Thursday, 5 February 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:48): I want to draw the chamber’s attention to the vandalism that occurred at La Trobe’s cottage in my electorate just a few days ago. This is a very important cottage of our first Governor – a superintendent before he was Governor – a house that was bought and assembled here in Victoria in the very early days of Victoria’s settlement by British people. The shocking damage that has been done to monuments across the land is completely and utterly unacceptable, and the defacement that occurred with La Trobe’s cottage in recent days is also completely unacceptable. But it appears the government is sitting on its hands. It appears that there has been no response that is satisfactory by the police. Why are these people not being chased down and fined and held? I am asking: please make a statement, Minister for Police. Make sure that you act on this matter.