Wednesday, 15 October 2025

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:00): My question today is to the Minister for Equality. The Pride street party is a highlight of the summer. It is a wonderful way that we wrap up the season of queer celebration at centres around the various Midsumma Pride events. Gertrude Street and Smith Street truly come to life during this time. It is also an important opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community to come together to take to the streets and enjoy the wide range of music, performances, queer culture and other events that are taking place. It is my understanding that currently Midsumma, who run the Pride street party, only have funding to hold the upcoming event in February 2026. There is yet to be confirmation of funding arrangements from the state government beyond this time. Minister, will you confirm that the Pride street party will receive ongoing and permanent funding to keep the party going?

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:01): Thank you, Mr Puglielli, for your question to the Minister for Equality. Notwithstanding the great temptation that I have right in this moment to respond to your substantive question, I am going to continue with the precedent I set last night in response to an adjournment matter from the newly minted member of the shadow cabinet, Mr Welch, about the Suburban Rail Loop, and I am going to actually direct the question to the minister in the other place for a response in accordance with the standing orders.

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:01): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. It really is a fabulous and fun event, for those who have yet to go. I encourage all members to take part in the upcoming event. Minister, will you join me for a boogie at the Pride street party this coming February?

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:02): Mr Puglielli, I note that in your supplementary question you referred to ‘Minister’ and not ‘Minister for Equality’, but that notwithstanding, and given the various pronunciations of ‘boogie’ versus ‘bougie’, I will in fact look to make sure that the supplementary is also referred to the minister in the other place, and I look forward to seeing you there in a different capacity.

The PRESIDENT: Before I call the next question, can I acknowledge a previous member of this house, Jan Kronberg, in the gallery.