Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:35): (1313) My question is to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Minister, what advice did the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission provide to you as minister on the 40-year licence extension?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:35): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question and interest in this matter. Mrs McArthur, you would appreciate that public lotteries have been a longstanding, low-risk and tightly regulated part of our Victorian gambling system since 1954, when the Lottery Corporation first delivered gambling services and products in Victoria. Under governments of all persuasions since, they have been providing this service. Our extension brings us into line with other jurisdictions that have signed 40-year agreements, in South Australia and in New South Wales.

Evan Mulholland: On a point of order, President, the question simply went to what advice the VGCCC provided to the minister, and he has not yet reached the answer.

The PRESIDENT: The minister has still got 2.5 minutes, so I will let him continue.

Enver ERDOGAN: I will just inform the chamber of the normal process for these sorts of agreements, appreciating that those opposite have been out of government for a long time. These are long agreements, and we do this work well in advance. But in relation to the advice, a lot of it is subject to commercial in confidence, understanding that we are dealing with a publicly listed company. There are laws against releasing some of that information, and some of it is legally privileged, which I do not intend on waiving.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:36): Minister, the Lottery Corporation was the only party allowed in the room, so are you satisfied that all probity requirements under the Gambling Regulation Act were met, notwithstanding that no competitive process was conducted?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:37): The short answer is yes. The process was overseen by the independent probity adviser and independent review panel appointed under the Gambling Regulation Act.