Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (14:44): I update the house on how the Allan Labor government is backing our emergency services with our Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, making sure our emergency services have the funding they need to help keep Victorians safe. We know that floods, fires and storms are increasing in frequency and intensity, and as a government we are providing the equipment and supports needed to meet this challenge.

I recently joined the Natte Yallock CFA and the community to celebrate their brand new station and their new ultraheavy tanker, and as the member for Ripon noted, these volunteers are extremely happy with their new digs and truck. Meanwhile, down in the member for Frankston’s patch, VICSES have just received their brand new next generation heavy rescue truck, and this month two new fire trucks have been delivered to South Melbourne and to Windsor FRV stations.

These are some of the important investments that help keep our community safe, but, as we know, some of these are at risk. There are those who want to take an axe to this funding, cutting over $7 billion from our frontline emergency services. That means cancelling our pipeline of new trucks and equipment for our SES and CFA volunteers and our career firefighters. This means our emergency services and the communities they protect will be on their own. And why? All to fund the new Shadow Treasurer’s $10 billion budget black hole. It is a fact: you cannot rip –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is now the fourth minister who has abused this house in the way they use their ministers statements with their clear templates today. I would ask you to provide broader guidance to the government on the way they are using ministers statements inappropriately.

The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton is always welcome to come and speak to me about these matters after question time. I ask the minister to come back to her ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Vicki WARD: The point I was making is that it is a fact that you cannot rip money, including $10 billion, out of Victoria without taking vital supports away from Victorians. This commitment to slashing funding can only mean one thing: sacking firies, sacking ambos, sacking nurses, sacking cops and sacking teachers to pay for a budget black hole. Let us be clear: Labor will always back our emergency services.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is clearly defying the ruling you just made. I ask you to bring her back to talking about government policy.

The SPEAKER: I did not hear the minister refer to the opposition.

Vicki WARD: I am glad the opposition are now actually owning this cut.