Wednesday, 3 June 2026

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:29): (1338) My question is to the Minister for Environment. Minister, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is issuing infringement notices to Victorians camping in state forests, including around the Grampians. Why is the government fining Victorians who are undertaking lawful recreational activity?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:29): I thank Ms Bath for her question and her interest in my environmental portfolio and her questions about really detailed operational matters of the department. What I will say is that our department is committed to ensuring that people can enjoy the outdoors but also making sure that they do it in a responsible, secure and legal way. Where there are infringement notices, if you have specific examples, I am happy for you to forward them to my office and to follow up if you believe there has been some injustice. But in that regard, we make no apologies for enforcing the laws and regulations that are required to ensure that everyone can safely and responsibly enjoy our outdoors.

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:30): Thank you, Minister, for your response. I did say ‘lawful’ recreational activity that they were being fined for. Minister, is the increase in infringement activity linked to the government’s failure to reach a wage agreement with the union representing park rangers and public sector staff, and is the purpose of these fines to reduce demand on public facilities that are no longer being fully maintained?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:31): I reject the premise of Ms Bath’s supplementary question. It is an extraordinary allegation. Unfortunately, Ms Bath, there is a pattern developing here of misinformation where you are misleading the community in relation to some decisions and actions of the department. What I will say is that in relation to those negotiations, the department in good faith is negotiating with its workforce, and they will work through that. But it has no relation to the allegation you have just put, which has no basis to it. So I completely reject the premise of Ms Bath’s question.