Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:04): (1261) My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, it has been reported publicly that the government has settled a class action from thousands of COVID lockdown impacted small businesses for $125 million. Was the $125 million in compensation budgeted for?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:04): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question. At the outset, Mrs McArthur, I do not think you were in the Parliament at the time, but the government took a lot of measures to ensure that the community were protected both from –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: I said it last sitting week: I wonder what point people see in even asking a question if they are just going to start yelling when the minister is trying to answer. Maybe you should listen to her answer. She is not provoking anything, I would have thought.

Jaclyn SYMES: The government stands by the steps we took to protect Victorians in the face of a one-in-100-year pandemic –

Georgie Crozier interjected.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Crozier, you are being very disruptive. It is going to be a really long question time, so I would ask you to rein it in a bit, please.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mrs McArthur, the state has reached a settlement to resolve this matter. This is a matter on which we will have further discussions with the court, so I am not in a position to give a lot more detail, except I would point out that your description of $125 million as compensation is not an accurate reflection. This is a court settlement.

Members interjecting.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:07): Well, you have certainly managed to avoid getting on the stand. When asked yesterday about the outcome, transport minister and leadership aspirant Gabrielle Williams said the government had taken a fiscally responsible decision. Treasurer, does the advice you have received from your department confirm the government’s action, which includes spending approximately $40 million in legal fees and then the additional $125 million in compensation, as fiscally responsible?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:07): Mrs McArthur, the government has taken a fiscally responsible decision to settle a matter rather than continue with a protracted legal action, in accordance with advice from our legal representatives.