Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (17:45): My question is to the Premier. How much will Victoria’s interest bill rise following today’s interest rate increase?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House can leave the chamber for half an hour. The member for Rowville can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Minister for Health and member for Rowville withdrew from chamber.

David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, on your previous ruling that members are to provide a written apology for using props, may I ask that the manager of government business also provide the same written apology.

The SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order. The Premier to answer the question that was asked.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (17:46): With today’s announcement by the Reserve Bank of Australia that following their meeting they have made a decision to increase the interest rate of the nation, my thoughts today are with those working people and families who are deeply concerned about what this means for them and their household budgets, and that is why the last thing that those families need now is cuts to public services, cuts to hospitals, cuts to schools – cuts to the things that they rely on.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I would ask the Premier, on relevance, to deal with the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has only been on her feet for a short time. I will give her an opportunity to answer the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: Which is why too, in understanding that in recent years the fluctuations in interest rates have put real pressure on household budgets, we have worked hard to provide support when we can, whether it is through the programs in our schools to help families to save at schools. Just this year, logos are out on shorts and pants and skirts and socks – one way to help families save. We are always looking at ways that we can, as a state government, support families with real and meaningful cost-of-living support.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, we are nearly halfway through the response time and the Premier has not dealt with the substance of the question.

Ben Carroll: On the point of order, Speaker, the Premier has dealt with the substance of the question. The question went to the interest rate rise delivered today by the Reserve Bank. The Premier made a very strong commitment that under her government there will not be cuts to services.

The SPEAKER: The Premier to continue, bearing in mind the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I am, Speaker, and I will not disappoint the member for Brighton and ensure that I do come back to directly answer the question. As I say, I am doing so because the interest rate rise has a material impact on households, and that is our focus. And when questions are asked about the Victorian budget, we are always looking at ways to invest in the things that matter for families, to help them save time in terms of getting to work but also to ease the cost-of-living pressures. And it is in that context –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, again on relevance, we are now 2 minutes into the response and the substance of the question has not been dealt with.

The SPEAKER: You do not need to elaborate on your point of order, Manager of Opposition Business. I cannot tell the Premier how to answer the question. The Premier will be relevant.

Jacinta ALLAN: It is in that context, because those investments matter and you cannot make those investments when you have got an $11 billion black hole. That would only mean cuts that the Leader of the Opposition has committed to.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, sledging is not a response. The Premier is not responding to the question.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business will raise his points of order appropriately.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come to order. Do you wish to continue to answer the question, Premier?

Jacinta ALLAN: Speaker, I do. The Leader of the Opposition is now saying it is not an $11 billion black hole. I think Victorians deserve to know what is the black hole –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Leader of the Opposition and the Premier to cease interjecting across the table. The Manager of Opposition Business looks to raise another point of order. I assume it is the same point of order that he has raised three times in a row. The Premier will come back to answering the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: In terms of the Victorian budget, we will continue to look at ways to provide families with that support they need. It is going to be clear from today’s interest rate rise that there is going to be greater concern and greater stress on families, so we will continue to look at ways to make important investments through the Victorian budget – the power saving bonus, support at schools and investment in good public services.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier at no time has dealt with the substance of the question, and you have asked her three times to go to the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: I cannot tell the Premier how to answer the question. The Premier was being relevant in referring to the interest rate rise. The Premier has concluded her answer.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (17:51): Premier, how many police officers can be employed with the money which will go to paying this government’s increased interest bill?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (17:51): The Leader of the Opposition is making some assumptions there. We will never cut $100 million, like those opposite did, from the Victoria Police budget. We will only back the men and women of Victoria Police.