Tuesday, 29 July 2025

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (14:36): (1679) My question is to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. Labor’s destruction of Albert Park continues. Constituents in my electorate were appalled to see established trees in the park chopped down under the government’s latest sweetheart deal with the grand prix corporation, with upgrades to their garages and hospitality zone. History repeats itself. Some of the trees that were felled were part of the replacement plantings from the initial takeover of the park by the grand prix, pushed by Kennett in the 1990s. Locals have opposed the park being converted to a racetrack since the beginning, and the Greens stand with them. Why does Labor destroy this precious green space and lock the community and sporting groups out year after year and is it now, we hear, looking to extend that lockout, all for a loss-making three-day corporate event? Minister, will you move the grand prix out of Albert Park to a permanent circuit and stop this takeover of the people’s park?