THE VICTORIAN government has been accused of playing “pass the parcel” over bans which have left scores of new homes without power.
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Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio was asked in parliamentary question time on Thursday “why are you doing zero?” to help those affected by the Electrical Trades Union bans.
She replied that the government had been encouraging the union and AusNet Services, the company responsible for connections, to “sit down and work through the issues”.
“Certainly these matters can be very frustrating for some Victorians who are caught up in this,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley then added to his original question by raising the plight of two North East residents.
He told of Yackandandah’s Robyn King who faces homelessness through not being able to occupy her new house and Benalla’s Nilesh Singh who can’t shift into his property.
“When will you finally act to end this dispute and when will their power be connected?” Mr Tilley asked the minister.
After Ms D’Ambrosio referred to AusNet, Opposition leader Matthew Guy accused the minister of ducking the question by not saying what she was doing.
Transport Minister and Leader of the House Jacinta Allan then responded by saying Mr Tilley should have directed his question to the Industrial Relations Minister.
“This is a matter that is more relevant to the industrial relations portfolio,” Ms Allan said.
“Given that when those opposite were in government they referred the IR powers of the state to Canberra it indeed limits further the ability of the Industrial Relations Minister to intervene in this dispute.”
Nationals leader Peter Walsh swung behind Mr Tilley.
“The member for Benambra is very clearly asking questions on behalf of his community, because he cares about his community,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is obviously pass the parcel on the other side of the house….that no-one actually on that side of the house wants to do anything about the community that the member for Benambra is asking the question about.”
Speaker Colin Brooks then ruled that he believed Ms D’Ambrosio was answering the question.
She then again directed those left powerless to contact AusNet.
“I would encourage any families in any part of Victoria that may be impacted by this dispute to make contact with AusNet services, who have absolutely made it clear that they would deal with any emergency services...so that Victorians are not adversely disaffected when they are in emergency situations,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
