Wednesday, 1 November 2023

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): My question is to the Premier. There are reports that the government is planning to expand the growth areas infrastructure contribution tax. What additional areas of Victoria will now have to pay this new tax?

Brad Battin interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Berwick, we do not need commentary.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:20): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, because this question goes to an initiative that was announced as part of the government’s housing statement that was released a few weeks ago. Of course the housing statement is all about how we do everything we can to build more homes right across the state, whether it is in the centre of Melbourne, in established suburbs, in growth areas or in rural and regional Victoria. When it comes to the growth areas, one of the things alongside the construction of homes for more Victorians – more people having access to a roof over their heads – is we want to make sure that they have the local infrastructure they need to support the building of the community in which they are living. That is why we are building many, many schools in these growth areas. But we also know that there are local connections that are important: the footpaths, the bike paths, those initiatives that provide access –

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, I get that the Premier has confirmed that there will be a wider tax, but the question is: what additional areas? She has confirmed there will be a wider GAIC – where to? Where will it apply?

Jacinta ALLAN: On the point of order, Speaker, I ask that you rule that point of order from the Leader of the Opposition out of order. Verballing members is not a way to make your point of order. If you do not have a point of substance to make, Leader of the Opposition, do not make one at all.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for South Barwon can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for South Barwon withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: Further on the point of order, Speaker, Rulings from the Chair are very, very clear, and can I refer you to page 152. The Leader of the Opposition made clear that the Premier was not being relevant to the question. There is an obligation that the Premier respond in a way that specifically goes to the question that was asked, rather than generally respond. The Premier was not responding directly to the question.

The SPEAKER: Order! Standing orders also say that as Speaker I cannot tell the Premier or any minster how to answer a question. The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked in relation to expanding growth areas infrastructure taxes and how to pay that new tax.

Jacinta ALLAN: Thank you, Speaker, and I was going exactly to the point about why this initiative is important, because it is about ensuring in the growth areas that local communities have those local connections. That is why in the housing statement there is going to be the allocation for those growth communities through the GAIC, so that we can get on and build these local connections alongside building these new schools and building the road connections the Minister for Transport Infrastructure just spoke of. We continue to support these local connections for local communities.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): Why is the government driving up the cost of housing when so many Victorians are struggling to buy their first home?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:24): We know one of the factors that is increasing the cost of housing for Victorians is the issue of supply. One of the ways to address the issue of supply, ensuring that more Victorians have access to more homes where they want to live and the different types of housing options, is we need to build more homes. As a government, whether it is through the $5.3 billion Big Build program or indeed the additional billion dollars that is being spent in regional Victoria –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Narracan can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Narracan withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: or indeed the urban renewal program of our public tower sites, we are building more government homes. We are investing in more homes for those Victorians. But what we also need to do is look at doing everything we can to support private industry to build more homes. With the Leader of the Opposition’s question, I look forward to his wholehearted support for all the legislation we bring to this place that is about increasing the supply of homes in this state.