Wednesday, 12 August 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): My question is to the Treasurer. The Premier has said he will respect every taxpayer dollar. If that is the case, why has Rail Projects Victoria spent almost $1.6 million hiring and maintaining pot plants for its offices?

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:27): Thank you very much for the honour of answering this question. I have been waiting over a thousand days for a question in this place, and it has taken a promotion to Treasurer to get the question. The first thing I would say is that there have been many questions asked from that side of the house where you need to fact-check what they are saying. So I will not take as a fact the assertion that has been put, but I will not reject the premise, because I need to check that. What I will say is that this side of the house will always invest in transport, in schools, in education –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: I am on my feet. The member for Berwick and the member for Warrandyte will leave the chamber for an hour and a half.

Members for Berwick and Warrandyte withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: I ask the attendants to remove the props from the chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Wendouree can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Wendouree withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, if it assists the Treasurer, I am happy to provide the contract note to the Treasurer.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, member for Brighton.

Colin BROOKS: The pot plants have left the chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Rowville can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Rowville withdrew from chamber.

Colin BROOKS: I am going to resist the temptation on that one. The Carroll Labor government will respect every taxpayer’s dollar. What we will not do is rip $40 billion out of the services that Victorians expect. We will not rip $40 billion out of schools, out of TAFE, out of hospitals, out of child protection –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Treasurer is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer to come back to the question. The Treasurer has concluded his answer. On a supplementary question, Leader of the Opposition, and I hope you have no pot plants under your shirt.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I do not. The contract was also for Rail Projects Victoria’s Sunshine office. Treasurer, how many police could be put on the beat in Sunshine for $1.6 million?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Euroa is warned.

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:30): As I said in my earlier answer, the Carroll Labor government will invest in police, not like those opposite, who cut police.