Thursday, 20 November 2025

 David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (22:23): (2160) My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Environment. It was almost a year ago that this chamber passed a motion to call for documents relating to climbing bans and land use restrictions in the Grampians National Park and Mount Arapiles–Tooan State Park. These documents were specified by members of the climbing community that wanted a better understanding of the background that preceded significant decisions. On 31 January this year the Attorney-General tabled a letter which essentially stated that they needed more time. Members of the community were hopeful that these documents would still be tabled in a timely manner. Rather than transparently dealing with these groups, they have been forced to submit freedom-of-information requests to try and get any information that they can. Whilst mostly redacted, some of the information revealed in the documents released is quite interesting. It seems that some staff worked very hard to collate the relevant documents in an attempt to comply with the documents order. In March this year 102 documents were sent to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action for coordination with the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office review. The correspondence outlined that DEECA would then review and consolidate the documents to finalise for Parliament.

I do not have insight into all the various processes that happen behind the scenes, but it seems a bit disrespectful to the public servants who seemingly worked very hard to compile these documents that they seem to be just sitting on a desk somewhere. The people of Natimuk and the broader climbing community, both here and our international visitors, have for the most part been incredibly patient and tolerant, attempting to work through a long and tedious revised consultation process. They deserve a little respect and transparency. There are many ways that this could occur, but a good start would be to comply with the documents order of this house from last year. These documents are important to the understanding of and ongoing negotiations around what is happening at Mount Arapiles and the Grampians. My request to the minister is to pass on the documents that have been in the possession of DEECA since 18 March this year to the Attorney-General so that they can be tabled in Parliament.