VICfORIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) FIFTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT SPRING SESSION 1993 Legislative Assembly VOL. 414 [From 5 October 1993 to 16 November 1993J MELBOURNE: L. V. NOR11I. GOVERNMENT PRINTER The Govemor His Excellency the Honourable RICHARD E. McGARVIE The Lieutenant-Govemor His Excellency the Honourable SIR JOHN McINTOSH YOUNG, AC, KCMG The Ministry [AS FROM 9 NOVEMBER 1992] Premier, and Minister for Ethnic Affairs ... The Hon. J. G. Kennett, MP Deputy Premier, Minister for Police and .. The Hon. P. J. McNamara, MP Emergency Services, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Tourism Minister for Industry and Employment ... The Hon. P. A. Gude, MP Minister for Roads and Ports ............ The Hon. W. R. Baxter, MLC Minister for Conservation and Environment, The Hon. M. A. Birrell, MLC and Minister for Major Projects Minister for Public Transport ............ The Hon. A. J. Brown, MP Minister for Natural Resources ........... The Hon. C. G. Coleman, MP Minister for Regional Development, ...... The Hon. R. M. Hallam, MLC Minister for Local Government Minister for Education .................. The Hon. D. K. Hayward, MP Minister for Small Business, and Minister .. The Hon. V. P. Heffernan, OAM, MP responsible for Youth Affairs Minister for Community Services, and ..... The Hon. Michael John, MP Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Housing, and Minister for ..... The Hon. R. I. Knowles, MLC Aged Care Minister for Agriculture ................. The Hon. W. D. McGrath, MP Minister for Planning ................... The Hon. R. R. C. Maclellan, MP Minister for Industry Services ............ The Hon. Roger Pescott, MP Minister for Energy and Minerals, and .... The Hon. S. J. Plowman, MP Minister Assisting the Treasurer on State Owned Enterprises Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing .. The Hon. T. C. Reynolds, MP Minister for Finance .................... The Hon. I. W. Smith, MP Treasurer ............................. The Hon. A. R. Stockdale, MP Minister for Tertiary Education and ...... The Hon. Haddon Storey, QC, MLC Training, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Gaming Minister for Health ..................... The Hon. M. T. Tehan, MP Attorney-General, Minister for Fair ....... The Hon. J. L. M. Wade, MP Trading, and Minister responsible for Women's Affairs Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet ..... The Hon. Rosemary Varty, MLC FIFTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT-FIRST SESSION Members of the Legislative Assembly Member District Party Member District Party AndrianopoulOl, Alex Mill Park ALP McLellan, Frederick Peter Frankston East LP Ashley, Gordon Wetzel Bayswater LP Maclellan, Robert Roy Pakenham LP Baker, lan Malcolm John Sunshine ALP Cameron Batchelor, Peter Thomastown ALP McNamara, Patrid John Benalla NP Bildstien, Craig Step hen Mildura LP Marple, Ms Carole Frances Altona ALP Brown, Alan John Gippsland West LP Maughan, Noel John Rodney NP ·Brumby, John Mansfield Broadmeadows ALP Micallef, Edward Joseph Springvale ALP Clark, Robert William Box Hill LP MildenhaJl. Bruce Allan Footscray ALP Coghill, Dr Kenneth Alastair Werribee ALP Napthine, Dr Denis Vincent Portland LP Cole, Neil Donald Melbourne ALP Pandazopoulos, John Dandenong ALP Coleman, Geoffrey Charles Bennettswood LP Paterson, Alister Irvine South Barwon LP Cooper, Robert Fitzgerald Mornington LP Perrin, David John Bulleen LP Cunningham, David John Melton ALP Perton, Victor John Doncaster LP Davis, George lan Essendon LP Pescott, Roger Mitcham LP Dean, Robert Logan Berwick LP Peulick, Mrs Inga Bentleigh LP Delzoppo. John Edward Narracan LP Phillips, Wayne Eltham LP Dollis, Demetri Richmond ALP Plowman, Anthony Fulton Benambra LP Doyle, Robert Keith Bennett Malvern LP Plowman, Sidney James Evelyn LP Elder, Step hen Noel Ripon LP Reynolds, Thomas Carter Gisborne LP Elliot, Mrs Lorraine Clare Mooroolbark LP Richardson, John Ingles Forest Hill LP Finn, Bernard Thomas Tullamarine LP Roper, Thomas William Coburg ALP Christoph~ Rowe, Guy James Cranbourne LP Garbutt, Mrs Sherryl Maree Bundoora ALP Ryan, Peter JuUan Gippsland South NP Gude, Phillip Archibald Hawthorn LP Sandon, Malcolm John Carrum ALP Haermeyer, Andre Yan Yean ALP Seitz, George Keilor ALP Hamilton, Keith Graeme Morwell ALP Sercombe, Robert Charles Niddrie ALP Hayward, DonaJd Keith Prahran LP Grant Heffeman, VincentPatrick, Ivanhoe LP Sheehan, Anthony John Northcote ALP OAM Smith, Emest Ross Glen Waverly LP Henderson, Mrs Ann Mary Geelong LP Smith, lan Winton Polwarth LP Honeywood, Phillip NevUle Warrandyte LP Spry, Garry Howard Bellarine LP Hyarns, Anthony Jonathan Dromana LP Steggall, Barry Edward Swan Hill NP Jasper, Kenneth Stephen Murray Valley NP Hector Jenkins, Geoffrey Paul Ballarat West LP Stockdale, Alan Robert Brighton LP John, Michael Bendigo East LP Tanner, Edgar Miles Caulfield LP Kennett, Jeffrey Gibb Burwood LP Ponsonby Kilgour, Donald Shepparton NP Tehan, Mrs Marie Therese Seymour LP Kirner, Ms Joan Elizabeth, WuUarnstown ALP Thompson, Murray Hamilton Sandringham LP AM Thomson, Kelvin John Pascoe Vale ALP Leigh, Geoffrey Graeme Mordialloc LP Thwaites, Johnstone William Albert Park ALP Leighton, Michael Andrew Preston ALP Traynor, 8arry Edward Ballarat East LP Loney, Peter James Geelong North ALP Treasure, David Lewis Gippsland East NP Lupton, Hurtle ReginaJd, Knox LP Turner, MaxwelJ John Bendigo West LP OAM,JP Vaughan, Dr Gerard Marshall Clayton ALP McArthur, Step hen James Monbulk LP Wade, Mrs Jan Louise Murray Kew LP McGill, Mrs Denise OakJeigh LP Weideman, George, Graeme Frankston LP McGrath, John Francis Warmambool NP Wells, Kimberley Arthur Wantima LP McGrath, Wuliarn Desmond Wimmera NP Wtlson, Mrs Janet Tmdale Dandenong North ALP Calder ·Elected 18.9.93 FIFTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT-FIRST SESSION Speaker: The Hon. J. E. OELZOPPO Chairman ofCommitten: Mr J. F. McGRAlH Temporary Chairmen of Committees: Or CoghilI. Mr Cooper, Mr Cunningham, Mr Jasper, Mr Maughan. Mr Perrin, Mr Richardson, Mr E. R Smith. Or Vaughan. and Mr Weideman Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and Premier: The Hon. J. G. KENNETI Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party: The Hon. P. A. GlIDE Leader of the Parliamentary National Party and Deputy Premier: The Hon. P. J. McNAMARA Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary National Party: The Hon. W. O. McGRAlH Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition: The Hon. J. M. KENNAN, QC [Until 29 June 1993) The Hon. J. M. BRUMBY [From 28 September 1993) Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Deputy Leader of the Oppotition: Mr R. C. G. SERCOMBE [Until 29 June 1993) Mr R. C. G. SERCOMBE [From 28 September 1993) Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Acting Leader of the Oppotition: Mr R. C. G. SERCOMBE [From 29 June 1993) Heads of Parliamentary Departments Council-Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr A. V. Bray Assembly-Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Mr J. G. Little, JP Hansard-Chlef Reporter: Mr Eric Woodward Library-Librarian: Mr B. J. Davidson House-Secretary: Mr W. F. McKelvie APPROPRIATION (1993-94, No. 1) BILL Tuesday,5 October 1993 ASSEMBLY 833 raised from the State deficit levy, the higher charges four-year~lds prior to going off to primary school. It for gas, electricity and water, the decrease in funding is also a good experience for parents because for for public housing, education and transport and the many it is the first time they become part of the millions of dollars of revenue from poker machines?" community. Many friendships last for decades are made at that time. During the year their children are Why has the State deficit increased this financial at kindergarten, parents experience the joy of seeing year when we have been told constantly that all the them develop as they learn to become part of a measures the government has taken have been to group, to share and explore together. Children learn reduce debt. On behalf of those about to be thrown to express their ideas and thoughts to a group of out of work we should also ask has it really been other children, which contributes to their overall necessary to get rid of thousands of jobs in the development. For the first time many children Public Service. How can members opposite justify experience real discipline, which is an excellent the massive redundancies in the Public Service to preparation for school. Most teachers I know who their constituents? How can anyone believe that teach prep children say that they can tell which ones putting people out of work will get the economy have attended preschool. moving again? Earlier speakers in the debate said that 100 Victorians a day are moving to Queensland The previous funding for preschools paid for all the where, at least, they will be treated as human beings. preschool sessions, salaries, on-costs and operating costs. This year kindergartens received an average of The opposition realises that the government must $1050 for each child, but under the new reduce the deficit, but that has not happened. The arrangements for next year they will receive only government must stimulate the economy, but that $800 for each child. One does not have to be a has not happened either! The saddest aspect of all is financial genius to realise that there will be a gap of the lack of concern by the government for the $250 per child. trashing of people's lives. The human cost and dimension of its actions seem to have escaped the That gap must either be made up by the parents government. through additional fees or by kindergarten committees having to raise massive sums of money. For a short time I will address the human dimension In addition to raising extra funds from the beginning and the adverse effect the Budget will have on the of 1994 preschool committees will be required to people I represent. As a member of Parliament and assume the role of employers of teachers and as shadow Minister I have received letters which assistants at their preschools. They will have the show that a significant number of Victorians believe responsibility of working out salary arrangements, the role of government in Victoria has been reduced WorkCover charges and industrial relations to little more than a fistful of dollars.