Thursday, 31 July 2025

Cannabis law reform

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:08): (983) My question is for the Treasurer, and my question is: has the Treasurer sought or received advice on the taxation or otherwise raising of money from the legalisation of cannabis?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:08): I thank Mr Limbrick for his question. I have not received advice from the Department of Treasury and Finance in relation to these matters. There have been representations from other advocates and bodies, and I have at a high level had interest in reading all types of proposals. But in relation to specific advice from within government, no, nor has it been sought.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:09): I thank the Treasurer for that answer. My supplementary question is: it was reported in the Herald Sun this morning that the government is considering a state distribution model for the legalisation of cannabis. I do not know whether that is true or not, but if it is true, is the government considering this in order to bypass constitutional prohibitions on the collection of excise tax?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:09): Mr Limbrick, when you articulated your question as ‘government is considering’, I assume that you were referring to reports that have forecast ideas that might be put at state conference. There is a difference between the ALP and the Labor government. The answer to your question is that your question is not phrased in a way that I am able to provide an answer to in relation to government, because it is not something that government is actively or currently considering. It is something that will be potentially presented.