Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Shrine of Remembrance

Tim BULL (Gippsland East) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Police. The last post commemorative service held every Sunday at the Shrine of Remembrance is under threat due to police budget cuts, a service that has been held since 1935. Why has the government allowed the last post service to be under threat?

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (14:48): The last post services at the shrine will continue. Any claim otherwise from the member opposite is false. Can I also add, just for completeness, that I am a member of the friends of the shrine, member 13, and I congratulate the Shrine of Remembrance for the iconic and amazing services and work they provide to remind all Victorians of the sacrifices that have been made in the past by those who served our country.

Tim BULL (Gippsland East) (14:49): Minister, you have said in this chamber several times that the police force is well funded. If so, why did it write to the shrine saying it cannot afford to have PSOs continuing to attend this service?

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (14:49): I refer the member to my previous answer. The services at the shrine in relation to those matters will continue.

Tim Bull: My point of order is on relevance, Speaker. The question related to why VicPol wrote to the shrine saying it cannot afford to send PSOs to that service.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his answer.