a good number of Victorians. We as Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Last the police, the police are in no position to legislators have an obligation, a duty, to week I visited the Gladstone Park Senior come. protect all Victorians. Citizens Centre, along with the shadow Ms Crozier — They’re flat out. Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Inga Peulich. This centre is home to around Mr FINN — They are flat out. They COUNCIL | Adjournment are absolutely flat out. Having spoken a dozen senior citizens clubs from a to a number of the police in the western 30 August 2016 variety of multicultural backgrounds. On suburbs, it is clear they are absolutely run the afternoon we visited we had a most off their feet. We see situations where in enjoyable time with committee members large sections of the western suburbs — I of both the Sri Lankan and the Italian am only talking about the west here, but Gladstone Park clubs. One issue causing trouble for clubs I know it applies to other parts of the that meet at the centre is the light that metropolitan area and to other parts of the Senior Citizens floods through the many windows of the state as well — there is no police response. centre, interfering with the enjoyment There can be no police response, because Centre of movies and other audiovisual the police in the van — and there might Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I presentations. Will the minister provide only be one van out on the streets on any wish to raise a matter for the attention the funds needed for blinds and curtains given night — are busy with a domestic or of the Minister for Public Transport. It at the Gladstone Park Senior Citizens with some act of violence. All you need is follows a visit that I made last week with Centre to be installed? one incident, and that could be enough to Mrs Peulich, the shadow Minister for take the police off the streets. So there is a Multicultural Affairs, to the Gladstone COUNCIL | Second reading genuine fear, and to my way of thinking a Park Senior Citizens Centre, which 31 August 2016 justified fear, among a lot of people as to doubles with the Gladstone Park Uniting what is happening on our streets and in Church, in Carrick Drive. We did meet our homes. with the Sri Lankan senior citizens group As Mr Rich-Phillips said, it is a disgrace and, later on, the Italian senior citizens Crimes that so many people are afraid to live in group, and one of the things that they are their own homes and to sleep in their own deeply concerned about is the fact that beds. This is something that condemns there is no public transport that actually Amendment our society, I believe. It is an indictment services that centre. I have to say that of our society. It really concerns me, that is something that does mystify me, (Carjacking) Bill given the number of people who feel it because it would make a great deal of necessary to take matters into their own sense. Given that this centre is the home 2016 hands, that at some stage soon somebody to, I think, 11 or 12 different senior citizens Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I is going to be killed. Whether that be one clubs throughout the region, it seems to think it would be safe to say, Acting of the hooligans or one of the victims, I do me it would make sense that that centre President, that there will be any number of not know. It could be both. Who would would be serviced by public transport. people who will be listening to this debate know? But my very great fear is that if you There are many very elderly people today and will be asking themselves: can have people using weapons in the streets, going to the senior citizens clubs. We like Labor be trusted on law and order? And I whether they be firearms, whether they to say from time to time that people who have to say that I am one of those people, be baseball bats, whether they be cricket have lost their ability to drive properly because earlier this afternoon I heard bats or whether they be knives, whatever should be encouraged to give up their Ms Symes give a speech against this bill. they might be, that has the potential for licence, but of course if we do not provide I just heard her colleague Mr Eideh give causing major trouble. When I turn on public transport for them, what other a speech in favour of the bill. He clearly the news every morning I fear that we will option do they have? I spoke to a number said, ‘I commend the bill to the house’. have lost somebody overnight as a result of people at the centre last week who That is what he said; he said, ‘I commend of the lawlessness on our streets and the expressed a very strong desire to be able to the bill to the house’. inability of police to do anything about it catch the bus to the centre. Look, if anybody wants to share because there are just not enough of them. Now, there is a bus that travels from their confusion as to what the hell this In the western suburbs we are almost Broadmeadows through Gladstone Park to government is doing on law and order, used to being understaffed in terms of the airport and to Sunbury as well, but the this is the opportunity. This mob over police. Down in Werribee it has been that trouble is with that bus that the route takes there have not got a clue. They have no way for as long as I can remember, and it around about 2 kilometres away from idea. They do not even know which bill it does not appear that that will change the centre. My very strong suggestion to they are debating. How can we trust anytime soon. So there are a number of the minister is that it would make sense to them to protect us from carjackings when areas that people are concerned about — reroute the bus to enable the users of the they do not even know which bill they indeed that they have every reason to be centre to have access to that bus service. are debating? God help us! What has concerned about. I believe that we need to So I ask the minister to speak to the Victoria done to deserve the Andrews people at Public Transport Victoria, who government? What have we done? We
IN 8 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE must have been very, very bad in a all that they will change that view anytime opposite. I think we see from the member previous life. That is the only thing I can soon. for Sunbury a good deal of contempt for put it down to. As I said, I commend Mr O’Donohue for the residents of Sunbury, who have been Now, we know that carjacking is on bringing this legislation before the house. campaigning for quite some years — 20 the increase. It is almost the flavour of I think it will bring great comfort to a great years in fact, or 20 years or more — for the month at the moment. The police number of Victorians, knowing that at their own municipality. have advised us — in fact the chief least one major party in the state cares But what really has my curiosity raised commissioner has publicly stated — that about them. It will bring great comfort is what the standard response is to he would not drive anywhere without to many, many Victorians, knowing that residents contacting the minister on this his car doors being firmly locked. I think there is one party in the state that wants particular subject. So I ask the minister to that tells us the sort of environment to bring law and order back to our streets provide me with the standard response that we are living in in 2016 in Victoria, — and it is certainly not the government. which the minister’s office provides in the and I want to commend Mr O’Donohue I think that is an indictment of the Labor circumstance as described in these letters. and the opposition for bringing this bill Party — and the Greens of course. On forward, because it does show that here these matters of law and order the Greens on this side of the house we have a group and the Labor Party work hand in glove. COUNCIL | Questions without notice of individuals who do actually want to They are brothers and sisters in arms, and 01 September 2016 do something about the crime wave in they will work assiduously to undermine this state. We do actually want to protect the police and to undermine law and the people of Victoria, and we have got order in the state. That is something we plans to bring that about. We are genuine have come to expect from them over a Vocational in our desire to ensure that those who long period of time. commit crimes are given the appropriate I say to Mr O’Donohue, ‘Well done’, education and penalties, and this bill is a good example and I look forward to this legislation of that. So I commend very warmly Mr being passed by this house very soon and training O’Donohue on his initiative in bringing hopefully moving into the other place and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My this bill forward. becoming law. question is to the Minister for Training We all know that Labor has a very strong and Skills. The Australian Tourism Labor record on crime: it is soft on crime, always Force Report — 2015–2020 by Deloitte has been, is now and I would suggest COUNCIL | Adjournment Access Economics found that Australia’s always will be, for reasons that are totally 31 August 2016 hospitality and tourism sector will need lost on me. Some have suggested they are an additional 123 000 workers by 2020. trying to look after their own constituency, I ask the minister: why is the Andrews but I think for the Labor Party to continue government funding qualifications in pet down the track of protecting criminals, Sunbury Residents grooming at a higher rate than hospitality of discarding the interests of victims, is and tourism? something that no Victorian can tolerate, Association unless of course you are a criminal or a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Labor voter or both. wish to raise a matter for the attention of COUNCIL | Questions without notice We have here in this bill that Mr the acting Minister for Local Government, O’Donohue has put forward an and it concerns the ongoing outrage in 01 September 2016 opportunity to make a very clear and the Sunbury area about this government’s unambiguous statement that we are not betrayal of the people of Sunbury after it going to put up with carjackings and we broke its promise to respect the previous are not going to put up with people who coalition government’s decision to Vocational feel that they have some God-given right establish a Sunbury city council separate to steal other people’s cars while they from the Hume City Council. education and are driving them. Would that not be a I have accessed emails to the minister terrifying experience? You can imagine and to somebody in the minister’s office. training driving home from the movies one night The first one, from the Sunbury Residents Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I or the footy or wherever you might be. You Association, is to the minister, and it says: am tempted to say that is a dog of an pull up at the traffic lights, another car I refer to our previous email of answer. Minister, on Friday you said that bangs into the back of you and the next September 24th (see below and you are — — thing you know three or four people are attachment) and ask when we can Mr Herbert — On a point of order, pulling you out of your car and driving off expect a reply? President, that is pretty inappropriate. I with it. I would suggest that there would Half an hour later there was another would ask you to ask him to withdraw. be some serious psychological impact on email sent. I should add that Josh Bull, The PRESIDENT — Order! That actually anybody who goes through that. the Assembly member for Sunbury, and I was an attempt at humour on the basis Unfortunately until Mr O’Donohue as local members were copied in on that that it was a pet program that he was brought this bill before this house we did email. At 1.07 p.m. on 28 October, which talking about. In that context it is not out not see any action from the government at is exactly half an hour after the original of order. all, and as we have seen here today, they email was sent to the minister from the Mr FINN — Minister, on Friday you said are still grossly confused about what they Sunbury Residents Association, Mr Bull that you are: want to do and what they do not want to sent the following email to somebody do — no idea at all. I think the expression in the minister’s office. I say ‘somebody’ … making sure Victorian schools have is NFI in the general community, and that because the name has been blanked out access to real training that will lead to a pretty much sums up the Labor Party’s — as irrelevant, apparently. Anyway, that real job so they do not waste their time general view of the world. They have not is by the by. The email says: and money on courses that will not get got a clue. We saw that with the ‘no body, them employment. no parole’ legislation that went through Hi — Can you detail for the benefit of the this house and then went to the other whatever your name is. chamber what skill shortages exist in house, where the Premier, Dictator Dan, Just a reminder to respond to this. pet grooming and styling and how many would not even allow it to be debated. He additional Victorian workers are required would not even allow it to be read a first The standard response should cover it. in this occupation? time. That goes to show what the Labor The hashtag is #ourmates. I think Party’s real attitude to law and order is in that comment, that hashtag, shows this state. As I said before, they are soft on the contempt that Mr Bull has for the crime — they have always been soft on Sunbury Residents Association, because crime — and I do not see any evidence at I can assure you that they do not regard themselves as his mates — quite the
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 9 COUNCIL | Business of the House was held, a vote was taken and this house An honourable member — It’s a love-in. 01 September 2016 voted to ask the government for certain Mr FINN — A love-in, yes. Mrs Peulich documents. The government refused. is calling on the Parliament to condemn The government held the Parliament the City of Moreland — and there is no in contempt. The Parliament was held shortage of reasons to actually do that Notices of motion in contempt by the ALP. When that — for its ban on Christmas decorations Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I occurred we had precedent to allow the and calls on the state government to rise to speak on this motion today, and government to take action against the defend the religious freedom and religious regrettably I find myself in a situation Leader of the Government. I was in this diversity which underpin our democracy. where I have to take a contrary view to house some years ago when Mr Lenders Given that is now into September, it will Ms Symes. As sad as it may be, there are was suspended I think twice, from not be long. We have got the footy finals certain principles involved and I must put memory. now, we have got the Melbourne Cup them first and foremost. — — When I first rose in the Victorian COUNCIL | Business of the House Ms Lovell interjected. Parliament back in October 1992 in the 01 September 2016 Mr FINN — Well, we have not got the other place I was the first speaker of that footy finals, but the footy finals are on. Parliament, as I was the youngest member. Then we have the Spring Racing Carnival, I was not just the youngest member in the and before you know where we are, it will other place but also the youngest member Notices of motion be Christmas. I do not know how many in the entire Parliament. Actually, that Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It is shopping days there are until Christmas, is not so; I was the second youngest interesting indeed that when we talk about but there will not be too many. So it is member. The youngest member was a the concept of respect the Labor Party important that we actually debate this bloke called John Pandazopoulos. Good tries to shut the debate down. We mention motion before we get much further down numbers of government members will the word ‘respect’ and the Labor Party the track, or it will be too late for this year. remember him; they knifed him before tries to shut the debate down, because we I think that everybody has the right the last election. know the Labor Party has no idea what to celebrate Christmas. If they want to I recall getting up and speaking in that respect is. We know the Labor Party does celebrate Christmas, everybody has speech about the need for us to return not even respect its own people. the right to celebrate that. If the City more respect to our society and the need Ms Mikakos — On a point of order, of Moreland — and the City of Yarra for respect to be something that we adhere Deputy President, Mr Finn is actually might perhaps go down the same way — to at a much greater rate than we had been misleading the house, because the attempts to stop anybody from celebrating doing up until that point. Unfortunately only thing that is being prevented from Christmas, I think that that is something in the almost 25 years since that speech, happening is us debating a bill clamping that we as legislators in the state should respect seems to have gone out the down on child sexual offences. You should really take up as a matter of importance, window. We have seen bashings, sexual be ashamed, Mr Finn. and we are not going to be able to do that assault, home invasions and carjackings The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! today if Ms Symes’s motion is approved. — indeed a whole range of violent crimes There is no point of order. Mr Finn, to Mr Melhem — On a point of order, — go through the roof. That is basically continue. Deputy President, Mr Finn is debating a lack of respect for other people. If a motion proposed by a member of the you have respect for others, you do not Mr FINN — It is fascinating to see the Labor Party fight the concept of respect. opposition which is not the subject of the commit those sorts of crimes. motion we are dealing with. I do not see Over the years we have heard from the Ms Crozier — They are fighting themselves. the motion on our list of notices. From Labor Party about the respect that they memory I think it is Mrs Peulich’s motion, have for the parliamentary institution, Mr FINN — They do fight themselves. so he can debate that on Wednesday. I ask about the respect that they have for this When you see what they have been up to you, Deputy President, to ask him to get house and about how the changes that this week, when you see the backstabbing back to the motion. and the backbiting that has been going on were made during the Bracks years were Mr FINN — On the point of order, based on — well, so they said — respect in the Labor Party, is it any wonder that they do not want to talk about respect — Deputy President, Mr Melhem is having for this house. I have to wonder about a lend of you in a fairly big way, because I that just now, because here we have a because respect is something they have absolutely no concept of, no concept of at in fact did mention that it is Mrs Peulich’s situation where a member of Parliament motion and I was not debating the motion is being denied entry to this house on the all. What they have shown here today in trying to shut down this debate once again itself but debating the need to debate basis of a payback. That is not respectful the motion before we go much further. I of the Parliament, it is not respectful of the is total contempt for the Parliament. They have shown contempt for the Parliament, submit to you most respectfully, Deputy people of Victoria and it is certainly not President, there is no point of order. respectful of the member involved. they have shown contempt for the electorate and they have shown contempt The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! I know Luke O’Sullivan, and I have There is no point of order. known him for a very long time, back to for the very concept that makes our the days when we were fighting to retain parliamentary democracy the great thing Mr FINN — That is what I thought. Oh, Essendon Airport as an operational that it is. What do we need to convince the he is back again, is he? God strike a — — airport all those years ago. He is a very government that there are very important Mr Melhem — On a point of order, good man. He comes from a very good issues that need to be debated today? Deputy President, Mr Finn just repeated family. He would be — and he will be Ms Shing interjected. that he is actually debating a motion on at some stage, I have no doubt — an Mr FINN — No, there are. I have gone the notice paper which is an opposition ornament to this Parliament; he will be through the notice paper, and I have motion and which can be debated at a major plus to this Parliament. Why the found a few motions that I would not any time he wishes during opposition Labor Party has taken the attitude it has of mind debating today, I have to say to business. I ask you, Deputy President, if not allowing him to come in, of refusing you, and the motion as put forward by you can revisit your ruling on the matter. to hold a joint sitting to stop him from Ms Symes would deny me the chance to Mr FINN — On the point of order, becoming a member of Parliament, is debate these motions. That offends my Deputy President, Mr Melhem is really quite frankly mystifying to most people. concept of fairness, I have to say. trying one on today. I think that it would But of course when you have a party Mr Ramsay interjected. probably be not good for this Parliament, that indulge in the sort of activity that Mr FINN — No, I do not think so. The and certainly not this house, if you are has been exposed this week, you can first one that grabbed my attention was actually sucked in by him. I once again expect anything from them — and expect one from Mrs Peulich. She is calling on submit that there is no point of order. anything from them, well, indeed we do. the City of Moreland — is it a Labor or a The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! This house passed a motion calling on Greens council, because it is a sort of a I remind Mr Finn to be relevant to the the government to produce documents — combination? It is a coalition out there, is motion, please. a perfectly democratic process. A debate it not, much the same as in here.
IN 10 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Mr FINN — Yes. I am very much in COUNCIL | Second reading a tendency to let go, anyway. They were favour of speaking to the motion, which 01 September 2016 at me for many years to stop smoking, is exactly what I have been doing now for particularly my eldest daughter, who is about 12 or 12 1/2 minutes. The motion now 18, and I have to say that one of the that has been put by Ms Symes would real reasons that I gave up smoking was stop a great deal of debate on some very Tobacco for them, because I wanted them to have important issues. their father around for as long as he could I see a number of motions on the notice be and I did not want them to experience paper that relate to the Country Fire Amendment Bill what I had been through with the death of Authority (CFA) debacle — the situation my dear friend in 2005. So there has been 2016 a major change of attitude. where the Premier, the former minister, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — the CFA, the United Firefighters Union In rising to speak this evening on the I look at smokers now and — I am not chief and the whole box and dice are Tobacco Amendment Bill 2016 I have to putting myself on a pedestal or anything all in there making a total hash of our say to the house that 15 August, a date just like that — I feel sorry for them. I feel firefighting capability. a couple of weeks ago, is a very significant sorry for smokers because they have not Summer is not far away, Deputy day in my life. It is a day that I celebrate been able to do what I have been able President, and it is important. In fact all every year, and I have celebrated it every to do, and that is to get away from the we need is a spurt of hot weather, which year now for eight years, because that is dreaded tobacco. I particularly feel sorry is not unknown in September, and all of the day I gave up the dreaded cigarettes. for smokers because I do not know how a sudden we are in the fire season. So, it When I hear people in this chamber they can afford to smoke! I was staggered is important that we get the opportunity talking about how difficult it is to give up the other day. I was in paying for some — — smoking, I know how difficult it is because petrol at a service station in Bulla, and The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! before succeeding I tried many times. I there was a bloke in front of me who was You are talking about general business. I thought I was across the line a few times buying a packet of cigarettes. That packet want you to be relevant to the government but was not. of cigarettes cost him nearly $40. It was a business motion. packet of 30 or 35 or something, but it was It was in fact a visit to a hypnotherapist $40 for a packet of cigarettes! You would Mr FINN — No, I am not debating that got me off the filthy things, so my have to be a bank robber or something general business. I am not debating gratitude to him is eternal. I am just so to be able to afford to do it. That is just general business at all. grateful that I have finally been able to extraordinary, and it is another very good Ms Shing interjected. kick it. I promised him during the course reason that I am very grateful that I gave it Mr FINN — Pull your head in, will you? of that hour-long session, up in Gisborne away, because quite frankly I have no idea in fact, that I would never touch a cigarette Mr Mulino — On a point of order, how anybody can afford to smoke. I know again — I would never smoke a cigarette Deputy President, Mr Finn is flouting your I certainly could not afford it in monetary again — and I have not. I will never smoke earlier ruling in that what he is doing is terms. another cigarette because, as happens to consistently referring to matters that are so many people who think they can get In terms of our health nobody can not on the government’s list of notices of away with smoking one or two or maybe afford to smoke, but in monetary terms to motion. What we are debating is whether three, the next thing they know they are be spending $40 a day on cigarettes would or not what Ms Symes moved earlier, onto 10 or maybe 15 and then they are blow you away. That would just blow the which was to adjourn a specific set of on to 20, 25 or 30, and that happened to budget out the window, and if you go out notices of motion, should be agreed to me. A few years ago, when I had given — and of course it is well known there is a or not. Mr Finn is just randomly raising up the smokes — I was off them for four strong connection, I think it would be safe issues off the top of his head. He is not years — a friend of mine passed away, and to say, between drinking and smoking; referring to specific motions. What is the I thought, ‘Oh, well, I’ll just have a smoke that was the thing that used to unravel me number? He is flouting your earlier ruling, to …’. I am not sure exactly why I thought I — and you have a good time, and perhaps Deputy President. would have a smoke — because it would you smoke a bit more than you would Mr FINN — On the point of order, make me feel better or something, I otherwise, you are up for $80 before you Deputy President, the motions that I am suppose. Before I knew it I was back to even leave the house, before you have a discussing here are on the notice paper; smoking a packet a day. So I can well sip. Before you do anything you are up for they are there. I know there are some understand how a good many people feel $80 for a couple of packets of cigarettes, members of the government who do have about tobacco, particularly those who so I look at people who do go through a a bit of trouble reading, but I am very have been unsuccessful in giving up their few cigarettes during the course of a day happy to go over there and point it out to habit. and I say to myself, ‘They must have won them. There is no point of order. In fact Tattslotto. They must have come into It is interesting to note the change in this is a frivolous point of order and one wealth of some description’, because that my attitude since the days when I smoked that is again showing disrespect to the is the only way that I can imagine they can to what it is today. I used to be very much Parliament. actually afford to smoke cigarettes. the libertarian. I used to be very much for The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! I smokers’ rights. I used to be very angry The subject of e-cigarettes is a very remind you, Mr Finn, to be relevant to the at governments for persecuting me as interesting one, and one that I have given government business notice of motion. I a smoker. I think I was actually having a great deal of thought to — I really have. ask you to continue and to be relevant to a lend of myself. I think I was trying to Early on I thought that anything that got the government business notice of motion convince myself that what I was doing was people away from smoking would be a 25. in fact not as harmful as it was. very good thing. Now having examined the situation a little bit further, it seems Mr FINN — Whatever you say, Deputy A very dear friend of mine died from President. I am with you all the way. I just that it is not as clear-cut as that. It is not as lung cancer at the age of 48. She notified straightforward as that at all, and it seems want to wrap up my contribution in my us about 12 years ago — it would have last 20 seconds. The fact of the matter is to me that there is some evidence to been in about October 2004 — that she suggest that it in fact does not help people that it is time that this government started had lung cancer, and she was gone in showing some respect for this Parliament to get off cigarettes or get away from April the following year, in 2005. It was smoking. I think one of the reasons is that instead of carrying on like bloody pork a dreadful loss. Many of her friends chops. That is — — there is again a very strong link between obviously still feel that. I certainly do. It the actual habit of a hand movement The DEPUTY PRESIDENT — Order! The convinced me that I had to get away from member’s time has expired. of smoking and continuing to smoke. I these things before I went the same way. think if you spoke to psychologists, if you As Mr Ramsay said, having children has spoke to people who are involved in the a big impact. I do not know about anybody Quit campaign — although I must admit else who has kids in this house, but my I do not have a very high opinion of that children can put up a fair argument, — you would speak to people who would and when they put up a fair argument, be able to tell you that as long as there is they do not let go — or they do not have that hand movement and you connect
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 11 that hand movement with relaxation or are moving in this society there has been we need to stop this sort of outrageous enjoyment or whatever it might be, then a major cultural shift in terms of attitudes behaviour against our children. that attempt to break the habit is not going to smoking. to succeed. I think that is something that I would never have thought — never in a COUNCIL | Members statements we need to bear in mind. Certainly, as I million years thought — that you could go think Mr Melhem said earlier, the science into a pub and no-one would be smoking. 13 September 2016 is far from in on e-cigarettes, and if any Did you think you would ever see the evidence comes to light which shows that day that that would happen? I remember e-cigarettes in fact do help people give when I first came into this place back in up smoking, then I would support that. 1992, we used to smoke just outside the Government At this point in time we have to err on the party room. Could you imagine they used cautious side, and this legislation most to smoke inside the party room a bit too? performance certainly does that. But that is another story. I support this Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — The distress and the enormous cost bill — I certainly do not oppose it, anyway God help Victoria if we have to put up in monetary terms of smoking across — and I hope that it has the desired effect much longer with this pathetic excuse Australia is well known. I do not think that of just getting that message across that for a government. The house may have there are too many in this country who smoking kills. noticed the weather today. Indeed it is do not know somebody who has been hard not to notice how wet it is outside. affected deleteriously by smoking, who Given a good portion of Victoria is now has contracted lung cancer or some other COUNCIL | Adjournment either flooded or under threat of flood, form of cancer or emphysema. It is a pretty 01 September 2016 one has to wonder what is in the collective horrific way of playing a dangerous game. minds of the Andrews government that If you want to play a dangerous game makes it continue with its plans to fire up with your life, then go bungee jumping, the rusting desalination plant at the cost because it is safer. I implore those in the Autism services of millions of dollars to the taxpayer. The community who are rabid smokers — and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, even goes we all know them, ‘I’m not going to give wish to raise a matter this evening for as far as saying cancelling the order would up smoking. I’m not going to be forced to the Minister for Housing, Disability and cost money, and the government does not give up smoking’ — to stop, and I tell them Ageing. It follows on from a report on want to spend money and get nothing in they are kidding themselves. the ABC’s 7.30 program last night by return. If that is the case, what does she journalist Louise Milligan. This was a most call the $1.1 billion of taxpayers hard- Their health is far too important to distressing story. It contained a number earned money the Premier flushed away be standing on some very, very shaky of allegations about the mistreatment of to stop the desperately needed east–west principle of personal choice or freedom, children with autism at Autism Spectrum link? because tobacco kills. There is no Australia (Aspect) in Heatherton and The government is making Victoria a argument. For years when I was smoking I also the Merriang Special Developmental tried to argue with that, but you cannot — national joke. People around the nation School. This program highlighted an cannot believe the Premier would attack you cannot! As I say, I have buried friends allegation where it was more than as a result of smoking. I have buried Country Fire Authority volunteers in the suggested that children with autism who way that he has. Residents in other states relatives as a result of smoking. There is no were not doing as they should, according argument — smoking kills. There are some watch in dismay as crime runs rampant on to the teachers, were locked in a box. This our streets, and I should say in our homes, people who have spent most of their lives is not the first time that we have heard getting the message across and doing a and gangs attack families in what should such allegations at schools, and we know be their sanctuary. Entire suburbs in bit of tub-thumping, I have to say, on the that on a previous occasion this sort of subject. Melbourne’s west, I know for a fact, live in behaviour was regarded as quite normal fear, and this government continues to do I think with the Quit campaign and up in Bendigo. nothing. Add to this the ludicrous grand some of the antismoking campaigns they I find this behaviour abhorrent. No final eve public holiday, and Victorians have been perhaps hijacked by people child, for whatever reason, should ever are starting to look back at the time of the who have never actually had to give up be locked in a box. I can just imagine the Kirner government as the good old days. smoking, so they have never had any distress that being locked in a dark box for This cannot surely keep going for much understanding of just how difficult it whatever reason would cause any child, longer. is. They think that if you say to people, much less a child with autism. There is ‘Hey, you’ve got to give up smoking’, that no excuse for that. If any teacher feels the everybody will just say, ‘Okay, righto, I’ll need to lock a child in a box, they should COUNCIL | Adjournment do that’. These people do not understand get the hell out of the education system; 13 September 2016 that smoking is a very, very, very tough there is no room for them in it. habit to break — a really, really tough habit. We saw allegations at the Merriang Special Developmental School about a As I say, I tried for many years and child who every morning would come to Sunbury rail thought I had succeeded a few times, school and they would send him outside but now I have been smoke free for eight to sit in a beanbag because his behaviour crossings years — and I am very, very pleased. I am was not up to scratch. This was during Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I very much the better for that. When I had winter. To sit in a beanbag outside during wish to raise a matter this evening for the flu last week I thought to myself: how a Melbourne winter is bad enough, but the attention of the Minister for Public ridiculous it would be if I was to, every the child was obviously not getting any Transport. It is an issue that is long half-hour or every hour, get up from my educational value either, so whichever running in the township of Sunbury. bed, go out into the backyard and have a way you look at it, it is wrong. Every child Recently there was yet again a situation smoke. How ridiculous that would be both deserves an education, and no child where a traffic incident caused the level in terms of my immediate health but also deserves to be sent outside in the cold and crossing at Sunbury to be blocked. As in terms of long-term health as well. told to sit in a beanbag for months on end. things stand at the moment, there are In that scenario I was very pleased These allegations I find extraordinary. two ways of getting from one side of the indeed that I had given up the smokes, I know the Minister for Education has railway line to the other in Sunbury, and and I sincerely hope that smoking one said that he will hold an inquiry. Quite from time to time one or both of those day soon becomes one of those very odd frankly I do not trust the Department of avenues are blocked, which of course habits that we tell our grandchildren Education and Training to conduct such causes no end of havoc in the township. about and that our grandchildren will in an inquiry, so I am asking the Minister I well remember some years ago when fact not know what smoking is because it for Housing, Disability and Ageing to VicRoads closed one of those avenues is a thing of the past and nobody does it hold a full independent inquiry into this. without actually telling anybody they were anymore. You would really hope that that We need to get to the bottom of it, and going to do that, and it caused total and would be the case, and I think the way we absolute gridlock in the town to the point where people had to actually leave their
IN 12 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE cars in the street, walk away and come What this side of the house is seeking Labor Party would want to contribute to back the next day in the hope that they to do is to gain information. The reality is the deliberations of the committee. I really might be able to drive away. we know the government are transparent do not understand why they would try to We have not had any incidents quite — we can see right through them; that shun a committee system which is just that bad of recent times, but certainly is how transparent they are. I am on trying to get to the truth. there is a need — a desperate need in my the committee, with Mr Morris and Mr Mr Morris — Nobble. view — for a third crossing of the railway Ondarchie and all those other members Mr FINN — Nobble? Yes, there is a bit of line at Sunbury. This has been a matter that were mentioned by Mr Morris and Mr nobbling going on, Mr Morris. There are that has been discussed, certainly in my Leane, and let me say how much we miss no two ways about that. I do not know. I memory. I was first elected to represent Ms Tierney, because her contribution on do not understand why the government Sunbury in 1992, and it was a hot issue the committee was let us say sobering, to would not want to assist the committee then. Here we are, 25 years later almost, say the very least. It was sobering. We will to assist them. It is a little bit befuddling, and we are still talking about it. leave it at that. it has to be said. I think anybody listening I suggest to the minister that it is time An honourable member interjected. to this debate today would be scratching we stopped talking about it and actually Mr FINN — But what we are attempting their head, and they would be wondering did something. It is way past time in to do with this motion is obviously request why the government has made the fact that we did something, because the the appearance of the minister at the decision that they do not want this house people of Sunbury deserve that third committee. I am not sure what Ms Tierney to have the ability to have a discussion crossing of the railway line. Hopefully it was rabbiting on about, with compelling with the minister. That is all we want — to would not be a level crossing, because people and rabbiting on about the threat have a discussion with the minister to it would only have to be removed then, to the Westminster system. Does anybody hear her side of what is going on, because would it not? Perhaps the minister can put know what she was talking about? we have not heard her side. There are in a sky rail to begin with. We could have a Mr Morris interjected. so many issues that we really need her sky road over the railway line. Mr FINN — It might be a bit of that, Mr input into, and she has unfortunately not Sunbury is not a little town anymore, Morris. It could be due to a bit too much been able to do that to date. What Mr as I have pointed out to the house before, time with Peter Marshall, I think, because Morris’s motion, and I commend him on and there is about to be over the next that seems to be the attitude coming from moving it, is about is ensuring that the few years a huge population explosion. the other side. What we are doing in a Standing Committee on the Economy It is anticipated that the population will polite and a civilised manner is to request and Infrastructure has a full and clear increase by some 50 per cent through — — understanding of all points of view in these situations, so I do not understand. people coming to live in Sunbury. You Mr Morris interjected. could understand why, because it is a The other thing I do not understand delightful place — very, very pleasant Mr FINN — We will give her a cup is the attitude of the government to this indeed. I ask the minister to make a of tea and Tim Tams if you like. We are house. I have been in this place now decision, to stop thinking — ‘Don’t think; requesting that the minister appear for almost a decade, and time and time do’, as somebody once said — and to put before the committee so that we can fully again we have heard members of the in place a plan which will provide a third evaluate the situation. The situation is Labor Party say how much they respect railway line crossing for Sunbury. with the ridesharing arrangements in this house and how much the changes Victoria — the Uber issue. This has been back in 2003 rejuvenated this house and going on now for a very long time. It has how much they made the house relevant. COUNCIL | Constituency questions been going on now for over two and a But here we have a situation where an 14 September 2016 half years — throughout the course of upper house committee inquiring into this government — and I for one would a matter of great public interest — and like to know what has held the minister great public importance, it has to be said up. I would love to know why it has taken — is being basically beaten around the Brimbank school the government so long to actually make ears for wanting to speak to a minister a decision, if indeed they have made a of the Crown. That makes no sense to sites decision. me. If the Labor Party respect this house, Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My I would like to ask the minister a they will not have a problem with any constituency question is to the Minister number of questions, and this is all part of of their ministers appearing before a for Education. I refer the minister to finding out exactly what is going on and committee. I would suggest very strongly a previous question I asked about the what is happening so that the government to members of the government that they proposed sale of school sites in the City can make the best decision for the people have a rethink and that they use a little of Brimbank and surrounds, and I ask: of Victoria. What we are attempting to bit of logic, go through their thought will the minister provide a guarantee do on our committee is to assist the processes and come up with some of that any of these redeveloped sites will government; that is what we are trying to the answers to the questions that I have provide community facilities, open space do. We are trying to help the government posed in the short time that I have had and, given the large ageing population of to come to the best decision possible for this afternoon, because I think, as I said the area, aged-care facilities, retirement the people of Victoria. I say that to you earlier, a lot of people listening to this homes and similar community facilities? with full confidence that that is the truth, debate today would be stumped. They because as members of the committee, would be, quite frankly, confused beyond whether we be members of Dictator Dan’s COUNCIL | Economy and Infrastruc- words as to exactly why the government government, members of the opposition, takes the position that it does and why ture Standing C’tee, 14 Sep 2016 Greens or whatever we might be, we are the government that says it respects the united. Westminster system — and we heard Ms There is, I think, a tripartisan approach, Tierney going on about that at length — — Minister for Public I think you would call it, or more than Mr Morris — Rabbiting on. tripartisan — quadpartisan, because we Mr FINN — She was — going on at have Mr Bourman on the committee, length about the Westminster system Transport and he is a good man. We are attempting Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — and the importance of the Westminster to establish what has happened and system and not compelling people and That was an interesting contribution that what will happen. We just want to we have just heard from Ms Tierney, who all the rest. We are not talking about know the facts so that we can make compelling anybody; we are just talking accused us of wasting the time of the recommendations which will inevitably house. She got up and spoke for 7 or 8 about a situation where grown adults be in the best interests of Victorians. It is can sit down around a table and have a minutes, and the contribution that she as simple as that. I do not know why the made I would suggest very strongly was discussion about the issue that is before Labor Party would oppose this motion. I the committee. I do not know why the probably the greatest waste of time I have have no idea. I would have thought that heard today, if not this year. Labor Party would have a problem with members of the Labor Party would want it. that. I do not understand why they would I would have thought that members of the
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 13 have a problem with that, but they clearly COUNCIL | Economy and Infrastruc- unbelievably unfair for the government do. It might having something to do with ture Standing C’tee, 14 Sep 2016 not to provide the police officers that the Premier, who does not like to talk to are needed in Wyndham to provide that anybody about anything, particularly protection. members of his own party, it has to be I ask the minister to take on board the said. He is not keen on talking to anybody. Minister for Public fears of and the problems being faced by Mr Morris — Is he talking to Jane? the people of Wyndham and ensure that Mr FINN — I do not think he is talking Transport enough police officers are on the ground to Jane Garrett, and I do not think he is Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — to support and protect the people of talking to Fiona Richardson. I do not think Order! I have a message that the President Wyndham at this time. is talking to Adem Somyurek either, just has received from the Speaker. It reads: between you, me and the gatepost — — The Legislative Assembly has agreed to COUNCIL | Economy and Infrastruc- The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) the following resolution: ture Standing C’tee, 15 Sep 2016 — Order! Mr Finn, back to the motion, please! That this house refuses to grant leave for the Minister for Public Transport, Mr FINN — I am very much on the the Honourable Jacinta Allan, MP, to motion, Acting President. I am referring appear before the Legislative Council Road Safety to, I suppose, the Premier making the Standing Committee on the Economy government in his own image. That is and Infrastructure to give evidence Road Rules 2009 what we have. We have a Premier who and answer questions in relation to the does not want to talk to people, we have a committee’s inquiry into ride-sourcing Premier who does not want to open up to services. (Overtaking the Parliament or to the community and Ordered that message be considered next now we have a government that is doing Bicycles) Bill 2015 day on motion of Mr DAVIS (Southern Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I the same thing. We have a government Metropolitan). that is doing the same thing, and I think commend the report and I commend the that is very, very sad indeed. So I urge the members of the committee, especially government to have a rethink, I urge the COUNCIL | Adjournment the chairman, who I have to say is a government to put the best interests of 14 September 2016 particularly enthusiastic chairman. His Victoria first and I urge the government ability to call meetings four or five days to — well, I would not suggest they do a a week is quite extraordinary and very backflip, of course — — impressive, it has to be said. Mr Morris — Do the right thing. Wyndham police Listening to Ms Hartland’s comments Mr FINN — Yes indeed, Mr Morris; about a change in attitudes, I have to you have hit the nail on the head there. I numbers agree, but it has to be a change in attitudes would ask them to do the right thing by Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I on both sides. It is not just the motorists Victoria and allow us to establish the facts wish to raise a matter for the attention of who need to change their attitudes but by speaking to the minister — by being the Minister for Police, and it concerns the also the cyclists who need to change able to question the minister in a fair and diabolical situation with police numbers their attitudes. I was nearly cleaned up balanced manner. In that situation, then, in the City of Wyndham. The house will by a cyclist in the city the other day. I was we will be able to reach a situation where recall that a couple of months ago the crossing the road and somebody on a we can make recommendations which shadow Minister for Police, Edward bike came straight through a red light at will be helpful to the government and O’Donohue, and I visited Point Cook great speed and nearly cleaned me up. He will be helpful to the people of this state. and Werribee and had discussions with just kept going. He was not even mildly I say to Ms Tierney and Mr Leane and locals there about the very deep concerns interested in any pedestrians, or road anybody over there with any influence in that people have about their personal rules I might say. the government at all to have a rethink safety, particularly with the rash of home It has to be said that if the government in the next 10 or 15 minutes and support invasions and aggravated burglaries is really keen on some sort of reform in this motion. We will then be able to put hitting the area and the fact that there this area, I think an education program a polite and civilised request to the other are just not enough police to protect the for cyclists on the road rules would be place to allow Minister Allan to appear people of Wyndham. a very, very good thing. I think there before the committee and to enlighten us To make matters worse, the Police are quite a number of them who do not in a way that perhaps we have not been Association Victoria has made it known seem to have the first idea. I do not think enlightened to date. That is important. that 36 frontline police officers have been they have ever read the road rules. They I certainly urge the house to welcome ripped out of Wyndham to man task are not interested in the road rules, and the support of the Greens. Ms Hartland’s forces. I fully understand the importance they think that they own the roads, even contribution was interesting, because of task forces, and I understand they despite the fact that they do not pay a cent while she supports the motion, she did have had some degree of success in in registration or anything else. They think not actually support the motion. She got tracking down some gang members who they run the show. up and she said, ‘I support the motion’, have been involved in some particularly I hope that we do have a significant and then she kicked the living suitcase out grievous crimes, but to rip out 36 frontline change in attitude from both sides. I think of the opposition for moving the motion. police officers from police stations in there are certainly some motorists who What that was about, anybody can help Wyndham that are already enormously get very angry, and I am somebody who me there — perhaps we can ask Jacinta undermanned does not seem to be drives through Carlton and Brunswick on Allan if we get the chance, because it has either fair or right. The police numbers in a regular basis so I know a fair bit about got me stuffed, I have got to say that. Wyndham are at least 150 under what they bikes, and quite frankly I am just hopeful This motion is an important one, and I should be. that this report will lead to a change in ask members of this house to put aside the It is interesting to note that Mr Ron attitudes of cyclists in particular. Iddles, secretary to the police association, partisan nature of politics on this occasion Motion agreed to. and do the right thing by the government, has said that Wyndham has the worst by the Parliament and indeed by the police-to-population ratio in Victoria; people of Victoria. it has 49 response officers per 100 000 people, and the state average is 102 response officers per 100 000 people. You can see that Wyndham is really missing out in a very big way. People in Wyndham are genuinely afraid for their safety, particularly in places like Point Cook, where there has been a crime wave. It is
IN 14 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Second reading Mr FINN — No, there were no deer. protect at all costs, and that is largely what 15 September 2016 I think that there has to be some this bill is all about. understanding by the community that This bill is not exactly a major change, farmers do love their animals, that farmers or in fact any change, in policy. It does do wish to protect their animals and that put in place some administrative changes, Livestock farmers are actually concerned about the and it is a bill to make amendments to the welfare of their animals, because there are Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. I think some sections of the community that it should be pointed out — and I will not Disease Control would — — read the statement of compatibility; I will Amendment Bill An honourable member interjected. leave that for Mr Dalidakis if he comes Mr FINN — Indeed they do attack back — as was pointed out in the second- 2016 farmers and those in rural industries as reading speech: Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It people who exploit, abuse and mistreat The former government agreed to gives me a great deal of pleasure to rise animals. Nothing could be further from recommendations made by the Animal this morning to speak on the Livestock the truth. I have known many farmers over Health Committee (AHC), a national Disease Control Amendment Bill 2016. many, many years, including most of my forum for state and territory chief This is a particularly important bill for family, and let me tell you, mistreating veterinary officers and the Australian those who are involved in the industry, their animals on the farm is the very last government chief veterinary officer, and I have to say it is a particularly thing they would do, because of course for the national harmonisation of swill important bill for Australia. The livestock those animals are their meal ticket and feeding legislation. Swill feeding of pigs with material derived from mammals — industry is a significant contributor to if the animals are mistreated and are not the welfare of Australia as a nation — and given the respect they deserve, then they which is known as ‘mammalian I am not just talking about the fact that do not provide in the way that the farmers material’ — — we do have excellent meat and so forth had hoped. I think that is a particularly Mr Davis interjected. to provide in our restaurants and indeed important point to make. Mr FINN — Well, Mr Davis knows on our plates at home. It is also a huge I mentioned before the importance obviously more about this than I, and contributor to the national economy. of the livestock industry to Australia, when we are talking about swill I bow There are many, many farmers the length and I feel that I cannot speak on this bill to Mr Davis’s superior knowledge. I am and breadth of Australia who are involved without mentioning what happened to happy to do that, so that will be fine. Now, in this industry and who do a tremendous the livestock industry in this country what was I talking about? job, and I salute them this morning, just a few short years ago, when a Mr Ondarchie — He knows his animals. television program, which was later because they are real contributors to our Mr FINN — Yes, he does. He does know nation. I remember Joe Hockey as federal largely discredited, caused the Gillard government to destroy an industry at the his animals; he has been in here for a Treasurer talking about leaners and lifters, while. But as I was saying: and the farmers who are involved in the stroke of a pen — — livestock industry are lifters. They are the Mr Ondarchie interjected. Swill feeding of pigs with material lifters, and I salute them here today for the Mr FINN — ‘Overreaction’ is an derived from mammals (mammalian tremendous job that they do. understatement, Mr Ondarchie, if I can material) is well recognised as a risk It should be pointed out that this bill is say that, because that is exactly what it factor for the introduction of several not just about cattle. When we talk about was. They scrapped the live export market. emergency animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease — livestock I think people automatically I recall being up in Darwin during that think about cattle, but it is not just about time, and the pain that was caused to so as distinct from foot-in-mouth disease, cattle. It is also about sheep, goats — — many people as a result of that was quite as a few over the other side have been An honourable member interjected. devastating. I use that word, ‘devastating’, known to show from time to time. Mr FINN — Yes, that is right, and pigs because many people, not just in northern Ms Shing — You used that joke — I knew I had forgotten something. Australia — the Northern Territory or yesterday. And these are of course very important Queensland — but even down here lost Mr FINN — No, I didn’t. I didn’t speak parts of the livestock industry. It reminds their livelihoods, and many of them lost yesterday. What are you talking about? me of that old story of New Zealand and their homes or their families. It was just a Mr Leane interjected. how the New Zealand meat industry has devastating time for so many people. Mr FINN — Now, you might be discovered two new uses for sheep: wool It just goes to show that when you interested in this, Mr Leane: and meat! have people in positions of power who have absolutely no understanding of … classical swine fever and African An honourable member — It’s an oldie swine fever … but a goodie. the impact of their actions, you have a situation where real trouble is just And that, I understand, has the Mr FINN — It is an oldie but a goodie, around the corner. In that situation the potential for devastating impacts on but this certainly reminds me of it. Gillard government failed the people of Australia’s livestock and related industries. You might be wondering, and the house Australia and particularly the livestock People have to realise that once the genie may well be wondering, why somebody industry and those farmers who not is out of the bottle with regard to these representing the western suburbs of only were dependent upon the livestock diseases — the swine fever, the foot-and- Melbourne is up speaking on this bill, and trade but also provided many, many mouth disease and the African swine fever it is a particularly good question. But I hundreds of millions of dollars for the — it is very, very difficult to put it back. We would just like to point out that for most Australian economy. I think it is fair to need legislation such as this to ensure the of my early years I lived on a farm — on a say that whilst the live export trade has protection of the industry and indeed of dairy farm, in fact. I grew up milking cows, resumed, Australia’s reputation took such the beasts themselves. and we had beef cattle as well. We did not a battering at that time that we have not This bill amends the Livestock Disease have any sheep, goats or pigs; we had a recovered to this point. It may well be that Control Act 1994 in order to align the swill couple of horses, but we did not use them it will take quite some time before we fully feeding provisions with recommendations as livestock — they were nice horses. recover — before Australia’s reputation is of the AHC. The opposition does not An honourable member — They ran in fully restored in those nations that we had oppose this bill. In fact it is a bill that we the Melbourne Cup? been dealing with and indeed largely are welcome. It is a bill that does have some Mr FINN — They did not run in the dealing with again. considerable impact on our livestock Melbourne Cup either. I think we really need to keep in mind industry and on our farming industries, As I said, my early years were spent on that the livestock industry is a major plus and for that reason, as I say, we do not a dairy farm, so the welfare of animals is for Australia. It is not just a way of keeping oppose it. It is worth pointing out that something that I hold particularly dear to farmers alive, paying their bills, keeping clause 12 of the bill states that new my heart — — them in homes and educating their kids, sections 41A and 41B are inserted. I wish I An honourable member — Deer? but indeed it is a major boon for the had a bit more time, because I would love nation. It is something that we should to point out exactly what is in these new
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 15 provisions of the bill, because they do go has to duplicate the road between Vietnamese community, and as I said, I for quite — — Sunbury and the Tullamarine Freeway? have had a great deal to do with them over Mr Ondarchie interjected. the last decade. I certainly support the Mr FINN — We will. I think we minister intervening, and so that is what COUNCIL | Adjournment I am asking him to do — to intervene in should go through this in quite some 15 September 2016 considerable length in the committee this particular situation, to overturn the stage, given the importance of the bill decision that has been described in the and given the new recommendations, petition and to ensure that the bilingual because there will be a lot of people who immersion program at Footscray Primary welcome reform. They think that is a very Footscray Primary School is retained. good thing for the farming industry and School the livestock industry. They think that is a Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I COUNCIL | Members statements very good thing, but they might not know wish to raise a matter for the attention of 11 October 2016 the full implications that new sections the Minister for Education. This morning 41A and 41B will have. I will give you an I was contacted by the local Vietnamese example: in 41A there is a list of things that community in Footscray, who brought to the secretary may issue a permit on. my attention a petition. I think if I read Western Bulldogs Mr Ondarchie — Like what? the petition, it will best sum up what the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN — I will just say, I do not have situation currently is: rise to congratulate the Western Bulldogs an inordinate amount of time left for this, on successfully capturing the Holy Grail, On 26 August 2016, a note from the the 2016 AFL premiership. I have always Mr Ondarchie, which I am disappointed principal — about. But section 41A(1) states: been of the view that what is good for the of the Footscray Primary School — Dogs is good for the west, and this win The Secretary may issue a permit to a was sent home in children’s schoolbags has lifted everyone in the west, including person authorising that person to feed those of us who were honorary Bulldogs material originating from a mammal informing parents and guardians of the decision to abolish the longstanding for the occasion. Congratulations to or that has been in direct contact with Peter Gordon and his administration material originating from a mammal to and well-respected Vietnamese a wild pig, if the Secretary is satisfied bilingual immersion program at on bringing this result to Whitten Oval. that the feeding of the material is solely Footscray Primary School (FPS), and As much as winning the flag itself, who for the purposes of research into wild to replace it with a LOTE program from will ever forget the sight of coach Luke pigs or the baiting of wild pigs carried 2017. Beveridge in the centre of the MCG out by that person. removing his premiership medallion and This is a significant decision, which draping it around the neck of injured I know that there are a lot of people will change the identity of the school in important ways. It was made without captain Bob Murphy? If that does not stick around the place. There is Mr Bourman. I in your memory, nothing will. am sure he knows about wild pig shooting. notice or consultation with parents He could probably tell us about it. Have and guardians of children currently The euphoria in Melbourne’s west will you been pig shooting, Mr Bourman? I am attending the school or enrolled to take some considerable time to subside, sorry, President. Mr Bourman, I am sure, attend in 2017. and rightly so. After 62 years without a flag every Doggy fan is entitled to lap up every will have been pig shooting from time to We the undersigned respectfully call time, and if I had a bit more time, I could moment of what has been a dream come on the school leadership to suspend true for so many. I can only join thousands go into that in a bit more detail as well. implementation of the decision to Wild pigs might have diseases that — — throughout the west in a hearty ‘Woof!’. It abolish the bilingual immersion gives hope to those of us who have been Mr Ondarchie — They might fly. program pending a community consultation process. waiting for a similar result for close to four Mr FINN — Well, I am not sure if decades. If the Dogs can rise up in the they would fly, because they are pretty This process must be run by an external west, I have some hope that the Tigers will big, I gather, but they may well carry facilitator who has the confidence of roar again before I depart this mortal coil. diseases that could be quite devastating the community. It must be conducted The west now has a premiership flag. All to the livestock industry. So just this one in a transparent manner and involve we need now is more police. provision of the bill will have an enormous genuine consultation with the impact in protecting the industry and community. This process will inform the livelihood of many thousands of the future direction of the bilingual COUNCIL | Constituency questions Australians. It is indeed an industry which program. 11 October 2016 we are so very, very proud of. I again I have to say to you, President, that I was make it clear that the opposition will not quite surprised when I read this, because I oppose this bill, and I salute once again know the local Vietnamese community to the livestock industry and the farmers of be hardworking, to be committed to their Sunbury road Australia. families, to be good civic citizens and to be real contributors to the Footscray area. safety COUNCIL | Constituency questions So when they brought this to my attention Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My it made me sit up and take notice. This constituency question is to the Minister 15 September 2016 is clearly something that has upset them for Roads and Road Safety. The minister very deeply. will recall my advocacy for the removal of One thing that the Vietnamese a roundabout at the intersection of Gap community holds very dear is their Road and Horne Street in Sunbury and Sunbury road cultural background. They are great its replacement with traffic lights. I am Australian citizens and, as I say, great delighted that the minister has listened congestion contributors to Australia, but they are also to me and has announced the change for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My the intersection, but my concern is that, constituency question is to the Minister very, very proud of their culture and very keen to ensure that that culture is passed despite his recent announcement, the for Roads and Road Safety. Congestion on roundabout will remain. Will the minister the Sunbury–Melbourne road continues on to the next generation. I suppose I should not be, but I was a assure me and the Sunbury community to worsen daily. As Sunbury grows it will that the necessary funding has been undoubtedly deteriorate significantly. little bit surprised to have this decision brought to my attention. I think it is allocated to make this intersection safe for As I am sure the minister is aware, Hume motorists and pedestrians alike? City Council has joined my call for the important that this decision be reversed, duplication of this road. Will the minister and I think the Vietnamese bilingual inform me and the Sunbury and Bulla immersion program at Footscray Primary communities what plans the government School is a very important program. Clearly it is very important to the local
IN 16 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Second reading told me that they want to leave, that they and off to indicate to people outside that 11 October 2016 want to get out and that the support is not we were home. Well, that does not matter there from the government. There are two anymore, because these criminals know things that any government needs — — that the chances of them being caught Mr Herbert — You are making it up as are negligible because there are just not Police and Justice you go along. enough police to do the job. I think that is Mr FINN — The minister in his own way very sad and a very sad reflection on this Legislation shakes his head and cackles to himself, government that refuses to provide the but I say to the minister: go out and speak numbers for Victoria Police. to the police on the front line, and they Another incident recently occurred Amendment will tell you. in Sunbury. One evening I rose to my Mr Herbert — On a point of order, feet in this house and suggested that the (Miscellaneous) President, on a matter of factuality, my township of Diggers Rest might go into point was that the member was simply the Sunbury police region. Why? Because Bill 2016 making it up, not that I was questioning it is only 5 minutes from Sunbury. At the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — the police. moment Diggers Rest is dependent on Listening to Mr Melhem there I had to police from either Melton or Caroline have a quiet chuckle to myself. Clearly he The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Morris) Springs, and that is a fair hike, particularly has a smile on his face as well. He knows — Order! That is a point of debate, not a given the traffic congestion we have to put that he was having a lend of us as well. I point of order. up with in the western suburbs these days, appreciate humour as much as anybody Mr FINN — I am actually a member of so I thought it would make sense that else, but when somebody gets up and the Liberal Party. I do not make things up, Diggers Rest would go into the Sunbury says the sorts of things that he just said in but I understand that over on the other police region. The police association this house under the guise of a sensible side of the house it is quite common, so went spare and made it very clear that speech, then I have got to draw the line I can understand why Mr Herbert would the Sunbury police are pushed beyond there, I have to say. have jumped to the conclusion that he capacity every day of the week, so there is This bill, the Police and Justice did, because of course it is second nature no way they could provide services for an Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) to him. added area in Diggers Rest. So there we Bill 2016, is one that we welcome on this I have spoken to a number of police in have a situation where people in Sunbury side of the house. I must first express my recent times, probably going back a year, and people in Bulla — I live in Bulla, my extreme admiration for the members maybe even more, who are very, very home town — just do not have the police of Victoria Police. I have enormous distressed about what is going on in the numbers and the police support that they admiration for the work they do. Indeed police force, about the lack of support need, they expect and they deserve. just last Saturday I had a great deal to do from the government, about the lack of I have to say it absolutely shocked me with them just out the front here, where numbers that they have and about the when recent crime figures showed that in some thousands of people marched in the extra work that that causes — the added my home town the crime rate was up 141 annual March for the Babies. The police stress that that brings to them. These are per cent. Apart from police cars travelling were marvellous in providing support for good men and women who have joined between Broadmeadows and Sunbury, I not the cause but the protective nature of the police force to provide protection for do not think we have seen a police car in what we needed on the day. As members our community, and because they do Bulla in recent memory. It shocked me will remember, it was only three years ago not have the numbers that they should to see that my home town seems to have that we were beaten up rather savagely in they cannot provide the protection. They gone to the dogs. That is a sad reflection the city of Melbourne, and the police have cannot do the job properly that they want on our society, but it is also very sad that made a commitment to themselves more to do. These people are committed to the police do not have the numbers or the than anything else that they will not allow protecting the people of Victoria. They support to do their job. that to happen again. I was absolutely want to be out there, they want to be I think it is a couple of months since delighted to be able to work with those making sure that the crooks are locked Mr O’Donohue and I visited Point Cook. senior officers and the men and women up and the good people are protected, We met with a number of residents there on the front line of Victoria Police at the but unfortunately at the moment in many who were feeling very scared because they march and in the lead-up to the march instances that is just not happening, and it too have been subject to home invasions, last Saturday. So I put on the public is resulting in communities across Victoria burglaries and car theft. They have been record my thanks and congratulations for that are suffering. subject to levels of crime that have to be the work that they did on that particular I will just refer to a few examples in this in the crisis category. I do not think there project, but I particularly want to express debate this afternoon. I am delighted to is any other word to describe it. They are my appreciation of and my thanks and see that Mr Melhem is still in the chamber, feeling that they are in a crisis situation. eternal gratitude for the work that Victoria because Mr Melhem will recall that he This particular morning was a weekday Police do for so many people across the and I attended a very large gathering on morning, and quite a large crowd gathered state. a Saturday morning not so long ago in to speak to Mr O’Donohue and me about We saw on the weekend on Sunday the Caroline Springs. That was as a direct this particular problem. I have to say the ‘wind event’, as I think they are calling it result of the fact that the local community problem has not gone away; if anything, it these days. ‘The very, very windy day’, I there had had enough. As they said to me, has got worse. think I would have called it. We saw the ‘We’ve had a gutful. This government just It was interesting to see the figures from number of police that were out directing doesn’t seem to care’. They gathered in the police association just last week that traffic, making sure that people were safe very large numbers to hear Mr Iddles from show that the City of Wyndham, where and doing the sorts of things that the rest the Police Association Victoria, me, Mr Point Cook is situated, is no. 2 on the list of of us would not be all that keen on doing, Melhem and a number of other speakers municipalities that are in a crisis situation particularly in that sort of weather. So speak on this particular subject. The with the lack of police. It is no. 2, after it just goes to show that our police are locals were very angry, and they were very the City of Casey. That did not come as a versatile and they have a whole range of scared. surprise to me, because, as Mr O’Donohue skill sets, and we should just be very, very One of the speakers we heard there that and I discovered when we visited the grateful that we have the sort of police that morning was a young lady who had been Werribee police station not so long after we do. I certainly am. the victim of a home invasion. She had Point Cook, they were really stretched Having said that, the police force is been the victim of just being at home, in beyond breaking point. As I say, these suffering, and that causes me some her bed, and all of a sudden somebody police are good, committed, hardworking distress. As we discuss the Police was in the house running rampant. This people, but they are in a situation where and Justice Legislation Amendment is not uncommon, unfortunately. This they are not able to do the job that they (Miscellaneous) Bill 2016 it gives me some is something that is happening all too want to do, because there just are not distress to bring to the attention of the often, and it is relatively new. I recall enough people. house that there are many, many police in that in years gone by we would buy little this state who are in a bad way. Many have devices which would turn our lights on
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 17 It is interesting to note that the police My view is that the applied behaviour We have a situation now where it can take association survey that was released last analysis methods have worked anything up to half an hour just to get week shows that every single municipality extraordinarily well over quite some time off Sunbury Road and onto the freeway. in the west of Melbourne — and Mr now. If something is working very, very It can take anything up to half an hour Melhem might be interested in this — is well and children are benefiting from it in again, maybe longer sometimes, to get lacking in police. and not just lacking in a big way, it seems to me to be negligent from Sunbury to that bottleneck at the police numbers but indeed is in that crisis if you do not actually use that method for beginning of the Tullamarine Freeway. category. This is the area that Labor likes many children, if indeed not all children, It is ludicrous for any government to to call its own. If that is the way they treat on the autism spectrum. I think that undertake an action which stops the their own, I am not sure that anybody is something that we as a community building of a road. would want to be their own, I have to say. should be very concerned about if they are Look, I fully understand that this If this government says, ‘Well, that’s the not receiving the sort of education they government is committed to stopping western suburbs. They’re going to vote for deserve. the building of roads, but this one, if us anyway, so let the crims run wild. We I am asking the minister to institute an anything, is even more necessary than the won’t put the police resources in there inquiry into applied behaviour analysis east–west link. This situation we have on that the people in the western suburbs to see what evidence there is to prove or the Sunbury Road is getting worse by the need’, that is appalling, but it is something otherwise that this is a method which day, and I am not exaggerating there. It that we have come to expect from the brings great benefit to children with is getting worse by the day. We have the Labor Party, and not just this government autism. I am asking the minister to do bottleneck at the end of Sunbury Road but previous Labor governments, going that as a matter of urgency because I heading onto the Tullamarine Freeway, back to John Cain and even before that, for think every day is important — for us all, and we have a bottleneck at the top those who can remember way back when. I suppose, but particularly for children of Bulla Hill, which goes back almost The lack of police numbers is an with autism, because the older they get to Sunbury sometimes. It is quite an appalling situation that we have in the more difficult it can be, and of course extraordinary situation. the western suburbs, and that just the earlier we can get to these children VicRoads has put forward a proposal has to change. The Labor Party are with programs and with new methods, the — and let us face it, VicRoads do not do great at playing politics when they better the outcomes will be for these kids. things lightly; sometimes you can wait for are in opposition, but when they get a couple of lifetimes to get VicRoads to into government they see policing as COUNCIL | Constituency questions do something — to build a Bulla bypass, something that they can use to their to build a road which is going to ease the advantage. We saw that back in the late 12 October 2016 congestion on Sunbury Road, and what 1990s and early noughties, when Steve happens? This government knocks it on Bracks was elected Premier. What did they the head on the most spurious of grounds. do? The first thing they did was appoint I find that absolutely astonishing. a new Chief Commissioner of Police, Bulla bypass Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My What I would like the minister to Christine Nixon. We know how that ended do, and what I am asking the minister up, we know what a disaster that was, and constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. I ask this to do, is immediately put forward and indeed Victoria Police is still suffering announce — to announce in fact, not from the years that Christine Nixon was question, having been stunned by today’s revelation that the Minister for Planning just put forward — an alternative plan to the disastrous Chief Commissioner of relieve congestion on Sunbury Road, to Police here in Victoria. has vetoed VicRoads’s proposal to build the Bulla bypass and another road to relieve the congestion through Bulla and I say to the government: stop playing Melbourne Airport and the Tullamarine to provide the people of Sunbury and the politics and get fair dinkum about the Freeway. As I have frequently pointed out people of Bulla with the relief that they safety of Victorians. Give police the to the minister, congestion on Sunbury need on this particular road. There is, I resources they need, give police the Road is often unbearable and is growing have to say, astonishment in Sunbury authority they need and let police in worse by the day. It is staggering to think today at the announcement. I ask the Victoria do their jobs the way they want that the government has torpedoed any minister to put forward and announce an to do them. People need protection, and hope of relief for motorists on this road. I alternative to this road now. police want to protect them; let them do ask: what does the minister say to the tens their jobs. of thousands of users of Sunbury Road, COUNCIL | Second reading who have been deserted by the Andrews 13 October 2016 COUNCIL | Adjournment government? 11 October 2016 COUNCIL | Adjournment 12 October 2016 Melbourne and Autism programs Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Olympic Parks wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education, and it Sunbury Road Amendment Bill concerns the subject of education for children with autism in this state. That is duplication 2016 something that I have taken a great deal Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — In of interest in for quite some years now. wish to raise a matter for the attention of speaking to the Melbourne and Olympic It has concerned me that expectations the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Parks Amendment Bill 2016 this morning have been not as high as they should be It is not very often that I am stuck for can I first of all offer my very warmest for children with autism, particularly words, but I have to say that I was this congratulations to Mr O’Sullivan upon those children who attend autism-specific morning when I heard the news that the his election to this place. I have known schools. It concerns me that some of government had in fact scuttled the plan Luke O’Sullivan now for a number of those children are not reaching their to build the Bulla bypass and another road years, and he is a very fine man. He will be full potential. This is in no way to cast which would ease the traffic congestion a major contributor, I have no doubt, to aspersions on or to criticise the staff of the on Sunbury Road between Sunbury and this Parliament, to this house and indeed autism-specific schools, because I know Tullamarine airport. to this state, so I put on the record my for a fact that they do a brilliant job. They I have explained to this house now on congratulations to him. It is a great pity are committed, they are dedicated and I a number of occasions going back some that the government held him back for as cannot speak too highly of them. What I years the increasing problems that we long as it did with its carry-on for some am talking about are the methods that the have on this particular road. I have begged months, really. He should have been here department dictates to be taught in these the government for action which would some time ago, but it is great to see him in schools. build the Bulla bypass and which would relieve congestion on this particular road.
IN 18 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE the Parliament now. I offer him my very Mr FINN — I was out at Williamstown COUNCIL | Second reading warmest congratulations and best wishes. on Grand Final Friday, as I often am, at 13 October 2016 In speaking to this particular bill I find the grand final luncheon, and have been myself in the situation where I agree with now for four or five years, ever since it Mr Leane. Now, this does not happen has been going. Of course the people out often, but on this occasion I think we there at Williamstown, the football club Crimes probably are in furious agreement. at Williamstown, had to pay considerably Mr Leane — It is one of the signs of the more than they used to have to pay for Amendment apocalypse. their luncheon because of the public holiday rates. That is regrettable for a Mr FINN — It could be, brother. It could football club that likes to put on a good (Carjacking and be. The End Times are upon us! turn and at the same time wants to raise I am with him in saying that the a bit of money for itself. But that is by the Home Invasion) Melbourne Park precinct is something by, and I just say that in response to Mr that every Melburnian, every Victorian Dalidakis’s interjection. His public holiday Bill 2016 and indeed every Australian should be in fact does cost everybody in some way Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I very, very proud of. I have to say that I significantly, and that is regrettable. rise this afternoon to speak on the Crimes occasionally wander to the Melbourne Melbourne Park precinct is probably Amendment (Carjacking and Home Park precinct, but I spend most of my best known for the Australian Open Invasion) Bill 2016, and I do so with a spare time on the other side of the Tennis Championships. Whilst I have certain sense of deja vu. I have some railway line in the Yarra Park precinct, to say that tennis bores me sideways, I recollection — it would have been a in particular wandering between Punt know that there are many, many, many month ago or perhaps two months ago, if Road Oval and the MCG. That is always thousands — tens of thousands, or that — that this house passed a bill almost a joy — well, not always, because possibly even hundreds of thousands identical to this legislation. sometimes it is very painful. But it can — of people who come to Melbourne be a joy, particularly when we knock off Ms Crozier — Johnny-come-lately. from interstate, from the country and Mr FINN — They are Johnny-come- Collingwood, which I enjoy doing. Of even internationally every January for course we did it again this year. Even latelys. As we know, there is one thing the Australian Open. That is a huge that the Labor Party and the Greens are though we were not having the greatest contribution to the Victorian economy, so of seasons, to beat Collingwood always consistent about, and that is that they are I take my hat off to the Australian Open. soft on crime. That goes without saying. makes it so much better. It is a very good It is not my cup of tea, I have to say, but thing indeed. They are the criminals’ best friend, and there are a lot of people that do enjoy it. I that is just a given. But we did have a bill I did visit Melbourne Park recently for say that it is a very good thing. an unusual event. It was in fact a funeral. that, from my recollection, was introduced For us to have a facility such as by Mr O’Donohue and passed by this It was the funeral of Neville Crowe, the Rod Laver Arena to hold that event is great Tiger. In fact I would probably go as house to introduce a regime that would something that we can be justifiably proud attack the heinous crimes of carjacking far as saying that he is the greatest Tiger of. This bill is about providing further of all. and home invasion. I wonder what access to this outstanding landmark in happened to that bill. Mr Dalidakis — Jack Dyer. Kevin our city. I trust that the bill will pass in Bartlett. The Labor Party — the Andrews record time; I see no reason why it should government — is so serious in its concern Mr FINN — No, Jack Dyer was a great not. I wish all involved with Melbourne about carjacking and home invasion that player. Kevin Bartlett was a great player. Park and the Melbourne Park precinct all it would not even allow the bill to be read Mr Dalidakis — Jack Riewoldt. the very best. It is, as I said, something a first time in the other place. That is how Mr FINN — Jack Riewoldt was a great we all should be very, very proud of. serious the Labor Party is about crime. It player, but none of them saved the club. Apart from allowing Collingwood to is far more interested in playing games. Mr Dalidakis — Aaron Fiora. move in there, which was a bit sad, the Politics to the Labor Party comes first, rest of it is something we should all second and third. That is just the way it is. Mr FINN — You can have Aaron Fiora. be very, very proud of. It is an icon of You got him. It does not care about good policy. It does Melbourne, it is an icon of Australia, and I not care about protecting the community. Mr Dalidakis — We did get Aaron Fiora. believe that we should celebrate what we All it cares about is playing politics. All Mr FINN — But none of them actually have. Melbourne Park is most certainly it cares about is its electoral prospects. saved the club. A good number of people something that is worth celebrating. We put up a piece of legislation — Mr gathered at Melbourne Park to farewell O’Donohue put up a piece of legislation Crowie just a few weeks ago. It was a very — which was passed in this house. In an moving tribute to somebody who was a COUNCIL | Constituency questions 13 October 2016 act of political stupidity the Labor Party great friend to many of us and who had would not even allow that legislation to be made a great contribution certainly to the debated, much less voted on, in the other Richmond Football Club, but also I think place. It was just insane. to Melbourne on a much wider scale. I Ms Crozier — Like no body, no parole. left that funeral and walked back across Wyndham schools the bridge to the MCG, and I thought to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My Mr FINN — It was like no body, no myself, ‘What an amazing city we live in. constituency question is to the Minister parole, as Ms Crozier points out to me. We have these sensational facilities. We for Education. Wyndham is suffering It is exactly like that. We had a situation have world-class sporting facilities all in from a desperate shortage of schools. where no body, no parole legislation was the one spot. We are serviced by trams. Constituents in Williams Landing and passed by this house. It then went to the We are serviced by trains. When it is not Point Cook continue to express to me their other place, and what happened? It was raining there is even car parking’. In fact it frustration and indeed their annoyance not even allowed to be read a first time. took me some years to realise that in fact that the Andrews government continues How fair dinkum is this government about Yarra Park was a park and not a car park. to ignore their educational needs. As the fighting crime? The bottom line is that it That was the only time I had ever seen population grows, so too does the need. is not. It does not care about protecting it, when it was full of cars. But it is truly My constituents are patient people, but the community. This legislation is amazing to contemplate what we have. they should not have to wait any longer for something that is cobbled together by the basic services such as schools. When will government in the wake of something that Mr Dalidakis — It was full of people on the minister provide these much-needed has been led by the opposition. Grand Final Friday. schools in Williams Landing and Point I want to commend Mr O’Donohue Mr FINN — Well, I don’t know whether Cook? for the work that he has done to bring so it was. many of these issues to the fore, not just in Mr Dalidakis — One hundred and this house but also in the community. He eighty thousand! has been a voice for victims. He has been a force for good, if I can use that term, in
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 19 the community, and for that I think he from the extreme left here today — we thoughts. They are the ones who should deserves our congratulations and he does are talking about the contempt that they be at the forefront of our concerns. deserve our commendation. have for authority. Of course Victoria I have said, probably for the last We in Victoria are going through Police, representing authority in this 20-something years in both houses of something that I can honestly say I have state, representing the government, Parliament, that it is time — God knows never experienced before. When the representing law and order, are the ones it is way past time — for us to do away Leader of the Opposition, Mr Guy, refers who cop the brunt of the contempt that with our legal system and replace it with to a crime tsunami hitting Victoria, he this government has for law and order. a justice system. We do not need more is not wrong. I grew up in Victoria; I was I feel incredibly sorry for members lawyers. We do not need more legal born and grew up in Victoria. I have of Victoria Police, the overwhelming flotsam and jetsam. What we need is some only ever been away from Victoria for a majority of whom are just outstanding justice in this state. We need justice, and very short period of time, when I went to individuals who do a great job for Victoria, that is something that people are crying Sydney some years ago, and God didn’t I who do a great job protecting each and out for. Across the length and breadth scuttle back here very quickly after I had every one of us. You have got to remember of Victoria they are crying out for justice got a taste of it up there. I was so glad I that those of us who leave home every because they see what is happening in our came back — Sydney beer is shocking. I day to go to work can with close to 100 courts right now and they are saying, ‘That have to also point out that I have lived in per cent certainty say that we are going to is not justice; that is not fair’. the country — — return that night to our families and to our I hear stories of gang members out my Ms Crozier — A Colac boy. homes. The police cannot say that. When way who are caught. The police are doing Mr FINN — I am a Colac boy, and I a police officer leaves his or her home in their job. They catch these little swine and grew up on the farm. I have experienced the morning to go to work, or indeed that drag them before the courts only for the both metropolitan and country. Of course night to go to work, there is no guarantee courts to set them free, and of course they I have lived in Sunbury, which is about at all that they will return in one piece. In are out there doing it again the following half and half. Right through that time I fact these are people who on a daily basis night. When that happens, people look at have never experienced what Victoria put their lives on the line for us. They are the system and say, ‘This is broken. This is going through right now. I have never people who put themselves in harm’s just doesn’t work. We need a good dose of experienced the fear in the community way for us, and they are people whom we justice’, and something we are thirsting for that is rampant. I have never experienced on this side of the house have enormous in this state is justice. people who have been through the trauma respect for. This bill will help things. The bill that of having their homes invaded. I have Unfortunately we have seen over a Mr O’Donohue put forward some months never seen carjackings to this extent. In number of years now the politicisation of ago would have helped things a lot more fact a few years ago carjackings — last the police force under Labor governments. because it would have been out there a year; perhaps even earlier this year I will not go into what happened under lot sooner, but I suppose when you get — were unheard of. Carjackings were Christine Nixon, because we all remember something from the Labor Party, even something out of Johannesburg. You how Christine Nixon trashed the police if it is a smidgen, even if it is a crumb, heard about what happened overseas force and how the police force is still you rejoice because it is a rarity. When with carjackings, and it did not equate to struggling after that period. I think what the Labor Party actually do something the situation in Melbourne or anywhere happened to Mr O’Donohue’s legislation in the area of law and order, apart from else in Victoria. It was something that is pretty much the same as what the Labor manipulating the police to assist their happened over there, that happened to Party does to the police when they are in electoral advantage — when the Labor somebody else. All of a sudden here we government: they just do not let it get off Party actually do something to support are, and it is happening to us. the canvas. That is something that I think our police and our court system to protect Mr O’Donohue put up a piece of they stand condemned for. Victorians — that has to be a good thing. It legislation to cut down on that. He put It concerns me enormously that it has is rare, it is a good thing, and certainly the up a piece of legislation that would have taken so long for a piece of legislation opposition will not be opposing the bill. dealt with that, and this house embraced like this to come from the government — particularly when we already passed that legislation. This house passed that COUNCIL | Adjournment legislation, and the government would not a piece of legislation similar from the even allow it to be debated in the other opposition some months ago. It is 13 October 2016 house. Again, you have got to ask the just absolutely astonishing that this question: how serious is this government government can actually hold its head about fighting crime? They put this bill high and look people in the eye or indeed before the house, the Crimes Amendment look itself in the mirror in the morning — Tullamarine (Carjacking and Home Invasion) Bill collectively; that is probably not a pleasant 2016, but why have we got this bill before thing anyway! How can they do that after Freeway the house when we had a perfectly what they have done with the previous Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I good piece of legislation which we had legislation? They have tried to rectify it wish to raise a matter on the adjournment passed already? Why would we need this with this legislation, and obviously we this evening for the Minister for Roads legislation if indeed they were serious will not be opposing this bill, because and Road Safety, and it concerns a major about it? Why did they put it off for three we believe that some action is necessary, roadway in Melbourne and indeed months? Why did they not accept the but it should have been done months ago Victoria, and that is the Tullamarine legislation that Mr O’Donohue put to this when Mr O’Donohue’s bill was passed. Freeway. Now, I do not know if the place some time ago? What the opposition is on about, what minister gets the opportunity to travel the coalition is on about, is defending on the Tullamarine Freeway very often. I think that is a sad reflection, it has to Unfortunately I do. I do not have much be said, on how this government views the rights of victims. We hear a lot about people who are brought before the beak. choice. If I want to get into town, the crime. It is a sad reflection on how this Tullamarine is really the only option for government views law and order, and it is Civil liberty lawyers say about their family history, how the dog bit them when they me and for thousands of others who live in a sad reflection on how this government Sunbury and indeed beyond. views the police. As we know, and I have were three and how they got their head certainly said this a number of times in stuck down a toilet or something one What I have experienced, particularly this house before, the Labor Party and day — about how there was a traumatic over recent months, is extreme frustration certainly the Greens have no respect experience that has set them on a path at the congestion on this particular for the police. They have no respect for of crime. Well, that is all very well and freeway. We have a situation where both authority, for that matter. In fact that is a good, but what about the victims? What in the morning and in the afternoon, and part of their political ideology. It is about about the people whose cars are taken? sometimes into the evening, we have both undermining authority. It is about the What about the people whose homes are sides of the freeway absolutely gridlocked. overthrow of authority in fact. When we invaded? What about the people who It is not uncommon for the freeway to be are talking about the extreme left — and are robbed, bashed, raped or murdered? gridlocked all the way from the airport I see we have a couple of representatives What about those people? They are the right down to the Bolte Bridge or beyond. ones who should be at the forefront of our That is quite a common occurrence.
IN 20 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Apart from the fact that that is driving of the people of the west — and that is not grow drugs or have them smuggled in to people who live out my way quite mad, a threat; that is a promise. them whilst they are in prison. These are it is not a good look for Melbourne, I Mr Dalidakis — On a point of order, substantial issues, I think, in terms of the have to say, from the perspective of President, the member reflected on a health and safety not just of the prisoners people visiting our city, to say to people, member of the other place, and I ask you but most certainly of the correctional staff. ‘Welcome to Melbourne; here, sit in the to have him withdraw his remarks. There has also been a significant recent traffic for an hour’. The first thing they see, Mr FINN — On the point of order, increase in the number of deaths in the first impression that visitors have of President, could I offer some clarification custody, and that is something that must Melbourne when they arrive at the airport, for Mr Dalidakis, who obviously was worry everyone because you would have is traffic congestion — a freeway that they not listening. I certainly reflected on the thought that if you are in prison, you have to sit on for half an hour, three- Brimbank council, and I would have no would probably be pretty safe. But not in quarters of an hour or an hour before they hesitation in continuing to do that. What I Victoria because, as I have said, we have get to their hotel. referred to was the mayor of that council. had a recent spike in the number of deaths Whichever way we look at it, the current I did not refer to her in any disparaging in custody, and that is something that the state of the Tullamarine Freeway is totally way, I just said that the council that she government has to go out on a limb and unacceptable. The minister may well talk was mayor of was a disgrace. explain. They have not attempted in any about the widening of the freeway, and The PRESIDENT — Order! It would way, shape or form to do that with this that is all well and good. I am very pleased not matter whether it was a disgrace, a bill. I think that is a very great pity because that Transurban is giving us another lane basket case or some other adjective — the these are issues that need to be addressed. to sit in, but that is all it is going to do; it is adjectives were applied to the council, This next one is a ripper. This is almost just going to give us another lane to sit in. not to the individual. The Clerk also heard as good as giving people pizza and Coke It will not ease the congestion in any way, them — — for getting up on the roof — — shape or form. In fact I am not entirely An honourable member — Rioting. sure why they are doing it, apart from Mr Dalidakis — Can I ask that you look the fact that it may help their tolling, and at the Hansard? Mr FINN — I will get to the rioting bit in maybe it might have something to do with The PRESIDENT — Order! Mr Dalidakis, a minute. I know that Ms Crozier has quite the other road that they are building from I do not have conversations when I am on a view on this. I am quite looking forward the West Gate. my feet. It is my view that there is no point to the next few minutes whereby she of order and no need for a withdrawal in might be able to let us all know about this I ask the minister as a matter of urgency view, which is going to be a ripper — — to put together a plan which will relieve this instance. congestion on the Tullamarine Freeway. Ms Crozier interjected. This is something that is strangling our COUNCIL | Second reading Mr FINN — Well, it is. But what about airport and strangling our city. this one here: prisoners are refusing 25 October 2016 to work and striking at the maximum security Barwon Prison. Do they think COUNCIL | Members statements they are in Barwon Prison or at the 25 October 2016 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Corrections Energy Union? Prisoners are going on strike! Have you ever heard such nonsense Legislation in all your born days? Who is running Brimbank City the show? It is just an absolute nonsense Amendment Bill to have a situation where prisoners go Council on strike at a maximum security prison. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) 2016 This is not just your prison farm — oh no! — I wish to pay tribute to the outgoing Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) This is not the Derryn Hinch memorial administrators of the City of Brimbank. — I rise to speak on the Corrections prison farm. This is the maximum security John Watson, Jane Nathan, John Tanner Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. As Barwon Prison. The prisoners have all and their predecessors have performed has been indicated by a number of my got together, they have called a stop-work what could best be described as a miracle colleagues, led by Mr O’Donohue, the meeting and they are not going to do any in returning good governance to a opposition will not be opposing this bill. work. How does that happen? Again, we municipality that was the laughing stock However, I think the government has have not heard from this government of local government around the nation. I attempted, disingenuously it has to be about how that happens. I would be warmly congratulate the administrators said, to sweep a few problems under the fascinated to hear from the minister. for the outstanding job they have done carpet. This is an opportunity for us to I feel a bit sorry for the minister. I do, for the people of Brimbank. They leave examine those problems. We can lift the honestly — — with the heartfelt gratitude of locals, and carpet up, and we can have a good look at Mr Herbert interjected. they can be very, very proud indeed of these problems. Mr FINN — Look, I do. The man has a the legacy that they leave, one that will be An issue that we really have to deal with lifelong commitment to the trade union enjoyed for generations to come. in our correctional system at the moment movement, so when people go on strike In thanking the administrators, I take is one that has mystified me for a very he is with them. He spends most of his this opportunity to issue a warning to long time, and that concerns prisoners life on strike from what I can see, so it is the councillors elected to replace them. who are caught cultivating or growing not surprising that when the prisoners Brimbank City Council was, under then drugs in the prison yard. I know what is go on strike their minister — the minister mayor Natalie Suleyman, a basket case growing in my yard, and I would have responsible for the prisons they are in — and an unmitigated disgrace. Its treatment thought that if you were a prison officer or would sympathise with their position. It is of the citizens of Brimbank was shameful. if you were running a prison, you would not at all surprising but very, very strange Any return of that outrageous behaviour have a fair idea what was growing in your indeed. by the new council will not be tolerated, yard. To have a situation where prisoners Another matter that needs to be and I can assure the house and the are actually growing drugs out the back looked at with regard to the Corrections community that I will make sure of that. In or down the side alley or wherever it Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 is the fact I will continue to monitor all councils might be just seems to be somewhat of a recently reported issue of vicious attacks in Melbourne’s west and will hold mystery. on hardworking prison staff and officers. councillors accountable for any misdeeds How does this happen? Again it is like I just do not understand this. Again, or contempt of the communities that they when people smuggle drugs into prisons. this bill raises so many questions. I do are elected to represent. Wyndham City How does that happen? Do we not have not understand how you could have a Council should take note. security in our prisons? I mean, you situation where you allow the prisoners I will work with anyone who has the cannot get in here with drugs — not that I to bash the warders, or the prison staff, as genuine interests of the western suburbs am aware of — but in prisons apparently they are called these days. How could that at heart, but God help those who put their you can. You have got to ask yourself be allowed to happen? own personal or political interests ahead exactly what is going on when people can
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 21 Surely if you have people in a prison, and they will be there to solve your this government. So things are going to they are there for a reason and you have problem. hell in a handcart under the Andrews to have people who are keeping an eye I can understand why Mr Herbert gets government, and unfortunately the on them — obviously — to make sure very excited when we talk about these so-called justice system is among them. that they do not get away or do the wrong things because this is possibly something Somebody needs a boot where it might thing. How can you then have a situation that he has not thought of before, and attract some common sense. The minister where those people who are going from it has taken somebody of the calibre of may well deserve a boot. cell to cell to make sure that everything is Ms Mikakos to come up with the pizza Mr Dalidakis interjected. in order are bashed — and not just bashed and Coke solution to prison riots. It is Mr FINN — And I am not necessarily but viciously bashed? How can this be something that, I have to say, I do not talking about the Minister for Corrections allowed to happen? Again in this debate think too many others would repeat. but indeed the minister sitting alongside there has been no discussion from the I wonder if, when Mr O’Donohue was him. And I understand that there are no government, there has been no response minister, anybody advised Mr O’Donohue shortage of people — from the government and there has been that he should give Domino’s or Pizza no explanation from the government as to Mr Dalidakis — Who? Hut a call and get all the pizzas and as Mr FINN — in the Labor Party who how this could be allowed to happen. much Coke as he could get to appease the We know, as I have explained to this would love to give Minister Dalidakis a rioting prisoners. It does surprise me a boot where he may not fully appreciate it. house on a number of occasions over little, because I have always thought that a number of years, that the Labor Party sugar actually adds to the aggravation of This is a very serious matter. This is does not like authority, we know that people. So maybe that is something that very, very serious, and this is something the Labor Party does not like police and — — that has to attract the attention of the government. It is not good enough for clearly now we know that the Labor Party Ms Shing interjected. does not like prison officers either. That is them to get up here in question time and something that should be explained by the Mr FINN — Well, it is certainly adding just floss away. It is not on, and we are minister when he gets the opportunity. I to the aggravation of Ms Shing over there, keen to fix this matter. think the minister has an important role but I am concerned that I may have led Mr Herbert astray on this one. in explaining what this means to us all as COUNCIL | Constituency questions Victorians. We have also had an increased number of prisoners not being presented to court 25 October 2016 Business interrupted pursuant to who are in contravention of a court order. sessional orders (Question Time). This is a concern, and I know that Mr O’Donohue over there has expressed to Debate resumed. me these views almost word for word Western in the past. His concern is that this is delaying justice for victims and increasing Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I distributor costs for taxpayers. But of course we Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My was speaking before the break for question know that justice and costs for taxpayers constituency question is to the Minister time on the Corrections Legislation are not things that this government is for Roads and Road Safety. I refer the Amendment Bill 2016, and I was raising too concerned about. Certainly, given minister to the Premier’s proposed some of the issues that the government that they are going to spend $5.5 billion western distributor road and the recent had failed to raise during the course of on a road which is just going to be a advice to the federal government that this debate. I think one of the biggest relocation of a traffic jam, will solve this project is unworthy of support and ones that we really have to consider is the absolutely no problems and will indeed may even make traffic congestion in worst prison riot in Victoria’s history at the make the problem worse, we know that Melbourne’s west worse. Given the fact Metropolitan Remand Centre last June. that is another example of increasing that Labor’s western distributor is at best a I am sure this will be well entrenched costs for taxpayers that this government costly relocation of a traffic jam, how does in the minds of everybody in this house is just not interested in. As for justice, it the minister justify slugging motorists for and most people in the community. It does not enter into the equation at all. tolls on the Tullamarine Freeway section occurred at a cost to the taxpayer of $95 That is nothing new for the Labor Party of CityLink for a further 12 years after we million and took hundreds of maximum and nothing new for this government, had anticipated their ending? security beds off-line. unfortunately. This occurred in June last year. We Of course there have been a number are well over 12 months past that time, COUNCIL | Constituency questions of recent prison escapes, including the and we are still wanting answers from a 26 October 2016 first escape from a walled medium or government that does not want to come maximum security prison since 16 June clean. We heard from Ms Mikakos, the 2001. It is a pretty good strike rate not to Minister for Pizza and Coke as they call have an escape since 2001. But now under her around here now, during question this Labor government it is business as Sunbury rail time that — — usual, and out they come. Mr Davis — The Minister for Riots. Then to make matters worse there services Mr FINN — She used to be the Minister Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My is a prisoner recidivism rate of over 40 constituency question is directed to the for Riots, but she has discovered a way per cent. That tells me that the system is — — Minister for Public Transport. I am sure failing. It is failing. If you put 40 per cent the minister will recall a campaign that Mr Herbert interjected. of those that you have had in prison out was run with some considerable success Mr FINN — I hear the Minister for on the streets again after they have served last year in the Sunbury community to Corrections. His ears have pricked up and their time and they are back in before you preserve V/ Line services to Sunbury. he is listening. know where you are, that is an indication The minister did indeed visit Sunbury Honourable members interjecting. that something is failing very, very badly on that occasion and was given in no Mr FINN — He is taking notice here in the system. Labor does not want to uncertain terms the message from the because he thinks he might — — know about that. That is unfortunately Sunbury community that they were not at what we have come to expect from this An honourable member interjected. all happy with her or her decision on this government. They do not want to discuss particular matter. My concern surrounds Mr FINN — No. He thinks he might get these particularly important issues. a number of what I suppose are rumours some hints from Ms Mikakos. If you have We have had another issue which that are doing the rounds in Sunbury at got a problem in the prisons, if you have is ongoing under this government: an the moment — that V/ Line services are got riots, if you have got people burning increase in the number of prisoners once again under threat in the Sunbury things and trashing things and belting in police cells from less than 100 in community. So I ask the minister to give a people, give Domino’s a call or Pizza Hut November 2014, which was of course categorical, total guarantee that there will or some such place. Order a truckload of when the coalition government was in be a continuation of V/ Line services to pizzas and perhaps a shipload of Coke, power, to at times in excess of 300 under
IN 22 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE Sunbury in at least the current numbers COUNCIL | Constituency questions I ask the minister not to enter into any for the duration of this government. 27 October 2016 contract or any negotiations which mean an extension of the tolling regime on the Tullamarine Freeway beyond the situation COUNCIL | Adjournment that currently exists under the current 26 October 2016 Road tolls contract. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My constituency question is to the Minister COUNCIL | Safe Schools Program for Roads and Road Safety. As the minister Sunbury rail I am sure is aware, there is more than a 09 November 2016 suggestion that as a result of the western services distributor deal with Transurban there Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I will be an extended toll regime in place on wish to raise a matter this evening for the Tullamarine Freeway for 12 years — — Safe Schools the attention of the Minister for Public Mr Morris — At least. Transport. It was around about 12 Program months ago exactly that the community Mr FINN — A minimum of 12 years Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I in Sunbury was roused to significant — indeed, Mr Morris. I would ask the rise to support the motion moved by anger by the government’s decision to minister to explain to me what exactly Dr Carling-Jenkins. I commend her on remove V/ Line services from the town. is the benefit that motorists on the putting this motion to the house and also V/ Line services have been servicing Tullamarine Freeway will receive for these on the speech that she gave whilst moving Sunbury for many a long year, and with 12 extra years minimum of tolls. this motion. I also commend Ms Patten the electrification of the line — and for the speed with which she has left the electrification, I have to say, does not COUNCIL | Adjournment chamber. I suggest that she tries out at the have public support in Sunbury; they did 27 October 2016 next Olympics, because I think she will not want it, but nobody asked them and have a gold medal hanging around her they were given the electrification anyway neck. As soon as I got up, she was out the — the minister announced that there door, and no doubt we will not see her would be a removal of V/ Line services to again for a little while. I wish you well, and Sunbury. The minister will recall that there Western if she likes, she can just keep on going. was considerable anger — in fact fighting distributor The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) fury you might well call it — and there was Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I — Order! Mr Finn, please. Can I draw you an uprising among the local populace. wish to raise a matter this afternoon for back to the motion. The local lower house member took to the the attention of the Minister for Roads Mr FINN — I am sorry. I was just giving hills — — and Road Safety, and it concerns the news my best wishes to a colleague who was Mr Ramsay — Who is it? from Canberra that confirmed a long-held leaving. Mr FINN — I do not know who he belief of mine that the western distributor As I said, I support this motion because is. He took to the hills; he could not road project is in fact a dog of a project — quite frankly I believe that we do need handle it. But the minister, finally, after and it was a dog of a project well before an anti-bullying program in our schools. being dragged out to a public meeting Mr Herbert made that a more popular way There are numerous reasons that people in Sunbury one night, got the message. of getting around. are bullied in schools. As I think Ms Patten They tried to do a snow job on us this I am deeply concerned that this pointed out, she believes 10 per cent — I particular night. They had tables set up project will not achieve any benefits for think it is probably a little less than that, around a room with butcher’s paper and the people of the west, and I am deeply but 10 per cent — of children in schools pencils, and we were going to be doing concerned that it will in fact make traffic are gay or same-sex attracted. I have to surveys, but all the people wanted to worse on the Tullamarine Freeway. The ask the question: if, and it is a fairly big if, tell the minister was that they wanted to Tullamarine Freeway has over recent they are all bullied, what about the other keep their V/ Line services. Now after a years become a total basket case. As 90 per cent? What about the kids that are while the minister finally accepted that somebody who lives practically at the bullied because they have freckles? What V/ Line services, despite what she had end of the freeway, I know from personal about the kids that are bullied because previously said, were indeed important experience that it is not something that they have red hair? What about those who and necessary to the people of Sunbury. I look forward to travelling down during are too fat, they are too skinny, they are It does concern me now, as I say, peak hour, because peak hour usually too tall, they are too short or they barrack almost 12 months from the time we went begins about 7.00 and finishes at about for Richmond? These are genuine reasons into battle on this last time, when I hear 10.00 in the morning, and again it goes for that people are bullied. This program does rumours, murmurs — call it what you another 3 or 4 hours in the afternoon. In not address those. This program and the will; certainly a good deal of concern — fact I have travelled up there as late as 8 government via this program are saying around the Sunbury township that the o’clock or even 8.30 at night, and there is to those kids, ‘Your problem doesn’t V/ Line services to Sunbury are indeed still quite a deal of congestion on the road. matter. You don’t matter’. That is what the under threat again. This, I have to say, We just cannot afford to have that freeway government is saying to those kids who does not come as any great surprise to me, congested any further. are being bullied. because I was suggesting last year when What really worries me, though, is the I have to say that I loathe bullying. I the government postponed it — and I do fact that this project will mean, according absolutely detest bullying, but I loathe use the word ‘postpone’ advisedly — that to Transurban, who are promoting this all bullying, for whatever reason. To pick I thought it was only a temporary turn of vigorously — and you cannot blame them on just one small group in the classroom events. So I ask the minister to provide for that because it is going to make them and protect them from bullying seems to to me and to the people of Sunbury and a great deal of money; it is going to make me to be insane — totally, totally absurd. surrounds an ironclad guarantee that an enormous amount of money, around But of course we know that this program V/ Line services will remain servicing the about $30 billion as I understand it — that is not about bullying at all; it is not about people of Sunbury for the duration of this motorists travelling on the Tullamarine stopping bullying. Ms Shing herself told us government. Freeway will be forced to pay tolls for that, because we listened to Ms Shing — a further 12 years beyond what we had for what seemed like an eternity, I have to been expecting to do, and that is 12 years say. She went on for quite some time, and minimum. That is a huge impost on the I think she mentioned the word ‘bullying’ people of the north-west of Melbourne only maybe twice. She did talk about — — and beyond — right up to Bendigo and Ms Shing — On a point of order, Acting beyond — and that is something that I President, Mr Finn just indicated that do not believe that this government or this program is not about bullying and any government in fact should be getting said, ‘Ms Shing herself said that’. In fact I involved in. did not say that, and I would ask that Mr
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 23 Finn refrain from misleading the house Mr FINN — Look, he might be next. I asking for consistency. This minister over in relation to what my earlier comments understand we have got three down and here is trying to turn this debate into a were. we are going for a fourth by Christmas, debacle in much the same way as he has The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) — and Mr Dalidakis just might be it. turned his portfolio into a debacle. This is Order! Thank you, Ms Shing. That is not a Mr Dalidakis interjected. a serious matter, and the motion moved point of order. I ask Mr Finn to continue Mr FINN — This is a very serious by Dr Carling-Jenkins deserves the respect and come back to the motion, please. matter and I think it deeply regrettable that I am giving it but unfortunately the Mr FINN — Well, I am very much on the that Minister Dalidakis is not giving it government is not. motion. I am just referring to Ms Shing’s the respect that it deserves. It shows the What I was saying was that these comments a couple of weeks ago. She government’s ongoing contempt for children who are going through transition went on for I think it was 50-something children. have an individual care plan. It is not a minutes, and there were very, very few The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) big program that covers every child in the of those minutes that were actually — Order! Mr Finn, if you can just hold fire system. They have an individual care plan dedicated to talking about bullying. There for one moment. Minister Dalidakis, I am that is made for them specifically, and was a heart-rending story of her life, and calling you to order. Can you please allow they deserve the best possible care. But I can fully understand that she has had the member to make his contribution unfortunately this government once again difficulties. without assistance? is putting its warped ideology ahead of Ms Shing interjected. the welfare of children. I am quite frankly Mr Dalidakis — Certainly, Acting disgusted by that. I am appalled that any Mr FINN — Well, she has had President. government would do that. difficulties in a whole range of areas, Mr FINN — It is a ridiculous situation to according to her speech a couple of weeks If you are a parent who loves your suggest that these children who are going child and if you are concerned about ago. I sympathise with her, and indeed I through an extraordinarily difficult time in empathise with her. It is not a good thing. your child and worried about what your their lives are given second-rate service, child is being taught at school, what does But bullying was not a big part at all of if you want to call it that. We are told by her speech to this house on this motion. the Premier call you? The Premier calls the government that in fact it should be you a bigot. That is what comes out of In fact, I have to ask: is this program teachers who are helping them through necessary? Of course it is not, because the Premier’s mouth. This man, Daniel this and protecting them on a daily basis, Andrews, is not fit to be Premier of this we should have a wideranging program instead of the psychologists, the doctors covering all bullying, for whatever reason. state. That indicates exactly why, because and the other medical professionals that he has total contempt for those who have We hear that children that have gender currently do the job very, very well. a differing view. He says he is inclusive, dysphoria need to be protected, and It is extraordinary that the current and he says he supports diversity. All of indeed they do. Gender dysphoria of Premier would be endorsing this, given these great words come out of his mouth, course is a rare condition, but it is a that he is a former Minister for Health. but we know that in reality it is something very serious condition. There are two You would think he would have some quite the opposite. specialist units in Victoria for children understanding of gender dysphoria, Let me assure you, as I was saying just a with this. One is at the Monash hospital, you would think he would have some and the other is at the Royal Children’s moment ago, that teenagers have a tough understanding of the difficulties that these enough time getting through puberty Hospital. These units work with schools children are going through and you would to introduce children in transition to their without getting to 12, 13 or 14 and being think he would have some understanding asked while being taught this program by schoolmates, to teachers — to whoever of the medical assistance and professional they may need to come to terms with a teacher, after they have been a boy for 12 assistance that is available to these or 13 years, if they in fact might be a girl. the change. It involves doctors, and it children, but the fact of the matter is involves professors. It involves medical Life is confusing enough without that sort this program is not about bullying. This of nonsense, and that is what this program professionals who really know what they program is about ideology. This program are doing. does. It is poisoning the minds of young is about changing the way kids think. people. That is what it is designed to do. Mr Dalidakis — Do you even know what I do not know if everybody in the house If we are after an anti-bullying program, you’re talking about? can remember when they were teenagers. then let us get one. Let us put one in place Mr FINN — Yes, I do know what I am For some of us it is going back a fair way that covers anti-bullying from a whole talking about. now. range of bullying perspectives, because Mr Dalidakis interjected. Mr Dalidakis — I remember people that clearly is what is necessary. Mr FINN — Mr Dalidakis, the great giving the same speech about apartheid or I say to the government that children boofhead over there, sitting on the front blacks in the south in America. You should are not their playthings. Children’s minds bench, is shooting his mouth off again be appalled at yourself. should be respected and encouraged to about something. He in fact does not Mr FINN — You are a disgrace. On a develop without this sort of poison filling know what he is talking about. That is a point of order, Acting President, I ask him their heads. For any government to put fact of the matter. to withdraw that comment. ideology before the welfare of children Mr Dalidakis interjected. Mr Dalidakis — On the point of order, says to me that we have a government that Mr FINN — Look, go and look it up Acting President, no, there is nothing to is not fit to hold office. So I support the — go and google it, you goose. As I was withdraw. Do you want me to withdraw motion put up by Dr Carling-Jenkins. I saying, gender dysphoria is a serious that your speech is an appalling reflection urge the house to support the motion put condition. I will spell it for you, if you like. on yourself? up by Dr Carling-Jenkins, and I sincerely Get your Google out, and I will spell it The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) hope that unlike today the government for you. He cannot even read his Funk & — Order! I do not believe a withdrawal is will start actually taking this issue Wagnalls; that is his problem. He is the necessary. Mr Finn, you can continue. seriously and that we do not have the Google minister. Mr FINN — Well, if they are the rules, sort of carry-on that we have experienced These units work with schools, as I say, they are the rules. Let us get the gloves off. today from Mr Dalidakis and the sort of to assist these children through transition. Here we go. personal abuse that we have heard from That is something that is very serious, and the Premier on previous occasions when Mr Dalidakis interjected. people have dared to raise a counter every time that we have a situation where Mr FINN — This idiot over here, he a child is in this position the Monash point of view. I urge the house to support really needs somebody to take him aside this motion and to turf the Safe Schools hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital and give him a good talking to. actually work. program onto the rubbish tip. The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) — Mr Dalidakis interjected. Order! Mr Finn, I ask you not to reflect on Mr FINN — The minister is over there members in the house in that way. like a galah on a post, shooting his mouth Mr FINN — I accept your ruling, but if off. it is good for one side, it is good for the Honourable members interjecting. other. That is all I am saying. I am just
IN 24 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Adjournment minister’s office has publicly expressed a will protect them and which will enable 09 November 2016 position on this via a newspaper article, law enforcement agencies to do their job but the minister to this point has put and get the appropriate sentences for the nothing on paper. I ask the minister wrongdoers who the law enforcement if her reluctance to give an ironclad agencies catch. Melbourne- guarantee that this government will leave I have to say that on a daily basis I feel in place V/ Line services to Sunbury is an sorry for our police. So many of them Sunbury road indication that she is preparing to return work so very hard to protect us. So many Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) to her previous policy of scrapping them. of them work exceptionally hard and put — I begin this evening by offering my themselves on the line in fact. They work congratulations to the new President-elect COUNCIL | Second reading long hours. As I pointed out before, I think just about everybody here would agree of the United States, Donald J. Trump — a 10 November 2016 great victory indeed. that when we leave home in the morning I wish to raise a matter for the Minister we expect there is a fair chance that we for Roads and Road Safety. It concerns will get home in one piece that night, but a road about which I have raised Sentencing when police leave home to do their shift concerns with the minister on a number there is no such guarantee. In fact we have of occasions, and it follows on from his lost a number of police over the years announcement earlier in the week that (Community in the line of duty. They put themselves a government would be spending some in situations which are exceedingly $1.8 billion, I understand, on roads in the Correction Order) dangerous. They put themselves in western suburbs over the next 20 years or situations where their lives are at risk, and so, if indeed that is ever going to happen. and Other Acts they do that for us. Unfortunately one of those roads was not The very least we can do is to give them the Melbourne–Sunbury road — that is the a judicial system that provides the sorts of subject of my adjournment this evening Amendment Bill sentences that one would expect for the — because the Melbourne–Sunbury road protection of our community and the sorts 2016 of sentences that would encourage our is a disgrace. It has more holes in it in Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) certain parts than the lunar surface, and it police to think, at the very least, that the — I rise this afternoon to speak on the work they are doing is being appreciated. I is getting worse by the day. The constant Sentencing (Community Correction rain that we have had over recent months, think we have a problem in this state with Order) and Other Acts Amendment Bill our judiciary, and I think this legislation despite Sandbags Flannery’s view, has 2016. In doing so I indicate, as Mr Rich- created this particular problem for us. actually confirms that we have a problem Phillips has already indicated, that the with our judiciary. If we did not have a There are huge numbers of trucks that opposition will not be opposing this bill. are constantly rumbling up and down problem with our judiciary, we would not I personally welcome this legislation. I actually need this bill. the road. We have no problem putting up think it is a step in the right direction. with the smashed windscreens and all It is not the be-all and end-all, but it is The bill rectifies a ruling that came of those sorts of things that those trucks certainly a step in the right direction. down in the Boulton case, which was create, but what we do draw the line at Coming from this government, that has to heard in the Court of Appeal, as I think Mr is the damage to vehicles as a result of be a plus. If the government accepts that Rich-Phillips will confirm, in which the them hitting potholes. I have spoken to a some of its policies and some of its views judgement says: number of people who have had damaged over a period of time have not worked, It follows from what we have said that vehicles as a result of hitting potholes, that has to be a very good thing. Indeed a CCO may be suitable even in cases not necessarily at speed but just hitting there is hope for the world if we can get of relatively serious offences which potholes awkwardly. For example, there this government to admit that it may not might previously have attracted a is a fairly decent one on Bulla hill, which I be perfect in some way and if we can get medium term of imprisonment (such think is particularly dangerous, because if the Premier to admit that he is not perfect as, for example, aggravated burglary, you hit a pothole on Bulla hill, you could in every way. intentionally causing serious injury, find yourself down the bottom of Bulla The purpose of this bill is to limit some forms of sexual offences involving hill, and you might not necessarily be on the use of non-custodial orders by the minors — the road when you do it. courts, in particular to restrict the use and that blows my mind; that is I ask the minister to instruct VicRoads of non-custodial orders for particular staggering — to get out there to do a repair job on the serious offences, and to limit the use of some kinds of rape — Melbourne–Sunbury road because it sentences of imprisonment combined I do not know what would possess any is somewhat of a disgrace. In fact it is with a community correction order. It is to more than somewhat of a disgrace; it is judge to say that anybody who commits provide for statements on the reduction some kind of rape should not go to jail — a total disgrace. I think that the people of sentences for guilty pleas, clarify the of Sunbury, Bulla and surrounds who application of the historical homosexual and some categories of homicide). have missed out on this government’s conviction expungement scheme to the When you have judges handing down largesse need to have that Melbourne– Children’s Court and make a range of judgements such as that, you have got Sunbury road fixed. I ask the minister to other minor and technical amendments to a real problem. I think I know where speak to VicRoads and to ensure that the accurately reflect current law and practice. the problem comes from. The problem Melbourne–Sunbury road is in a fit and As I have said many times in this house comes from a period between 1999 and reasonable condition for use. before, I believe that the justice system in 2010 when the Attorney-General of this state is in crisis. It is in crisis because this state was a bloke called Rob Hulls. COUNCIL | Constituency questions the overwhelming majority of Victorians He attempted to remake the judicial 10 November 2016 have lost faith in it. In fact they believe that benches of this state in his own image, it is a legal system. They do not believe it and unfortunately he was exceedingly to be a justice system, because they look successful. Every appointment that was at it and they do not see a lot of justice made in those 11 years was made by Rob involved. I speak to people frequently Hulls, the Attorney-General of the Bracks Sunbury rail who express a view to me that the system and Brumby governments. Some of the is severely is broken. When you have got appointments — one is even tempted services to say many of the appointments — to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My a so-called justice system that does not have the confidence of the community, various levels of the judiciary were constituency question is to the Minister absolute shockers. As a result of that we for Public Transport. I refer the minister then you have got a real problem. For justice to occur it has to meet community have a system where people are losing to a previous question I asked her about — — the future, or indeed the lack of future, of expectations. Community expectations V/ Line services to Sunbury. I note that the are that we have a justice regime which
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 25 Ms Symes — On a point of order, done to justice in this state, the Greens growling grass frog could be there. They Acting President, I would encourage you and Ms Patten and the Sex Party have no are not saying it is there, they are saying to perhaps inform Mr Finn that it might idea at all and have not got a clue of what it could be there, but that is enough in be inappropriate to reflect on former people’s expectations are. What is wrong itself to actually threaten the future of members of the Parliament and also the with these people? We have what I think is the winery. To my way of thinking, this judiciary. a very moderate piece of legislation from is insanity in itself to put an exceptional Mr FINN — On the point of order, a government that has finally come to the Victorian small business to the wall Acting President, there is no standing view that it may be wrong. That must have because of what may be near Jacksons order which protects former members of taken a great deal of introspection on the Creek, which is nearby the winery. This Parliament nor is there any standing order part of the Premier to admit that he was is quite insane, particularly when one which protects the judiciary as a whole. If in some way wrong — on anything. It is a considers that across the road at the I was naming individual judges, yes, she very moderate piece of legislation that we Goona Warra winery there is no such would have a point, but as things stand at have here, and we have the Greens and Ms problem with the frog. Apparently the frog the moment there is no point of order. Patten saying, ‘It is the end of the world as only stays on one side of the road. Perhaps Ms Symes — Further on the point of we know it’. we should suggest that the council puts in order, Acting President, I would maintain Let me tell you that it is not. This is the a crossing for the frog. It is just ridiculous, that the judges the member is referring to expectation of people in Victoria — the and I really think that something has to be are quite easily identifiable, so I think he is great mass of people in Victoria. They done to stop this lunacy. being very specific about a certain cohort expect us in this Parliament to protect I ask the minister to visit the winery with of people. them. If you want to see what happens me, Pat Carmody and his wife, Dianne. The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) — to people who ignore the great mass of Pat Carmody is of course an identity of Order! There is no point of order, but Mr middle Victoria, Australia or the United some considerable note in Sunbury and Finn, I would ask you to exercise caution States, look at what happened yesterday surrounds, and I think he is one of the in relation to your contribution. to Hillary Clinton. That is exactly what will finer winemakers in Australia today. If the happen in future here. The great mass of minister were to join me, I am sure that Mr FINN — I am happy to use caution people have found their voice. Here they Patrick would not mind giving us a small within the standing orders. I will follow are expecting us as their representatives in taste of his wares, but of course that would the standing orders to the letter and not this Parliament to do our job. The Greens not be the only reason for going. We need differ in any way, which is exactly what I and Ms Patten — and what an unholy to sort this issue out, and I ask the minister have been doing up to this point in time, coalition that is — have come in here and to join me in order to do that. and I shall continue. said, ‘Oh, no. This is an extreme piece of I do not know why members of the legislation. We can’t have a thing to do Labor Party would defend Rob Hulls. I with it’. COUNCIL | Members statements would hang my head in shame if Rob What is wrong with locking crims up? I 22 November 2016 Hulls were a member of my party after ask you that: what is wrong with locking what he did to Victoria as Attorney- crims up? You have to face the fact that General over 11 years. I would hang my there are some people who commit crimes head in shame. I would not want to have and who should be in jail. They should Western suburbs any public connection with him at all. I be in jail for what they have done. This invite members opposite to get to their legislation gives a directive, I suppose, to roads feet and to publicly disown Rob Hulls for the judiciary to ensure that that occurs. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) what he did to justice in the state. Get up As I said earlier, the opposition does not — In the process of crawling down the on your hind legs and — — oppose the legislation. I personally would Tullamarine Freeway yesterday and again Ms Shing — On a point of order, Acting like to see much stronger legislation, and today I pondered the great disservice the President — — I am very hopeful — very confident, in Andrews government has done to the Mr FINN — And she did! Not a bad fact — that the Matthew Guy government motorists of Melbourne’s west. It occurred effort. will deliver just that after November 2018. to me while I was sitting among many Ms Shing — On a point of order, Acting Bring it on. thousands on the Tullamarine Freeway President, Mr Finn has just indicated that not far away a similar ritual was underway on the Calder and West Gate that she should get up on her hind legs, COUNCIL | Adjournment pointing at the same time to Ms Symes, freeways. On both days the Tullamarine and then when I got to my feet to raise a 10 November 2016 was gridlocked from the Bolte Bridge to point of order about his conduct, he said, Melbourne Airport and down Sunbury ‘And she did!’. On that basis, and having Road. Listening to my car radio, I heard had Mr Finn refer to me in the context that the Calder was banked back almost of me getting to my ‘hind legs’, I find that Craiglee Vineyard to the Thunderdome. The West Gate was Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I even worse, with solid traffic from the utterly offensive, and I would ask him to wish to raise a matter for the attention of withdraw. West Gate Bridge to Werribee. the Minister for Planning. It concerns a It is a debacle on a daily basis. Not The ACTING PRESIDENT (Ms Dunn) real mess, I have to say, out in Sunbury — Order! Mr Finn, I ask you to withdraw only does the government refuse to take — a planning issue which threatens the any action to alleviate these problems, without qualification and return to the future of a winery. bill. it has actually gone out of its way to Honourable members interjecting. sabotage congestion relief by scrapping Mr FINN — I am happy to withdraw, Mr FINN — I thought that would the desperately needed east–west link — Acting President. You do not mind me get the attention of the house. This is a all at a cost to Victorian taxpayers of $1.2 laughing at the ruling, but I am happy to particularly good winery, I have to say, billion. It is a sure sign that this Socialist withdraw. that produces an exceptional wine. I Left government is gripped by insanity. If I urge members opposite to do the think everybody is familiar with Craiglee further proof of that is needed, Premier decent thing by Victorians and apologise shiraz. As I think I may have told the Andrews is preparing to extend tolls on for what Rob Hulls did to this state as house before, I have actually seen fights the Tullamarine Freeway for a further 12 Attorney-General for 11 years. Get up break out at dinners over the last bottle years as part payment for what will be the and apologise! God, they still have not of Craiglee shiraz. I can fully understand world’s most expensive relocation of a apologised for what Joan Kirner and why, because it is certainly one of my traffic jam. John Cain did all those years ago, so I favourite wines, if not my favourite. It is Labor has failed the people of suppose we cannot expect miracles, can very, very drinkable indeed. Melbourne’s west. We deserve better. In we? Of course, they do not even believe The situation involves a threat to the two years we will get it — roll on the Guy in miracles, so we certainly cannot expect future of this winery, because the growling government. them. grass frog is a species which may or may The bottom line is that if members of not live near the winery, but apparently the Labor Party do not get what they have some experts are suggesting that the
IN 26 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Constituency questions people who are living purely because they very vulnerable; they too are not in a 22 November 2016 are on life support systems — that they position to properly think through what are being kept artificially alive. This could they want. They are not in a position not be further from the truth; indeed it is to properly defend themselves if need quite the opposite. Let me assure you that be. Then of course we have people with Sunbury planning the medical profession and the stretched disorders such as autism. I know with Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) hospital system that we have in this state autism that it is such a mystery to so many — My constituency question is to the — indeed in this country — value their of us that we do not quite know which Minister for Planning. I refer the minister resources far more than to keep somebody autistic child, which autistic person in this to plans, released this past week, for a alive artificially who has no future, who particular instance, has the ability to think further 19 800 homes to accommodate may be brain dead and who has no hope through the full implications of what they an added 55 000-plus people in Sunbury of recovery. may be wanting to do. That concerns me. over the next 20 to 30 years. The plan It is a daily event in hospitals for I think we have to take these things into is for a significant change in Sunbury’s families to gather around a loved one and consideration. If we do not, then we are future and will impact enormously on the make a decision to turn off the machine. letting the show down and we are putting town’s population. Minister, taking that That is good medical practice; that is the into law legislation which is, as Dr Carling- into consideration, why was the precinct way it operates. Anybody who says that Jenkins said, deeply flawed. structure plan not released for public people are being forced to be kept alive One thing that all of us must accept with consultation before the recent council by medical professionals or families this legislation is that abuse will lead to election to allow candidates to state their against what may or may not be their the deaths of people who should not have views on this plan and allow residents to wishes is wrong. It is just not happening; died. The only conclusion one can come cast a fully informed vote? it is just not the case at all, and I really to is that if this law is abused, then we are think in considering this whole matter going to have a situation where people will COUNCIL | Second reading that that is something we should take into die for any number of reasons. They will consideration. die without having expressed a desire to 22 November 2016 Mr Davis mentioned earlier the do so under certain circumstances. That is importance of palliative care. I think something that I think should weigh very palliative care is something that does not heavily on our shoulders; it should weigh have the full breadth of understanding in very heavily on our consciences. Medical Treatment the community that perhaps it should. I There are any number of pieces of think there are some people who think legislation that go through this place and Planning and that when you get to a certain point then it we say, ‘Well, if it stuffs up we can call it is time to go. They want out. But palliative back. We can fix it up’. We can do this; we Decisions Bill 2016 care allows people to have a standard of can do that, but we cannot bring people Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) living despite their often chronic disease. back from the dead. That is what this bill — I rise today to speak on the Medical Palliative care allows them to live out will lead to if abuse is allowed. The aspects Treatment Planning and Decisions Bill their lives in a way that we would regard of the bill that were referred to by Dr 2016. I have to say in rising to speak on as being dignified and indeed allows Carling-Jenkins, the aspects of the bill that this bill that I fully accept and indeed them to have a dignified death. I support I have referred to with regard to children, support the right for anybody to refuse Mr Davis’s view that palliative care is with regard to people with intellectual medical treatment. That is a basic right something that should be supported disability and with regard to people with and one that must be respected. If by governments and the community autism and similar disorders, are real and somebody has a condition that they do and should have far greater resources genuine concerns that let this bill down not wish to have treated, then they have put into it. I hope at some stage that we enormously. a right to say that; they have a right not to will come to the view as a Parliament This is a bill that may be well have treatment forced upon them in a way and the government will come to the intentioned. As was pointed out earlier, that would — I believe — go against their view that palliative care is worth giving it may not be too. There may be some basic rights as a patient and indeed as a wholehearted support to. people who put this together who may human being. I have to go along with Dr Carling- well have ulterior motives. I am not going I am thinking of one person close to me Jenkins when she says that this is flawed to judge that, but it is a distinct possibility. some years ago. He was an 83-year-old legislation, because whilst it does to some On the other hand there may be people who had spent many years in the medical extent express a view that I support, and who have very good intentions. But profession. He was diagnosed with that is the right to deny medical treatment, whatever the intentions, the end result, if leukaemia. He went home from the doctor there are flaws in this bill that concern me abuse occurs, will be the unwanted and after the diagnosis and he got his affairs in enormously. Having heard Dr Carling- unwarranted death of a human being. order; he spent some months getting his Jenkins this afternoon, there are a lot That is something that I cannot support affairs in order. I think it was about four more flaws in this bill that I am concerned and that is something that concerns me or five months after the diagnosis that he about. enormously. died at home, surrounded by his family in I was and I continue to be concerned Obviously I will be supporting the the way that he wanted to. about the effect this legislation will very welcome amendments that will be Being from the medical profession have on children. Children need the proposed by Ms Wooldridge. I understand this man knew just how intrusive — full protection of the law. Children are that there are some amendments how painful in fact — the treatment for vulnerable. Children are not necessarily proposed by the government which I will leukaemia would be, and he decided that in a position to be making far-reaching also be supporting, but I reserve my right that was not for him and that he would decisions. When I was 10 years of age I to oppose this bill if during the committee just accept what was coming his way. He could not have been expected to make stage matters that I have raised are not was quite a religious man in fact, so it was a decision on what my treatment would sufficiently explained and amendments not any religious or anti-religious thoughts be if I contracted some disease now. That are not passed that I believe should be entering his head on this occasion; he just would be quite ludicrous, yet that is what passed. This bill is far too important to accepted what was coming and decided this legislation allows. It is a nonsense. just let go through on its own. I will in that he did not want to go through the We need to protect our children. They are fact oppose this bill if I find it necessary extraordinary difficulties of the treatment — many of them anyway, not necessarily to do so. I would regret having to do that, that would be in store for him if indeed he my kids — very much open to suggestion; because I think there are some parts of the decided to fight this leukaemia. they are very much open to pressure. bill that are very good, but as I said — — One of the really good things about These are things that we really have to take Mr Dalidakis — A man’s got to do what this bill is that it emphasises that there into consideration. a man’s got to do. is no need — and I use that word ‘need’ The other group of people that I am Mr FINN — That is right; that is very in inverted commas — for euthanasia particularly concerned about are people true. I have been saying that for some legislation. There is an argument among with intellectual disability. They too are some who say that our hospitals are full of
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 27 years, and I will in fact do that, Mr making it legal. In your previous answer have a say on the future of Sunbury as we Dalidakis. you said that any medical practitioner can possibly fit in. But the real problem is I hope that the house will think through who refuses medical treatment to a person this: the date for the close of comments the implications of the matters that I have with a disability must justify that to the is Monday, 6 February 2017. Now, that in raised and the matters that Dr Carling- public advocate. What I am asking is: what my view is just not sufficient time. We are Jenkins has raised. I am hoping that we makes the minister think that if somebody already into the Christmas period, when can in fact fix this bill to some degree, is doing something outside the scope of people are busy. We all know we all get although I have to say at the end of the day the law, they would then turn around and carried away during this time, trying to it needs a great deal of work — a lot more notify the public advocate about what they finish up our work for this year, preparing work than probably any of us can put into are doing? I would have thought that that for Christmas — — it at the committee stage. But I will leave it is a long bow to draw, to say the very least. Mr Morris — On the banks of the at that point. I will listen, I will watch and In a situation where we have somebody Maribyrnong. I will make a decision, as they say in the who is acting outside the law, what Mr FINN — Indeed, Mr Morris. We will classics, in the fullness of time. possibly would make anybody think that wind down over the Christmas period, they would notify the public advocate of we will have a bit of a break hopefully their actions — or inactions, in this case? COUNCIL | Committee stage over January and a 6 February close for comments just does not give people 22 November 2016 COUNCIL | Constituency questions enough time to give this extremely 23 November 2016 important matter the appropriate level of consideration it deserves. So what I am asking the minister tonight to do is Medical Treatment to extend the time for consideration of this matter by the community by, well, Planning and Sunbury Road perhaps two months. Perhaps we could duplication have a look at 6 April 2017, because Decisions Bill 2016 Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My certainly to have this thing closing so early in 2017 is just not good enough. Contributions duing the constituency question is to the Minister Committe stage of the Bill for Roads and Road Safety. I refer the minister to the precinct structure plan COUNCIL | Constituency questions released for Sunbury recently indicating Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I 24 November 2016 unprecedented growth in the town have just one question, and that is: is involving a population increase of over this bill preparing us for a bill to legalise 55 000. Given the fact that all routes to euthanasia? and from Sunbury are gridlocked on a ______daily basis now, we have nothing to look Sunbury university forward to when contemplating the future site Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — of these roads. Will the minister advise if Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My As I foreshadowed in my contribution the government is prepared to reverse its constituency question is to the Minister to the second-reading debate, I am decision to ignore the need for Sunbury for Planning. The Victorian Planning very concerned about the impact this Road to be duplicated? Authority has taken control of the site of legislation will have on intellectually the former Victoria University campus in disabled people, particularly people with COUNCIL | Adjournment Sunbury, a campus that was opened by disorders such as autism, because it is 23 November 2016 the Kennett government back in the 1990s extremely difficult to judge capacity. I and closed during the term of the last would like to know from the minister what Labor government. Does the government safeguards are in place to protect these have any firm plans for the site, and will it people from those who may seek to harm ensure it returns to providing educational them with regard to this legislation. Hume planning services to Sunbury and surrounds? ______scheme COUNCIL | Adjournment Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — We amendment 24 November 2016 have had instances both in Australia and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I overseas where medical practitioners and wish to raise on the adjournment this nurses have taken it upon themselves evening a matter for the attention of the to become judge and executioner of the Minister for Planning. It concerns the Sunbury local elderly and of people with disabilities. Sunbury precinct structure plan that What safeguard, in the instance that you has been released in the past week. This government have just referred to, is in place to protect is a significant change to Sunbury and Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I people with a disability or the aged person surrounds, and it is safe to say that if this wish to raise a matter for the attention of from such a person with foul intent? plan is implemented, Sunbury will never the Minister for Local Government, and I ______be the same again. When I first went to remind the minister of the history of the Sunbury a long time ago now it was a campaign by the people of Sunbury for Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I township of some 10 000 people, and it municipal independence. The minister fully accept the point that the minister was quite literally a small country town. might not be aware, because I do not makes about doctors and nurses. They are These days it is a thriving metropolis. It is think she was in the state at the time, overwhelmingly an extraordinary group of the regional hub for the Macedon Ranges. but a poll was promised to the people of people who are dedicated to the wellbeing It now has some 35 000 to 40 000 people, Sunbury by the Labor Party prior to the of humanity. But what I am really keen but this plan proposes that they will be 1999 election. The Labor Party at that to know is, if a medical practitioner added to by some 55 000-plus people with time under the leadership of Steve Bracks unlawfully refuses treatment to a person a further 9500 dwellings. As you can see, promised that the people of Sunbury with a disability, why does the minister it is an extraordinary growth plan that is would be able to vote on their municipal think that that medical practitioner would being put forward by the government for future. Unfortunately they had to wait then notify the public advocate? discussion. 14 years until the coalition government My issue is this: the amendment C207 came to power before such a poll took ______for the Hume planning scheme is now place. Labor lied to the people of Sunbury open for public comment, and that is a in 1999. In that poll in 2013 there was Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I very good thing obviously, because we do an overwhelming vote both in Sunbury am not for a moment suggesting that it is want as many people in the community to
IN 28 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE and throughout the rest of the Hume that so many looked into their future what we enjoy here — the rights and the municipality — — with fear and uncertainty. It is hard to privileges that we take for granted. Mr Davis — Very clear. find the appropriate words to express I say to them, ‘As Australians you will Mr FINN — Very clear indeed, Mr Davis. my level of contempt for those rejoicing enjoy the same freedom that we all do. There was a vote to allow Sunbury its in the economic and social disaster You will have the freedom to live where municipal independence by setting up its facing working men and women. What you want. You will have the freedom to own — — goes through the minds of the asinine watch what you want, to hear what you boofheads as they cheer the misery Mr Davis — Democracy in action. want. You will have the freedom to live faced by so many? This reaction has with whom you want. You will have the Mr FINN — It is democracy in action, exposed the Australian Greens for its total freedom to actually worship the God that indeed, Mr Davis. That was accepted by contempt for good, solid Aussies doing you want’. That is a part of Australia. Take the people with quite an overwhelming their best to care for their families. I do that out of Australia, and it is not Australia vote. In fact before the 2014 election the not get disgusted much anymore, but the anymore. That is what this bill is seeking Labor Party, then in opposition, promised, performance of the Greens party last week to do. if elected, to respect the vote of the people. was truly disgusting. That was another lie delivered to the I am a Christian. I do not say I am a very people of Sunbury by the Labor Party, good Christian. It is a challenge to be a because when they got into government COUNCIL | Constituency questions Christian, but I try. I sometimes say that I they broke that promise and the gazettal 08 November 2016 am a practising Christian, and I hope one of the Sunbury council, as had been put day if I practise long enough, I will get it forward by the coalition government, was right. That may well be a long way off. But jettisoned. I do respect others. I respect those who do not share my Christian beliefs. I have Now, enough of the lies and enough Road congestion friends who are Jewish, I have friends who of the broken promises. What we need Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My constituency question is to the are Muslim, I have friends who are Hindu now is for this government to take into and I have friends who are Buddhists. I consideration what has occurred in Minister for Roads and Road Safety. I point out to the minister that commuters have friends who have no religion at all in Sunbury over the last week or so — that fact, and they have their right. In Australia is, the precinct structure plan (PSP) that in Melbourne’s west faced a bleak start to the working week yesterday. The West they have those freedoms to enjoy that has been released indicating that Sunbury and to have those views respected. will in the not-too-distant future have Gate Freeway was gridlocked right back around 100 000 people. Under those to Point Cook. Motorists on the Calder I think it is a great pity that this circumstances I think it puts a totally Freeway faced similar gridlock from government and the extreme left of the different complexion on the argument Calder Park Raceway. The Deer Park political spectrum, as exhibited by the that the minister and the Labor Party have bypass was at a standstill and the Tulla Greens, cannot respect the rights of others put forward as to why they lied to the was holding its usual basket case status. in this particular area. The problem is people of Sunbury. Nothing in today’s announcement by that, as Mr Rich-Phillips pointed out, the the government will bring any relief government that we have in Victoria right Mr Davis interjected. to these roads. When will the minister now — the Daniel Andrews government Mr FINN — I know, Mr Davis, I know. move to solve the daily debacle on the — is an extreme left-wing government. These were trumped-up excuses by the aforementioned roads? This government is very, very much government to back up their big lie. opposed not just to freedom of religion What I am asking the minister to do is but to religion full stop and has been to reopen the books, to re-examine the COUNCIL | Second reading conducting a war against Christianity in case for Sunbury to leave Hume given 08 November 2016 particular, but against Christianity and the new circumstances under the PSP Judaism, since the moment it took office. and to respect the wishes of the people of That is something I find unacceptable. Sunbury. In Australia in 2016 for any government Equal Opportunity to be attacking religious freedom in the COUNCIL | Members statements way that the Andrews government has 08 November 2016 Amendment is not something that can be tolerated. Using that word almost makes me laugh, (Religious because I hear our Premier talking about tolerance. I hear them talking about Hazelwood power Exceptions) Bill diversity. Mr Ondarchie — He’s been very tolerant station 2016 of Mr Herbert. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — In Mr FINN — He has been very tolerant of too offer my congratulations to Ms Kenny rising this evening to speak to the Equal Mr Herbert. There are no two ways about — because she was here when I first Opportunity Amendment (Religious that. With or without his dogs, he is very entered Parliament back in 1992. Exceptions) Bill 2016 I commend the tolerant towards him. The closure of Hazelwood power previous speakers. Mr Rich-Phillips and But if you disagree with our Premier, station, as proposed in March next year, Dr Carling-Jenkins spoke extraordinarily you are a bigot. We have seen that from is not just a tragedy for the Latrobe well, I thought, and both made amazing those who have expressed a position; Valley; it is a tragedy for all of Victoria. contributions to this bill. I thank them somebody who has expressed a contrary The impact on Hazelwood workers and for that. Ms Pennicuik — perhaps not view to our Premier is automatically a their families and local communities will so much. Nonetheless, I wish to make bigot, and that is from his own mouth. be devastating, but the ramifications will it clear, as we were discussing a little bit That is how tolerant our Premier is. hit us all. Thank you, Daniel Andrews. earlier, that I do not feel the need for any He says that he does not believe in Hazelwood’s closure will send electricity Collingwood supporters in the Richmond bullying. Well, I have to beg to differ, prices soaring and threaten stability of cheer squad at all, irrespective of what because the way he treats people of faith supply, with the subsequent implications parts of the bill that may enter into. in this state is bullying in the extreme. for industry and jobs. One of my favourite duties as a member That is what he does. That is what he does I was considering the effect of this of Parliament is to speak at citizenship on a daily basis, and it is a disgrace and disastrous decision last week when the ceremonies. At citizenship ceremonies it has to stop. It is a matter of conscience celebration of a small group overjoyed out my way there are usually large groups for many of us, and this bloke who is our that the power station would close was of people who have come from the four Premier — the leader of our government, brought to my attention. Those cretins corners of the earth, and many of them the man they call Dictator Dan — is the were delighted that so many would have come to Australia under some very one who is fighting a war against people of suffer, that so many families would be difficult circumstances. They have come faith and against people of conscience. We unable to pay their mortgage or rent, from places where they have not enjoyed have in this state a hardline Socialist Left
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 29 government that is trashing those things regards as victory — bring down religion, before me warned members of the gallery that stand between it and its ideological bring down the family. There is nothing that they are not allowed to clap. goals. much left, is there? They can go for it. They can do what they like. Let us go back some years. I served with COUNCIL | Adjournment a particular individual in the other place: We have seen not just in Victoria but a former Premier called Joan Kirner. She throughout Australia quite an extensive 08 November 2016 was known around the place as Mother war on religion now for quite some Russia because she was regarded as years. As Dr Carling-Jenkins mentioned, hardline left wing. She was — — down in Tasmania we had a Catholic Yellow Ladybugs Ms Crozier interjected. archbishop charged under Tasmania’s Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I Mr FINN — Ms Crozier, let me tell you, Anti-Discrimination Act 1998. Can you wish to raise a matter on the adjournment compared to Daniel Andrews, Joan Kirner believe this? I was stunned when I found for the Minister for Housing, Disability was a moderate. She was somebody this out. He was a Catholic archbishop and Ageing. I recently had a meeting who was indeed meek and mild, as Ms teaching Catholicism to Catholics in a with some representatives from an Crozier points out. She was somebody Catholic school. I thought to myself, ‘I organisation called Yellow Ladybugs, who was prepared to listen. I am talking didn’t think that happened anymore’. He which is an organisation for girls with about in comparison with the current was doing that down in Tasmania, and autism. It is a bit unusual, because autism bloke. Believe me, she was not, but in he got all manner of trouble for doing it. is generally regarded as a boys condition, comparison with the current bloke that These are the sorts of things that people of but certainly there are numbers of girls is exactly what she was. She was meek faith are having to put up with every day, with autism. Yellow Ladybugs, if I can and mild and moderate. It is just tragic, and it has to stop. quote from its website: in my view, that we have a government In the few minutes that I have left I would say to the archbishops, the bishops, … is dedicated to the happiness, success that has taken the axe to people of faith in and celebration of autistic girls and this state, whether they be in schools or the priests, the nuns, the pastors, the vicars, the rabbis, the imams, the monks women. Our mission is to improve the in hospitals. Wherever they may be, this lives of autistic girls and women, when government is diametrically opposed to — to all people of faith: now is the time needed. We aim to do this by raising people of faith and indeed to religion. to stand up in a way that you never have acceptance and awareness about the I remember the day that this Parliament before. You have got to stand up now female presentation of autism in the opened in this chamber. I remember because if you do not stand up today, education, employment, medical and the Premier standing over there at the tomorrow might be too late because these general community. We also strive to end of the table and Mr Jennings sitting people are on the march. Our enemies create positive inclusive experiences in what was then his usual place in the are taking all before them, and we must for autistic girls and women and often state Senate. I saw the two of them, Mr stand up. We must show leadership. Those advocate for the rights of autistic girls Jennings and Dodgy Dan, looking over at people who have leadership positions and women. We support identity first each other constantly and smirking, and I within the church must show leadership, language, and uphold the values of thought to myself, ‘What are they smirking and God knows that is rare enough these ‘nothing about us, without us’. about? What are they cooking up between days. Yellow Ladybugs is a volunteer themselves?’. I have to say that it did Just as much, those people of goodwill community group who proudly create send a little bit of a chill down my spine. in the Australian Labor Party, those social events, similar to birthday parties, I think that chill has been well and truly people who care about freedom, those where girls can come together and have justified, because clearly the Socialist Left people who care about the freedom of the opportunity to meet and bond over of the Labor Party has led its own more religion and those members of the Labor their similar journey. Our vision is to moderate grouping to a place where a lot Party who care about those things — there foster a strong bond, which will ultimately of them do not want to be. might not be many of them left — have create a network of friends outside of I am talking about a government an obligation to stand up to what is school. that wants to destroy everything that is happening and say no to what is being Girls with autism present a particular between it and its ideological goals. Just done by their own party and their own problem because quite often they manage have a look at what it is doing to our kids leader. I hope they do; I sincerely hope to hide the outward signs of their autism and our families; have a look at the Safe they do. and are not diagnosed until quite late. Schools program. That is a premeditated Mr Ondarchie — We will find out. This is quite an issue in itself and does deliberate attack on our children. That is Mr FINN — Yes, we will find out when lead to a number of problems for girls an attack on our children in a way that I the vote on this is taken. Indeed we will. on the spectrum as they grow up. The have never seen and, I have to say, never We have 745 days left before we have an representatives of Yellow Ladybugs were thought I would ever see anywhere in opportunity to get rid of this government; telling me that they have been working this country. Any child that is subject to not that I am counting — much. In that on a voluntary basis now for some years, that attack can feel the full wrath of the time an enormous amount of damage can but they feel they want to take it to the ideological push of this government. The be done. We must all do everything we next level. They believe that they have a fact that this Premier has said that that can, and from my point of view I certainly great deal to offer girls with autism right program is compulsory makes it even will do everything that I can, to stand up across Victoria, and I have to say that there worse, because if you are a parent and for those freedoms that we cherish. We are not too many who specialise in this you are worried about what perversion must stand up for those freedoms that we particular area. I very strongly support is poisoning your child’s mind, you have love. We must stand up for those freedoms their attempts to get up and running at a no right to remove your child from the that people in generations before have much higher level. school. You have no right to remove your died for. If you go overseas, you see the I ask the minister to take into child from the classroom. war graves. They are the graves of people consideration the need in the community There we have once again a government who died so that we could be free. We owe and to take into consideration the very attacking a pillar that it needs to bring it to them to stand up and defend those good deeds that Yellow Ladybugs are down in order to implement its ideological freedoms that are under attack today. either doing or indeed are capable of and position. This bill is a shocker. It is appalling. The to grant them some money. Basically Mr Ondarchie interjected. only thing worse that I can think of at the they need some money to go to the next Mr FINN — It is disrespectful to parents, moment are the Greens’ amendments. level. I think the sum of $100 000 was as Mr Ondarchie says, but even worse They are something that would make the mentioned, which, given the amounts of is that it is destroying kids’ minds. It is legislation even worse. Clearly this side millions of dollars that are thrown around hard enough to be a teenager without of the house will be opposing both, and I this place, does not seem to be all that the sort of nonsense, the sort of lunacy, urge members on both sides of the house much by comparison. I ask the minister that they are being subject to in the Safe to please stand up for freedom. to provide funding for Yellow Ladybugs so Schools program. But that is a part of the Interjections from gallery. that they can continue to serve the people extreme left’s agenda to bring down those The ACTING PRESIDENT (Mr Elasmar) of Victoria. things which stand between it and what it — Order! I believe the Acting President
IN 30 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE COUNCIL | Economy and Infrastruc- Country Fire Authority (CFA), the CEO untenable that the major thoroughfare ture Standing C’tee, 06 Dec 2016 and the entire board of the CFA — or was to Melbourne’s west can be rendered that two CEOs? — and the chief fire officer unusable by just one accident. Given the and chairman of the Metropolitan Fire view of experts that the proposed western Brigade. That is quite an achievement. distributor will do nothing to solve Domestic Animals The debacle continues to this very day, such problems, when will the minister months after the Premier told us that it announce a plan to relieve the deplorable was all over. conditions on the West Gate Freeway? Amendment Then Minister Dalidakis tried to postpone Christmas for a couple of days, COUNCIL | Second reading (Puppy Farms and only to back down at a million miles an hour when the shoppies came a’visiting. 06 December 2016 Pet Shops) Bill The Socialist Left government continues its war on our children with its despicable 2016 Safe Schools program. Add to that dogs Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I being chauffeured around the state; the Births, Deaths too join this debate on this motion, and in prospect of Flinders Street station, St doing so I wish to thank and congratulate Paul’s Cathedral and quite possibly the and Marriages Anthony Walsh, Michelle Kurrle and, in entirety of St Kilda Road falling into a dirty particular, Lilian Topic on the enormous big hole caused by the Melbourne Metro Registration amount of work that went into this report. project; and the daily gridlock on our We had an extraordinary amount of roads and so much else and we can, with material that came our way as a result confidence, tell the people of Victoria as Amendment Bill of this inquiry, and they led us through we hurl headlong into 2017 that what they 2016 it admirably. I just want to express my have got is a government that is not fit to Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — thanks to them. hold office. This bill is an interesting bill to say the I can understand why the government very least. I have spoken in this house are a little toey on this topic, because COUNCIL | Questions without notice before on the subject of gender dysphoria. what this committee report has done is 06 December 2016 I have discussed how it only affects a small expose them as a government that just do number of people but how, medically, not really want to talk to people whose people who suffer from this disorder can legislation they are proposing to affect. be treated and, if indeed they desire, they This is in fact one of the monumental can be led to a sex change operation and stuff-ups of this government. It was just an Youth justice they can be led to a new life if that is what amazing scenario that started off oddly, they require. I do not think anybody has it has to be said, and as the committee centres Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My any problems with that. We understand, gathered evidence and heard from we offer empathy, we offer sympathy witnesses, it just got worse and worse. question is to the Minister for Families and Children. Minister, you previously and we offer support to the people who It seems that this legislation began as indicated that a new youth justice centre find themselves in that situation, most some sort of dodgy deal before the last may need to be built, and yesterday the certainly. But I have to say that this bill election. Labor came into government Premier said: is quite possibly the greatest piece of and proposed this legislation; they put it ratbaggery that has ever been before this together without consulting just about any I think we are probably more likely Parliament, upper or lower house, in the of the major stakeholders. They were not to have to build a new facility on a history of Victoria. interested, for example, in the Municipal greenfield site, at a different site other There is a thing called the pub test, and Association of Victoria. They were not than Parkville. every politician knows about the pub test. interested in most of the breeding groups. Minister, has the Department of Health I challenge the minister to come with me It was a piece of legislation that was put and Human Services identified any to the Royal Hotel in Sunbury or to the together by a small group of people with potential sites in Victoria as the new youth Black Horse in Bulla or to the Gladstone an even smaller interest in what they were justice centre to house the most violent Park Hotel Motel or to the Royal Hotel trying to do. and dangerous young offenders, and if so, in Essendon or to any of the pubs out in My view is that this report is a very good where? the west. I invite her to sit at the bar and one. My suggestion to the government explain to the gathered people exactly is: next time consult with the people and Supplementary question what this bill is about. I invite her to listen to the people, and you might get a come with me and sit there with the good decent piece of legislation out of it. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I people of those areas, quietly having a sip thank the minister for her response, as after a long day, to explain to them that distinct from an answer. Minister, what COUNCIL | Members statements this is a bill that the Victorian Parliament assurances can you give the Victorian is actually spending good time on — 06 December 2016 public that detailed community debating a bill which will allow people to consultation will occur with affected change their gender every 12 months. I communities, including the local am more than confident that she will not government concerned, prior to last in that bar very long at all. Government progressing any future youth justice site It is a nonsense to suggest that we need for Victoria’s most violent and dangerous legislation of this nature. People who have, performance young offenders? as I say, and suffer from gender dysphoria Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — As can be assisted and can be treated, and we look back on 2016 one cannot help but that is great, as indeed they should. But shake one’s head at the array of calamities COUNCIL | Constituency questions 06 December 2016 this legislation is nonsense. This is nut the Andrews Socialist Left government has bag central, and I think the overwhelming perpetrated on the people of Victoria this majority of Victorians will agree. year. How about sky rail — a project that affected residents, found out about from a Ms Patten interjected. doorknock in the dead of night only hours West Gate Freeway Mr FINN — Ms Patten may well get before it was splashed across the front Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) up. She spends probably a fair bit of page of the Sunday Herald Sun. — My constituency question is to the time in Brunswick Street, and I would Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Last imagine that in Brunswick Street this Who could ever forget a Premier who week the West Gate Bridge and the West goes after volunteer firefighters with a would be a fairly hot issue. But I have to Gate Freeway were effectively closed say to you that Brunswick Street is far machete, in the process cutting down one twice because of road accidents. It is of his own ministers, the chairman of the from representative of the great majority
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 31 of Australia, and thank God for that. We tell them why: because the vast mass of ago, but here we have a Premier and a have so many important issues that we Americans in middle America were sick government who are actually — — are charged with to debate and to pass of nonsense such as this that was coming Mr Somyurek interjected. laws on in this Parliament, and I think the out of Washington, DC. That is exactly why Mr FINN — Mr Somyurek may well be overwhelming majority of people would he won. I was not expecting him to win. I interested in this. In fact I will put money be absolutely perplexed at the Parliament am glad he beat Hillary Clinton, who is as on it. Here is a government that is actually spending time discussing this today. crooked as they come, but that is why he putting it into place. There is no greater In particular I want to take up the point won. example of that than the further attack that Dr Carling-Jenkins made about Mr Somyurek — You jumped on the on children. Not happy enough with the impact that this bill could have on bandwagon. Safe Schools, which is an atrocious and children. As members of this house would Mr FINN — I did not jump on the a despicable attack on our children, here be aware, I have spent a good deal of bandwagon. I have to say to Mr Somyurek we have a situation where they are putting my life defending children at whatever that Donald Trump was not my first children in a place where they can be used age, whether they be children in utero choice, but at the end of the day he was as a weapon between warring parents in a or indeed after they are born. I have far superior to the candidate that he beat. custody settlement or worse. spent a great deal of time fighting for Has she not been quiet lately? What a It is to my way of thinking quite frankly and defending children. We could under marvellous thing it is. That is why he won intolerable. I have given up on tolerating this legislation have a situation where — because people who are sitting around the tolerance brigade. I have been told for children could be bullets in a war between the kitchen table wondering how they years that I just have to sit back and accept parents who are going through a divorce. are feeding their kids at night, wondering it all as it comes. Whatever they come Do not say that this does not happen, how they are going to pay their telephone up with I just have to accept it, because because it does — where parents use the bill or their electricity bill or how they are I am tolerant. ‘You’ve got to be tolerant children or quite often the singular child, going to get their car fixed, are looking at of everything’, they say. But fair dinkum, but occasionally children as well, as a this sort of nonsense and saying, ‘Why are you have got to draw the line somewhere, weapon against the other parent. We are our political leaders wasting their time and this legislation is most certainly not talking about schools here. We are not and wasting our money on this sort of somewhere and it is somewhere that I am talking about places of residence. We are nonsense?’. That is what people out there drawing the line. not talking about any of the things that are saying. can be changed relatively easily. Under We have to get a sense of perspective I would suggest to some of you that you about this. We have to get our priorities this legislation you could have a situation might like to get beyond Brunswick Street where a parent changes the gender of straight, and clearly this legislation is and come out to the outer suburbs, where showing that we have a government here the child to get at the other parent. That the real people live, and go and have a to me is obscene. It is typical of what we in Victoria whose priorities are so far up talk to them. Walk into the pub, walk into a wattle you cannot see them. That is the have come to expect from a government the school, walk into wherever you like that is so far removed from what the great simple fact of the matter. What is going on and raise this issue and see if you get a among this small group of people around majority of Victorians are on about that it spark of interest. See if you can get people just does not matter. Dictator Dan who think — well, I am not to actually agree with you that this is an sure what they think. But certainly they Mr O’Sullivan interjected. important issue. Come out with me. are so far out of touch with the great bulk Mr FINN — It is twice today that they Ms Patten interjected. of Victorians that they can come up with have shown how out of touch they are. Mr Mr FINN — I invite Ms Patten to come this stuff. My suggestion, my plea if you O’Sullivan is absolutely spot on on that and visit the real world. I think it has like, is for Ms Patten, for my Green friends one. probably been a very long time since she over there, for my friends in the Socialist Ms Patten interjected. has been there, but I invite her to come Left of the ALP to go out — go with me, go Mr FINN — Well, if you would listen to with me and visit the real world and see with Mr Somyurek, go with whoever you what I am saying, Ms Patten, you would what real Australians, real Victorians, are like — and talk to real people and find out know and you would not have to ask silly on about — to listen to them about the what real people need. questions. Just sit there and listen, and all problems that they are facing, about the will be revealed. issues that they have and about the needs COUNCIL | Adjournment that their families are going through on a What I am saying is that this 06 December 2016 government does not have the first idea of regular basis. how this legislation will very deleteriously Mr Ramsay — Law and order. affect children. I see that the people from Mr FINN — As Mr Ramsay says, law the far left over there in the corner are and order is a huge issue in this state. I Tullamarine having kittens at the prospect of what I am have spoken to people who have had their saying here, but that does not particularly doors kicked in, had their homes invaded, Freeway tolls worry me, as quite frankly I do not care had their cars stolen and been terrorised Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) what the extreme left think. in the night by these hooligans. Do you — I rise tonight to bring a matter to This is the sort of stuff that comes from reckon this legislation rates with them? Do the attention of the Minister for Roads the extreme left. And who is pushing you really think this legislation rates with and Road Safety, and it concerns the it? You have got Dictator Dan himself, them? Do you really think this legislation Tullamarine Freeway. As I am sure the the great leader of our state, the great makes Victoria a safer place? No hope; not minister is aware — or at least I hope he is champion of the extreme left, with his a chance. aware — there is a great deal of roadwork Socialist Left government. They are Ms Patten interjected. going on on the Tullamarine Freeway at constantly pushing this sort of nonsense Mr FINN — It does not; not a chance. the moment. Indeed new lanes either down our throats. We want to spend our This is coming from the extreme left way are being built, and that will give us time in this Parliament doing something nutbags who run this government. That an opportunity to sit in freshly painted constructive, actually doing something is the problem. We have a small and lanes when that is completed, so that which is going to help people, not this ideologically blinkered extreme left-wing is something we will all be very excited sort of rubbish. Honestly, where on God’s group who run this government, and they about, I am sure. But the issue that I earth do these people get off thinking produce this trash. We saw it in the last bill wish to raise tonight is something that I that they can get away with this? We have that was defeated as well. We have seen experienced recently and others alongside people in big cars and big offices with it time and time and time again. They go me and around me experienced recently lots of staff who are being paid fairly hefty after religion, and they go after families. as well, and that is the capacity for sums of money to come up with this, and It is the old story: ‘If we destroy religion, if Transurban to close CityLink at any time that is just staggering. we destroy families, if we destroy the basis — the Tullamarine section of CityLink — If members want to know — and there of our society, hey, then we can get what but still charge tolls. has been a fair bit of interest in this, it has we want’. That is something I think Karl I had an extraordinary experience to be said, over the last few weeks — why Marx was probably preaching 100 years on the last sitting night. I think it was Donald Trump won the presidency, I will about 10.45 p.m. when I was heading
IN 32 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE up the Tulla. I went under the gantry at he carries so much weight in the western only come to the conclusion that it could Moreland Road and paid the toll, only suburbs in the Labor Party and that they not care less. It just could not care less to be confronted by signs saying that are so scared of him is that he knows about the people out in the suburbs who the Tullamarine Freeway was closed — where the bodies are buried. They are so are sitting in their cars, spending hours ‘Head up here’. So I headed up Moreland afraid of him that they gave his daughter in their cars every day, some days even Road, and it was all detour signs and so a safe seat. They said to Hakki, ‘What do giving up and going home. We have forth. Fortunately I knew exactly where you want?’. He said, ‘I’d like my daughter heard stories from people who have sat I was going, so I was able to cut cross- in Parliament, please’. They said, ‘Which on the West Gate and who, at the first country and indeed headed down beside seat would you like?’. He said, ‘St Albans opportunity they get, turn around and go Windy Hill and got home that way. But I would be very nice, thank you very much’. home because they just give up. was speaking to other people after that That is what we have come to expect. The Honourable members interjecting. particular evening, and they said they had sort of political corruption and the sort Mr FINN — I notice that certain no idea where they were going, and they of shysterism on a grand scale that we backbench members of the government were not quite sure where they ended up witnessed in Brimbank has become a part find that highly amusing. I suppose they in fact. of the way of life for this government. It is are thinking about the day when they can I think it is a bit rough, to say the very a natural progression. get a ministerial office and when they least, for Transurban to be charging tolls Of course it all started about two years can put their dogs in their cars and send for a freeway that they are not providing, ago when the Premier fulfilled his pre- them up to their holiday retreat. But even so I ask that the minister have a chat election promise to rip up the contract on dogs get stuck in traffic, so I ask members to Transurban. I know that he is on the east–west link. Members opposite in opposite to take that into consideration particularly close terms with Transurban particular will remember that that election when thinking about which route their these days. In fact they seem to be very promise was made without consulting chauffeur should take in order to transport buddy-buddy with the state government a single living, breathing soul. The then their dogs to their country compound. at the moment. I ask the minister to opposition leader — Dictator Dan as he As we know, the traffic problem in request of Transurban and their CEO, is now known — just got up one morning Melbourne is a total, unmitigated debacle Scott Charlton, that they relieve motorists and made the announcement that if he on a daily basis, but this government has of tolls after hours, because that is when were elected, he would rip up the contract not got any interest in that at all. It does most of the roadwork on the Tulla is for the east–west link. Everybody thought not care. Every day it says to the people of happening. I am asking the minister to he was joking. Everybody thought he was Victoria, ‘Get stuffed, the lot of you!’. That speak to Transurban and to ask them to having a lend of us. Indeed even members is what they say to the people — — remove the tolls after hours, particularly of the Labor Party thought he could not when the Tullamarine Freeway is actually possibly be serious, given that everybody Ms Crozier interjected. closed and motorists do not have access knows, and still knows, how important Mr FINN — We could turn to sky rail, to it. the east–west link is to the future livability and indeed we just might. But in the — — meantime I want the people of Victoria Ms Crozier — Did he lie? — the people who are sitting in traffic on COUNCIL the West Gate, the people who are sitting 07 December 2016 Mr FINN — I will get to that in a minute. in traffic on the Tullamarine Freeway, the Everyone knows how important the east– people who are sitting in traffic on the west link is to the future livability of our Calder, on the Monash and on the Eastern great city, but no, the Dodge got up there — to know that instead of the government Government and said that if he were elected, he would solving their problems, such as wasting rip up the contract, and not only would half their life sitting in their car waiting to performance he rip up the contract, but — guess what? try to get somewhere, it has put solutions Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It — it would not cost us a single cent to forward such as while you are waiting in was a little over two years ago that I made do that. He was right; it does not happen your car you could think about applying the observation that if this current Labor often, but he was right. It did not cost us to get your gender changed on your birth Party was elected to government, it would one cent; it cost us $1.2 billion. certificate. That is a good way to spend not be too long before we were looking Mr Ramsay interjected. some time, a very useful way to spend back at the Cain-Kirner governments as Mr FINN — I do not know how many some time. That is the message that we the good old days. I do not think I have cents that is. My mathematics in that hear from the dodgy dictator himself. Or ever been so right in my life. regard, Mr Ramsay, is probably not as perhaps, according to this government, we Mr Barber interjected. flash as yours, but it is a fair whack; $1.2 could put forward some legislation that Mr FINN — Compared to this crowd, billion is a good deal of money. That is restricts freedom of religion. That is going yes, they certainly are. Compared to what what it cost to destroy a much-needed to do a lot to help people as they crawl to this mob is like — this Andrews Socialist piece of infrastructure for Melbourne. It work every day. Left government — yes, the Cain-Kirner was not just for Melbourne, but it was also This government is a circus. It really is a governments were indeed the good old for people in Geelong, people in Ballarat circus. I do not know whether it is a three- days. You almost wish for a time when and people down in the Latrobe Valley, ring circus; I do not think it could even do we can have the Melbourne international although it seems that the government that properly. But it is most assuredly a tram festival return to our streets. Who will does not particularly care about people circus. ever forget that magnificent sight, as we in the Latrobe Valley. People around the Mr Ramsay — A wandering circus. stood on the steps of Parliament looking state were depending on the construction of the east–west link, but the Premier, for Mr FINN — Wandering — I am down Bourke Street and saw trams as far wondering a lot! I tell you what, Mr as the eye could see? reasons best known to himself, did the people of Victoria a grave disservice. One Ramsay, it has got me wondering. It has Mr Rich-Phillips interjected. can only assume it had something to do got me wondering how the government Mr FINN — They were welded to the with keeping some sort of faction happy, ever got there, it has got me wondering rails, Mr Rich-Phillips. You have got even if it were only the extreme Socialist how it has managed to stay there and it to wonder if that is too far away again, Left faction of the Labor Party, known as has got me wondering how on God’s earth because there are certainly some strange the Greens. it thinks it is going to be re-elected in 2018, things going on around here at the because the people of Victoria have just I can only hope that in the future we will about had enough. moment. It is very odd indeed. In fact you have a situation where we will not have would almost be tempted to say that the people sitting on the West Gate Freeway Despite the announcements and people who were running Brimbank City for hours at a time because there has the public relations campaigns of the Council a few years ago are now running been a slight prang ahead. That is just an government this week on police numbers, the government. You will recall a bloke intolerable and unsustainable situation, the fact of the matter is that over the last called Hakki Suleyman. He was a factional but it is happening. It is happening all two years Victoria’s crime rate has gone warlord out in the western suburbs and the time; it is happening every day. After through the roof. Not only has the crime indeed still is a factional warlord in the two years of this government, you can rate gone through the roof; we are seeing western suburbs. In fact the reason that crimes in the state that we have never
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 33 seen before. We are seeing carjackings. We Mr Ramsay — Mr Leane does. because that is largely where it came are seeing home invasions and aggravated Mr FINN — Well, Mr Leane may from. This particular piece of legislation burglaries. We are seeing people who are well know. He might like to tell us what is certainly one part of it, anyway. It has not safe at home in their own beds. You happened at that meeting earlier this been necessitated by the fact that the last would think the safest place you could year. But what has happened to the CFA remaining of the Russell Street bombers, ever be would be in your own home, since that meeting is a disgrace to this Craig Minogue, is still in prison, and there in bed asleep. Even I would have some government and is a fair indication of just is a very real prospect that he could be up trouble getting into difficulty at home how badly this Socialist Left government for parole in the not-too-distant future. asleep in my own bed. But here in Victoria has fallen. We remember the extraordinary and we have a situation where increasing tragic events of that day in Russell Street numbers of people are attacked whilst in when this creature and his friends took their homes in their own beds. They are COUNCIL | Constituency questions the life of a promising young police attacked by people who have no respect 07 December 2016 officer — a woman with her life ahead for the law and have no respect for other of her, a woman who at the age of 21 people. These lunatics constantly get the had barely had time to enjoy life as the message from this government that they rest of us know it. She was cruelly and can get away with it, and to this point they Airport rail link barbarically cut down by a bomb and have. Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — My killed. The only saving grace was that this You can talk about the judiciary, and constituency question is to the Minister Minogue creature did not kill more. That I could talk about the judiciary in this for Public Transport. The management was, to my way of thinking, a totally and state for quite a long time, but you have of Melbourne Airport has warned of entirely despicable frame of mind and to remember that the vast majority of the dire consequences of continuing indicative of somebody who needs special members of the judiciary in the state were to ignore the need for a rail link to the treatment. appointed by a bloke called Rob Hulls. airport. With visitor numbers to the airport predicted to explode and with If this crime was committed today, Ms Crozier interjected. continuing housing development in the we would call it terrorism. It is safe to Mr FINN — What a shocker! I notice he north-western suburbs of Melbourne, say that the Russell Street bombing had something to say in defence of himself the need for alternative motor vehicle was Melbourne’s first act of terrorism. in the Herald Sun on Monday, but as access to Tullamarine airport is growing I am on the record as saying, and I will you say, Ms Crozier, he has an enormous on a daily basis. Will the minister reverse repeat my views on this now, that for amount to answer for. When you see her decision to scrap the previous terrorism capital punishment should be criminals going into courts, getting a slap government’s plan to build a rail link to reintroduced, not as a form of payback on the wrist and being released back on Melbourne Airport? or retribution but as a way of sending a the street to do exactly what they had done message that we will not tolerate in any all over again, we can thank Rob Hulls and way, shape or form terrorism in Victoria. his mates in the former Labor government COUNCIL | Second reading If I had my way, we would not be for that. 08 December 2016 debating this bill today because Minogue We have seen over the past two years would have been dead long ago. It is a a government that has closed its ears pity that he is still breathing the oxygen and closed its eyes to the crime tsunami, that we have to share with him, but it is as it has become known, that has swept Justice Legislation important that we keep him in prison. It is over our state. They have had a lot of important for our society, it is important public relations this week, and they have Amendment for our police force, and of course it is obviously spent up big on that. But the extremely important for the family of fact of the matter is that even they have to Angela Taylor, who, I have no doubt, still admit, if they were perfectly honest — and (Parole Reform and grieve every day. The pain of having to go that is a pretty rare occurrence — that with through life without their daughter and these police that they are talking about Other Matters) Bill without their sister must be overwhelming now, the first will not even start to begin every day. All the possibilities and all the training until late next year, so we are 12 2016 dreams they had for her vanished on that months away from even beginning the Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — It day when that bomb exploded on Russell process. You have got to wonder about gives me a great deal of pleasure to rise Street. For those reasons I certainly who this government is trying to con. It today to speak on the Justice Legislation believe that Craig Minogue, given the is clear who this government is trying Amendment (Parole Reform and Other system we have, should be in jail for the to con: this government is trying to con Matters) Bill 2016. I have to say right at the duration of his life. Mr Morris said earlier the people of Victoria, because conning beginning that it bemuses me enormously that life should mean life, particularly in people is what this government does best. that this would have been law months ago this case. I am sorry; I tell a lie. They do one thing if it had not have been for this government We talk about the concept of no body, better than being con artists, and that is playing games. no parole, and I would have thought they stuff things up. My view is that this is a very, very that the second part of this legislation We have seen the debacle over the serious matter. There are very few matters was somewhat of a no-brainer. This is Country Fire Authority (CFA) over the that are more serious than this, and the something that again was put forward by last two years, and I think that could well government has been playing games with Mr O’Donohue some months ago. Why be one of the great stuff-ups of modern this for most of the year. Mr O’Donohue the government rejected it then and now politics. You have got to wonder what put forward a bill some three or four brings it forward as its own legislation possesses somebody who is a holder months ago, as the house is aware. The one can only speculate on. Indeed this of high political office, Premier of this government tried very hard in this house government has quite a record of doing state, to go about attacking volunteer to stop it and actually succeeded. It would things that one can only speculate on. If firefighters in Victoria, one of the most not even allow it to be read a first time somebody from the government would fire prone places on earth. The Premier of in the other place. That, to my way of like to get up and explain why they this state gets up and gets out his machete thinking, reeks of political game playing. It rejected this legislation a few months ago and goes after volunteer firefighters. Did reeks of a government that is just refusing and why they are introducing this now, anybody ever think that would happen? to take its responsibilities in this area I would certainly be very keen to know, Did anybody ever see that coming? It is seriously. because it does not make any sense to me just amazing, and it was all at the behest of Whilst I welcome this legislation, it is at all. his union boss, Peter Marshall, one of the legislation that should have been in place What does make sense is that if a great thugs of the trade union movement. a long time ago. If the government had murderer knows where the body of his The Premier does whatever Mr Marshall been serious about its responsibilities, it victim is and refuses to tell the police, the wants him to do. I do not know what would have supported Mr O’Donohue’s authorities or the families of that victim, happened at that meeting that they had. bill. I think this legislation will probably then they should not get parole. It is a life be known as Ed’s law from here on in,
IN 34 AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 FINN THE HOUSE sentence that they have delivered to the COUNCIL | Adjournment family of their victim, and they too should 08 December 2016 suffer the same fate. They should suffer a life sentence themselves until such time as they show some remorse by telling us exactly where their victim is so that a Sunbury rail line proper funeral can be held, there can be some closure for the families involved and emergency access the families of those victims can mourn Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I properly. I think it is just human decency. wish to raise a matter this evening for I think out of any sort of respect for other the attention of the Minister for Public human beings, these people who will not Transport. It is a matter that has been tell where the bodies of their victims are raised as a matter of urgency for me should be in jail for the duration. just this afternoon by a member of the It astonishes me that this law was Sunbury State Emergency Service (SES), a not enacted long ago, but as I said, it long-term member who in fact I know. He astonishes me even more that we had a has been a member of the SES for some bill that was passed through this place 24 years. Particularly as we are coming just a few months ago but the government toward a season where volunteers are blocked it in the other place. That is just going to do a great deal of work, whether insane, but I am pleased to see — — they be SES, Country Fire Authority or Mr Davis — Without debate. whatever they might be, we should give Mr FINN — Without debate indeed, our commendation to volunteers for the Mr Davis. As I said, they would not even work that they will do over the Christmas allow it to be introduced. It was probably period and the coming months. one of the more ludicrous things that this This particular gentleman is concerned government has done, and God knows that the vehicle access tracks alongside there is a list — — the railway line between Sunbury and Mr Davis — And with the support of the St Albans are not exactly vehicle access Greens too. tracks at all, because they would not allow Mr FINN — Indeed. As we know, the vehicles to access the tracks. If there is a Greens are not big on law and order. I do need for an emergency response, such not know what position the Greens are as to a train crash or a fire — and, as we taking on this legislation, but it would know, fires are often caused by trains not surprise me to learn that they are on particularly hot days, and we might opposing it. get a hot day one day; we live in hope — we need to have appropriate access Mr Morris — They are agile in their for emergency vehicles: firetrucks, SES, beliefs. ambulance and similar vehicles. At this Mr FINN — That could be the case, but point in time you would have to say that is I think that if the Greens and the Labor actually non-existent. Party were serious about this aspect I am asking the minister to ensure that of the bill, they would have supported those vehicle access tracks are brought Mr O’Donohue’s bill back when it was up to scratch so that in the event of an introduced and passed here in this house emergency response those people who some months ago but knocked on the are called upon to involve themselves head without debate, as Mr Davis says, in that emergency response are actually upon introduction to the other place. able to access a train, a fire on the railway I have no hesitation in supporting this line or whatever the incident may be, bill today. As I say, my own personal view because quite frankly at the moment it is that life in jail is too good for Craig is quite a worry. It is a very busy railway Minogue. I think what Craig Minogue did line, and it is just not good enough for deserves a much harsher penalty. It is such a situation where people’s lives may regrettable that we are actually debating be endangered by the fact that the vehicle this section of the bill to keep this swine in access tracks are just not up to scratch. custody, because he does not deserve to So I am asking the minister to ensure that live in my view. that occurs. I will leave it on that note. I wish the bill Acting President Melhem, I will spend a speedy passage. I wish the government the last few seconds wishing you, all was a bit more organised in its legislative members and their families and all staff program. We would not have to rush and their families all the very best for a through this in two days and we would very enjoyable Christmas and holiday actually have a bit more time to consider season. the full implications, maybe improve it a little bit, but given that the government has perhaps panicked — and I know that the Attorney-General does do that from time to time, usually with good reason it has to be said — and has rushed this through in the last sitting week of 2016, I hope that this bill is passed. I have confidence that it will be passed and I sincerely hope — the world listens to these words — that Craig Minogue will never see the outside world again.
IN FINN THE HOUSE AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2016 35 FINN IN THE HOUSE Speeches August to December 2016
Published by Bernie Finn MP Member for Western Metropolitan Region Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Melbourne’s West Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Autism Spectrum Disorder Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Electoral Integrity
Suite 101, 19 Lacy Street, Braybrook Vic 3019 Telephone (03) 9317 5900 • Fax (03) 9317 5911 Email [email protected] Web www.berniefinn.com