Questions on notice
Answers
Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:42): President, I have 16 unanswered questions on notice that I would like to seek an explanation for. I have raised the fact that these answers are overdue with the relevant ministers’ offices, as per standing orders.
I ask the Minister for Mental Health, representing the Minister for Health, for an explanation in relation to question on notice 1264, which is an important question regarding the progress or fate of a very well funded and much-needed long-term study established in 2017 into the health outcomes of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria attending the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:43): President, I will follow that up.
Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:43): I also ask the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Environment, for an explanation in relation to questions on notice 763, 765, 767, 769, 778 and 1263, which broadly relate to clean waste and toxic spoil stockpile and storage locations in the Western Metro Region, including their categorisation; any testing for contamination of those sites; the number of confirmed and reported environmental impacts, including run-off, odours, dust et cetera; the actual residency time of waste and spoil at these locations; and any EPA documents relating to the storage of toxic spoil in this state. These are vitally important questions not just because my residents in the west are suffering from bearing an unfair burden in the region, but also, as we have just heard, in light of the news that the Suburban Rail Loop will also create an enormous amount of toxic spoil.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:44): Mrs Deeming, thank you for raising that. I will follow it up.
Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:44): I have got more. I ask the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, for an explanation in relation to question on notice 1169, and representing the Premier, in relation to questions on notice 1164 to 1166. Broadly, they relate to accountability and transparency regarding the specific transfers of power, land and money under Victorian treaty negotiations and the management of the now cancelled Commonwealth Games.
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:45): Mrs Deeming, I will follow that up, and I might just add additional context to reassure members. The legislation committee, which is a cabinet committee, regularly goes through lists of our overdue questions on notice and chases them up as a matter of practice. But also you raising it in the house is an appropriate mechanism and will reinforce those conversations that we are having with offices that have overdue QONs, acknowledging that I have some myself.
Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:45): I have got some more. I ask the Minister for Housing, representing the Minister for Planning, for an explanation in relation to questions on notice 1209, 1215 and also 1210, which is the same question as 1209; we sent them to two ministers. These questions relate to proper processes in relation to the level crossing removal scheme at 11 Tame Street, Diggers Rest, and the Stan Payne Reserve that are time sensitive for the residents involved.
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:46): Thank you, Mrs Deeming. I am really happy to follow that one up and to get you a response as a matter of priority.
Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:46): And I ask the Minister for Children, representing the Minister for Education, for an explanation in relation to questions on notice 771 and 1207. These questions broadly relate to the government’s awareness of education policies relating to the increasing reports in schools of children identifying as animals, or furries, and for the recording of mature minor status in schools. They are important for child welfare, parental rights, educational environments and student rights in general.
Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:46): Thank you, Mrs Deeming. I will follow that up with the minister.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:46): I have a list of 57 outstanding questions on notice. I have spoken to the Leader of the Government about these. Nineteen of these indeed were initially put on the notice paper on 20 December 2022, so they are actually very, very long in the tooth. A number have been reinstated by you, President. I note of that group that go back to 2022 there are 10 that relate to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, who I think is now the Premier, which brings me to my other point: I think there may be some confusion in government about changes in the ministry, and a number of these questions may have thereby fallen between the cracks. With the minister’s approval I might give her this list, which tabulates all the ones in question.
The PRESIDENT: I am sure that she will think that is helpful. Minister, did you want to respond to Mr Davis’s request?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:47): Mr Davis has indicated that he will provide me with the list, and as for my commitment to Mrs Deeming, we will follow that up.
The PRESIDENT (12:48): I have received a written request from Mr Davis seeking the reinstatement of questions on notice directed to the Minister for Energy and Resources. Having reviewed the responses, I order that questions on notice 813 through to 895 be reinstated in full as the responses do not address the range of information sought by Mr Davis.