Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:32): There are some who talk Victoria down, those who hate Victoria’s success almost as much as they hate each other. There are those who urge investors to invest ABM, anywhere but Melbourne. On this side of the house we have a different ABM – always back Melbourne – and we will always back Victoria. We will keep investing in TAFE because it gives working people pathways into good jobs, and we will fight the Liberals’ $11.1 billion cuts in TAFE.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, may I refer you to Speaker Brooks’s ruling that a minister should not use his ministers statement to attack the opposition.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, I would like to refer you to a ruling by Speaker Brooks where he also indicated that a ministers statement could be used to countenance a range of policy positions.

The SPEAKER: Former Speaker and now Minister Brooks knows the rules. The minister to come back to his ministers statement.

Colin BROOKS: TAFE is critical to industry and manufacturing here in Victoria, and we will continue to back the biggest manufacturing workforce in the country right here in Victoria and the 23,000 businesses that employ them. I was shocked that the shadow minister for manufacturing had taken his role literally and set up a dodgy printing manufacturing business in his electorate office.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I have allowed some leeway today in question time, it being the second-last question time of the year, but enough is enough. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

James Newbury: I think you have just dealt with it, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The minister will come back to his ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Colin BROOKS: Our government will continue to work hard every day to put our industry policy into action, backed with our $150 million Victorian Investment Fund. A great example: a couple of weeks ago I attended the opening of one of the biggest manufacturing facilities in the country, Walkinshaw Group’s new $114 million plant in Dandenong South, boosting capabilities in Victoria’s world-class automotive supply chain and creating more jobs, taking their total workforce to nearly 1000 workers. Can I take the opportunity to congratulate the Walkinshaw Andretti team on taking out the Supercars on Sunday with Chaz Mostert – great win. As Walkinshaw CEO Ryan Walkinshaw said at the opening:

We truly believe in the strength of Australian manufacturing and engineering, especially here in Victoria, and this should show everyone how committed we are for the long term.

We agree. Always back Victoria.