Thursday, 1 August 2024

Responses

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (19:09): President, on the basis of what you have just given by way of a ruling, we have 13 matters that have come up at adjournment this evening. There was one that was raised by Dr Heath. It was directed to me in the portfolio of housing with a little bit of information, but I think it is probably most relevantly directed to the Minister for Consumer Affairs because it relates to private rental accommodation. You did refer, however, to housing pressure and stress associated with a lack of availability and affordability in Pakenham and in the south-east as that community and population grow and the considerable challenges that people are having in finding and keeping rental accommodation.

There will be matters that Minister Williams will respond to as it relates to those matters, but I just also want to indicate while I have the opportunity that Pakenham has been one of the key areas of focus for the Big Housing Build, which is now on to about 9600 homes either completed or underway. This is on top of around 3300 homes as part of other projects. We are determined to continue this investment. It is $5.3 billion, and it will continue to make a difference to freeing up some of the challenges that have presented as real contributing factors to affordability in particular. I will leave it, though, for Minister Williams to go directly to the matter of private rental accommodation and perhaps some of the other reforms and initiatives on the housing statement as they relate to that particular part of your adjournment.

There was no other matter that related to my portfolios that requires acquittal this evening, on the basis of your ruling, President, but I did just want to take this opportunity to wish Minister Blandthorn and Mr Galea a very happy birthday. It is a somewhat inhospitable place to spend such an august occasion, and to that end I am glad that they are not here in the chamber frittering away the last hours of what should be a day of celebration with family and friends. I place heartfelt congratulations to them on obtaining 21 and 23 years of age respectively. President, that concludes it from me.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:11): I would like to request an explanation for some overdue adjournment items related to adjournment matter 777 to the Minister for Mental Health related to vaccine mandates asked on 7 March this year, adjournment item 971 to the Minister for Mental Health also related to vaccine mandates asked on 19 June this year and adjournment item 884 to the Attorney-General asked on 14 May this year.

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (19:12): Mr Limbrick, I am very happy to follow those matters up with you for response.

The PRESIDENT: Before we adjourn, on Mr Davis’s point of order, I committed to get back to him around the minister at the table answering his supplementary question around the checks and balances around unions not exploiting their position. The minister referred to the federal law and registered organisation regulations, so I have decided that the minister acquitted that question. Now the house will adjourn.

House adjourned 7:12 pm.