Friday, 14 August 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:45): (1428) My question is to the Minister for Government Services. Minister, it was revealed this week that $1.6 million was spent on pot plant contracts, which included watering and pruning. Yesterday it was revealed that almost $600,000 was spent on a coffee machine deal, which includes machine hire and the procurement of beans, for one single government agency. Minister, you are responsible for the procurement settings that allowed this to happen. Will you be investigating what went wrong, yes or no?

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I cannot hear the minister.

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:46): If I could be heard in silence, please. Mrs McArthur, I do reject the premise of that question. I think there are a number of falsehoods there. But before addressing that, I will just restate what I stated yesterday: as the minister responsible for government services we do set a framework for procurement, and the paramount duty is to get value for taxpayers. The incident that you referred to relates to WorkSafe, and I have seen many in the opposition talk about it being too much – that workers should not be even offered a coffee or a tea in their workplace. That seemed to be what I was hearing and seeing on a lot of the socials that I watched from those opposite, which is quite disappointing. But nonetheless what I will say is that WorkSafe is an independent authority. I am expecting them with all their procurement to extract the best value for taxpayers. I understand that the responsible minister in the other place has already said that he has asked his department to review this expenditure to ensure it meets the high standards we expect.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:47): I am sure the taxpayers of Victoria will be very pleased to hear about your waste of money. You have heard it from the Premier, saying he treats public money with respect, responsibility and care. You said similar things yesterday in question time. But these examples of gross neglect of the public purse keep happening time and time again. What you say is meaningless, because nothing seems to change. Minister, the public have a right to know what went wrong and what steps you are taking to fix it. How are you going to fix this disaster that your own colleagues have created?

The PRESIDENT: I am not too sure, with the substantive answer, how that could be a supplementary, given the minister completely rejected the premise. But, Minister, over to you.

Ingrid Stitt interjected.

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:48): I think it was asked and answered, Minister Stitt; I will take that interjection. But what I will say is we do have strong frameworks in place. It is about value for taxpayer dollars. Each agency is responsible for their expenditure. But the fact that those opposite want to target coffee and tearooms in workplaces tells me their attitude and the way Victorian workers will be treated under an LNP–One Nation coalition.