Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Written responses

The PRESIDENT (12:49): I said it would be over in 1 minute, and it was 2. I am a big enough man to admit when I am wrong. As far as today’s questions go: Minister Shing will get two answers from the Minister for Transport Infrastructure for Mrs Tyrrell; Minister Symes has committed to Mr Davis in the supplementary question –

Jaclyn Symes: On a point of order, President, for the benefit of the house and Mr Davis I can confirm that the answer to his question, in terms of the date, was December 2023. I am more than happy to provide a written response to Mr Davis, but given the interest of the house, given that we are in the midst of an emergency, I thought it would benefit the remainder of the house. That is available on the emv.vic.gov.au website, along with all of the subplans for emergency management.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you for your assistance.

David Davis: On the point of order, President, I wanted the minister to tell us which subplan was in operation.

The PRESIDENT: I think the minister just acquitted that. The question was the date.

Jaclyn Symes: All of them. Energy, tsunami, earthquake – all of them. They’re all there.

David Davis: All of them. I just wanted you to say it on the record.

The PRESIDENT: See, this is the sort of chamber that we are. We go very well in here. Let us forget that one; it has been done.

Mr Puglielli, I know Minister Tierney was unsure whether those funds come under her responsibility, but she did commit to giving a response to you under the standing orders. That is I think all I have got.

Samantha Ratnam: On a point of order, President, I do not believe my question and supplementary were responded to by the Minister for Housing. I would like you to review that.

The PRESIDENT: I am happy to review, and I will get back to the house before the end of the day.

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, in relation to the supplementary question I asked about delays in getting through to Triple Zero and whether there was critical information not being conveyed or delays occurring to firefighters last Tuesday, I do not believe the minister answered that question, and I would ask that to be also reinstated.

The PRESIDENT: Are you talking about the supplementary question?

Georgie Crozier: Yes, the supplementary.

The PRESIDENT: Once again, I am happy to review that. I will say, though –

Jaclyn Symes interjected.

The PRESIDENT: That is good, but I have a responsibility under the standing orders. I am happy to review that. But I will say there have been a few instances in recent question times when a question gets answered and the minister completely rejects the premise of the question; therefore it is very hard for a supplementary to be asked once the minister has done that – I will just say that. I will review it.

Bev McArthur: On a point of order, President, I think Minister Shing confirmed that she will get back to me or the house on the detail of how she is processing that complaint.

The PRESIDENT: I have taken that undertaking as outside what is in the standing orders.