On Wednesday in Parliament, Member for Western Victoria and Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Joshua Morris introduced a motion asking the Legislative Assembly to grant leave for Minister Allan to appear at a hearing into the V/Line crisis.

The Legislative Council passed the motion and it was sent to the Legislative Assembly where the state government voted it down.

Local MPs Geoff Howard and Sharon Knight defended the move, with the latter citing the demand as “a political stunt”.

“I won’t be giving impetus to the Liberal’s cheap political antics,” Mr Howard added.

It’s generally accepted that members of the lower house do not attend upper house inquiries, however, there is precedent this happening, with the last instance taking place in 2007 in circumstances Greens MP Colleen Hartland said were similar to the current day.

“There is one precedent (in 2007) and I was on that committee – it’s a bit different, but it’s technically the same,” she said.

Ms Hartland, who also called on former public transport minister Terry Mulder to join Ms Allan, said the latter’s appearance is vital.

“The Greens’ position is that on all inquiries, the Minister for Public Transport should be expected to attend.”

“It’s incredibly important.

“(But) it’s important for these committees to not operate as point scoring. They need to concentrate on getting to the bottom of the problem and solving it as quickly as possible.”

“The hearing would be an opportunity for the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to ask questions of the Minister to gain a better understanding of what has caused the current crisis and what is being done to fix it,” Mr Morris said.

Ms Allan’s office was contacted for comment.