Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (17:33): I rise to register my concern about the South West Institute of TAFE annual report 2020, tabled in Parliament on 4 May this year. My problem is less about what is in the report—namely, 120 pages detailing worthy educational work in south-west Victoria—than what is skated over or omitted entirely. In particular I refer to page 36 and the paragraph titled ‘Glenormiston training facility and Hamilton campus’. For those members who may be unaware, the Glenormiston facility referred to is a magnificent, extensive and historic homestead near Terang. The original 1847 property was extended in 1859, but it is the 1908 arts-and-crafts-style additions which make it an asset of statewide significance, as recognised by the Heritage Council of Victoria and the National Trust of Australia. The avenue of 190 English elms is listed. Even individual plantings in the grounds make it to the register, such are their age, rarity and quality. The pasture too, 300 hectares of it, is absolutely prime and known far and wide as some of the most productive land in Australia.

Perhaps its crowning glory, however, is not the historic homestead, the glorious grounds or the productive pasture; it is what is inside. The staircase and a number of other internal fittings commissioned by Steuart Black in 1909 are by Australia’s most renowned woodcarver and cabinet-maker, Robert Prenzel. The 36 exquisite and elaborate carved panels represent Australian flora and fauna and were among the first of Prenzel’s major distinctly Australian works. This work, removed to the UK for storage in 1949, was exhibited in the National Gallery of Victoria on its return to Australia in 1994. It is breathtaking. The Prenzel works alone might well be worth more than the house that contains them and perhaps more than the entire estate itself. And yet the sale of Glenormiston from the state to China-based land investor Dean Montgomery merits only a single extremely opaque paragraph in this report.

At Monday’s PAEC meeting Richard Riordan, the member for Polwarth, skilfully forced the revelation that Glenormiston was transferred from the Department of Education and Training and subsequently immediately sold by South West TAFE for $4.685 million in February. This raises a huge number of questions, only some of which I can address here. I will continue to return to this matter until the minister explains in absolute detail just what has happened.

Nearby Chocolyn homestead, on just 120 hectares, sold last month for $47 000 per hectare. Glenormiston has 300 hectares with a lease value of at least $200 000 per annum but also other very lucrative commercial property occupied by sitting tenants. Even without the artwork or this tenancy the most conservative estimate of value would have to be north of $15 million. What is the explanation? We need the immediate release of the valuer-general’s valuation report or serious questions will remain.

Furthermore, the Black family passed on this historic homestead and land to the state for use in the interests of Australian farming. Has the restriction been retained or has the Andrews government maximised the proceeds by selling an unencumbered freehold? The minister could not categorically confirm this in her answer to me in question time today.

Reference was made to a 10-year lease from the new owner. How much money will Mr Montgomery receive in this period, and just why is settlement of the purchase delayed until 2024? What is happening to the price of Prenzel’s works? All of this must become a matter of public record. Where did this money go—the $2 million that the state has granted to assist in, quote:

… the refurbishment of Glenormiston’s training, accommodation, and … equipment requirements.

Has it increased the capital value of the property, now sold for less than $5 million? Will it increase the new owner’s rent value? We need a full breakdown.

Finally, the report references the purchase of the Hamilton campus of South West TAFE. What does this mean? Where is the due process? How much was it sold for, and to whom? In one paragraph, without any public announcement, this report reveals Glenormiston and Hamilton TAFE campuses have been sold off. What else is up for grabs? (Time expired)