Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Cost of Living, Minister for Renters, Minister for Men and Boys) (14:17): I have met families doing everything right ‍– working hard, managing their budget – but still falling behind. For too many Victorians that pressure has already become a crisis, and that is why this budget puts real help in front of real people. We are delivering free public transport, half-price fares and 20 per cent off your car rego.

We are also investing in the people who help families in a financial crisis. I am talking about the $2.3 million to expand Bring Your Bills Day – real experts, face to face with no jargon or judgement, helping people with debt, fines, mortgage stress and legal problems all in one place. One event in Hampton Park in the electorate of my friend the member for Narre Warren South helped Victorians tackle $3 million worth of debt and savings in a single day. We are hiring 17 more financial counsellors, bringing the total to 130 workers across this state, because when a family do not know how to negotiate with their bank or understand their legal rights, they need a person, not a pamphlet.

The Leader of the Opposition said that she would never get in the way of cost-of-living relief, but when we delivered free public transport for kids, the Leader of the Opposition opposed it. When we cut 20 per cent off rego, they opposed it.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, I just think the Victorian people deserve better. They expect better from us, and they do not expect the newly appointed minister to lie.

The SPEAKER: Member for Sandringham, if you are going to raise a point of order, I suggest you read the standing orders and work out how to do it correctly. There is no point of order.

Paul EDBROOKE: I think the Victorian public do deserve better than that. On Friday, to a ballroom full of top-end-of-town business figures, the opposition leader announced cuts to the very frontline workers we are hiring. We are hiring more; they are cutting thousands. This is not a cost-of-living plan, this is abandonment. On this side we back families. We back the workers who help them, and we always will under this Labor government.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I know the minister is fairly new, but he does need to be accurate with what he says.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.