Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (19:25): The first item was from the Leader of the Nationals to the Minister for Finance, regarding a desire to see action to finalise the sale of the former Sale police station site. I did want to provide a couple of updates there, if I could, and I will refer those matters to the Minister for Finance. I know some of this will be relevant and well known to the member, but for the benefit of others in the house, the old Sale police station is a surplus Crown land property, and the government is working with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation regarding traditional owner interest in the Crown land, which the member for Gippsland South touched on. As a result of the fire, though, Victoria Police are currently working to assess the damage and status and condition of the building and establish perimeter fencing. That would be temporary, of course, to secure the site and assess the hazards of the site and ensure any hazards are managed, as while the site is surplus and is now the responsibility of other government departments for disposal in terms of its sale, Victoria Police still have a role in maintaining the physical buildings on the site. I can also add that – more as a reference point for the member – the minister in the other place, Minister Shing, the Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, also has a role with regard to some of the work that is being undertaken with the Department of Transport and Planning in relation to this site. But I also have an interest in seeing the site disposed of to conclude Victoria Police’s engagement in the site, and I will also encourage my colleagues to continue the work to move on this matter.

Further, the member for Mordialloc raised a matter for the Minister for Education, and the action he sought was that he update the community on the building works at Keysborough Gardens Primary School, and I will pass that on. The member for Warrandyte raised a matter for the Attorney-General, seeking action to establish a royal commission. The member for Laverton raised a matter for the Minister for Government Services for an update on how the government services app is saving her people in the west many, many dollars. The member for Ovens Valley raised a matter for the Minister for Emergency Services, seeking action to ensure that the Muckatah CFA truck is returned as soon as possible. The member for Glen Waverley raised a matter for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the other place for an update on the support that is being provided to Chinese Victorians, particularly in his electorate of Glen Waverley, in relation to the multicultural portfolio supports that I know he works closely with her in the provision of. Certainly, as the Minister for Racing in the Year of the Horse, I know we had a significant event out there at Caulfield today with the consul general from China – a lot happening in that space throughout the year, I am sure.

The member for Brunswick raised a matter for the Minister for Energy and Resources and Minister for Climate Action particularly with regard to action on ensuring that the boom in data centres does not delay the energy transition from coal and on the significant water use and sustainability issues that the growth in data centres and potential opportunity bring. I will be sure to pass on more eloquently the requests and actions that he has sought. The member for Wendouree raised a matter for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence to visit her great city of Ballarat to update the local community on gendered violence and the education and actions that can be taken before those dangers become more real, as she is well aware of in her community, and to make sure that education and advice and supports are provided. The member for Morwell raised a matter for the Minister for Mental Health, also in the other place, for action on urgent funding for the Latrobe Regional Hospital with regard to mental health care supports. The member for Clarinda raised a matter for my good colleague, the Minister for Small Business and Employment, and the action that he sought was an update on what other supports are being provided to multicultural shopping hubs in his electorate, particularly in the Clayton South area. I will be sure to pass on that matter from the member. That concludes the action items, Deputy Speaker.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Correct weight from the Minister for Racing, and the house stands adjourned till tomorrow morning.

House adjourned 7:30 pm.