Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Member conduct

Dr BACH (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:00): My question is for the Attorney-General. Attorney, in February 2015 the Premier was asked about the red shirts scandal. He said Labor members would ‘absolutely’ be speaking to Victoria Police if asked and that ‘every single Victorian should cooperate with Victoria Police’. Yet late last year, when asked if you would cooperate with a reopened investigation into the scandal, you said, ‘I’m pretty sure if asked to do so, I would’. Then you said you would consider cooperation ‘on its merits’. On the matter of Labor members’ cooperation with investigations into the red shirts scandal, why has the position of the government changed so significantly?

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:00): I thank Dr Bach for his question. As I have said on numerous occasions in this chamber, I expect all Victorians to comply with their legal obligations, and of course the expectation on members of Parliament is to also do that.

Dr BACH (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:01): I thank the Attorney for her response. Attorney, we learned some years ago now through freedom-of-information requests that were submitted by the opposition that what the Premier said in 2015 simply was not correct. Labor members refused to cooperate.

Mr Leane: Is that right?

Dr BACH: Mr Leane interjects. Yes, it is right. One police email gained through freedom of information said ‘the 16 MPs had declined to be interviewed’.

Mr Leane: Is that right?

Dr BACH: That is correct. The Premier had one position, and that position was incorrect. You had an entirely different position late last year. What is the government’s position today, Attorney? Should its members cooperate with investigations by Victoria Police and by IBAC?

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:02): Dr Bach, there is obviously some conjecture to your question, so I refute the accuracy of your preamble. However, I repeat my answer: I expect all members of Parliament to comply with their legal obligations.