Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (14:41): (1697) My constituency question is for the Minister for Emergency Services and concerns the recent increase in funding for our emergency services. Minister, how will the government’s investment support my constituents in Narre Warren South? The state Labor government is ensuring our hardworking emergency services have the tools they need to continue keeping us all safe. This year’s budget alone invests nearly $2 billion into our emergency services to build more stations, get new trucks on the road and make sure those in our emergency services have the modern equipment that they need. The state Labor government’s investment in emergency services exceeds what is raised by the emergency services and volunteers tax by over $1 billion. Those opposite have been very clear about their intentions to scrap the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, which will only rip out the essential tools these services require for their day-to-day operations. I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with my community.

Tim Bull: On a point of order, Speaker, I would just like to bring to your attention that I have 20 overdue questions across seven different portfolios. One in housing dates back to last year. Another one in the roads portfolio is from February this year. I would just like to get the ministers to do their jobs with your encouragement and get those questions answered in the not too distant future.

The SPEAKER: I would ask you to give the list to the clerks, member for Gippsland East.

Tim Bull: I will give the list to the clerks via email.

The SPEAKER: I remind members of the correct way to raise a point of order.

Nathan Lambert: On a point of order, Speaker, on standing order 121, which requires that members do not walk between the Speaker and someone on their feet, the member for Caulfield walked directly in front of the member for Pascoe Vale while he was making his statement, which I note also blocks the camera for that member. I would ask you to caution the member for Caulfield to obey that standing order.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Preston. If I see members not adhering to the standing orders, I will call them out.

David Southwick: On the point of order, Speaker –

The SPEAKER: On which point of order?

David Southwick: On the point of order just raised.

The SPEAKER: The one I just ruled on?

David Southwick: Yes.

The SPEAKER: Am I ruling on a different point of order or on that point of order?

David Southwick: Again, a new point of order. I would ask you to again rule on the issue in terms of when somebody is on their feet, which is on the corner of where I sit, it is very hard for me to actually cross from either one side or the other side. I did what is convention of the chamber and not walk through –

The SPEAKER: Member for Caulfield!

David Southwick: Speaker, I am entitled to finish my point of order, surely.

The SPEAKER: I have ruled on that point of order.

David Southwick: This is a new point of order.

The SPEAKER: Is it? What is it about?

David Southwick: I seek clarification. When a member is walking through the chamber when somebody from this side of the house is on their feet, and I clearly entered from the other side, what side should a member actually enter when somebody is on their feet?

The SPEAKER: Members are required to be familiar with the standing orders. If I see a member walking in front of another member on their feet, I will call it out.

Annabelle Cleeland: On a point of order, Speaker, I also have a substantial number of questions that are overdue. Some of them date back more than nine months, and one I have raised four times as being overdue.

The SPEAKER: Order! Could you refer to what they are, please, member for Euroa.

Annabelle Cleeland: 3013, 3096, 3158, 3160, 3197, 3199, 3222, 3225, 3268, 3269, 3270, 3281, 3277, 3278, 3271, 3272, 3273, 3274, 3275, 1630, 3349, 3350, 3351, 3346, 3347. These are really important to my community. Can the minister please do their job.

The SPEAKER: Member for Euroa, I ask you to give your list to the clerks.

Martin Cameron: On a point of order, Speaker, I also have some outstanding questions: 1259 to the Premier, 3309 to the Minister for Education, 1697 to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, 3339 to the Minister for Emergency Services. My constituents would like these answered also.

The SPEAKER: I ask you to give your list to the clerks. I remind members that points of order are not an opportunity to make a statement. You state the minister and the question outstanding.

Kim O’Keeffe: On a point of order, Speaker, I have important adjournment matters: 1322 to the Minister for Housing and Building, and 1491 for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, which I have been waiting on for quite some time.

Chris Crewther: On a point of order, Speaker, I have four outstanding items: 1621 to the Minister for Housing and Building; 1618 to the Minister for Environment for the Nepean ratepayers association about the FSC Group report; 1612 to the Premier; and 1672 to the Minister for Police.