Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Commonwealth Games

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (14:03): (207) My question is for the Minister for Regional Development. Minister, last week I met with the proprietors of the Huntly Hotel in Greater Bendigo, who have plans for a 25-unit motel facility and a significant expansion and refurbishment of their existing dining and entertainment facilities. These plans had been made knowing the regional Commonwealth Games would bring a significant tourism boost to Bendigo, both in the lead-up to and during the games, as well as an ongoing tourism boost from the international exposure. Minister, when the government made the decision to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, what was the dollar value of private sector investment the government estimated would be made in regional communities?

The PRESIDENT: I am not too sure if that would have fallen under even the previous responsibilities of the –

Wendy LOVELL: No, it is regional development.

The PRESIDENT: I will let the minister answer as she sees fit.

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Equality) (14:04): Thank you, Ms Lovell. Bendigo is absolutely booming, and when we think about the investments that have been made, including to the art gallery, to the work that we are doing across the GovHub and to the extraordinary collection of events basically showcasing this part of the world to everyone from around Victoria and around Australia, it says a lot about the work that the local members have been doing. What I would say, Ms Lovell, is that as indicated by the Premier, by the Deputy Premier and by me we have said that we are very happy to provide information and detail about decisions taken once negotiations with the CGF, the CGA and government have concluded. Until then, I do not intend to run a commentary on those matters.

Wendy Lovell: On a point of order, President, my question was about private sector investment, which must have been factored into the decision to host the Commonwealth Games. It was not about compensation. The minister is saying that she is not happy to answer questions while there are ongoing negotiations. This is something that has nothing to do with those ongoing negotiations.

The PRESIDENT: I cannot force the minister to answer in a certain way. I think she has made a response that any details will be available after the negotiations are finished. But I call the minister; she has still got another 2 minutes.

Harriet SHING: Ms Lovell, you clearly know more about negotiation strategy and approaches than anybody else in this Parliament, including as they may be being undertaken in rooms that nobody else here is in, including me. Ms Lovell, as the Premier, the Deputy Premier and I have said on numerous occasions now, we are very happy to provide information and detail about business cases and costings and analysis once negotiations have been completed. I look forward to the conclusion of those negotiations. I also look forward to being able to assist, Ms Lovell, the particular business in Bendigo with understanding how they can get involved in the $60 million fund for regional tourism infrastructure, which also provides businesses looking to expand upon their work in the visitor economy with a range of opportunities to secure that sort of funding, which is intended to directly lead to greater levels of visitation and of visitor and tourism exposure for regional Victoria. This is the entire purpose of the $2 billion, including through the permanent infrastructure that we are delivering. When we have an additional 5000 seats at Eureka Stadium plus additional accessibility, for example, Ms Lovell, we will be in a position to host even more world-class events than are already taking place. Ms Lovell, I look forward to seeing you at some of them.

In addition to that, I would urge you to go back to that business or indeed to provide me with their details. I am very happy to talk them through that $60 million fund for regional tourism and infrastructure. Anything that I can do to assist might well serve that particular business better than the approach that you have taken here today.

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (14:08): Clearly there is no shame. Minister, you talked about the art gallery. The government actually asked the art gallery to put their expansion off until after the Commonwealth Games. That will be a long time. When are we going to host those Commonwealth Games? Minister, in addition to the Huntly Hotel’s plans, there were two 5-star hotels planned in Greater Bendigo and many other venues were considering expansions and upgrades. These investments are now at risk of cancellation or downsizing due to the cancellation of the games. What advice has the minister been given or sought from her department on the value of private sector investment that may now be lost due to the cancellation of the games?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Equality) (14:08): Thank you, Ms Lovell, for that supplementary question. Again, there is a lot of hypothetical in there. You finished your question by saying ‘that may well be lost’. When we talk about the decision that was taken on the 18th, it is important to note that $6 billion is not something that stacks up for a 12-day event, but a package of more than $2 billion does assist us with providing regional businesses with a number of opportunities to expand, to host increased visitor numbers and to put regional and rural Victoria on the map. Ms Lovell, I look forward to your enthusiasm in being able to provide information to the businesses that you have referred to.

On the Bendigo Art Gallery, Ms Lovell, I am so proud of the work that we have done –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the question was about private sector investment. I do not think a word on private sector investment has come out of the member’s lips.

Harriet SHING: On the point of order, President, Mr Davis clearly was not listening to Ms Lovell’s supplementary question, in which she did actually refer to I think everything that I have spoken to. I am being entirely apposite because I am trying to provide you, Ms Lovell, with information to assist you to help people in communities who deserve to get the benefit of these investments.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister was being relevant to the supplementary question. She has got 1 second.

Harriet SHING: Thanks, Ms Lovell.