Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Dylan WIGHT (Tarneit) (13:16): We have heard a lot in this place and from those in the media who are happy to talk down our western suburbs, but in Tarneit we know just how great it is to be a westie here in Victoria. Lawpath’s business index knows it too, as their August new business index has pegged Tarneit, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing as the fastest growing business hotspots anywhere in the country, with 1120 new businesses registered in the 3029 postcode last month compared with 1047 in Melbourne. This surge in economic growth has helped create a booming entrepreneurial centre, and the suburbs recorded a 38 per cent growth in business registrations compared with a year ago. I am incredibly proud to say that there were over 10,000 new businesses in my community from January to September – one of the highest of any postcode nationwide. This boom will support jobs growth in the area, enabling more residents to work locally in the fantastic area that is Melbourne’s west. On this side of the house we are always looking to keep the Victorian economy growing, and that is exactly what we have done. Since Labor came to government the Victorian economy has grown by a massive 31 per cent – faster than any other state anywhere in the country. So to anyone who wants to talk down the west, I say this: the numbers do not lie. The people in Tarneit, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing are not just growing our suburbs, they are powering Victoria’s future.