Tuesday, 16 May 2023

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:53): (129) My question is to the Minister for Water. Minister, emails released to the Age under freedom of information show that on 7 February at 3:37 pm Melbourne Water emailed a minister’s office to update a Melbourne Water statement ‘for approval’. Minister, was it your office that was asked for approval on 7 February?

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:54): Thank you, Mr Davis, for that question. Just to be really clear, I am not the decision-maker in relation to matters that are the subject of Melbourne Water’s inquiry. Also to be clear, there is a regular process of engagement between authorities and organisations and my office, at least in the way in which it relates to the portfolios that I hold. And, again, I have not actually been part of any process of engaging with Melbourne Water on the way in which it responds to matters like this.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:55): I think that means it was her office. Is it the practice of your office to vet, tamper or doctor the statements of Melbourne Water, legally an independent statutory authority but in effect your lapdog?

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:55): Mr Davis, I would wholeheartedly reject the premise of your question and the way that you have couched it, so let us be really, really clear about that. The nature of the review that Melbourne Water is undertaking following the October 2022 floods is a matter for it, and the way that it conducts that review and the processes that it undertakes, including the taking of submissions and the process by which the terms of reference are addressed, are matters for it. As I indicated in the answer to your substantive question, I routinely receive information, advice and updates from organisations, departments, agencies and community groups about the way in which the portfolios are discharged, including through authorities and catchment management authorities. It is a standard process for me to be apprised of detail, and indeed for that not to happen would amount to, in my view, a dereliction of my obligations as a minister.