Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Steve McGHIE (Melton) (14:47): (1467) My question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Similar to the question the member for Box Hill asked, when will the government’s nation-leading laws to stamp out illegal underquoting be introduced into the Parliament so that homebuyers in Melton can have a fairer go at purchasing their dream home? Over recent years, many residents in the Melton electorate have told me about the battle they face trying to bid on a home of their own. They turn up to auctions in good faith. They do their research, arrange preapproval and get their deposit in order, only to have the rug pulled out from under them when the property sells for far more than the advertised price range. This is not bad luck. It is illegal underquoting. Again, the investigation by the Age earlier this year showed that in Melton South, out of 74 tracked sales, 41 per cent of the properties sold above the top end of the price guide quoted by agents. Families in Melton cannot afford more years of this, and only the Allan Labor government is prepared to take on these dodgy practices. Under the reforms announced by the minister last month, real estate agents will be required to publish the actual reserve price at least seven days before auction day or the fixed date of sale. I look forward to the minister’s reply.

Bridget Vallence: It is my favourite time of the week, Speaker. I have a point of order on unanswered questions overdue now, some overdue for as long as six months.

The SPEAKER: Please state your point of order and which minister.

Bridget Vallence: Yes. A number of questions overdue from the Treasurer are questions on notice 2421, 2512, 2777, 2853, 2854, 2855, 2856, 2857, 2858, 2859, 2860, 2861 and 2862, and I think I have raised this point of order a couple of times already. Also, questions overdue from the Minister for Government Services are questions on notice 2763, 2764, 2765 and 2776. An unanswered and overdue question to the Minister for Education is question on notice 2932. And questions overdue from the Minister for Public and Active Transport are questions on notice 2935 and 2936. I will provide that list to the clerks.

Tim Read: On a point of order, Speaker, I have got five overdue questions. I have just emailed the numbers to the Clerk.

Sam Groth: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a couple of unanswered questions I would like addressed before the end of the year if possible: 1282 to the Treasurer and 1341 to the Minister for Health.