Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Cost of Living, Minister for Renters, Minister for Men and Boys) (14:26): Victorian families are facing new challenges. The cost of living is putting pressure on family budgets and family time. I recently spent time with the amazing member for Yan Yean to hear directly from her constituents about the cost-of-living pressures that they face. We have listened to Victorians, and that is why we have acted. We are putting more than $2 billion back into the pockets of Victorians: 20 per cent off your rego, free then half-price public transport, free kinder, free TAFE and free dental check-ups for kids. Only Labor is focused on making life easier, safer and more affordable.

The same cannot be said for some other parts of this chamber. There are over $40 billion worth of cuts on the horizon: cuts to the Department of Education, cuts to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and cuts to the Department of Health. Let that sink in for a minute. Free kinder, free TAFE and new schools gone and 17,000 nurses and midwives gone, on the chopping block. But they are not alone, because another party has called for those same departments to be cut – not just frozen but cut. Different method, identical destination: higher power bills, more costs at the school gate, fewer services when families need them most. One Nation says ‘abolish’; the Liberals say ‘freeze’. It is the same thing to Victorian families; they will feel it either way. Only Labor has new solutions. Only Labor is delivering free kinder, free TAFE and 121 new schools. Only Labor is making energy cleaner and more affordable. And only Labor is on the side of Victorian families, not on a unity ticket with One Nation.