Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:24): (1273) My question today is for the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Across regional Victoria community-run rodeos are reporting that increased security requirements imposed by Liquor Control Victoria are substantially reducing the funds available for local charities and community groups. Events such as the Buchan Easter rodeo and the Myrtleford Golden Spurs Rodeo cost around about $100,000 to stage, yet only a small portion of that funding – in some cases not even a tenth – is ultimately returned to the community organisations. Organisers have been told they may need as many as 20 to 26 crowd controllers for these events, despite similar or larger regional events having far lower security requirements. It is clear that these requirements are excessive and diverting thousands of dollars away from local charities, volunteer organisations and vital causes such as bushfire relief. Can the minister explain why these heightened security requirements are being imposed on community rodeos?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:25): I thank Mr Bourman for his question and his interest in this matter. It is a matter that has been raised with me by a number of members of Parliament, but I really do appreciate your bringing it to this chamber. Victoria, as you would appreciate, is home to a world-class hospitality sector that supports jobs and communities right across our state. Most recently we had the grand prix. We had the Australian Open before that – record crowds. But of course at these events, when alcohol is served, it is important that there are commonsense safeguards in place and responsible approaches to the service of alcohol, including preventing under-age drinking, an important part of that obligation and the balanced approach that we do take in our state. But liquor licence conditions are determined by our independent regulator. Liquor Control Victoria works with organisers to ensure conditions are appropriate for the size and nature of events. I know you have raised a couple of events there. I am aware of the Buchan East rodeo – I knew I was going to mispronounce it – because that has been brought to my attention before. I do want to say that I am pleased; I have got good news.

Members interjecting.

Enver ERDOGAN: If those across the chamber could please take a moment, I have some good news. I want to update Mr Bourman, because he cares about his community, unlike those opposite.

Members interjecting.

Enver ERDOGAN: I am pleased to share the advice that Liquor Control Victoria has worked closely with the licensees to review those conditions, and my understanding is that this year there was a substantial increase in expected crowd numbers. There is a larger crowd expected, and that is a vote of confidence in the event that they host. Notwithstanding that, my advice is that following the close working relationship that Liquor Control Victoria has with organisers, the event this year will require the same amount of crowd control as last year. That is a good outcome: 11 crowd controllers working together with the community. I think regional communities should be able to enjoy these great local events. Being a metropolitan MP, which has been raised, I do care about our whole state. I have been working closely with regional Victoria, and we want to see these events continue to grow but in a way that keeps the community safe with commonsense regulation in place. I want to thank the regulator. I want to thank the organisers, and I thank Mr Bourman. We are all in it together.

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:28): I am sure Buchan East will be happy to hear your answer. My supplementary: the government has spoken in the past of reducing unnecessary red tape. Therefore will the government allow regional communities, who have successfully managed these events for decades, to once again manage these events without needless interference from the ideology of city bureaucrats?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:28): I thank Mr Bourman for his supplementary question. I think, Mr Bourman, as I already stated, community events such as these are a really important part of regional Victoria, and I want to see them continue to thrive – and they clearly are if they are expecting larger attendances this year than in past years. Of course we want to support them, but I must say I do not necessarily agree with the unnecessary red tape in this instance. In particular, when we are talking about alcohol being served, it is important that it is done in a balanced, responsible way, and the liquor regulator is I think doing quite a good job of managing those risks and working with organisers to make sure these events can be hosted safely and securely and people can enjoy themselves. There are two rodeos you raised in this chamber; in general, people can enjoy the rodeos in regional Victoria.