Motion: Debate be Adjourned: Victims of Crime

MOTION: DEBATE BE ADJOURNED –

‘VICTIM OF CRIME’.

Wednesday, 10 September 2025.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:16):

I support the Motion to adjourn debate because what we saw yesterday was an absolute disgrace. It was an absolute disgrace from this Government, silencing the Opposition from speaking on behalf of victims of crime.

Ignore the Government claiming that this Bill does something to protect people. What this is, is a sweetheart deal for Crown. This Bill is a sweetheart deal that has been done between the Labor Party and Crown. That is what this Bill does: it delays protecting people by two years. That is what this Bill does. So anyone who cries crocodile tears about this Bill somehow providing protection does not even understand what they are doing.

Paul Mercurio: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, this is a tight procedural debate. I ask you to bring the Member back to the procedural debate.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): Member for Hastings, there is no Point of Order.

Michaela Settle: On a further point of order, Acting Speaker, I take very real personal offence at the suggestion that –

James Newbury: I didn’t say anyone’s name.

Michaela Settle: I have been the only speaker on this Bill so far, so it can only have been directed at me. To suggest that I cry crocodile tears when my family has been ripped apart by gambling harm is obscene and offensive, and I take offence.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): Member for Eureka, I did not hear language that was directed personally towards Members. But before the Member for Brighton resumes, this is an emotive debate and I would ask all Members to be respectful of colleagues.

James NEWBURY: Of course, Acting Speaker. Yesterday this Government removed the Opposition from speaking on behalf of victims of crime. The Deputy Premier moved the Motion. I understand that the backbench does not understand what occurred yesterday, and that is okay, but the Deputy Premier moved the Motion.

Michaela Settle: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, like the point of order that was used by the other side, we need to be factual – it was the Speaker who named the Leader of the Opposition.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): It is not for the Speaker to adjudicate on debate.

James NEWBURY: We saw the Opposition removed from this Chamber because they were speaking on behalf of victims. We saw –

Mary-Anne THOMAS: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, the Member for Brighton knows full well that he cannot stand in this place and tell lies. The Opposition walked out of the Chamber yesterday in complete disrespect of the Speaker.

Wayne Farnham: Further to the point of order, Acting Speaker, the Leader of the House knows she cannot say lies. She knows that is unparliamentary. I would ask you to call her back to order.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): I call the entire House to order. Member for Brighton, I would ask you to ensure that your debate and your contribution are accurate and we carry on with some decorum.

James NEWBURY: I appreciate the fact that you only made that advisory remark to the Opposition. It is disappointing, and it just shows the point.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): Member for Brighton, do not reflect on the Chair, please.

James NEWBURY: I am not reflecting on the Chair; I am stating a fact. What concerns the Opposition – this is outrageous.

Michaela Settle: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, he has ignored your ruling not to reflect on you and continued to reflect on your good service, as indeed they do in all institutions in this place.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): There is no Point of Order.

James NEWBURY: This House knows and Victoria knows the Premier hid from the media for two days after two kids died. She refused to do media and refused to condole on behalf of those children. The media know it, Victoria knows it and this Parliament knows it.

Daniela De Martino: On a Point of Order, Acting Speaker, on relevance, this is a procedural motion, and the member for Brighton has gone so far beyond the procedural motion to adjourn debate on the bill at hand.

Bridget Vallence interjected.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Iwan Walters): Member for Evelyn, I will adjudicate on the Point of Order without assistance. It has been a robust debate, but I ask the Member for Brighton to return to the substance of the Motion.

James NEWBURY: You can see that the Government is trying to cover the fact that the Premier hid for days.