Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:23): (1153) My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, what discussions have you had or funding requests have you received from the Minister for Environment regarding replacing FFMV’s G-Wagons and Unimogs that your government has been forced to write off due to major chassis and subframe faults?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:23): Whilst I appreciate the issue, Ms Bath, it is the third question from the opposition that is really seeking information from portfolio ministers through the Treasurer.

Bev McArthur: Aren’t you in charge of the money?

Jaclyn SYMES: That is a really simplistic view of how the general orders work. I would put to you that your question in relation to discussions –

Melina Bath: On a point of order, President, the minister has it in her power, so it is on relevance. Has she received any funding requests as Treasurer? Either she has or she has not.

The PRESIDENT: The question went to a further level of detail around certain pieces of equipment where the Treasurer is indicating that it is the responsibility of another minister. The Treasurer has only had, if my maths is good, 28 seconds, and she was addressing that part of the question. I will call the Treasurer.

Jaclyn SYMES: There have been conversations across government and in a number of forums, particularly cabinet discussions, in relation to this matter, and I am not in a position to disclose what is discussed in cabinet committees.

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:25): Minister, we have got a very serious fire season coming up. Even the Premier said it is one of the most dangerous on record. Launched in 2017 under Labor’s $32 million state-of-the-art upgrades, these vehicles were touted as being world-class firefighting assets. Treasurer, why should Victorians pay more in emergency services levies when your government cannot deliver safe, reliable firefighting vehicles, noting that this season is going to be one of the worst?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:25): It is incredibly important to fund our emergency services, and in contrast to your side, Ms Bath, that is what we are doing.

Melina Bath: On a point of order, President, the Treasurer does not need to attack the opposition on an issue that this government must be responsible for. I ask you to draw the minister back to answering the question, not attacking the opposition.

The PRESIDENT: I think the minister started by answering the question, and I call on her to continue.

Jaclyn SYMES: We are very confident in our government’s support, financially and otherwise, of our emergency services, because that is what the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund is about: making sure we have got the resources to continue to provide the equipment, the training and everything that emergency services need. I am confident that Victoria has the resources it needs this fire season.