Thursday, 10 September 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (22:17): There have been 13 matters raised by members other than Mr McGowan this evening. I commend Mr McGowan for his advocacy and his passion for a piece of land that is obviously important to him and to members of his community. It is a council piece of land. I, actually, as Minister for Environment, have a lot of Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria parcels of land, and if it were a DEECA parcel of land then I might have some powers. I like that you are trying to give me powers to anoint pocket parks around the state. I would encourage you to continue your advocacy with council in perhaps asking them to retain their ownership of it. I think, as Mr Davis has indicated, there may be some other ministers that have powers already that I do not currently have. I am reluctant to accept your invitation to intervene in a matter that I have no power to, given there are a lot of other things that I do have responsibility for, but I commend your passion and I wish you well.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 10:18 pm.