Thursday, 9 February 2023

Prime Minister

Peter WALSH (Murray Plains) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. Was the Australian Prime Minister enjoying the hospitality of the Andrews government at the Australian Open when he should have been addressing the crisis in Alice Springs?

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:30): A very good point my colleague has made is ‘How is this a government responsibility?’ While I am on my feet I might just educate the Leader of the Nationals. We may invest in blockbuster events –

John Pesutto interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, I have repeatedly asked you to refer to members by their correct titles. I have also repeatedly asked you to cease the interjections across the chamber directed specifically at those on their feet.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: I might educate the Leader of the Nationals that we do support these events, but they actually have a remit of their own. Tennis Australia are an independent body that run the tournament, and they can invite who they like to their tournament.

Daniel Andrews: They had Josh Frydenberg there.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: They had Josh Frydenberg there. They also decide who participates in the tournament, what the criteria for participation is, who attends the stadium, what special guests attend their rooms, and there are also corporate partners who invite other guests to their rooms. The exclusivity of that event is not only for politicians or the Prime Minister. Global personalities, business people like Bill Gates and many others came to this event. It was not just the Prime Minister.

Daniel Andrews: It is up to Tennis Australia.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: It is Tennis Australia’s remit, and it is also the corporate sponsors’ remit.

Peter WALSH (Murray Plains) (14:31): Minister, is it appropriate for the Prime Minister to get on the beers at a Victorian government sponsored event while alcohol is the cause of so much community harm in Alice Springs?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, this is a question that has no relevance to the minister’s portfolios or to government business, and I ask that you rule this supplementary question out of order.

John Pesutto: On the point of order, Speaker, the supplementary is important because the minister failed to address the kernel of the question in the substantive, and the Leader of the Nationals is probing that further to ask: is it appropriate? I think it is entirely in order, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! It is a state-sponsored event. I ask the minister to come back to answering the question.

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:33): What is appropriate is that this event is a global event – there are only four on the planet and the best one is right here in Melbourne. It is a global event, and let me just remind those on the other side that it is the Australian Open, not the Victorian Open. I think the Prime Minister has every right to attend an event in Melbourne, as others have. If we are talking about alcohol consumption, I think those on the other side, particularly in the other chamber, need to worry about alcohol consumption – like my predecessor. I welcome –

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, imputations against members of the other place as were just articulated by the minister –

Nick Staikos interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bentleigh can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Bentleigh withdrew from chamber.

Brad Rowswell: may not be made in this chamber unless by substantive motion. I would ask you to address the matter just raised by the minister.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister not to reflect on members in the other chamber and to return to answering the question.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: Speaker, I have completed my answer. It is an Australian event. Everybody is welcome, and Tennis Australia decides who comes. And we are very proud of it.