Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (19:43): (2095) My question for the Minister for Energy and Resources concerns the comments made by the Premier about the alarmed residents of Horsham, who have been told their worries regarding the Western Renewables Link preventing accessibility in the case of a fire are those of conspiracy theorists. Minister, under the current CFA guidelines, our volunteer firefighters would be unable to access many of the properties affected by these transmission lines if fire were to break out. The possibility of powerlines arcing in smoke, electrocuting any trucks below and those on board is too high a risk and means firefighters will be unable to protect the homes and farms of those living in proximity to the proposed powerlines. In the wake of this year’s devastating bushfires, do you think it is an appropriate phrase to describe these distressed Victorians as conspiracy theorists?