Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Ministers statements: school digital devices policy

Ben CARROLL
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Ministers statements: school digital devices policy

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:06): We all know Victorian education is leading the nation under Labor. We are the first in NAPLAN, we are the first in school builds and we are also the first state to ban mobile phones in classrooms. Any parent will tell you that there is a big disruptor on the loose right across Victoria, and it is not Moira, it is mobile phones. We know that getting screens out of classrooms helps students –

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind members, if they are referring to members in this place or in the other place, to refer to them by their correct titles.

Ben CARROLL: We know that getting screens out of classrooms helps students learn, helps them to concentrate and also leads to calmer classrooms. That is why today, with the Premier, we announced that we are influencing and making sure our mobile phones ban goes to both public and private schools. We are also including more digital devices under the ban because students must focus on learning. We want kids to have their education and have their childhoods back. That is why we are doing everything we can to support screens being out of the classroom – good for students, good for teachers and good for Victoria. You would think those opposite would be supporting a ban on screens. We know how much they hate screens; they will not even screen their candidates.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Very amusing, Minister. However, it was not appropriate. Members will come to order.

Ben CARROLL: When it comes to education, we never hear from the other side, because they know it is in their DNA to cut education. The Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, to fill her $11.1 billion black hole, will go after our cost-of-living measures for education.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Members on my left are warned. This disruptive behaviour in the chamber is unacceptable and will be treated as such – member for Brighton, member for Rowville, member for Polwarth, member for Narracan.

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