Tuesday, 14 November 2023

 Matt FREGON (Ashwood) (12:55): It is Australian Music Month again, so here we go, here we go for one more turn. It was only one summer ago that the beautiful people of Victoria told us to stay. There is nothing sweet about me, but I had a few saying ‘Trust me, mate, it’ll be all right’ and ‘Here we go again’. A quick shout-out to the class of 2022 – it is not double vision, there is so much young blood and not one passenger. They have come in with leaps and bounds and some very well-placed confidence. I, like most people I know, was a little shocked to see our former Premier call time. But have no fear, do not dream it is over, we have a new sensation of a Premier, and the Allan Labor government is on solid rock. Something so strong will shine like it does, and there is nothing wrong with that.

There are many reasons why we are not standing on the outside looking in. Last time around I was thunderstruck with our commitment to buses and trains and the Suburban Rail Loop, and this time, well, it shook me all night long when we made our high-voltage pledge to back the SEC. I know everyone on this side of the aisle thanks the Premier and the ministers for the power and the passion. I should also thank my colleagues in this house. I find myself now spending time in the booster seat as the days go by, listening – I should be so lucky.

There is a lot to get done, so there is no point reminiscing in the summertime. I want absolutely everybody – all Victorians, from your working-class man to your women in uniform to all my people in the Ashwood district – to know that we will not waste this opportunity. Heading to a fourth term might seem like a run to paradise, but we will keep marching as one on the road to the Holy Grail.