Wednesday, 1 April 2026

 Ella GEORGE (Lara) (14:48): (1607) My question is for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. How can the Victorian government continue to support local communities in celebrating their diversity and supporting inclusion? Recently we celebrated Cultural Diversity Week. It was a great opportunity to recognise the many cultures that make up the community I represent in Geelong’s northern suburbs. Through the week I joined the wonderful Northern Bay school community, who hosted their annual celebration of cultural diversity with a Harmony Week event for the whole community to attend. In the lead-up to the event it was very special to see video messages on the school’s Facebook page, where students spoke in many different languages, inviting the community to be part of the celebrations. It was such an inclusive approach to ensuring everyone feels welcome attending the event. We have the most warm and welcoming multicultural community in the Lara electorate, and events like Harmony Day are such a terrific reflection of that.

Cindy McLeish: I have a point of order, Speaker, with regard to the content of answers, possibly in breach of standing order 58, with regard to questions on notice, which I have lodged with the Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC. The questions that I asked were very detailed, asking for a specific dollar amount, and the response was a line to say, ‘This is available in the annual report,’ which is not true. The reason I asked those questions is because it is not in the annual report. If I refer to standing order 58, it says the answers to the questions must be direct, factual and succinct. This is not factual. This is not the first time that it has happened, so I seek your guidance, Speaker, about whether the minister can be directed to answer those questions properly.

The SPEAKER: Member for Eildon, I am not familiar with that question or the answer. I am happy to have a conversation with you outside of the chamber.

Annabelle Cleeland: Speaker, I have a point of order relating to overdue questions. I have several overdue, and these relate to the portfolios of environment, the education, the Premier, police, housing and building, public and active transport, health and ambulance services. They are extensive in how delayed they are and they are really important to my community, so could you please ask them to do their job?

The SPEAKER: Could you hand your list to the clerks, please, member for Euroa. I remind members that points of order around unanswered questions are not to be used as an opportunity to make a statement to the house.