Tuesday, 15 August 2023

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Resources. I refer to reports that staff employed by the minister have been involved with illegal Labor party branch-stacking activities. Since reports of taxpayer-funded staff being used for Labor party branch stacking became public in June 2020 what actions has the minister taken to ensure her ministerial and office staff have not misused taxpayer funds?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, I ask that you rule this question out of order. It does not pertain to the minister’s responsibilities as the minister for energy, and it is in fact related to internal party matters. And as you would know, Speaker, there have been a number of rulings from the Chair in relation to the use of question time for those purposes.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, the question directly referred to ministerial office staff. If I can refer to Rulings from the Chair for the Leader of the House and Speaker Plowman of 23 April 1998, the ruling of that time was absolutely clear that where a question relates to ministerial activity and that link is there – that is at the bottom of page 143 – that link is absolutely well and truly within order.

The SPEAKER: Order! It is a fine line between questions on party political matters and a ministerial responsibility here. I will allow the question because it related to the use of taxpayer funds in relation to the minister’s portfolio.

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:03): I am absolutely pleased to take this question. The reason for that is that those opposite have failed to actually understand or indeed listen to comments that I made at a doorstop this morning that went to these very inferences – inferences, not even claims or allegations. Those opposite are more interested in peddling and exaggerating claims – inferences that have been reported in one newspaper this morning. I make it absolutely clear: inferences are not what I am interested in. I am interested in the facts and actually doing the job of delivering for every Victorian on behalf of this very, very proud Labor government.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04:364:): Following today’s allegations of significant branch stacking by staff in her office, will the minister refer the misuse of taxpayer-funded resources in her office for independent investigation?

 Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:04): I am also pleased to take this question, and I will explain why: because those opposite are very slow learners and do not listen. The fact is there are several inferences that have been made, every single one of which was addressed this morning by me. Frankly, I do not deal with hypotheticals – never have and never will. I have got nothing more to add.