Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:11): I am proud that my Labor government is delivering for Victorians, and we will always fight for working people – people with jobs to do and with kids to raise, like the working parents who raised me. They are the people I meet every single day when I am out and about in this great state. Clearly I cannot know all their names. They might be Mia and Jake from Morwell. They might be Myra and Jamal from Mentone. They could even be Mary and Joe from Maryborough. You will not meet these people in a boardroom, but I will tell you where you do meet them: you meet them in the staffroom. They are the parents battling the cost of living, with mortgage, school and fuel on top. They are the ones who need access to that vital health care that is fast and affordable, whether it is through the chemist or at the virtual emergency department, who appreciate the help with school breakfasts, sports and excursions. They are not the ones sitting on 16 properties; they are working hard to pay off one.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Croydon, off you go for an hour.

Member for Croydon withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity for the Premier to attack the Minister for Environment.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Again, I will go back. This is about focusing on parents who need help with school, help with costs and help to get a roof over their head. Also what they want is more public transport, and they want their kids to be able to travel for free as well. They also want the choice to work from home because it works for them. They are proud of our great state, and I will tell you what they also tell me: they hate the way that there are some who like to keep talking down the great state of Victoria. They also particularly hate cuts to frontline services – cuts to hospitals, schools and police, like the $10 billion cuts that are coming that have been flagged by the member for Kew. I will continue to fight every day for working parents like Mary and Joe. They deserve good stable jobs, strong frontline services and a great future for their kids.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Tarneit can leave the chamber for an hour and a half.

Member for Tarneit withdrew from chamber.