Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Motions
Budget 2025–26
Motions
Budget 2025–26
That this house takes note of the 2025–26 budget papers.
Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (18:33): I think we are slightly over three months since the budget was first handed down, which shows you that this government does not put a lot of priority on the budget, given the fact that it has taken us three months to wheel back to it finally. As a former Treasurer, if I had handed down this budget, I would be embarrassed to talk about it too. No wonder the government is desperately trying to push this off and kick it down the road. We are probably still going to be debating this budget ahead of next year’s budget, I suspect, because it was a shocker.
I have got 15 minutes. I will start off by talking about what is in this budget for Malvern, and that will not take me very long at all, because once again this government plays politics with kids, plays politics with postcodes and does not allocate money to electorates such as mine because it prefers to play politics with everything. The greatest example of how this government has let down the people of my electorate in this budget is that my police station, the Malvern police station, is still restricted to being open 8 hours a day. It may be a case of new information for members opposite, but the sort of people who are undertaking aggravated burglaries in my electorate do not tend to work business hours. They are not the sort of people who work business hours. They tend to work at odd hours. They do not work between 10 am and 6 pm, which are the only hours that my Malvern police station is open to the public. If a woman fleeing domestic violence or family violence wants to find a safe place in a time of danger and a time of stress and turns up to the Malvern police station any time in those 16 hours of the day, do you know what she will find? She will find a locked door and she will find a sign on the footpath that says, ‘This station is closed. You can go to Prahran.’ Well, that is not a lot of help for a woman fleeing family violence. That is not a lot of help for somebody who is worried about their safety or worried about their life.
I think before members opposite start making light of the fact that under their watch 43 police stations have had their hours cut – these are decisions which are caused by government budget cutbacks. This budget alone saw over $50 million in direct cuts to the Victoria Police budget. $50 million dollars in cuts are there in black and white in the budget papers. This government has cut funding to Victoria Police, and when they cut, police stations close. That is what has happened in Malvern. 1100 is the number of vacancies on the Victoria Police roster. How on earth does this government think they are going to reopen police stations, including the 43 they have closed, when they have got 1100 vacancies on the Victoria Police roster? What has been their riding order to the new Chief Commissioner of Police? ‘There’s no more money – stick within your budget.’ That is what he has been told, and that is what he has said publicly: there is no more money. In fact there is less money; there is $50 million less than there was last year.
My police station is closed. My constituents are subject to increasing numbers of aggravated burglaries and increasing numbers of car thefts, and when people fleeing violent situations at home want to go to a place of safety, 16 hours a day they face a locked door. That is the legacy of this government and this government’s budget, and it is absolutely disgraceful. They have done nothing to improve community safety in my electorate.
John Lister interjected.
Michael O’BRIEN: If the member for Werribee can find his way to Malvern, I invite him to walk down Glenferrie Road with me and speak to my constituents and ask them what they think of this government closing the police station 16 hours a day. It is a disgrace what they have done.
John Lister interjected.
Michael O’BRIEN: It is not an independent process. The government has cut the funding. They have 1100 vacancies on the roster. This is a government decision – a political decision. I will tell you what, the people of Malvern know it is a political decision. They know it is a political decision. It is not just in Malvern but in 42 other stations across Victoria. When the decision was announced, it was expressed as being temporary. Well, here we are two years on with no sign of that station reopening. How temporary is it? Or was it just another Labor mistruth?
If the member for Werribee did manage to get himself a Melway and find his way over to Malvern, he would notice the potholes on the road. I remember when I was first elected to this place that country members would talk about the state of the roads. We had National Party members regularly commenting that ‘When you fix country roads, you save country lives.’ But it was very much seen as being a country issue; it was not a metropolitan issue. But these days wherever you go across Melbourne, and particularly in my electorate of Malvern, the potholes could swallow cars whole. They are shocking, they are dangerous and they are causing damage. Members opposite can laugh. Perhaps they can tell the cyclist who wrote to me and told me how he was on his bike, fell into a pothole, fell off his bike and broke his shoulder.
Members interjecting.
Michael O’BRIEN: The member for Werribee thinks it is funny when my constituents break their shoulders because of potholes on Toorak Road. Let him have a big laugh about it. It just shows the absolutely disgraceful attitude that members opposite have towards my constituents and in fact to all Victorians. They do not care how many of them get injured, how many of them see their bikes damaged or their cars damaged or how much personal injury is caused because of these potholes; they just continue to go about their way. It never used to be an issue that metropolitan members would talk about, the state of the roads. Now it is one that every single member is concerned about.
Let us talk about ambulance services. I have had constituents contacting me and talking about calling for ambulances for very sick parents and the ambulances just not turning up, just not showing up at all. What a disgraceful indictment of this government. They cannot run an ambulance service that is there for people in their time of need. I have been here long enough to remember when were in government and members opposite used to talk about ambulances. They used to talk about ambulances then, and apparently every issue with the ambulance service was the government’s fault. Now they walk away. Now they have no responsibility, apparently, for ambulances. My constituents know that the ambulances cannot be relied on when they call 000.
Members interjecting.
Michael O’BRIEN: They can yell at me all they like. They can try and shut me down; they are not going to do it. They are not going to shut me down, because I am here to stand up for the people of my electorate, who are sick and tired of the basic needs of the state not being met because we have got an incompetent government that cannot manage the budget, cannot manage money and cannot manage service delivery. I am not about to take any lectures from people opposite who have been in government for 11 long years while things have gone backwards on every single measure.
We have still got three level crossings in my electorate. They have been independently ranked as being some of the worst in the state, but of course this government will not do a damn thing about them. In fact all this Labor government has done was to say no to $260 million that the then federal coalition government put on the table to remove the Glenferrie Road level crossing. This government would rather say no to money so they can look after themselves.
My local state schools have received no investment from this government. The locals – who pay their taxes, who work hard and who believe that every child who goes to a state school should have the same opportunities – are being ripped off by this Labor government, because this Labor government does not give a damn about people in my electorate.
I see nice new sporting facilities in Labor electorates and marginal seats. When was the last time this government put any money into my electorate? I think Moses was a boy the last time this government put in any money.
Brad Rowswell interjected.
Michael O’BRIEN: A long time ago, member for Sandringham. So there is nothing in this budget for my electorate whatsoever.
Let us talk about Victoria. In the 2014 election the pre-election budget update had debt being $21.8 billion – $21.8 billion. In the time since Labor has been in office – it is now on track to be $194 billion. It is not like they have grown the economy that much. Debt to gross state product in 2014 was 5.9 per cent. It is now 25.1 per cent. We have gone from having the best debt in the country to the worst debt in the country. We have gone from having the best credit rating in the country – stable AAA – to the worst credit rating in the country. Because of that our interest bill has gone up. It used to be $2.2 billion. Now it is on track for $10.6 billion, a nearly quintupling of the interest burden for Victorian families. This is all because this government is incompetent and cannot manage money. This government would rather pay over the odds to their mates in the corrupt CFMEU – the gangsters in the CFMEU, the criminals in the CFMEU.
John Lister: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, on relevance, I believe this is a budget take-note motion, and I do not think the CFMEU are mentioned in the state budget.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Paul Hamer): I do not uphold the point of order, but the member is meant to reflect on the budget take-note motion.
Michael O’BRIEN: I am going to reflect on the CFMEU, Acting Speaker; not even you can stop me doing that. I am going to reflect on them because they are a bunch of crooks; they are a bunch of organised criminals. As the Age and 60 Minutes have demonstrated only too well, they are a bunch of crooks and organised criminals who have been ripping money out of the pockets of Victorians overpaying for infrastructure –
Luba Grigorovitch: On a point of order, Acting Speaker: relevance.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Paul Hamer): There is no point of order.
Michael O’BRIEN: They are very touchy about this. It is almost like some of them are beholden to the CFMEU – who would have thought? We have gone from having some of the lowest tax in the country to now the highest tax in the country. The tax burden used to be $17.9 billion in 2014, now it is $41.7 billion. Are we seeing such a massively improved outcome in terms of public services? No. Are we seeing more police? No. Are we seeing our ambulances performing better? No. Are we seeing more investment in our local schools? No, we are not. Employee expenses were $18.5 billion in 2014; they are now on track for $38.9 billion this financial year. We have seen a doubling in the budget for employee expenses. Are we seeing a doubling in the number of police? No. Are we seeing a doubling in the number of nurses? No. Are we seeing a doubling of the number of teachers? No. Are we seeing a doubling in the number of firefighters? No. We are seeing all the backroom bureaucrats and spin doctors that this government uses. They are the ones who have sucked up so much of this additional expenditure that has come right out of the pockets of Victorians.
Look at unemployment. The forecast for unemployment in 2025–26 is anaemic – 0.50 per cent, one of the worst economic growth forecasts for employment this state has ever seen. For 16 consecutive months Victoria has had the worst unemployment rate in the country, and their forecast is for the most anaemic growth in employment this state has seen in a long time. I am very proud that under the government of which I had the privilege to be Treasurer for two budgets, Victoria created more jobs in our four years than any state in the country.
Lily D’Ambrosio interjected.
Michael O’BRIEN: Well, Minister, the ABS does not lie. Unlike the government, the ABS does not lie. We created more jobs in Victoria over our four years than any other state in the country. The problem is this is a government that is incompetent. They have got the C-team now at the ministerial front bench – the absolute C-team – and it shows. I almost feel sorry for –
Paul Edbrooke: On a point of order, Acting Speaker, on facts, Victoria has the highest growth economically in the nation.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Paul Hamer): That is not a point of order.
Michael O’BRIEN: It is not a point of order. It is not even a point, member for Frankston. Highest taxes, highest interest, worst credit rating, worst unemployment – that is the legacy of this government. Taxes, interest, debt, unemployment – that is the legacy of this government. They are hopeless. They are absolutely useless. They fundamentally just are not up to the job. So when I take note of these budget papers I take note that this is a government that cannot manage money and cannot manage the economy, and Victorians are paying the price.
Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (18:48): Wow, does it give me great pleasure to rise to speak to this take-note motion on our budget of this year. Goodness me, I have got to say, because I know that we have all been thinking it on this side of the chamber: what is it about the men in the Liberal Party? Why do they have to shout so loudly in this place? Why do you have to shout so loudly to be heard?
Paul Edbrooke: Into a microphone.
Gary MAAS: Exactly right.
Michael O’Brien interjected.
Gary MAAS: No, it is not.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Paul Hamer): Through the Chair, member for Narre Warren South.
Gary MAAS: The member for Malvern is interjecting. But didn’t he just show how in touch he was when he pulled out the Melway? Oh, my goodness me. When he pulled out the Melway –
Brad Rowswell: Acting Speaker, my point of order is relevance.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Paul Hamer): There is no point of order. The member was responding to matters that had been raised by the member for Malvern.
Gary MAAS: You could just see the Melway sitting under the 1979 Merc there, just pulling it out, having a look. Let me tell you something, member for Malvern: when it comes to talking about red maps, what we talk about in the south-east are the seat of Narre Warren South, the seat of Narre Warren North, Mulgrave, Dandenong, Cranbourne and Pakenham. These are the red maps. That is what we are talking about. These are the people who are focused on what matters most. These are the people, including the rest of Victoria, who are why this great budget which was passed by this government is important for all Victorians, because we are absolutely committed to and focused on what matters most to most Victorians. It is about priorities. I know this from my constituents in Narre Warren South who have told me that they are so happy that we have invested in support for them. When it comes to the cost of living and when it comes to strengthening our frontline services, they know who is on their side. When things get tough, good governments just do not look away; they show up, they front up and they are the adults in the room. Our government continues to show up, and we have delivered on many things.
In a couple of weeks time – I think 26 August – a $100 power saving bonus comes into play for eligible concession households, and this will provide enormous energy bill relief to those doing it tough in our community. We show up. We are here, and we are showing up by delivering more solar rebates so more people can slash money off their power bills and make their homes more energy efficient.
We show up for families by reducing the costs that can add up and put a strain on the family budget. This includes public transport as well, and what an announcement – to make public transport free for everyone under 18 in Victoria. We cannot wait until New Year’s Day – what a day to celebrate. People will be celebrating on New Year’s Eve. There will be no hangover on 1 January, because there will be lots to celebrate, and this will mean thousands of dollars in savings for families. It is a massive investment that puts money back in the pockets of families, particularly those who have multiple kids who use public transport to get to school or to get where they need. The concept of a youth myki, which will benefit more than 1 million young Victorians and their families, will mean cheaper school runs and more affordable weekend outings from 1 January next year. Also coming in on that day – it is not just our youth that we are looking after, it is also our seniors –
Steve McGhie interjected.
Gary MAAS: The member for Melton is very happy about this announcement. We have also cut the cost of public transport to those aged over 60 with a seniors card. Have you got a seniors card?
Steve McGhie interjected.
Gary MAAS: The member for Melton has a seniors card with free travel over weekends, and that is set to begin next year as well.
Our government believes that no child should miss out on the things that make being a kid fun. They should not miss out on things that make going to school good. We have increased the Camps, Schools and Excursions Fund, meaning that families with a healthcare card or concession card will see payments increased to $400 from 1 January next year. In Narre Warren South that means so much, because prior to the government having these sorts of initiatives, I know that schools were making the decision not to run camps. Can you believe that? They were not running camps, but because this government is putting effort into making sure that our kids are learning in different environments, this is now back on the table for schools that need it. I was particularly happy with that budget announcement. Additionally this budget invests in expanding the Get Active Kids vouchers to deliver more than 65,000 extra vouchers to families who need it most. Whether that is a kick of the footy or a lob of the netball, kids should not be unable to play the sport they love because of the cost of a registration fee or the price of equipment and uniforms.
When it comes to local infrastructure, in Narre Warren South we know that sport infrastructure is important. We know that having those facilities is good for the health of everyone in our community, especially our young. It is good for physical health and it is good for mental health, but it is also good for our sense of belonging and for our sense of connection with others. Our community should have the very best facilities for practice and for play. I was really, really thrilled with this year’s budget announcement that KM Reedy Reserve is receiving a $250,000 investment to upgrade lighting at the local soccer pitch. $250,000 does not sound like a lot, but it is – in terms of bang for buck, you really get a lot there. With so many different clubs, and not only in the local area, using that facility, what it means is that the expanding women’s teams and the expanding all-abilities teams in my part of the world can train and can play their games well into the night. It adds another 4 or 5 hours, especially throughout those winter months, to allow people to connect with one another, to socialise and to get healthy and to get fit. KM Reedy Reserve is a very proud home to those incredible local soccer clubs, including the Hampton Park United Sparrows. I would like at this point to acknowledge Faz and Ramsey, who passionately advocated for that investment. I am very happy that has been delivered. I was really rapt to head down to KM Reedy Reserve recently to speak to them about those lights and just what this is going to mean for the clubs who use that pitch.
I mentioned earlier the frontline services. Our frontline services do so much for us. I know that many of us in here believe that, and we know that they need continued investment. I am so happy that as a part of a $21 million statewide investment we are funding the fit-out of a CFA satellite station in Lynbrook in my electorate. That CFA satellite station is managed by the hardworking Hampton Park Fire Brigade. The investment will ensure that local volunteers will have the facilities they need to respond to call-outs much faster and continue to keep our community safe during emergencies. I thank those at the Hampton Park Fire Brigade who have worked with me over the last little while to advocate for this very important upgrade.
When it comes to health, and in particular health care and our community pharmacy program, this budget invests a further $18 million to expand the community pharmacy pilot program. It makes it easier for people in my community to get treatment for a range of conditions at their local pharmacy. Our local pharmacies and their staff do so much to help residents with their health issues and management of their ailments and now they will be able to provide even more services to help people.
When it comes to health in this state, just as a slight aside and with the opposition’s indulgence on this one, I will just say that I have absolutely enormous respect for our emergency services and for our health sector. As someone who has not really had a lot of interaction as a parent with the health sector, I must say that last week I received the telephone call that parents just do not want to receive. It was a telephone call from a paramedic who said, ‘Your 14-year-old daughter has been in a fall. All we can say to you is she is in our care and we’re about to transfer her to the Royal Children’s Hospital. We think you should meet us in emergency.’ There was not too much more that was added to that, but it is, as I said, not the call that you want to get.
Business interrupted under sessional orders.