Thursday, 19 March 2026

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:40): It is official, much to the upset of those opposite: Melbourne is the best city in the world. I know those opposite love to talk the state down; it will come as a bit of a shock. But Melburnians know this, and they know this because they could be one of those passengers travelling on one of the 1200 new services thanks to the Metro Tunnel, they could be a parent getting health care at one of our great public hospitals or free health care closer to where they live or they could be a young person enjoying one of the many, many major events, creative industries or cultural opportunities. Melbourne is a city people are choosing not just for a great night out but for a life – a life for them, their family and their kids.

We can hear Liberal mentor Jeff Kennett is busy there at the typewriter, ready to tell everyone how wrong they are. Well, the statistics confirm it. According to the ABS, Victoria is leading the nation for first home buyers. Almost a third of the nation’s first home buyers are right here in Victoria. When it comes to rental affordability, we lead the country as well. And people are spending as well. During the December period we smashed record spending in the CBD – over $300 million through our shops, restaurants and businesses. People are moving here. People are building here. People are spending here as well. And that is because they know what this great city is about. It is about opportunity. It is about culture. It is about a life for them and their family.

As we know, even the New South Wales Liberals back what we do here in Victoria. We are going to keep going. We are going to keep building the homes that young people need, we are going to keep investing in education, health and skills and we are going to support people’s right to work from home, because we are backing Victoria.