Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Tim RICHARDSON (Mordialloc) (17:37): (1578) My adjournment this evening is to the Premier, and the action I seek is an update for my community on legislation that will be introduced in this Parliament to enshrine the right to work from home for two days a week. It was in August 2025 when the Premier stood up and announced for Victorians that we would enshrine the right to work from home two days, recognising the importance of work–life balance in our lives, the importance of supporting people in the flexibility of their workplaces. In a community like Mordialloc, but indeed across Victoria in the other 87 electorates, people connect with the right to work from home, because at its heart, and as we consider International Women’s Day, we know that work from home supports women to stay in and be part of the workforce. We know it is fundamentally a cost-of-living program and supports people not to have to put fuel in the car, especially with the uncertainty around the world at the moment, and to be in their communities. We know it is really important if you are travelling up and down the train line or on the V/Line from rural and regional communities; it saves that time and that effort.

There is nothing more fundamental – and this is what I hear from my community – than being in those life moments with the kids that you might have missed. There is that 6:30 run back, when you are on the last train, in congestion, or you are sitting on the Monash Freeway or Mordi bypass out my way, wondering if you will get to see those important events. Or there is three-year-old kinder, such a fundamental moment – and we have got free kinder all through our state – and thinking about how important those formative moments are. Parents want to be there to see their kids grow up, and this provides that flexibility and opportunity. Or for the worker who has to trundle up and down each and every day for five days, sometimes six days, and shift work, trying to get home, that congestion-relieving work that is done with the right to work from home spreads that out. It is good for the entire economy. We know as well that it is one of the most productive things you can do. The blended work arrangement of some work from home with some work in your workplace is really critical. I am really interested, Premier, and I ask for an update on this legislation and when it will be introduced to the Parliament to enshrine the right to work from home for two days a week.