Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:26): (1311) My question is to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Minister, did you seek advice as to whether the Lottery Corporation or any of its subsidiaries made any donation to the Australian Labor Party before approving the exclusive licence renewal?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:26): The short answer is no, as that is not a relevant consideration.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:27): Minister, there is nothing more relevant than donations to the Labor Party when you then award them things. Can you explain to the house why Victorians should have confidence in the integrity of a process where a 40-year monopoly worth over $1 billion was awarded to a Labor Party donor without a public tender?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:27): I thank Mrs McArthur for her supplementary question. Mrs McArthur, let me be very clear: the licensing process was overseen by an independent probity adviser, an independent review panel appointed under the Gambling Regulation Act. Any allegations of that nature should be referred. If you have any allegations of anything, you should put them to the appropriate integrity agencies.

But what I will say is they are not relevant considerations. In fact I can confirm that I was not even aware of that until the public reporting, to be frank, because it is not a relevant consideration in any of these matters. We followed advice. We made sure those independent probity advisers were in place as per the legislation to make sure this process was handled in the best way possible so we could capture the most value possible for our state.