Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Tarneit electorate

Ms CONNOLLY (Tarneit) (12:56): (2048) My constituency question is for the Minister for Education. Minister, we know breakfast is such an important part of the day, especially for the growing minds of our little ones. However, this can be hard for families doing it tough. Since the expansion of the school breakfast clubs program, increasingly more students in my electorate—and most certainly across Victoria—are getting the nutrition they need to learn, grow and play at school. And I am very pleased to hear that we are expanding this program to school lunches as well. So, Minister, my question is: which schools in Tarneit are currently taking part in the breakfast club program and which schools will be joining up later this year?

Mr R Smith: On a point of order, Speaker, I just want to draw your attention to the contributions by the members for Pascoe Vale, Sunbury and Carrum. Constituency questions are characterised by asking for specific actions. The member for Sunbury asked for further information, the member for Carrum asked generally what options were available—neither of which are particularly specific in their asking—and the member for Pascoe Vale’s contribution seemed more suitable for an adjournment debate rather than the opportunity to ask a constituency question. I just ask you to look at their suitability and whether the sessional orders are being adhered to by those members.

The SPEAKER: Just to clarify the point of order, the member for Pascoe Vale I do not think asked a question.

Mr R Smith: Did not ask a question at all?

The SPEAKER: I do not think so. You might be meaning somebody else.

Mr R Smith: Sorry. Who is—

The SPEAKER: The member for Northcote.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I just need to clarify. I listened very carefully to constituency questions. I find that they were all in order. I do remind members to be cautious when framing constituency questions to make sure that they relate specifically to an issue in their electorate. Some of the constituency questions came close to not being relevant constituency questions, but I find that they were all in order.

Mr R Smith: A point of clarification just so I am aware for myself, and other members might also be unaware from what you are saying, we can ask for just general things now? I thought, as I said, the characterisation of constituency questions was they asked for specific outcomes in the way that questions on notice are framed.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. It is a question. I am happy to answer the question.

Mr R Smith interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! I am happy to answer the question in the correct format. We now move to—

Mr R Smith interjected.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the member for Warrandyte to come to order.