Tuesday, 22 September 2026

The Clerk: I table three letters from the Attorney-General, all dated 21 September 2026, in response to the following resolutions: on 29 July 2026 relating to Victoria’s threatened and endangered species on the motion of Dr Mansfield; on 26 August 2026 relating to imprisonment, warrants and infringement notices on the motion of Ms Payne; and on 9 September 2026 relating to the rail improvement charge for the Suburban Rail Loop on the motion of Mr Mulholland. The letters each state that the government is unable to provide a final response prior to the expiry of the Legislative Council.

I table a further letter from the Attorney-General dated 21 September 2026 in response to a resolution on 1 April 2026 on the motion of Mr Puglielli and further to the government’s initial response on 13 May 2026 relating to rental controls. The letter states that the government has searched for and identified five documents in response to the order. The government makes a claim of executive privilege over the five documents in full. I further table a schedule of the identified documents, which also outlines the relevant grounds of executive privilege. The letter further states that the government included the most relevant documents within the scope of the order, created since 1 July 2023, and that responding to the broad scope in its entirety would capture irrelevant or outdated documents.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, there were four sets of documents – three with trite responses about insufficient time and one providing excuses as to why the government will not provide the documents after a five-month period. I think it is incumbent on somebody in government – one of the ministers at the table, and there is only one, Minister Stitt. Perhaps she can provide some explanation as to why the government continues to treat the chamber with such contempt.

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, if you want to take note of the Attorney-General’s responses on the next day of meeting – if you want to move that motion – that is your current recourse.

David Davis: I was actually seeking an explanation.

The PRESIDENT: I am saying to you that is your current recourse.

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (15:21): I move:

That the Council take note of the Attorney-General’s responses, or lack thereof, on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (15:21): I move, by leave:

That the motion be debated forthwith.

Leave refused.

The PRESIDENT: I would ask the house to refrain from interjecting on the Clerk.

David Davis: It was not directed at him.

The PRESIDENT: Can you hold your fire. There no point yelling while the Clerk is doing the job that he is paid to do.

Georgie Crozier interjected.

The PRESIDENT: It was yelling, and it is unfair.