Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Paul EDBROOKE (Frankston – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Cost of Living, Minister for Renters, Minister for Men and Boys) (14:13): As you know, moving house is stressful enough. Working Victorians should not have to save up thousands for a second bond before they have even seen their first one back. From 1 July they will not have to. Labor’s portable rental bond scheme is going live, which means renters can transfer their existing bond to a new home. Other states have talked about a similar scheme, but Victorians will be the first in the country to use it. For workers chasing a new job or a family putting down roots, this will mean more money staying in their pockets. This is the latest in 150 renters rights reforms that this Labor government has delivered. We banned rental bidding, we stopped no-fault evictions and from October a landlord must show evidence before they can touch a renter’s bond. That is what backing working people looks like. But not every party can make that claim. There are those who have consistently opposed strengthening renters rights, and with $40 billion worth of cuts on the table they will gut Consumer Affairs Victoria and strip back renters rights to the bare bone. One Nation will cut your pay, but the Liberals will scrap your rights, and that means less money in your pocket.

Members interjecting.

Paul EDBROOKE: Oh, he is a bit sensitive.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, it is inappropriate for the minister to attack the opposition, and I would like –

The SPEAKER: Order! Thank you.

James Newbury: Speaker, can I finish?

The SPEAKER: You have made your point of order, member for Brighton.

James Newbury: I would like to make another point, Speaker. The minister has already been sat down twice for abusing this rule, and I would say the minister clearly does not understand this rule.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Brighton, for your insight. Minister, I will again remind you about how to deliver a ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Paul EDBROOKE: As I was saying, this means a lot less money in your pocket and fewer rights when you need them. It is a unity ticket against working people, this coalition, and only Labor is on the side of working people. We on this side of the house are focused on renters. We are focused on people in the property market buying houses. We are focused on keeping money in the pockets of renters, when those opposite are firmly, firmly focused on keeping One Nation in their pocket.