Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:17): We know busy families deserve great holidays in our great outdoors, and this summer they can do this for free. The Premier, the Speaker and I spent some time in beautiful Bendigo over the weekend announcing that all campers will have free access to every public campground in the state. This is while those opposite were busy trying to give the member for Hawthorn a permanent holiday. Campers will be able to snap a pic, take a video, who knows –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, it is clear that ministers statements are not opportunities to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: The minister will come back to his ministers statement.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bulleen can leave the chamber for half an hour. I did warn you earlier.

Member for Bulleen withdrew from chamber.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: Campers will be able to snap a pic, take a video and, who knows, even take a voice recording without worrying about a charge hanging over their head.

This builds on our government’s half-price camping commitment back in 2019, saving campers a whopping $25.7 million. We know this initiative will provide a big boost for regional economies as more campers head out into the country. More than 50 million people already visit our state forests and national parks every year, and they do camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, four-wheel driving and much more. Our government will always make sure Victorians can access and enjoy the beautiful outdoors while protecting what needs to be protected.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Gippsland South is warned.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: We are also proud to be making it cheaper and easier for more Victorians to enjoy a day out on the water. We have abolished fees across boat ramps right through Victoria, and it is now free to launch and retrieve a vessel. That is just part of the reason why Victoria is home to fantastic events like the Hooked on Bellarine fishing festival in the member for Bellarine’s electorate, in Port Arlington in fact, last Sunday.

While Sunday marked national Gone Fishing Day, some members opposite have been fishing for their colleagues’ votes for a long, long time. We will continue focusing on delivering for Victorians, reducing the cost of living and getting families out in the outdoors. In fact, talking about outdoor recreation, I will leave it to those opposite to decide who in their party room will take a hike in the next few months.