Thursday, 4 June 2026

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Cost of Living, Minister for Renters, Minister for Men and Boys) (14:08): There are only two things that are certain in politics: Labor delivers and the Liberals cut. No-one knows that better than the one-third of Victorians who are renters. Labor has delivered more than 150 rental reforms to balance the scales and make renting fairer. We have banned no-fault evictions because no renter should be kicked out of their home for no reason. We have ended the dreaded double bond because renters should not have to find a few thousand dollars just to move house. We have banned rental bidding, making it illegal to charge more than the advertised price. But we know those opposite love a bidding war. They have been running one for the leadership for years, and the price keeps on going up for that leadership. We are capping the cost of breaking a lease because not everyone can get a bailout just to stay in the building. We are investing $98 million in the Victorian renter rights program so renters know what their rights are and have somewhere to turn, which is exactly what those opposite would cut. We know they love a landlord. The biggest one in the house is sitting across from me with $40 billion worth of cuts.

Members interjecting.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister knows that his ministers statement is not an opportunity to attack the opposition. He was sat down for it yesterday, and I renew the point of order from yesterday.

The SPEAKER: Minister, will you come back to your ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Paul EDBROOKE: I miss the member for Brighton. Looks like we touched a nerve today. With $40 billion in cuts coming, it is the regulator that protects renters that will be cut. They opposed every single one of these reforms, and they would strip every single one of these reforms back, harming Victorian renters, harming people who want a roof over their head. Victorians know only Labor is on the side of renters. Only Labor is in the back corner for renters, and that is exactly what we will keep delivering in this government.