Thursday, 29 August 2024

Government performance

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): My question is to the Premier. Strike 1 against the Premier was the $600 million cancellation of the Commonwealth Games. Strike 2 against the Premier was her paying at least another $888 million to settle unspecified issues with the Metro rail project. Strike 3 against the Premier was her decision to call in lawyers to alter the $216 billion Suburban Rail Loop. How can Victorians ever trust this Premier again?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Transport Infrastructure, this is your second warning.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:31): I do have a confession to make. I have enjoyed quite a bit watching the flurry of question time riding over the desk here during the last few minutes as they desperately try and pull together a whole grab bag of fabrication to deliver a question for the Leader of the Opposition. Maybe a little bit more time on QT prep than court prep would be in order for the Leader of the Opposition.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this question went to trust in the Premier. I understand why the Premier does not want to deal with the question, but that was the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: Can I say, when it comes to delivering the projects Victorians voted for, we will absolutely get on and deliver them. As I have said in this house previously, whether it was the Metro Tunnel or level crossings or the West Gate Tunnel or the North East Link and now the Suburban Rail Loop, those opposite have opposed them every step of the way.

Peter Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. People also voted for the Commonwealth Games, and they are not being delivered.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant. She was not debating the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: Victorians know that on this side of the house we will continue to invest in the productive infrastructure, the frontline services and the jobs that Victorians rely on. As I said earlier, when you build nothing, like those opposite did when they were in government, you send the economy backwards. We will continue to focus on supporting jobs and Victorians.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is defying your ruling.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): At every opportunity the Premier has publicly doubled down on Suburban Rail Loop East but has secretly called in lawyers to alter contracts. How is this the action that Victorians would expect from an honourable leader?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:34): I say in reference to the proposition put in the Leader of the Opposition’s question that it is wrong. It is absolutely wrong, and if I have not made that clear to the Leader of the Opposition in my answers to his first question, his second question, his third question and now his fourth question over the course of question time today, I do not know what else I can do. I do not know what else I can do to assist the Leader of the Opposition in telling him he is wrong.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance and in response to the Premier’s comment, this is the fourth occasion this afternoon that I have simply asked about lawyers being hired to advise on altering contracts. The Premier can answer that question very easily: yes or no. The Premier has not answered that.

The SPEAKER: I cannot direct or compel the Premier how to answer a question, but she is being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will say it for the fifth time: the Leader of the Opposition is wrong. The Leader of the Opposition asked a question. The Leader of the Opposition asked about honourable behaviour. What is not honourable is not standing up for people, refugees seeking support here in Victoria, against his federal leader. What is not honourable –

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Premier to withdraw.

Jacinta ALLAN: To assist the house, I will withdraw.