Thursday, 23 March 2023

 Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:11): My question is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Last month the minister committed to this place that he would put his shareholdings in a blind trust following revelations that he awarded a banking contract to the Commonwealth Bank whilst a shareholder in the Commonwealth Bank. The Premier stated that this was the appropriate thing to do. Will the minister now do the appropriate thing and divest himself of the four properties from which he receives a rental income from real state agencies?

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:11): It is just a ridiculous proposition being put by the member for Kew. I do not accept the proposition being put forward by the member for Kew, and the answer is no.

 Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:11): Over the past month it has been revealed that the minister has awarded the Commonwealth Bank a contract to provide banking services to the Victorian government whilst a shareholder of the Commonwealth Bank, approved the opening of bank accounts with the Commonwealth Bank whilst a shareholder of the Commonwealth Bank, approved new leases on government property with Telstra whilst a shareholder of Telstra and received rental income from real estate agencies whilst being the minister responsible for the sector. How many more times will the minister refer to his previous answer before he simply does the right thing and resigns?

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:12): I would have thought if that was your crescendo, you would have finished with a bit of oomph and pizzazz, but clearly that is lacking. I am not going anywhere. I will see you off the field, mate.