Thursday, 23 February 2023

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Operation Clara

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:00): (49) My question is to the Attorney-General and Leader of the Government. I refer to the Operation Clara report tabled yesterday, by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, a report scathing of former Labor minister Theo Theophanous and pointing directly to his corrupt behaviour. I ask: will the government adopt in full all four recommendations in the Operation Clara report?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:00): Whilst I have no problem with the form of the question that is posed by Mr Davis, I question why he has put it to me as Attorney-General, because I do not consider that it is part of my portfolio responsibilities in that role.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:01): Well, you are Leader of the Government and you are also – the IBAC report clearly makes recommendations –

Jaclyn Symes: Which recommendations are for the Attorney-General?

David DAVIS: It was to the Leader of the Government and Attorney-General; it was to both, actually. That is what I said. I ask: will the government refer Mr Theophanous’s corrupt behaviour to Victoria Police?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:01): Mr Davis, I am not in a position to respond in my role as Attorney-General to that question.