Wednesday, 4 October 2023

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is to the Premier. On 16 August the Premier stated in relation to the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games that:

… the decision was taken on the Monday, overnight Commonwealth Games officials were briefed on the government’s decisions and the media conference was held the very, very next day.

If the decision was not made until 17 July, why did the government secretly engage lawyers in June to get out of the Commonwealth Games?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Barwon South!

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:09): Well, as I have already said today and as it has already been said previously on a number of other occasions, as it became apparent in the weeks leading up to that decision being made – yes, on those dates in July – and as those estimates were becoming actuals, work was being done to present a range of options to government to help inform that final decision. That advice included seeking information from officials across the public service, but – as the Leader of the Opposition should know – it was appropriate to also seek legal advice on these matters, which is what the Premier at the time commissioned, that legal advice. Do you know why we did this? Because as it was materialising that the cost of a 12-day sporting event was going to be more than $6 billion, the decision needed to be made to consider all the options available to government – to consider whether to proceed with that event or to consider other options.

It is entirely proper for government to take advice and to thoroughly consider all the options. Now, I say this: it has been remarked by someone in this house that they would not have made a decision without due diligence – they would not have made that decision without due diligence. So not only does the Leader of the Opposition support the decision taken by the government, he also agrees with the position of the government to properly consider and take advice on the decision that was taken.

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Leader of the Opposition for his supplementary question, I would ask him to refer to members not by their names but by their correct titles, even across the table.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): The Premier’s statement in the house on 16 August is directly contradicted now by her own government’s documents. Will the Premier admit that she misled the house?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Barwon South can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Barwon South withdrew from chamber.

Colin Brooks: On a point of order, Speaker, there is a very clear process for allegations of misleading the house, and asking a question on one is definitely not in order. It should be ruled out of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! The question is in order.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:12): No.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.