Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Victoria Police

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): My question is to the Premier. When was the decision made not to renew the contracts of chief commissioner Shane Patton and deputy chief commissioner Neil Paterson?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): In acknowledging the Leader of the Opposition’s question and acknowledging that the base of the Leader of the Opposition’s question comes from reports that have been published today that contain a number of baseless allegations, I am going to continue to support the work of Victoria Police and the men and women of Victoria Police.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was a very, very narrow question in relation to when the decision was made. What date was the decision made for the dismissal of Shane Patton and Neil Paterson?

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition cannot use a point of order to repeat the question. On relevance, the Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: In terms of the question from the Leader of the Opposition, it also contains a baseless allegation. The former chief commissioner –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Pascoe Vale can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Pascoe Vale withdrew from chamber.

Brad Battin: On a further point of order, Speaker, in relation to relevance, there were zero allegations made in this question. It was a simple question: what date was this decision made? There were no allegations at all within the question.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Premier was being relevant.

Jacinta ALLAN: I was responding to the question that was asked by the Leader of the Opposition. The decision to resign was made by the former Chief Commissioner of Police.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): When was Mr Rick Nugent first approached as the new chief commissioner in Victoria?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:06): Consistent with the statement that was released earlier today by the acting Chief Commissioner of Police, no contact was made with Mr Nugent on this matter prior to the weekend of 15 and 16 February.