If we ever needed an example of Victorian Labor Government that has stopped governing and stopped working for regional Victorians, here it is.
My office currently has 51 parliamentary questions sitting unanswered by Labor Ministers. Under the rules of Parliament, Ministers have 30 days to respond. The oldest of my questions, on the governments implementation of bushfire planned burns, was due on 7 March and is now 200 days overdue. Ten more have been waiting over 100 days.
These aren’t my questions. They come from people across the Euroa electorate who want to know what’s happening with their hospitals, ambulances, trains, police and local environment. They’re entitled to answers.
Answering questions is not a courtesy. It is one of the most basic responsibilities of government. When Ministers can’t manage even that, it tells you everything about where regional Victoria sits on their list of priorities.
Time is running out. Parliament has confirmed that 2 November is the final day for Ministers to answer questions from this term. After that, any unanswered questions simply lapse. The people who asked them get nothing.
Regional Victorians are constantly told to wait, whether it’s for answers, services or action. I’m calling on every Minister with an outstanding question from my office to answer it before 2 November.
It’s the least our communities deserve.
Annabelle Cleeland MP
Nationals Member for Euroa
** The oldest overdue question can be found here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/questions-database/question-details/33171
