Thursday, 20 November 2025

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:05): My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, I refer to the requirement for consultation with the Treasurer where increases in pass-through costs are required to fund new electricity infrastructure. I refer to the revelations that AusNet will need to spend billions on upgrading the state’s network between 2027 and 2032, adding $52 a year to household bills and $129 a year to the bills of small businesses. I ask: Treasurer, have you been consulted on these increases, and if so, did you approve these electricity price hikes?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:06): Thank you, Mr Davis. I have missed you the last couple of days, so I welcome your question, although you continue to attempt to link your shadow portfolio in any way to the portfolio of Treasury. The simple answer to your question is that I do not approve them. When it comes to power prices, you seem to have a disbelief of the facts. The fact is we consistently have the lowest wholesale prices in the country. You continually try to talk up this false narrative around government policy contributing to these record high prices, but frankly that is just not correct.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, I asked a very simple question: was she consulted, and if so, did she approve it?

The PRESIDENT: I think she answered the question – she does not approve. I do not like paraphrasing members, but I believe at the start of her answer she said –

A member interjected.

The PRESIDENT: I will call the Treasurer.

Jaclyn SYMES: You asked if I approved them. I definitely did not approve them.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:07): No, no, I asked whether you have been consulted and, if so, did you approve it. You did not approve it, but were you consulted? That was the question. In any event, in its pricing proposal to the regulators, AusNet said:

Victoria’s transmission network is at a turning point … we now face a period of significant uplift … new operational challenges, and broader system transformation.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has said:

… there is a wall of capital expenditure coming …

I ask therefore: has the Treasurer been provided with a brief on these increases and the capital expenditure that AusNet has pointed to?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:08): Mr Davis, I receive a range of advice in a range of formats all the time. Again, you trying to extract information from the energy minister through the Treasurer is really not a good use of question time.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, that is not an answer as to whether the member has had a brief on this matter.

The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister was suggesting that the question could be referred to a different minister with different responsibilities.

David Davis: No, it was about her – whether she had a brief. It can’t be referred to a different minister.

The PRESIDENT: I understand that, and I 100 per cent respect every member’s right to ask any minister a question. But I also respect the right of the minister to say it is not within their remit.

David Davis: Not in remit is one point, but if the minister has received a brief, then it is a matter –

Jaclyn Symes: I answered the question. I get lots of information provided about energy prices.

David Davis: Sure. So you have received a brief, have you? Is that what you are saying? Yes? No?

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Mr Davis, I will review the answer and get back to you.