Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (19:18): (1657) My adjournment matter is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek is for her to adopt the Liberals’ 10-year economic plan for Victoria. Under this government, debt has exploded. Our police, teachers and ambos are worse off, and Victoria is the highest taxed state in the nation. When the coalition left office in 2014 net debt was $21.8 billion, and today it is heading to $200 billion. For over a decade Labor leaders have never thought beyond winning the next election. They have traded Victoria’s future for their own political survival and robbed future generations to pay for today’s overspending. While they offer free this and free that in a desperate attempt to buy votes in an election year, Victorians are waking up to the truth. You cannot believe a single thing this government says. The lies, the spin, the gaslighting – it ends under a Wilson Liberal government. You cannot fix 12 years of short-term thinking with a single budget.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Deputy Speaker, throughout the day both you and the Speaker have warned members of this place about using unparliamentary language.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member. I mentioned it earlier this morning, and a number of members have been doing it, and I will consult the Speaker on that further. The member for Warrandyte to continue without assistance.

Nicole WERNER: You cannot fix 12 years of short-term thinking with a single budget, and that is why we have released our 10-year economic plan to turn this state around. We will fix the budget, lower taxes and treat every dollar of taxpayers money with the respect it deserves. We will bring investment back into Victoria, cut the red tape that is strangling small businesses and unlock opportunity for young people who want to start something, build something or own something. We will be the government that says to the young tradie, the first home buyer or the battler just trying to get ahead: ‘We are on your side. It is time for a fresh start.’

Victorians have a choice this November: a choice between the Allan Labor government, which handed $15 billion to corruption and criminals and hiked Victorian taxes to pay for it, or a Wilson Liberal government with a plan to fix the budget, be honest with Victorians and guarantee the services they rely on. Our plan, despite Labor’s scare campaign, is that no-one is getting sacked, unlike the Premier, who in her own words said that it was not hundreds but ‘it was thousands’ that she has sacked. Our plan will protect every frontline role and freeze back office hiring. That means more police, more teachers and more nurses.

John Lister interjected.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Werribee!

Nicole WERNER: Labor is running a scare campaign because they cannot run on their own record. We will do what they have never done – actually be honest with Victorians.