Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:04): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Health and relates to the parliamentary inquiry into the use of cannabis in Victoria. It was my referral and an inquiry that I indeed chaired. The report tabled on 5 August 2021 made 21 findings and 17 recommendations and laid the foundations for broad reform of cannabis-related policy in Victoria. Under the rules of this Parliament, the government must respond within six months of a report being tabled, but it has failed to do so, even though that response was due seven months ago. So my question to the minister is: is she being deliberately contemptuous of parliamentary rules in failing to respond?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:05): I thank Ms Patten for her question, and I will let the Minister for Health provide her with a response to her question.
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:05): By way of supplementary, when almost every country in Europe, most of the jurisdictions in the Americas and many countries in Asia are contemplating law reform around cannabis, I ask: will the minister honour the 1475 people who made submissions to the inquiry with a response, or will she instead disrespect this important accountability mechanism of the Victorian Parliament?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:06): I am sure the Minister for Health will respond to your supplementary question as well as your substantive question.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Question without notice 20/9/22
