Tuesday, 17 October 2023

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:53): My question is to the Premier. Yesterday the Deputy Premier said the Victorian government stood ready to provide advice and support to the Gold Coast should it be successful in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Did the Deputy Premier discuss this offer of support with the Premier prior to making his comments?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: If the Leader of the Nationals wants to be removed from the chamber, continue talking while I am on my feet.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:53): It probably is fair to say the Leader of the Opposition does not know a lot about collegiality, working with colleagues and having a chat. It is probably fair to say it is not something he experiences all that often. They probably do not pick up the phone. I am sure Brad does not pick up the phone and say, ‘Now, John, I have an idea for you’. I do not think that happens too often.

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind members to call other members by their correct titles.

Peter Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question again. I ask you to bring her back to answering the question that the Leader of the Opposition asked about whether the Deputy Premier actually asked for permission to say what he said.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Nationals knows not to repeat the question.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition! The member for Berwick can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Berwick withdrew from chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Assistant Treasurer! The Premier, without assistance.

Jacinta ALLAN: Thank you, Speaker. What the Gold Coast does is really a matter for the Gold Coast, and there is a process –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for South-West Coast!

Jacinta ALLAN: Obviously they are engaged in a process. I do not know how much support it has necessarily from the broader Queensland community, but time will tell. In the meantime, what we will continue to focus on on this side of the house, and with our friends over there as well, is delivering the $2 billion package for regional Victoria. We will continue to deliver the Suburban Rail Loop. We will continue to bring back the SEC. We will continue to support our tourism and major events. We will continue to focus on what matters for Victorians.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:56): The CEO of Visit Victoria told the select committee last week that not only did cancelling the games not damage Victoria’s reputation, it actually enhanced it. Will the government’s advice to the Gold Coast be that if you cannot manage your budget, you can cancel the games and still enhance your reputation?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:56): I will say this about the CEO of Visit Victoria Brendan McClements: he is an outstanding individual who works incredibly hard every single day to secure major events for this state, and he has been incredibly successful at securing a range of major events that underpin our terrific hospitality and tourism industries in this state. I will also say this about the CEO of Visit Victoria: he is the one that we will turn to for our expert advice. Just as we ask the expert engineers on how to best remove level crossings, we will ask our experts in the major events industry how best to support the major events industry in this state.