Thursday, 4 May 2023

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:41): (146) My constituency question today is for the Minister for Environment, and my question is: will the minister come op-shopping with me in Blackburn? There is a fabulous op shop just around the corner from my office in Blackburn that is run by the Epilepsy Foundation.

Members interjecting.

Matthew BACH: I will pick up the interjections. I did not buy this suit from that op shop. I did buy this tie from a different op shop. I do have several ties from that particular op shop, and I will model them for the benefit of members opposite over the coming weeks. I have been talking to staff –

Members interjecting.

Matthew BACH: All right; I hope I will. I have been talking with staff at this particular op shop and at various other op shops around our electorate, President, about the impact of the government’s new op shop tax. We on this side of the house of course had a very different policy at the last election to exempt op shops from the Victorian government’s landfill levy and to exempt charities, but nonetheless there is an impact. We are hearing reports that op shops are shutting. That is no laughing matter. Op shops play an important role in our community, and I would like the minister to come with me to have a look around my electorate.