Thursday, 5 February 2026

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:30): Our creative sector in Victoria is as diverse as it is strong. I am pleased to advise the house that the world-famous Flying Fruit Fly Circus – I got that out – the Fruities, are now operating out of Circus Centre Melbourne in Collingwood, along with their original home in Albury–Wodonga. This is a great win for this demanding physical art form for both Melbourne and Victoria. Circus arts is one of the many art forms we support as a government. We are proud to back Na Djinang, a First Peoples–led circus arts organisation, and through our creative enterprises program, which we announced funding for at the end of last year, we are funding Women’s Circus, based in Melbourne’s west, and we are funding Circus Nexus, a great organisation in Melbourne’s north. These organisations provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in this great physical and social activity. These are well-run organisations that celebrate this great art form.

But there is one dysfunctional circus in town that there is actually no reason to celebrate. It is a circus that has had six ringmasters in seven years – one of those ringmasters is still swinging from the trapeze ‍– where senior performers are leaving because of the infighting within the troupe. No-one runs away to join this circus; they run away to avoid it. Some want to go to Barnaby’s big top; others do not.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I refer you to Speaker Brooks’s ruling that ministers statements should not be misused as a way to attack the opposition.

Colin BROOKS: On the point of order, Speaker, I have not mentioned the opposition, as the member referred to.

The SPEAKER: The minister to continue his ministers statement.

Colin BROOKS: As I said, some want to go to Barnaby’s big top; others do not. It is a circus where the clowns are in charge, and the ringmaster just cannot hold the show together.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is an abuse, pointing at people and –

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, as I said earlier, I enforce the rules. The minister has not mentioned the opposition. In his inference he has not mentioned the opposition. Pointing could be anything, member for Brighton. There is no point of order.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Pointing, member for Brighton, is not in the standing orders.

Colin BROOKS: I was just about to mention the opposition, so I will not continue.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Sunbury can leave the chamber for an hour. The remainder of question time will be done with a degree of decorum, members.

Member for Sunbury withdrew from chamber.