Wednesday, 19 February 2025

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:13): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier categorically rule out imposing a new tax on all Victorians who have private health insurance during this cost-of-living crisis?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:14): You cannot imagine how delighted I am to receive a question from the member for Brighton in his new role, and I thank the member for his question. The state budget is due to be handed down on 20 May, and I would have thought it was a little early in the season to be going through this performative act that the shadow minister wants to go through in asking the government to rule things in or out as we prepare for the forthcoming state budget. I would have thought we are a little bit early for that.

But in terms of framing the state budget this year, like we are every single year, we are going to be focused on working people and Victorian families.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this question specifically went to the government’s secret plan for a private health insurance tax that the government has.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: We have all just had an insight into the mind of the member for Brighton – that fantasy world that occupies the member for Brighton, the fantasy world that is the member for Brighton – because there is no plan from the government. I want to make that absolutely clear. I remind the member for Brighton that as recently as October last year we cut the off-the-plan stamp duty concessions, and I seem to remember someone very agitated at the time about our commitment to building more homes for Victorians and making sure that we are using all the levers of government, and that includes cutting a tax so that we can get more apartments built in this state. So in answer to the member for Brighton’s question, I can rule out that proposition.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:16): Given the Treasurer has refused to rule out introducing any new taxes on Victorians, will the Premier categorically rule out any new tax in the upcoming state budget?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:16): I remind the member for Brighton that this government has cut something like 60 taxes over the course of its time.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the standing orders provide that the Premier is required to be factual. The government has actually added 60 new taxes.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Of course, as I said earlier, the state budget will be handed down on 20 May. The member for Brighton can between now and then try this charade of ruling things in or out. The real question for the member for Brighton, the Judas Iscariot of the Victorian Parliament, is: can he categorically rule out any further threats to his current leader? Can the member for Brighton categorically rule that out?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Bulleen can leave the chamber for half an hour. Members will be removed without warning.

Member for Bulleen withdrew from chamber.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It is very narrow. Will there be taxes in the next budget, yes or no?

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business is reminded not to repeat the question, but I do ask the Premier to not debate the question. The Premier has concluded her answer.