Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Constituency questions

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (14:08): (115) My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and it relates to the security of the former Indigenous camp site just east of Ararat. The protest camp site was dispersed in 2020; however, the site is still being protected by at least two security guards 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security guards are also being paid for their accommodation at local motels. This appears to be a complete waste of money where the state of Victoria is literally paying security guards to protect an empty site, and it has been going on for months and months. My question to the minister is: can the minister detail the full cost of the security for this site since the camp’s closure in 2020 and release the costings? Local media have tried to get a response, but they have not been able to get anything from the minister’s office so far.