Thursday, 31 October 2019

 Mr M O’BRIEN (Malvern—Leader of the Opposition) (11:01): My question is to the Premier. Premier, Parliament’s all-party IBAC Committee recommended that the Victorian government adequately resource the police corruption and misconduct division in IBAC to ensure that it can independently and effectively investigate complaints and disclosures about Victoria Police. Why won’t the Premier commit to implementing this recommendation?

 Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:02): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The government’s record in providing support to IBAC both through policy change where that has been important to the IBAC Commissioner and additional budget allocations year on year throughout our time in office is well understood, I would have thought. Perhaps not by the Leader of the Opposition but certainly everyone on this side of the house knows that we stand ready—

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, this was an all-party recommendation that clearly said the resources were not sufficient. That is why I called for an increase. The Premier needs to address the question, which was: why won’t he accept this recommendation of the all-party IBAC Committee?

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is being relevant to the question as put.

Mr ANDREWS: As I was saying, as I understand it, the IBAC budget is currently running at about $40 million a year and they are also reporting that they are in surplus, so again we thank the all-party committee for its recommendations and its views, and the government stands on its record. We have provided strong support to IBAC to do its important work not just in relation to police integrity but its broader oversight responsibilities. They are very important to us; I would think they would be very important to every member of Parliament. The government continues to support IBAC in any way that it can, and suggestions to the contrary are simply wrong.

 Mr M O’BRIEN (Malvern—Leader of the Opposition) (11:03): It was not just the all-party IBAC Committee. The IBAC Commissioner himself, Robert Redlich, QC, has called for additional resources, stating in the IBAC annual report:

We will continue to put a robust business case to government for … increases to our funding to ensure that our work to foster a corruption-resistant public sector in Victoria is sustainable …

Premier, the IBAC Commissioner and the all-party IBAC Committee have both backed greater resources for IBAC. What has the Premier got to hide from a properly resourced anticorruption watchdog?

 Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:04): Goodness me, what a week the Leader of the Opposition is having. They have to get to that level. Gee whiz! Goodness me!

Mr Richardson interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mordialloc is warned!

Mr ANDREWS: He needs more than that, I think. He needs more than that.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will come back to answering the question.

Mr ANDREWS: On the question asked by the Leader of the Opposition, I would draw to his attention that from next year funding of IBAC will no longer be a function of budget, competing against all the other priorities that the government has to wrestle with each and every cycle. Instead it will be part of the parliamentary appropriation, which we believe is an appropriate reform. To suggest that we have not been responsive to concerns and significant in our support—

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, it is not the matter for the Premier to try and attack me; we are talking about the IBAC Commissioner. The IBAC Commissioner is an officer of this Parliament and therefore should be treated with respect. The Premier does not respect anyone else on this side—I get that. He should respect the IBAC Commissioner and answer his call for more resources.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is being relevant to the question.

Mr ANDREWS: Yes, and they are 100 per cent behind the Leader of the Opposition over there. I would not be worried so much about this side, mate; I would be having a look behind you if I was you.

Members interjecting.

Mr ANDREWS: The CEO of IBAC has been very clear—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Ripon on a point of order.

Mr Dimopoulos interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Oakleigh is warned.

Ms Staley: On a point of order, Speaker, as you have previously ruled, question time is not an opportunity to attack the opposition. I would ask you to ask the Premier to stop doing so.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier should not use questions as an opportunity to attack the opposition. The Premier’s answer has concluded.