Thursday, 5 February 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:11): Tennis is a wonderful sport played in schools and enjoyed right across our state. Like many, I did follow every game of the Australian Open last month, but like all Victorians I think the game should stay at Rod Laver Arena. Rather than being played in the opposition party room, we want the game staying at Rod Laver Arena. 2026 is barely in full swing, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has already stormed out with his racquet and ball. While Labor is serving up ace after ace – new schools, new hospitals, a new transport system and new cost-of-living measures – those opposite are serving up chaos and division every day. We are not just investing in new schools, we are also opening up new school facilities, like tennis courts, for community use because we want to help every young person to reach their dreams. Every young person can be a world-class tennis player with perhaps the best serve ever, but they might not just make it to the top of the Liberal Party.

While Labor is like Carlos Alcaraz – when everything is on the line, we will always deliver – we always know that when it comes to doing everything for the state the Liberals will always take their eye off the ball. I do feel for the former member for Nepean. As he said, it is very hard to win a doubles match when your own side, your own party, is playing against you. But the people of Nepean need not worry. Under the Allan Labor government we have invested $66 million in schools right across the Nepean electorate, while those opposite are ripping $2 million out of the pockets of Nepean locals for an unwanted, unneeded by-election. It is game, set and match for the Victorian Liberal Party. Victorians know when the ball is in the Liberal Party’s court they will turn up like a bunch of amateurs to play the game of tennis and play the game of Parliament in Spring Street.