Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (22:18): This evening there were 19 matters to a range of ministers, two of which were addressed to me. One of them was from Ms Purcell, which I will take on notice, but there was one also by Mr Mulholland directed to me about illegal dumping on Somerton Road and across the outer north in Melbourne, which I feel I can probably address on my feet today. In relation to that matter I want to thank Mr Mulholland for bringing this to the attention of the chamber. He is the not the only member of Parliament that has raised this with me. I can confirm also the member for Greenvale Iwan Walters and the member for Broadmeadows Ms Kathleen Matthews-Ward have raised this. The mayor Carly Moore has also spoken and raised this issue as a matter of concern from a council perspective of what they are seeing and experiencing. It is of grave concern to me as the Minister for Environment and for our government.

That is why as recently as January we set up the illegal dumping clean-up rebate, which is our partnership with agencies who partner in the clean-up. Land managers such as councils can claim up to 50 per cent back. We obviously have the EPA in place as the main regulator. We are the first government in almost 50 years that really has strengthened the environmental protection laws in this state, in 2017, and we have an illegal dumping taskforce in place now. But of course there is always more that needs to be done. There is a scourge going on. There are tough penalties. I have seen infringement notices. I can confirm as minister that I am having discussions with the EPA, and as I update my statement of expectations eight weeks into the role one of my focuses will be on seeing a stronger focus on tough action on polluters. That is one of the statements of expectations that I will be looking to include. I am in the drafting phase of a statement of expectations to the EPA. Thank you for bringing that to this chamber. I think it is an issue that should not be about partisan politics. We do not want to see people dumping their illegal waste in our streets, and I am committed to making sure we do have tougher consequences in place.

On that note, I will make sure all the other 17 matters that are not addressed to me are passed on to the appropriate ministers for response.