Thursday, 15 May 2025

Northcote electorate

Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Environment. Can the minister advise how the Victorian government supports the role of community-based environmental stewards like the Darebin Creek Management Committee in caring for public land? The Darebin Creek parkland was once a quarried, degraded landscape. It is now a treasured urban ecosystem, driven by over 50 years of work and advocacy by the local not-for-profit DCMC. They have restored land, revived habitat, engaged schools, partnered with traditional custodians and brought generations of volunteers into the work of caring for, connecting with and protecting this precious environment. Their impact is profound. Labor invests in this kind of care through the Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018, the suburban parks program and grassroots environmental restoration. Locally I have joined community members planting trees, improving trails and supporting creek health initiatives. Now, as council reviews future land management, there is a real concern that this trusted community model could be replaced by private contractors. That would be a disaster for the creek and parklands.

Bridget Vallence: Speaker, I raise a point of order about a number of questions that remain unanswered. There are five to the Minister for Finance: questions on notice 2083–7. There are 11 outstanding questions to the Minister for Public and Active Transport: questions on notice 2304–14. Obviously I am asking for answers to those questions for my constituents –

The SPEAKER: Order!

Bridget Vallence: On a further point of order, Speaker, this is something that we did discuss in the parliamentary sitting just prior to the April break – the vast number of unanswered questions and questions that fall overdue by these ministers. You said you would look into it, and I would ask if you could do so again.

The SPEAKER: I would ask you to hand your list to the Clerk please, member for Evelyn.

Chris Crewther: On a point of order, Speaker, I have two constituency questions to follow up on. One from 14 November 2024 I have actually already followed up on here before, number 918. Also, a question to the Premier on 3 April, which was due on 3 May, is question 1096 regarding the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocide. I hope that I get a response before the Greek anniversary next week.

The SPEAKER: Order! There are appropriate ways to raise points of order. I ask members to stick to the standing orders.

Will Fowles: On a point of order, Speaker, there are two unanswered questions for me: constituency question 1086 and question on notice 2181. If you could please follow up with the relevant ministers.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I too have unanswered questions on notice. One from last year that I have already followed up with you is to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, question 1830, and from this year I have 2108, 2110, 2177, 2179 and 2189 to a number of recalcitrant ministers.

Jess Wilson: On a point of order, Speaker, just following up on a number of outstanding questions: 1055 to the Premier; 115 to the Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, and 2138 as well; 2182 to the Minister for Education; and 1023 again to the Premier.

The SPEAKER: I would ask members to give their lists to the Clerk, please.

James Newbury: On a further point of order, Speaker, I raised this in the last sitting week. I know that there was a trial change of the time that points of order could be raised on outstanding questions, and it is clear that the volume of questions outstanding is now significant. By raising points of order now, and I guess hiding from scrutiny at the end of question time, it is clear that the government does not intend to respond in a timely way. I would suggest that the trial is not working and that ministers are ignoring your previous rulings.

The SPEAKER: Order! What is your point of order, member for Brighton?

James Newbury: The trial is not working on the time change to raise points of order. I would ask you to reconsider and allow us to raise these points.

The SPEAKER: I will give consideration to the point of order raised by the member for Brighton.

A matter was raised with me during business this morning. The member for Caulfield gave a notice of motion, which is now on the notice paper. A member requested a withdrawal, and I would ask the member for Caulfield to withdraw.

David Southwick: I will not be withdrawing a statement of fact. The member for Richmond has spent two years inciting hate towards the Jewish community –

The SPEAKER: Order! All I require from you, member for Caulfield, is that you are not withdrawing. I would ask you to leave the chamber for an hour and a half.

Member for Caulfield withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I do note that following a member’s open antisemitism a Jewish member has now been removed from the chamber.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brighton, if you wish to question my rulings, I would ask you to come and see me in my office. We have had this conversation about raising matters in the house. I would ask you to come and see me in my office if you wish to raise matters regarding my rulings.