Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Public sector executive remuneration

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:05): My question is to the Minister for Housing. Minister, I refer to Jeroen Weimar, the deputy secretary, housing statement implementation, in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and ask: did Mr Weimar repay some of his $160,000 windfall payment as a condition of accepting his new role with the Victorian government?

Harriet Shing: On a point of order, President, Mr Davis has framed a question in relation to a matter which is, firstly, not relevant to the general order and, secondly, not something of which I have coverage in my role as Minister for Water. It has got absolutely nothing to do with me. Perhaps a rephrasing of the question might assist.

The PRESIDENT: I will uphold the minister’s point of order. Mr Davis, would you like to rephrase?

David DAVIS: Maybe I should direct this question to the minister representing the Premier in that case. Is that what the member is –

Harriet Shing: I am not telling you what to do apart from the fact that you are wrong.

David DAVIS: You have no input into the role?

Harriet Shing interjected.

The PRESIDENT: Let us not have a debate across the chamber.

David DAVIS: On a point of order, President, the minister has spoken on the housing statement on a number of occasions, including in this chamber. I am just troubled if she has not got oversight or involvement with the housing statement.

The PRESIDENT: It is not relevant to her responsibility. Where an individual does anything with a certain amount of money that they may or may not have obtained in previous employment – I cannot even see how it is relevant. Try again.

David DAVIS: Did the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet consult with Mr Weimar as to whether he should repay some of the money before employing him?

The PRESIDENT: I am just going to rule it out.