Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:29): There is one thing we know: that education in Victoria is thriving under Labor. We have the best NAPLAN results in the country, topping a record 18 of 20 measures. When we came to office, we were half that – 11 out of 20. We have risen up the ranks under this Labor government. But what really hits home on this side of the chamber is the way we are supporting students with additional needs. As I mentioned earlier, our Premier started her budget day with families and with parents talking about and discussing our $2.2 billion plan to help kids that need extra help – to help those kids with special needs and disabilities – to make sure that in the Education State everyone has a pathway no matter who they are, no matter their postcode and no matter their parents’ bank balance. But that is not all: under our government, more new schools are being built than anywhere else in this state and there is more cost-of-living support than anywhere else in the nation. That speaks to our Labor government’s and Premier Allan’s values. These results are no accident. They are investing in local schools and they are investing in local families and students.

We do know that there is one great risk to education in this state, and it is straight out of the Liberal Party playbook.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition. That is exactly where the minister was going. The schools are the lowest funded in the country.

Anthony Carbines: On the point of order, the Deputy Premier is entitled to compare and contrast policies, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier to resume his ministers statement, being mindful of not attacking the opposition.

Ben CARROLL: I was not attacking the opposition. All I was doing was comparing and contrasting. Just like Carlton, when the pressure gets too much, all they know how to do is cut. That is why on this side of the chamber more schools are being built and we are growing the national teacher ratio at twice the national average. Only our side of the chamber gets the joke, but we are making sure we will do everything to ensure that every person in this state gets to fulfil their obligations. This Premier spends budget day with children with disabilities; the alternative spends budget day and budget week with big Liberal Party donors.