Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Ringwood East train station

Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:25): (1136) We have come to that time in the day or night. I am losing track, because in here we do not have windows that would expose us to sunlight in this place, because that might feed our brains and therefore we might think a little bit more. It has been one of those days.

Mr Erdogan, my matter is for you, and I know you are paying close attention to this, so take notes. Perhaps I will take notes for you, because I can see you are deep in conversation. That is fine. Minister, I am sure you have guessed what time it is. No response – he is very busy in conversation. It is toilet time. Yes, that is right, Mr Erdogan, it is toilet time, and my question is for you as the minister. That is okay; you do not have to give me your undivided attention. Just the smallest amount would suffice – probably the amount that constitutes that of a toilet roll, potentially. Through you, President, of course, really what I am interested in is for the poor people of – and I say ‘poor’ in the sense that they do not have a toilet. I know in your many roles and ministerial responsibilities you probably deal with toilets on a frequent occasion.

Enver Erdogan interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: Well, I am coming to which portfolio it is. It could be a number of portfolios, but I actually think it is probably close to youth justice given what your dear colleague Minister Pearson said in his letter. He cited the reason for there not being a toilet at a Ringwood East train station as of course the propensity for antisocial behaviour. I would hate for any of those people to find their way into your corrections system or much less be a part of the youth justice system; that would be a travesty. I think I am duty bound to raise this with you directly, so I have done that tonight. I would urge you – of course the action is – to confront your colleague in the nicest possible human way. Do that at the cabinet table and explain it to Minister Pearson. I think he has got an assortment of portfolios really, like liquorice. He loves these things. He loves the layers of complexity. It is fed by his department I figure sometimes, to be honest with you. The risk when you are a minister is when the tail wags the dog, but anyway, I am putting that aside for a second. I will just take that out of my mind.

What we really need is a toilet, a loo. At the moment I have got a train station that is not classified as premium, whatever the hell that means. It is classified as local. In my parlance, local is great. Unfortunately, the toilet we have got at the moment is some 190 metres away up two dark laneways. That is another youth justice potential hotspot and a problem for the future, so I am preventing you from having more clients here –

David Davis interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: Absolutely – the problems this could create. But I, with you, Minister, will join forces, or join hands if that is what is required, and we will ask Minister Pearson to see clear through the haze of bureaucracy, which clearly he is dealing with, to actually anoint Ringwood East train station as – if you are watching at home – a premium station, which means we are entitled to a toilet.

A member interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: It might be in a purple area; we will come to that. But through you, President – Minister, I do not think we ask too much. A simple toilet – if you could arrange that for us, I would be most grateful and the people of Ringwood East would be most grateful too.

The PRESIDENT: Which minister was that directed to?

Nick McGOWAN: Minister Erdogan.

The PRESIDENT: No.

Nick McGOWAN: Yes. In his capacity as youth justice and corrections minister.

The PRESIDENT: No, this is making a mockery of the adjournment debate.

A member interjected.

The PRESIDENT: No, I asked him who it was directed to.

Nick McGOWAN: Mr Erdogan. I said that in the 3-minute speech.

The PRESIDENT: In his role as what?

Nick McGOWAN: In his capacity as Minister for Youth Justice.

The PRESIDENT: No.

Nick McGOWAN: Yes, it is. Undoubtedly it is.

The PRESIDENT: No. You are making a mockery of the adjournment debate.

Nick McGOWAN: It is for the minister. He is the Minister for Youth Justice. In the letter that was given to me by Minister Pearson, Minister Pearson specifically referenced –

The PRESIDENT: No.

Nick McGOWAN: President, I have every right to ask this minister –

The PRESIDENT: No. Sit down. I am striking it out.