Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Leader of the House, Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (12:06): I would like to inform and advise the house of a change in leadership of the parliamentary Labor Party. The honourable member for Niddrie has been elected Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party, and further changes will be announced in due course.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a concern about the constitutionality of this chamber. We have just been handed two seating patterns for this chamber. One has the member for Niddrie in that seat, and the other has the member for Dandenong in that seat. Further, both seating plans have the member for Bendigo East where the member for Monbulk is sitting. I am concerned that the member for Bendigo East has not even been afforded a seat in this chamber. Neither seating plan has the member for Bendigo East in that plan.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will be removed from the chamber without warning.

James Newbury: It is not unreasonable for this house to understand who the Premier is. Who is the sworn-in Premier of Victoria, who are the ministry of Victoria and does this government have a majority in this chamber?

Anthony Carbines: On the point of order, if it assists, Speaker, I would say that the seating plan is merely a guide for the house. It has no other status than to provide a guide to the house and the clerks on the way in which divisions are undertaken. We are not in the process of that at this time.

The SPEAKER: I am not going to call it a point of order, because I do not think it is, but further to the contribution from the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Nationals.

Danny O’Brien: I thank the minister at the table for his clarification, but the question still remains: who is the Premier?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will come to order. There is a minister at the table, and that is all that is required. I ask members to show some respect in the chamber. Further to the conversation, which I have ruled on, the member for Brighton.

James Newbury: A matter that I did raise you did not rule on, if I may say, Speaker. Is the member for Bendigo East afforded a seat in this chamber?

Anthony Carbines: The member for Bendigo East continues to have a seat in this chamber. The seating plan has been provided to the Clerk.

The SPEAKER: The member for Bendigo East is afforded a seat in the chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting across the chamber.

Will Fowles: Speaker, you have referred to this as a conversation. I just do not know under what standing order we are proceeding in here this morning. Can we just crack on with the business of the Parliament, please?

The SPEAKER: I believe that we have resolved this issue, and the house will continue with the introduction of bills.