Neville Overdue By 20
Bellarine MP and Police Minister Lisa Neville has continued to evade addressing matters directed to her in the Parliament, as she is compelled to under the Standing Orders.
As per Legislative Council Standing Order 4.13(1), when a Member raises a matter which requires a response from a Minister that response must be given at the time the matter is raised or provided in writing within 30 days.
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur sought action on 17 June 2020 from Ms Neville in her capacity as the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to ‘provide Victorian taxpayers with an in-depth breakdown of costs for the $25 million expenditure on 600 rifles’ for Victoria Police.
The average cost of those rifles equates to approximately $41,000 per firearm, despite the reputed most likely candidate for the purchase, the Smith & Wesson Military and Police Sport II, costing little more than $1000.
The response to the matter raised by Mrs McArthur is now 20 days overdue.
Quotes attributable to Bev McArthur MP:
“Somebody ought to tell Ms Neville that Stage 4 Restrictions aren’t for ministerial holidays, interrupted by brief press conferences to berate the public over COVID incompliance and shift the blame of her own culpability in the hotel quarantine disaster.”
“Victorian taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent and when the numbers don’t stack up, the Government needs to explain them.”
“The evasion of addressing this matter only raises further suspicion over the potential misuse of funds by the Minister – if she’s played by the book, then why hide from scrutiny?”
“The modus operandi of the Labor Government is secret decisions, secret deals and secret expenditures, all made behind closed doors while showing contempt for the public and parliamentary process.”
“If Ms Neville can’t do her job and fulfil her obligations to the Parliament she swore to serve, then she ought to stand aside and find someone else who can.”
6 August 2020