Thursday, 15 August 2024

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing) (14:41): I rise to update the house on the world-class calendar of events that Victorians can enjoy this spring, supported of course by the Allan Labor government. Just last week I met with racing ministers from all over Australia and heard a similar story about the importance of racing across the country. We are here for the horses, although I see a few long faces in the opposition because September is coming, and I do not just mean the Spring Racing Carnival. I am looking forward to getting back to Caulfield with the member for Bentleigh for the first group 1 on 31 August, the Memsie Stakes. From there it only hots up as we race towards the famous Melbourne Cup Carnival, the biggest major sporting event in the state of Victoria, which makes an economic contribution of some $470 million. But it is not all about cup week. Can I just say there are plenty of other major events coming up on the calendar. It is packed. The Spring Racing Carnival reaches every corner of the state, and in regional Victoria alone racing supports some 9000 jobs and makes an economic contribution of some $1.17 billion.

Of course it is not just the Melbourne Cup that stops the nation, because there is an even bigger event this season that we have been waiting for. Everyone has been saddling up for the hottest 10 days of September. The member for Mordialloc put this best when he said it is the defamation case that stops the nation. I hear there are a lot of starters in this race –

Michael O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, I would have thought the minister would have the wit to have changed his statement given your ruling. I would ask you to bring him back to being within the rules.

Anthony CARBINES: On the point of order, Speaker, I may well have mentioned that there is a case, but I have not mentioned any details relating to the case. I ask that you rule the point of order out of order.

The SPEAKER: I think I made it very clear that references to matters before our judicial system are not to be used in the chamber.

James Newbury: Further to the point of order, Speaker, a number of rulings by Speaker Brooks – I am sure he appreciates my referring to them – have made it very, very clear that attacks on the opposition in ministers statements are out of order.

The SPEAKER: That is true. I do ask two things: the minister will not attack the opposition and will not refer to matters that are before our courts.

Anthony CARBINES: No, I will not do that, Speaker. I say that it is an Allan Labor government that continues to support tens of thousands of racing jobs across every part of Victoria. We also support the multibillions of dollars that the racing industry generates for the Victorian economy, and we will continue to support those jobs. Can I just say that we are here for the horses – we love the horses – but it is a new nightmare on Spring Street for the Leader of the Opposition this September.

The SPEAKER: The house will move to constituency questions.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I have two matters that remain outstanding, both for the Minister for Environment, one lodged on 20 June – well overdue – and one from even longer, from 2 May. 610 is a constituency question and 1339 is a question on notice that is outstanding.