PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) - PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2021
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PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT
FIRST SESSION
THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2021
hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au
By authority of the Victorian Government PrinterThe Governor
The Honourable LINDA DESSAU, AC
The Lieutenant-Governor
The Honourable KEN LAY, AO, APM
The ministry
Premier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. DM Andrews, MP
Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health .. The Hon. JA Merlino, MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. J Symes, MLC
Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for the Suburban Rail
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. JM Allan, MP
Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education . . . . The Hon. GA Tierney, MLC
Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for
Industrial Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. TH Pallas, MP
Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads and Road Safety . The Hon. BA Carroll, MP
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for
Solar Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. L D’Ambrosio, MP
Minister for Child Protection and Minister for Disability, Ageing and
Carers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. LA Donnellan, MP
Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for
Equality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. MP Foley, MP
Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming
and Liquor Regulation and Minister for Fishing and Boating . . . . . . . The Hon. MM Horne, MP
Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for
Youth Justice and Minister for Victim Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. NM Hutchins, MP
Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development and
Minister for Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. SL Leane, MLC
Minister for Water and Minister for Police. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. LM Neville, MP
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Trade, Minister
for Business Precincts, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
and Minister for Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. MP Pakula, MP
Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for
Government Services and Minister for Creative Industries . . . . . . . . . The Hon. DJ Pearson, MP
Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research
and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business and Minister
for Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. JL Pulford, MLC
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Community Sport and
Minister for Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. RL Spence, MP
Minister for Workplace Safety and Minister for Early Childhood . . . . . . The Hon. I Stitt, MLC
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development . . . . . . The Hon. M Thomas, MP
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women and
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. G Williams, MP
Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hon. RW Wynne, MP
Cabinet Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms S Kilkenny, MPLegislative Council committees
Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee
Mr Barton, Mr Erdogan, Mr Finn, Mr Gepp, Mrs McArthur, Mr Quilty and Mr Tarlamis.
Participating members: Dr Bach, Ms Bath, Dr Cumming, Mr Davis, Mr Limbrick, Ms Lovell, Mr Meddick,
Mr O’Donohue, Mr Ondarchie, Mr Rich-Phillips, Ms Shing, Ms Vaghela and Ms Watt.
Environment and Planning Standing Committee
Dr Bach, Ms Bath, Dr Cumming, Mr Grimley, Mr Hayes, Mr Meddick, Mr Melhem, Dr Ratnam, Ms Taylor and
Ms Terpstra.
Participating members: Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Dr Kieu, Mrs McArthur and Mr Quilty.
Legal and Social Issues Standing Committee
Ms Garrett, Dr Kieu, Ms Lovell, Ms Maxwell, Mr Ondarchie, Ms Patten, Dr Ratnam and Ms Vaghela.
Participating members: Dr Bach, Mr Barton, Ms Bath, Ms Crozier, Dr Cumming, Mr Erdogan, Mr Grimley,
Mr Limbrick, Mr O’Donohue, Mr Quilty, Ms Shing, Mr Tarlamis and Ms Watt.
Privileges Committee
Mr Atkinson, Mr Bourman, Mr Davis, Mr Grimley, Mr Leane, Mr Rich-Phillips, Ms Shing, Ms Symes and
Ms Tierney.
Procedure Committee
The President, the Deputy President, Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Mr Grimley, Dr Kieu, Ms Patten, Ms Pulford and
Ms Symes.
Joint committees
Dispute Resolution Committee
Council: Mr Bourman, Ms Crozier, Mr Davis, Ms Symes and Ms Tierney.
Assembly: Ms Allan, Ms Hennessy, Mr Merlino, Mr Pakula, Mr R Smith, Mr Walsh and Mr Wells.
Electoral Matters Committee
Council: Mr Erdogan, Mrs McArthur, Mr Meddick, Mr Melhem, Ms Lovell, Mr Quilty and Mr Tarlamis.
Assembly: Mr Guy, Ms Hall and Dr Read.
House Committee
Council: The President (ex officio), Mr Bourman, Mr Davis, Mr Leane, Ms Lovell and Ms Stitt.
Assembly: The Speaker (ex officio), Mr T Bull, Ms Crugnale, Ms Edwards, Mr Fregon, Ms Sandell and Ms Staley.
Integrity and Oversight Committee
Council: Mr Grimley and Ms Shing.
Assembly: Mr Halse, Ms Hennessy, Mr Rowswell, Mr Taylor and Mr Wells.
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
Council: Mr Limbrick and Ms Taylor.
Assembly: Ms Blandthorn, Mr Hibbins, Mr Maas, Mr Newbury, Mr D O’Brien, Ms Richards, Mr Richardson and
Mr Riordan.
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee
Council: Mr Gepp, Ms Patten, Ms Terpstra and Ms Watt.
Assembly: Mr Burgess, Ms Connolly and Mr R Smith.
Heads of parliamentary departments
Assembly: Clerk of the Legislative Assembly: Ms B Noonan
Council: Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council: Mr A Young
Parliamentary Services: Secretary: Mr P LochertMEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FIFTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT—FIRST SESSION
President
The Hon. N ELASMAR (from 18 June 2020)
The Hon. SL LEANE (to 18 June 2020)
Deputy President
The Hon. WA LOVELL
Acting Presidents
Mr Bourman, Mr Gepp, Mr Melhem and Ms Patten
Leader of the Government
The Hon. J SYMES
Deputy Leader of the Government
The Hon. GA TIERNEY
Leader of the Opposition
The Hon. DM DAVIS
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Ms G CROZIER
Member Region Party Member Region Party
Atkinson, Mr Bruce Norman Eastern Metropolitan LP Maxwell, Ms Tania Maree Northern Victoria DHJP
Bach, Dr Matthew1 Eastern Metropolitan LP Meddick, Mr Andy Western Victoria AJP
Barton, Mr Rodney Brian Eastern Metropolitan TMP Melhem, Mr Cesar Western Metropolitan ALP
Bath, Ms Melina Gaye Eastern Victoria Nats Mikakos, Ms Jenny5 Northern Metropolitan ALP
Bourman, Mr Jeffrey Eastern Victoria SFFP O’Donohue, Mr Edward John Eastern Victoria LP
Crozier, Ms Georgina Mary Southern Metropolitan LP Ondarchie, Mr Craig Philip Northern Metropolitan LP
Cumming, Dr Catherine Rebecca Western Metropolitan Ind Patten, Ms Fiona Heather Northern Metropolitan FPRP
Dalidakis, Mr Philip2 Southern Metropolitan ALP Pulford, Ms Jaala Lee Western Victoria ALP
Davis, Mr David McLean Southern Metropolitan LP Quilty, Mr Timothy Northern Victoria LDP
Elasmar, Mr Nazih Northern Metropolitan ALP Ratnam, Dr Samantha Shantini Northern Metropolitan Greens
Erdogan, Mr Enver3 Southern Metropolitan ALP Rich-Phillips, Mr Gordon Kenneth South Eastern Metropolitan LP
Finn, Mr Bernard Thomas Christopher Western Metropolitan LP Shing, Ms Harriet Eastern Victoria ALP
Garrett, Ms Jane Furneaux Eastern Victoria ALP Somyurek, Mr Adem6 South Eastern Metropolitan Ind
Gepp, Mr Mark Northern Victoria ALP Stitt, Ms Ingrid Western Metropolitan ALP
Grimley, Mr Stuart James Western Victoria DHJP Symes, Ms Jaclyn Northern Victoria ALP
Hayes, Mr Clifford Southern Metropolitan SAP Tarlamis, Mr Lee7 South Eastern Metropolitan ALP
Jennings, Mr Gavin Wayne4 South Eastern Metropolitan ALP Taylor, Ms Nina Southern Metropolitan ALP
Kieu, Dr Tien Dung South Eastern Metropolitan ALP Terpstra, Ms Sonja Eastern Metropolitan ALP
Leane, Mr Shaun Leo Eastern Metropolitan ALP Tierney, Ms Gayle Anne Western Victoria ALP
Limbrick, Mr David South Eastern Metropolitan LDP Vaghela, Ms Kaushaliya Virjibhai Western Metropolitan ALP
Lovell, Ms Wendy Ann Northern Victoria LP Watt, Ms Sheena8 Northern Metropolitan ALP
McArthur, Mrs Beverley Western Victoria LP Wooldridge, Ms Mary Louise Newling9 Eastern Metropolitan LP
1 5
Appointed 5 March 2020 Resigned 26 September 2020
2 6
Resigned 17 June 2019 ALP until 15 June 2020
3 7
Appointed 15 August 2019 Appointed 23 April 2020
4 8
Resigned 23 March 2020 Appointed 13 October 2020
9
Resigned 28 February 2020
Party abbreviations
AJP—Animal Justice Party; ALP—Labor Party; DHJP—Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party;
FPRP—Fiona Patten’s Reason Party; Greens—Australian Greens; Ind—Independent;
LDP—Liberal Democratic Party; LP—Liberal Party; Nats—The Nationals;
SAP—Sustainable Australia Party; SFFP—Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party; TMP—Transport Matters PartyCONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acknowledgement of country ...................................................................................................................................... 441
COMMITTEES
Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee ............................................................................................................ 441
Membership .............................................................................................................................................................. 441
PAPERS
Papers.............................................................................................................................................................................. 441
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Notices ............................................................................................................................................................................ 441
COMMITTEES
Economy and Infrastructure Committee ..................................................................................................................... 442
Inquiry into the Increase in Victoria’s Road Toll .................................................................................................. 442
MEMBERS STATEMENTS
International Day of Women and Girls in Science .................................................................................................... 442
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 442
Caroline Springs police station..................................................................................................................................... 443
Western Victoria Region schools................................................................................................................................. 443
Refugee detention .......................................................................................................................................................... 443
Migrant Information Centre ......................................................................................................................................... 444
Corruption ...................................................................................................................................................................... 444
Learn Local providers ................................................................................................................................................... 444
Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple ............................................................................................................................ 445
CoLocal .......................................................................................................................................................................... 445
Table Tennis Victoria .................................................................................................................................................... 446
Mental health support .................................................................................................................................................... 446
National apology anniversary....................................................................................................................................... 446
Etsy ................................................................................................................................................................................. 447
COMMITTEES
Economy and Infrastructure Committee ..................................................................................................................... 447
Reference................................................................................................................................................................... 447
Economy and Infrastructure Committee ..................................................................................................................... 463
Reference................................................................................................................................................................... 463
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE AND MINISTERS STATEMENTS
Migrant Workers Centre grants.................................................................................................................................... 464
Big Housing Build ......................................................................................................................................................... 465
Ministers statements: early childhood education........................................................................................................ 466
Crime prevention ........................................................................................................................................................... 466
Crown Casino ................................................................................................................................................................ 467
Ministers statements: Living Libraries Infrastructure Program ................................................................................ 468
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 468
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 469
Ministers statements: LaunchVic ................................................................................................................................. 470
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 470
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 471
Duck hunting.................................................................................................................................................................. 472
Ministers statements: Castlemaine training and skills ............................................................................................... 472
Written responses .......................................................................................................................................................... 473
Migrant Workers Centre grants.................................................................................................................................... 473
CONSTITUENCY QUESTIONS
Western Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................... 473
Northern Victoria Region ............................................................................................................................................. 473
Western Victoria Region .............................................................................................................................................. 474
Eastern Victoria Region ................................................................................................................................................ 474
Northern Metropolitan Region ..................................................................................................................................... 474
Western Victoria Region .............................................................................................................................................. 474
Western Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................... 475
Western Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................................................... 475
Northern Victoria Region ............................................................................................................................................. 475
Southern Metropolitan Region ..................................................................................................................................... 475
Northern Victoria Region ............................................................................................................................................. 476
Eastern Victoria Region ................................................................................................................................................ 476
Western Victoria Region .............................................................................................................................................. 476COMMITTEES
Economy and Infrastructure Committee ..................................................................................................................... 477
Reference................................................................................................................................................................... 477
BILLS
Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2019 .................................................................................. 491
Council’s amendments............................................................................................................................................. 491
PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 491
MOTIONS
Small business support .................................................................................................................................................. 509
STATEMENTS ON REPORTS, PAPERS AND PETITIONS
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions................................................................................................................ 510
Report 2019–20 ........................................................................................................................................................ 510
Department of Premier and Cabinet ............................................................................................................................ 511
Report 2019–20 ........................................................................................................................................................ 511
Department of Treasury and Finance .......................................................................................................................... 512
Budget papers 2020–21 ........................................................................................................................................... 512
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee ................................................................................................................ 513
Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic ............................................ 513
Auditor-General ............................................................................................................................................................. 514
Grants to the Migrant Workers Centre ................................................................................................................... 514
Legal and Social Issues Committee ............................................................................................................................. 514
Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s COVID‐19 Contact Tracing System and Testing
Regime....................................................................................................................................................................... 514
Public Accounts and Estimates Committee ................................................................................................................ 515
Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic ............................................ 515
ADJOURNMENT
Katunga cricket club...................................................................................................................................................... 516
Murray Basin rail project .............................................................................................................................................. 517
Northern Metropolitan Region schools ....................................................................................................................... 517
Box Hill transit interchange .......................................................................................................................................... 518
Police conduct ................................................................................................................................................................ 519
Crime prevention ........................................................................................................................................................... 519
Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre ................................................................................................. 519
Gambling harm .............................................................................................................................................................. 520
COVID-19...................................................................................................................................................................... 520
Prison staff safety........................................................................................................................................................... 521
Latrobe Special Developmental School ...................................................................................................................... 521
Western Port Bay........................................................................................................................................................... 522
Surf Coast Shire Council code of conduct .................................................................................................................. 522
Murray Basin rail project .............................................................................................................................................. 523
COVID-19 vaccination ................................................................................................................................................. 524
Montmorency train station............................................................................................................................................ 524
Responses ....................................................................................................................................................................... 525
WRITTEN ADJOURNMENT RESPONSES
Housing affordability .................................................................................................................................................... 527
V/Line ............................................................................................................................................................................. 527
Serious sex offenders .................................................................................................................................................... 527
Post-traumatic stress injury assistance dogs................................................................................................................ 528
Shepparton bypass ......................................................................................................................................................... 528
Dame Phyllis Frost Centre............................................................................................................................................ 529
Banyule biodiversity ..................................................................................................................................................... 529
Electric vehicles ............................................................................................................................................................. 529
Wild horse control ......................................................................................................................................................... 530ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thursday, 18 February 2021 Legislative Council 441
Thursday, 18 February 2021
The PRESIDENT (Hon. N Elasmar) took the chair at 9.50 am and read the prayer.
Announcements
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The PRESIDENT (09:50): On behalf of the Victorian state Parliament I acknowledge the
Aboriginal peoples, the traditional custodians of this land which has served as a significant meeting
place of the First People of Victoria. I acknowledge and pay respect to the elders of the Aboriginal
nations in Victoria past, present and emerging and welcome any elders and members of the Aboriginal
communities who may visit or participate in the events or proceedings of the Parliament.
Committees
SCRUTINY OF ACTS AND REGULATIONS COMMITTEE
Membership
The PRESIDENT (09:51): I would like to advise the house that I have received a letter from
Ms Sonya Kilkenny, the member for Carrum in the other place, resigning from the Scrutiny of Acts
and Regulations Committee effective from Wednesday, 17 February 2021.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for
Resources) (09:51): I move, by leave:
That Ms Watt be made a member of the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee.
Motion agreed to.
Papers
PAPERS
Tabled by Acting Clerk:
Auditor-General’s Report on Grants to the Migrant Workers Centre, February 2021 (Ordered to be
published).
Family Violence Protection Act 2008—Report on the implementation of the Family Violence Risk
Assessment and Management Framework, 2019–20.
Gippsland Waste and Resource Recovery Group—Minister’s report of receipt of the 2019–20 report.
Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group—Minister’s report of receipt of the 2019–20 report.
Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group—Report, 2019–20.
Subordinate Legislation Act 1994—Documents under section 15 in respect of Statutory Rule Nos. 149/2020
and 5/2021.
Business of the house
NOTICES
Notices of motion given.
Notices of intention to make a statement given.COMMITTEES
442 Legislative Council Thursday, 18 February 2021
Committees
ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Inquiry into the Increase in Victoria’s Road Toll
Mr ERDOGAN (Southern Metropolitan) (10:01): I move, by leave:
That if the Economy and Infrastructure Committee proposes to transmit a report for the inquiry into the
increase in Victoria’s road toll to the house on a day when the house is not sitting, the chair may give the
report to the Clerk and:
(1) the Clerk must:
(a) as soon as practicable after the report is received:
(i) give a copy of the report to each member of the house;
(ii) cause the report to be published on the tabled documents database and the committee’s website;
(b) cause the report to be tabled in the house on the next sitting day of the house; and
(2) the report will be taken to be published by authority of the house.
Motion agreed to.
Members statements
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
Dr KIEU (South Eastern Metropolitan) (10:02): On 11 February this year we celebrated the
International Day of Women and Girls in Science. On this day we encourage women and girls around
the world to pursue an education and career in science. A key part of encouragement is acknowledging
the reality that the pursuit of science and of gender equality are both vital and interwoven causes. By
supporting women and girls in science we have more breakthroughs, better developments and faster
technology.
Women scientists have discovered incredible things in our world. To cite a few: Marie Curie’s
discovery of radium and polonium, Katherine Johnson’s calculation of orbital mechanics and Vera
Rubin’s significant discovery of dark matter—one of the 20th century’s most important discoveries—
to Elizabeth Blackburn’s finding on telomeres, a discovery that has significantly impacted cancer and
ageing research.
This year’s theme of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrating the countless
number of brave women who are at the forefront of the global pandemic response. Without these
women, we would find ourselves in a far worse situation than we are currently in. I want to thank and
acknowledge the powerful contribution these women across the globe have made to science and to the
suppression of coronavirus.
COVID-19
Mr RICH-PHILLIPS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (10:04): This week Victoria has again been
plunged into darkness, and Victorians are angry. They are angry at the sudden lockdown, which has
again caused so much damage socially and economically and to mental health. They are angry at the
failure to set down a strategy to announce goalposts so people can plan. They are angry at the lies and
incompetence that they have endured from this government for the last year. This lockdown was
laughably called a circuit-breaker, as if society and the economy can be turned on and off like a switch.
It came to a crashing halt on Friday night, and it does not simply rebound today. Permanent damage
has been done. Some businesses which were forced to shut down again on Friday night will not reopen
this time. More jobs have been permanently destroyed and more lives have been lost as yet more
Victorians are being pushed over the edge.
The sudden, unexpected and unnecessary lockdown of the whole state has had a crippling impact on
confidence. Victorians are on edge because they do not know when their panicked, hysterical and ill-MEMBERS STATEMENTS
Thursday, 18 February 2021 Legislative Council 443
prepared government will do it again. Talk of leadership prizes this week has just added to the
community’s anger. Leaders set out a vision and a path forward. They take the people with them, they
provide reassurance and they take responsibility for their actions and their failures. Daniel Andrews
has done none of that. He has abrogated decision-making to mid-level health bureaucrats, he has tried
to shift blame to subordinates and he is more focused on managing media fallout than on fixing his
mess. Leaders also know when it is time to go. After the repeated failures, lies and cover-ups,
Victorians have lost confidence in Daniel Andrews and his government, and that feeling has been
palpable in the last five days.
CAROLINE SPRINGS POLICE STATION
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (10:06): I speak today about the Caroline Springs police
station. The latest statistics show that crime in the area has increased by over 25 per cent. In the City
of Melton, where Caroline Springs is located, family violence unfortunately has increased by 23 per
cent, the highest in recent years. We can assume that Caroline Springs has had a similar increase. But
the Caroline Springs police station is not open 24 hours a day—it is open 9 till 9 on weekdays and 9
till 5 on weekends. The population in the area is booming and will go from 140 000 to 400 000 by
2040. The local community is crying out for a greater police presence, and the Police Association
Victoria has echoed these calls. Those in need must travel to other police stations, including Melton,
over 16 kilometres away. This might not seem much to some, but to people running from danger it
seems like a lifetime. Domestic violence victims have nowhere to go when they need it the most.
Locals need to feel safe urgently, and we require an around-the-clock police station—a 24-hour police
station—in Caroline Springs.
WESTERN VICTORIA REGION SCHOOLS
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher
Education) (10:07): Today I draw the house’s attention to good news for schools in western Victoria.
Mortlake P–12 joins Hamilton’s Baimbridge College and Murtoa College in a new tri-school
partnership, which has been granted $40 000 to work together to significantly broaden the VCE
curriculum. Cobden Tech and P–12 schools in Timboon, Lorne and Apollo Bay and the Lavers Hill
K–12 were funded previously.
Smaller rural schools constantly face the challenge of offering and staffing a wide range of senior
subjects. Limited choice means that some students do not see their course as relevant—a powerful
factor in early school leaving and not completing year 12. Nine extra VCE subjects will be available
to 164 VCE students in the new partnership. These students will learn virtually, and the funding covers
the cost of teacher relief so that the subject content can be adapted to virtual delivery mode. The VCE
Collaboration Fund is a great boost to innovative teaching and is open to all schools, provided at least
one partnership member is a government school. It helps make sure that our young people have access
to good education no matter where they live.
Mortlake P–12 also has another reason to celebrate. It is ready to officially open its $1.176 million
modular building. This is architect-designed and features general purpose classrooms, new toilets and
a breezeway that links via a deck to the rest of the school. I am really looking forward to visiting the
school very soon to help mark this great occasion.
REFUGEE DETENTION
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (10:09): I rise today in support and praise of protesters from
Stand Together for Justice and other groups who have been instrumental in helping gain the release of
26 refugees from detention here in Melbourne. These legal refugees spent a year in a hotel in Preston
and many years prior to that in detention before being transferred to a city hotel where each night at
5.00 pm protesters met to rally for their cause. At the end of January all men were granted bridging
visas, finally.MEMBERS STATEMENTS
444 Legislative Council Thursday, 18 February 2021
There have, however, been some questions over the tactics used by Victoria Police and the Melbourne
City Council at these protests. Several activists were fined using rarely enacted council by-laws that
were written to govern noise levels around buskers and their use of portable speakers and megaphones.
I would hope that there would be some common sense and discretion used to quietly do away with
these frivolous penalties.
All those who dedicated themselves to the release of these men should be immensely proud of the
work they have done. Sadly, the fight will continue until all those who seek asylum on our shores are
dealt with in the humane way all Australians expect.
MIGRANT INFORMATION CENTRE
Ms TERPSTRA (Eastern Metropolitan) (10:10): I rise today to make a contribution in celebration
of the fantastic work that the Migrant Information Centre is doing in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.
Usually this event that I attended on the weekend is an in-person event, but due to COVID it was
moved online, and it was a great success. The event, Together Stronger Better, is a celebration of
multicultural communities and the achievements that they make in the Eastern Metro Region. I was
also pleased to be able to represent the Honourable Ros Spence, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs,
at that event.
The Migrant Information Centre opened in 1999 and seeks to support people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds residing in the eastern suburbs to settle into Australian life. It
provides connections to local multicultural communities and access to support services and
information. These services include providing asylum seekers, temporary protection visa holders and
safe haven enterprise visa holders with support through social events, information sessions and
assistance, sourcing financial support and much, much more. The Migrant Information Centre’s recent
achievements in supporting migrant communities include engaging the Haka Chin, Zomi, Falam Chin,
Mizo and Karen communities to perform, speak and participate in events; including Burmese
traditions and young people in their network events; and acquiring equipment to enable the moving of
face-to-face events online. It was a fantastic celebration, and I look forward to attending it again next
year.
CORRUPTION
Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (10:12): This week I feel indignant and annoyed by the
Victorian government’s lack of action on corruption. In the two years since I was elected I have not
seen the government take one step to stamp out corruption in any form. My motion to ban political
donations from property developers was dismissed by both the major parties. Despite a reported
shortfall in funding, the government has outright refused to assist IBAC. It is not a good look,
especially now that Robert Redlich, QC, has highlighted that IBAC will be unable to properly
investigate a growing list of tasks in Victoria, which, by the way, includes an investigation into the
Labor Party’s branch-stacking scandal. Now we have the New South Wales government uncovering
money laundering at Crown Casino in Victoria to which the Victorian government is oblivious. It is
reported that Crown Casino has donated $550 000 to Victorian political parties since 2010. This
creates a huge conflict of interest, and it is appalling that the government does not recognise this as a
problem.
The Sustainable Australia Party is very concerned about the extent of corruption in Victoria. It is time
to get some heads out of the sand and recognise this as a systemic problem that needs urgent
addressing. Corruption is an awful disease, but it is not something we do not have a remedy for. It is
time to apply decisive action and stamp it out.
LEARN LOCAL PROVIDERS
Mr MELHEM (Western Metropolitan) (10:13): As Parliamentary Secretary for Training and
Skills, last week I visited three Learn Locals in East Gippsland: the Mallacoota District Health and
Support Service, the Orbost Education Centre and Buchan Neighbourhood House. These communitiesMEMBERS STATEMENTS
Thursday, 18 February 2021 Legislative Council 445
have been doing it tough for over a year now, first with the devastating summer bushfire season and
then with the global coronavirus pandemic, creating immeasurable human tragedy. These centres act
as important community hubs, particularly in times of crisis. They ensured people stayed connected
during the initial chaos and confusion. They supported those hit hardest by distributing food and other
donations, organising shelter and providing financial assistance through grants, and they are
empowering residents into employment opportunities during the recovery phase 2 training programs.
For example, in Mallacoota the destruction of local employers left many community members without
jobs, but the Learn Local in this town was committed to providing educational opportunities to
empower those most in need. In partnership with TAFE Gippsland, over 80 community members were
equipped with the digital and construction site skills they needed to secure employment with Grocon
and Whelan, enabling them to contribute to the recovery of their community in the process.
Recognising the importance of these centres, the Adult, Community and Further Education Board
provided grants of $25 000 to the seven Learn Locals directly impacted by the bushfires. This funding
is designed to assist impacted learners and support recovery in this community through new courses
and improved resources. The Andrews government is dedicated to supporting the Learn Local sector
and communities reeling from a difficult 2020.
SRI VAKRATHUNDA VINAYAGAR TEMPLE
Mr TARLAMIS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (10:15): On 25 January I had the humbling
privilege of visiting the Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple in The Basin on the occasion of their
reconsecration ceremony. The temple was established in the early 1990s and was the first-ever
traditional Hindu temple to be built in Melbourne. Since then it has fulfilled the spiritual and cultural
aspirations of thousands of Hindus. The temple has become a focal point for Hindus across Victoria
and offers a wonderful shrine to Lord Ganesha, who is regarded by the Hindus as the god of new
beginnings and whose blessing is sought before the start of any new venture. As part of the Hindu
tradition, the temple is renovated, refurbished and reconsecrated every 12 years. The latest addition to
the temple is a glorious 17-layer, 350-tonne granite shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha costing over
$4 million, making the temple also home to the largest granite stone shrine in the Southern
Hemisphere.
The temple’s community has grown from a few thousand to several thousand, and the new renovation
speaks volumes about the success of the Victorian Hindu community and is also a timely reminder of
the success of multicultural Victoria and the great contribution all migrant communities have made to
our state. During this pandemic the temple has also provided thousands of free meals to those in the
community who are in need. In recognition and support of their contribution and valuable work, the
Andrews Labor government recently announced $500 000 towards their new community kitchen,
enabling them to make more meals more often and continue to assist those in the community most in
need.
It was an absolute honour to be invited to join with the Hindu community on this important occasion.
I congratulate president Balaa Kandiah, his dedicated committee and all their volunteers for having
achieved so much and for their invaluable contribution to the community, and I thank the entire Hindu
community for being an integral part of Victoria’s multicultural vibrancy.
COLOCAL
Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan) (10:17): Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Sara
Mitchell, the founder of CoLocal, to hear firsthand the important community initiatives that Sara and
her team are working on in the Western Metropolitan Region. CoLocal has been advocating for many
years for the 20-minute neighbourhood model, especially in the fast-growing and diverse outer metro
areas like Wyndham. CoLocal aims to build capacity and share resources that allow our community
to do more together, aligning a shared vision that creates a sense of belonging and pride and
encouraging a supportive local economy. CoLocal are about joining the dots in the community. Since
2018 they have piloted and managed the Point Cook pop-up park to connect the heart of theMEMBERS STATEMENTS
446 Legislative Council Thursday, 18 February 2021
community and to create a focal point to congregate, to get to know one another and to support local
traders. I thank Sara for all her hard work and for her leadership and look forward to working with her
to make our community a better place to live and work.
TABLE TENNIS VICTORIA
Ms VAGHELA: On another note, I recently also had the opportunity to meet with Mr Ritchie
Hinton, the CEO of Table Tennis Victoria. TTV is the state governing body for the sport of table tennis
in Victoria and is the largest state body in Australia, with in excess of 60 affiliate members and in
excess of 4000 individual members. I received an update from Ritchie on Table Tennis Victoria’s
existing programs and their intentions to expand their plan to promote the sport in Victoria. I thank
Ritchie for taking the time to meet with me, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that
table tennis is accessible to more residents living in my electorate.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Ms TAYLOR (Southern Metropolitan) (10:18): I must say how incredibly relieved I am that we
passed the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Provisional Payments)
Bill 2020 this week, because we know that it has the intent of and certainly will deliver on getting
injured workers the support they need sooner and back to work quicker. We know that with the nature
of mental health claims they can take up to 38 days because they are inherently more complex
generally that a lot of physical claims, and whereas with an open wound we would not dream of
leaving it for 38 days, somehow in the past there perhaps has been attitude that mental health can be
allowed to falter.
That is no longer the case. And why is it no longer? Well, we have changed our expectations with
mental health, and part of that is to do with extensive research. The Productivity Commission’s report
into mental health found that timely provision of support for a worker suffering a mental health injury
increases the likelihood of them returning to work earlier, which is beneficial to the worker, the
employer, the scheme and the Victorian community. The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental
Health System interim report also found that early intervention is effective in reducing the impact of
mental illness, and for all those in the community who may have experienced or continue to experience
this, this surely must bring comfort for them into the future.
NATIONAL APOLOGY ANNIVERSARY
Ms WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (10:20): I rise today to speak on the occasion of the
anniversary of the apology to the stolen generations. Just over 13 years ago then Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd delivered the historic apology. I want to take a moment to remember that day, to remember the
elders, the survivors and the lost ones for their long struggle for truth and justice.
In the years since, many hundreds of survivors and their families, emboldened by the promise of the
apology, have sought to connect with families, find their truth and begin the long journey to healing. I
would like to acknowledge the organisations in the Northern Metropolitan Region that work with
survivors and their families in this journey. From the Koorie Heritage Trust to Connecting Home and
Link-Up, the Northern Metropolitan Region is home to some of the most important services for stolen
generations members and their mob, services that assist members to access records, research family
and cultural connections, get their birth certificates—some for the very first time—and support
members in contacting family members and facilitating that meeting.
For too many members of the stolen generation that includes referrals to much-needed healing for
trauma and hurt that places like this Parliament put on people and their loved ones. We must make
right, and that is why I am delighted to follow the progress of the landmark stolen generation redress
scheme, a plan that will help Aboriginal communities heal, because it is never too late to do the right
thing.COMMITTEES
Thursday, 18 February 2021 Legislative Council 447
ETSY
Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria)
Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 15 September 2020:
I add my voice today to the nearly 37 000 petitioners calling for retailer Etsy to stop facilitating the sale of
child abuse themed merchandise through its online platform.
Retailers have conveyed stories of pulling their products from this site after it was discovered childlike sex
dolls were being sold through Etsy online.
As Melinda Tankard Reist of Collective Shout quite rightly says, ‘Child sex abuse and incest are not fashion
symbols to be turned into products and sold for profit’. I thank Melinda for her many years of work advocating
for the removal of this abhorrent paraphernalia.
This material is not only highly inappropriate; it is completely unacceptable how it can be purchased through
any platform, whether that be online or in retail outlets.
I thank Anna Cordell for starting this petition, and I encourage others to go online and support her cause.
Committees
ECONOMY AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Reference
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (10:22): President, I seek leave to
move notice of motion 486 in an amended form, with the deletion of a small number of words. I will
just explain that to people before I do it, with your good grace. It is just in response to crossbench
comments. Item (4) previously read:
calls on the state government to urgently relax COVID-19 restrictions, where it is safe to do so, in line with
other states and ensure … additional state government support …
A number on the crossbench would prefer to delete the first part of that, and consequently my amended
motion does do that.
Leave granted.
Mr DAVIS: I move:
That this house:
(1) notes:
(a) that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism contributed to 6.5 per cent of the Victorian
economy, supporting 263 000 direct and indirect jobs, comprising 7.8 per cent of Victoria’s
employment, 142 300 jobs in Melbourne and 110 000 in regional Victoria;
(b) the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, including Victoria’s second
wave, driven by the closure of international and state borders and the severe restrictions on
movement imposed by Victorian public health orders;
(c) that the COVID-19 pandemic has seen Victoria’s visitor economy haemorrhage almost $2.5 billion
per month and is projected to shed 85 300 jobs by September 2021;
(2) recognises that the more than $10 billion annual Victorian events sector—
and that is a very, very conservative base figure—
is a major sector in its own right and is vital to supporting tourism through central city events, regional
events and festivals and business events, which importantly drives visitation into Melbourne and
regional areas in the off-peak and shoulder seasons and has been severely impacted by the COVID-19
restrictions, including the impact of snap border closures on consumer confidence levels;
(3) further notes that a number of businesses within the sector have had trouble accessing state government
support and that the many sole traders within the tourism and events sector have received inadequate
state government support;COMMITTEES
448 Legislative Council Thursday, 18 February 2021
(4) further notes that additional state government support should be urgently provided to tourism and events
industry businesses; and
(5) requires the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to inquire into, hold public hearings in Melbourne
and regional Victoria to identify key issues and areas of concern, and report by 30 June 2021 on the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism and events sectors and provide recommendations for
state government support measures that will restore the tourism and events sectors to their critical role
in the Victorian economy and restore lost jobs.
These are two incredibly critical sectors to Victoria’s economy. We have built an economy in Victoria
driven in part by services and inbound tourism—inbound movements from other states and overseas.
These have all been critical to building jobs over many years. The events strategy began—indeed I
will put this on the record—under Joan Kirner and was taken to a new and very effective level by
Jeffrey Kennett and retained largely by the existing Labor government, so through our period of
government and beyond. COVID has hit this for a six, and that has done tremendous damage to
employment. It has done tremendous damage to the small business sector. I look at the regional
tourism sector and note the terrible damage that has occurred there. You walk through central
Melbourne and you do not have to walk far to see the direct impact on those businesses and the
employment in central Melbourne too. These are very, very significant impacts that the community
needs to deal with. I am not saying in this motion that there should not have been public health orders.
Just to be quite clear, I am not saying that. What I am saying is that they have in fact had a very
significant effect.
You might want to circulate that amended motion; that would be good. I am sorry; I only have the one
copy. I thought I outlined it pretty clearly. It should be circulated, please.
The point I would make here is that the huge employment effects here are very significant in the
substrate of our events and tourism sector—the ‘Harry the hirers’; the people who provide support to
the events sector. I am Shadow Minister for the Arts and creative industries, and that sector too is
burning, burning, burning and dying because of the damage that is occurring under COVID. Victoria
does have tougher rules—and I could outline those—in many venues, but that is probably a better
purpose for the inquiry, to look at the specific rules. These rules need to be justified properly. They
need to be put out, and the basis for many of these restrictions needs to be laid out very clearly in the
inquiry, in my view, to get to the bottom of the exact arrangements the government has put in place
and what can be done to sensibly and safely modify those.
But I also make the point that there is an urgent need for support to go into those sectors. We have
heard from the Minister for Small Business of the failure of the Sole Trader Support Fund and the fact
that only 15.2 per cent of the money, of the $100 million, has been allocated. Meanwhile sole traders
around the state are burning and dying significantly with this set of restrictions. We need to provide
that urgent support to them. There needs to be further tax relief in some areas. There need to be direct
payments that are actually accessible.
We have seen the state government—and it is the subject of a motion later in the day—with its licensed
premises support, the 293 businesses that were overpaid, and now the government is clawing that
money back. Well, that is a significant impact as well. So even where there are programs in place, in
many cases this state government—this Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and this
Minister for Small Business—have botched the response, have botched the delivery of those
programs, and they have left those smaller businesses high and dry.
But I also say that in the events sector there are very large businesses—very large businesses—that
have many different venues and arrangements for weddings and business events. The whole business
events sector is such an important sector for Victoria. I do not think I even need to lay out some of the
figure work, but it is clear that that events sector is a huge driver. EY in 2015 did significant work and
said business events alone in Victoria were in those days, in 2015, worth almost $10 billion. That is
just business events alone, so all of the family and personal events, all of the other events that occur,You can also read
