Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (17:40): My question is to the Premier. Why has the Victoria Police fire patrol unit been disbanded in the middle of Victoria’s deadly bushfire season?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (17:40): I thank the member for Berwick for the question. I will check the information he has provided to the house with the Chief Commissioner of Police, because, as we have learned on a number of occasions from this opposition, they are very prepared to put misinformation into the house for the purposes of question time.

Brad Battin: On a point of order, Speaker, if it helps the Premier, I am more than happy to forward the email with the facts of the CFA calling for it to be returned.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, member for Berwick.

Jacinta ALLAN: I say that because I will take my advice from the chief commissioner, who has the largest police force of any state or territory jurisdiction – a chief commissioner who knows his government backs the work of the men and women of Victoria Police and does not undermine them or undermine the work that they do to keep our communities safe. We will continue to do that work and back the men and women of the front line, not cut like those opposite did when they were in government – $100 million in cuts to Victoria Police.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, this is an important question that the Premier is mocking. We are in the middle of a bushfire crisis. She needs to go through and –

The SPEAKER: Order! If members cannot raise points of order appropriately, please do not raise points of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (17:42): Isn’t it a fact that the fire patrol unit has been disbanded and there are 367 fewer police because this government cannot manage money?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (17:42): The supplementary question was a combination of both the substantive question and the question asked by the current Leader of the Liberal Party, and therefore I refer the member to the content of those answers and repeat that the answer is no.