Thursday, 15 August 2024

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:31): Just to settle the nerves of those opposite, do not worry; I will not be giving out any medals today. Today I rise to update the house on Victoria’s unrivalled major events calendar. Here in Victoria we do not just have a packed summer calendar or a packed winter calendar, and unlike South Australia we do not spend the whole year talking about one weekend of footy played in our state. No, here in Victoria we have a packed major events calendar all year round, and this spring is no different. We have got the Pharaoh exhibition, which Minister Brooks knows about, on right now, bringing 500 pieces of ancient Egypt and 150,000 people into the centre of Melbourne. We have got the MotoGP, a premier race on the global circuit that I know the member for Bass is looking forward to, and the Melbourne Cup, which I know the Minister for Racing is raring and ready to get out of the stalls for. We have got the AFL Grand Final, the Australian Open golf and Always Live across Victoria with Missy Higgins, the Offspring, Jack White and more. The rest of the country would be jealous to have just one of these events; we have them all.

Still, even with all that, there is another major event highlighted in the calendar of those opposite – 16 ‍September – one event that I know the Leader of the Opposition will plea not to miss. And who knows, there may be another major event on the cards for those opposite. The member for Malvern threw down the challenge –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business is warned, as are members on my left side.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: The member for Malvern threw down the challenge this morning when he broke ranks and claimed the party was better off under him.

We are the major events capital for so many reasons, because of continued investment across successive Labor governments, because of unrivalled infrastructure and because we have a community that shows up all the time. We are the major events capital of the country, and the Allan Labor government is making sure that title is not going anywhere.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Frankston, an hour.

Member for Frankston withdrew from chamber.