Motion - Attempt to Introduce Transition Away from Coal

MOTION

‘ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE TRANSITION AWAY FROM COAL’.

Wednesday, 21 June 2023.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:42):

At the outset I would say that the Coalition does not support the substance of this Bill. However, we do support the right of non-Government Members to have their voices heard in this place.

The Member for Barwon South has been interjecting throughout this debate that this is the Government’s chamber and only the Government has a right to do anything or be heard in this Chamber. That is the level of arrogance that is coming from this Government.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, this is a debate on the introduction of a Bill, and I ask that you call the Manager of Opposition Business back to speaking to the Bill.

The SPEAKER: On the point of order, I would ask you to come back to debating the introduction of the Bill.

James NEWBURY: The Coalition have repeatedly said – in every sitting week, I imagine – that we support the right of non-Government Members to have their voices heard in this place.

This is not a government chamber; this is the people’s place. This is the place where the people of Victoria elect their representatives from their local communities to be heard, and every Member should have the right to be heard.

Again, the coalition do not support the substance of this Bill, but we do support the right for every member to be heard and we will be supporting the right for the Bill to be introduced.

This Bill follows another instance yesterday where the Government blocked the opportunity of introducing new integrity measures in this State –

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, I am sure that you can anticipate my point of order. It is a debate on the introduction of a Bill, and I ask that you bring the Manager of Opposition Business back to that matter.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Manager of Opposition Business will come back to the introduction of the Bill.

James NEWBURY: I was speaking to the introduction of a Bill that was blocked by the Government yesterday. I will finish by saying that the Government are arrogant in the way that they are blocking any Member of this place from having their voice heard, and the Coalition will support the introduction of the Bill by the Greens.

Assembly divided on motion.