Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:45): (1436) My question is to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Minister, under the ministerial code of conduct ministers have an overarching duty not to accept gifts, hospitality or benefits that could be seen to conflict with their official duties, yet as minister for regulating casinos you accepted both gifts and hospitality from Crown Casino to attend the Brownlow. As minister for regulating gaming you accepted two tickets and hospitality at Derby Day from Tabcorp. Finally, as minister for regulating liquor you accepted two tickets for hospitality at the AFL Grand Final from liquor and pokies giant Endeavour Group. Minister, can you explain why you accepted hospitality from not one but three gambling and liquor corporations that could reasonably be seen to be in direct conflict with your official duties as a minister in direct contravention of the code of conduct?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:46): I thank Ms Copsey for her question and her interest in my engagement with stakeholders. I think it is important as a minister of the Crown to engage with all stakeholders and to attend events. We are the major events capital of the nation, and we host a number of events. Our government is a significant contributor to the hosting of most of those events, like the Australian Open, like the grand prix, like a lot of the racing industry. These are important events, and it is important that a government voice is there. It really gives me an insight into your mindset and that of those in the Greens party – the lack of engagement with the sector, with industry – because we know we need a safe sector that is regulated well. We have been leading the nation in terms of reforms. No state has done more to minimise harm when it comes to gambling – 4 am to 10 am closure powers, slowing down spin rates, load-up limits – and across the board we will continue to do more.

We know that the harm caused by gambling is not unique to Victoria. It does transcend borders. The harm in Wodonga is the same as the harm in Albury. We know this trend, and we need a national approach. But in terms of engagement or official attendance, I of course take a precautionary approach and, where something meets the threshold, do declare it. Nonetheless my presence at these events is not necessarily an endorsement of a position; it is a presence at a major event that our state is hosting.

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (12:47): Minister, these are not cups of tea at stakeholder meetings, as you seem to be trying to characterise them. This is accepting gifts and hospitality from actors in the sectors that you are supposed to regulate. They are not key chains or fridge magnets or little plastic trinkets that get given out at stakeholder briefings here at Parliament. I am reliably informed that the value of the hospitality packages that you have accepted from the gambling and liquor industries on three separate occasions in just a six-month period would run into the tens of thousands of dollars. In not accepting any personal accountability for these conflicts with your official ministerial responsibilities, Minister, how do you square this with the Premier’s claim that integrity is not optional under this Labor government?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:48): I really am concerned by that question, Ms Copsey. If you have an allegation to make, please put it by way of substantive motion. What I will say is I always act properly. I will always attend and engage with stakeholders irrespective of what their views are. That does not mean endorsement of their views in relation to policy. Attending major events such as the racing season – a lot of members across the Parliament I know from all sides of politics are invited to these events, and it is important that we do have a presence so we hear the concerns. These are some of our largest employers in the state, and I will continue to have that positive engagement.