Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Public land use

Mr BOURMAN, Mr LEANE
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Public land use

 Mr BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:25): My question is for the minister representing the minister for the environment in the other place, Minister Leane. It could be viewed as hypocrisy or at the very least disingenuous, given the amount of time the government spends purporting to offer opportunities for Victorian families to be able to get out to the great outdoors, to now see new regulations proposing to heavily fine park users for merely straying from a path or wanting to cool down with a swim without a permit—yes, a permit to swim. We have seen attacks on public land on both sides of the house recently, and now we have the best one yet: permits to swim. So my question is: we know governments do not like shooters and hunters, but why does the government now hate swimmers and bushwalkers?

 Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Veterans) (12:26): Thank you, Mr Bourman, for the question for the minister for environment. I will make sure that your question is approached in the way that the standing orders prescribe, and I am sure the minister will respond that the government does not hate any of those groups. We actually have a lot of love for them.

 Mr BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:26): I thank the minister for his answer and for forwarding on the question. These regulations are due to come into force between now and the election, so there is still time to do some consultation with the people that actually want to use public land, rather than those living in Southbank towers and the inner suburbs who love nature and natural things from within the concrete jungle but do not want to get dirty. So my supplementary question is: will the government urgently revoke these plans to fine recreational park users and find a way forward that does not include insanity like permits to swim?

 Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Veterans) (12:27): I will ensure Mr Bourman’s supplementary is treated in the same way that his substantive question will be treated and passed on to the minister for environment.

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