Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:21): (1505) My question is to the Minister for Energy and Resources. The Premier has promised no compulsory acquisition for the Western Renewables Link while the cost assessment is underway. When one landowner in Springbank asked for more time, given the complexity and volume of the paperwork involved, AusNet offered an extension to 31 December only if they first sign a land access consent form by 7 October, allowing AusNet onto their property to survey land. Minister, the Premier’s promise is worthless if AusNet can simply pressure and indeed blackmail landholders into consenting to land access. Will you order AusNet to withdraw this deadline today?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:22): Mrs McArthur, I am very happy to take some information from you, follow that up and provide you with a detailed response in relation to conversations that I am happy to have with relevant stakeholders.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:22): Thank you, Minister. Minister, will you guarantee that landowners who decline to sign a land access consent form by 7 October will not be disadvantaged in any future negotiation, compensation or acquisition process for this project?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:22): Mrs McArthur, I think it would be worthwhile my taking you through the process step by step, because you are conflating acquisition with access in the way that you have framed both your substantive question and your supplementary question. I agree with ensuring that everybody knows all of the steps and all of the deadlines and has all of that information available. I am just a little concerned, by the structure of your question, that you do not have the exact steps in your mind, and I think that is very important, because I want people to have the information. I want people to have the opportunity and the time to consider what options they have got. As I have said, I am very happy to take you through every step. I have taken other members of Parliament through all of the steps, and I am more than happy to do the same with you.