Tuesday, 20 June 2023

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (14:01): My question is for the Minister for Women. Today in Parliament the Premier referred to me as a ‘halfwit grub’. Under the Victorian government’s gender equality strategy, all Victorians should be ‘treated with dignity, respect and fairness’. Is the Premier’s comment appropriate towards a woman in the workplace and in line with this strategy?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, this matter has already been dealt with, and I might point out that the Premier was simply defending the strong and proudly independent member for Northcote from deeply offensive attacks by the Liberal Party in this place.

The SPEAKER: Order! I will allow the question.

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:02): I stand by the Premier in his commitment to gender equality in this state. This Premier has done more for the equality of women than any single Premier has done in the past. I note that he has withdrawn his comment, but he was also defending the good member for Northcote in the attack by those opposite.

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (14:03): When challenged and asked to apologise, the Premier failed to do so. As the Minister for Women, will you apologise on behalf of the government?

The SPEAKER: Order! I would ask the member for Eildon to rephrase her question so that it relates to government business.

Cindy McLEISH: When challenged and asked to apologise, the Premier failed to do so. Given the Victorian government’s gender equality strategy, as the Minister for Women will you apologise on behalf of the government?

The SPEAKER: Order! I will allow the supplementary question.

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:04): It is my pleasure to be able to get up and talk about the gender equality strategy here in Victoria, something that this government is extremely proud of, something that those opposite have been absolutely silent on.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance. I think we have this issue again, where the minister is happy to spruik what she wants but I am asking her to apologise.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Under that gender equality strategy we have delivered training to over 700 women across this state in leadership and in mentoring, which has allowed us to hit our targets and goals under that strategy to have more women on boards, to hit the target of 50 per cent of women on paid government boards and to exceed that target in many situations.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, just on relevance, the minister was asked whether, under the terms of the gender equality strategy, she would as minister apologise on behalf of the government for the despicable comments by the Premier towards the member for Eildon. You know, employers in this state would face far harsher action if they did that –

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, obviously I would ask you, when I am on my feet, that you resume your seat. On the point of order, there is no point of order. Minister for Women, do you wish to continue?

Natalie HUTCHINS: We are very proud of our gender equality strategy, and we look forward to launching a second version of that later this year.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mildura is warned.