Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Leader of the House, Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (12:25): I move:

That, under standing order 94(2), the orders of the day, government business, relating to the following bills be considered and completed by 5 pm on 30 July 2026:

Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026

Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Corrections Amendment Bill 2026

Firearms Amendment Bill 2026

Electoral Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill 2026.

I am pleased to make a contribution in relation to those matters. Can I say that it is a very important business program this week. It is about doing the things that matter to Victorians, like the legislated right to work from home. On this side of the house we understand what matters to Victorian families, in particular providing them with the flexibility and affordability to work from home when they choose to do so by enshrining it under legislation here in the Parliament of Victoria. It is a right that so many Victorians are already exercising, which has made a big difference to their capacity to look after their families, to be available and home more often and to support complex family arrangements that so many people have through day-to-day pressures while also being more efficient in the work that they contribute to.

We have also introduced the Electoral Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Bill 2026. That is a very important element of restoring and improving democracy here in our state. Voting is an essential right of every Victorian, and I know that people in this place in particular, the Assembly, understand that this is the place where our governments are made and unmade. This electoral amendment bill will go to a range of concerns that people in the community have about removing group voting tickets in the Legislative Council. We are keen to deliver on that, and we look forward to the engagement with those opposite. Everyone has a stake in those matters and so do the people of Victoria.

We will make it easier and fairer for Victorians trying to buy a home in the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, another bill we have designed to make the everyday lives of Victorians just that little bit easier.

We are also making sure the debate on the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026 responds to risks that have been identified in the state’s correctional system. We recognise that community safety remains a top priority. As Minister for Police, from the work that we do every day in supporting our police members in rain, hail or shine, I know the work that they do to keep serious violent offenders held to account. We know our toughest bail laws and adult time for adult crime play a significant role in those matters. This bill in particular responds to legal and operational issues that I know the honourable member for Box Hill, the Minister for Corrections, will be able to speak to in greater detail, ensuring Victoria’s corrections laws are clear, workable and fit for purpose.

We will be progressing strong and sensible gun laws that keep our community safe. I have been very much engaged, given the Firearms Amendment Bill 2026 sits within my responsibilities, with the national firearms register. We have seen what has happened interstate in Wieambilla. We have seen what has happened in Bondi. We have seen, sadly, what has happened with gun violence in our own state over a long period of time. It goes to the tragedies that we have seen here in Victoria in the past, whether it was Hoddle Street or whether it was Bourke Street or other elements. Victoria in particular has got quite strong firearms laws thanks to the work of past governments, particularly the Honourable Steve Crabb and other ministers that have done significant work.

The work around firearms amendments never stops. This is about some national approaches, and I am looking forward to the debate and the discussions. We feel we have found a sensible compromise that acknowledges that the vast majority of gun owners in Victoria do the right thing. We do not seek to put further bureaucratic requirements on them. We do need to make sure that police and our law enforcement agencies have the capacity to work with our national law enforcement agencies to share information, that there is a safe regime for those who use firearms for legitimate reasons and that we also have accountability for those who seek to do harm in the community. We know that happens through the investments we have made in the national gun register, a joint project with other states and territories and the Commonwealth being led by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. The bill acquits four of the 15 accepted recommendations of the Ken Lay review and builds on the government’s long and proud history of introducing strong and sensible firearms laws. I look forward to further discussion in relation to those matters. It is a very full program as we continue to roll out changes that make life easier, safer and more affordable for Victorians.

Can I say also not only that I am pleased to back in the election today of the honourable member for Niddrie as the Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party, currently on his way to Government House to be sworn in, but that that is probably the worst nightmare for those opposite, who were hoping that perhaps there would not be new leadership in the Labor Party. I want to take the opportunity to thank the Premier of Victoria the Honourable Jacinta Allan for the contribution that she has made over 27 ‍years in this place. I want to thank her for that contribution to our state, and I want to not only do that but also thank Ben Carroll, the member for Niddrie, and wish him well in his role leading our state.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:30): I rise to speak on the government business program – what we understand to be the government business program, but only at this time. We have seen a revised government business program moved, a program that went from four bills to five bills. As the Leader of the House said, to pick up on his final point in relation to what has happened today, we have seen, frankly, an unprecedented knifing of a sitting Premier – a Premier who was not afforded a seat in this chamber under this new regime of government. Within a 24-hour period the Premier – the former Premier, or I presume still the Premier; the member for Bendigo East I believe is still the Premier – was not even afforded a seat in this chamber post the coup this morning that saw her removed.

We do not know what is going to happen in the chamber this week, and that is the truth. We do not know, with a new government, who the Premier will be. The Premier right now is the member for Bendigo East. We have just been advised in the chamber that the member for Niddrie is on his way to Government House. Therefore I presume we do not have a ministry. I assume that there is an acting ministry, but what is this ministry? No-one would know, because this government has fallen apart. There is no other way to say it. In fact I would not normally reflect other than to say I was watching this morning. I did watch a little bit of this morning, and I thought to myself, as there was a contest for the leadership and one member was pursuing potentially a ballot vote, ‘I’ve never seen a party kill their new leader before the meeting has ended.’ I have never seen that before in my entire time in politics, but that was what I saw today – a party kill their leader in the middle of a meeting after they just elected him.

Anthony Carbines: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your guidance in relation to the mention of the words ‘killing people’ and the like in the course of debate. I understand it is a house of debate, and I am all up for that, but I ask that people temper their language in relation to that sort of language.

The SPEAKER: I ask the member to come back to the government business program, please.

James NEWBURY: As I said earlier, I was of course continuing the debate that was started by the Leader of the House, and on the Leader of the House’s point, perhaps they used baseball bats. If you would prefer, the government members used baseball bats, if that is the –

Colin Brooks: On a point of order, Speaker, the use of violent language in this chamber in relation to politicians, on either side of the house, is not appropriate when it comes to the safety of members of Parliament. I would just ask you, Speaker, to ask the member for Brighton to reflect on the language he uses so that we do not have the use of violent language in this place against other politicians. We can make solid points of argument without resorting to that sort of language.

The SPEAKER: I remind members that this is a chamber of debate. It is not a chamber for hurling abuse or insinuations across the chamber. This is the government business program debate.

James NEWBURY: As I said earlier, I was continuing the debate that was started by the Leader of the House, and this is an unprecedented day, so it is perfectly reasonable, in terms of the operation of this chamber, for us in this chamber to understand what this government looks like. Do they have a majority in this chamber? Will they this week be able to control a –

Colin Brooks: On a further point of order, Speaker, the member is not referring to the motion or debating the motion before the house.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, I ask you to come back to the government business program under standing order 94(2).

James NEWBURY: Coming from the minister who knifed his own Premier – (Time expired)

 Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (12:35): I am so pleased to be able to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the government business program, and I particularly want to acknowledge the role that the Minister for Skills and TAFE just played in asking, imploring, that we elevate the tone of debate in this chamber, because our community – the community that I serve and the communities that we all serve – expect us to elevate the debate and contribute in a way that reflects the leadership role we all have in this chamber. Many on the other side of the chamber I have worked closely with over these last years, and I think many share the desire that we elevate the debate because of the consequences of the words and the language that we use in this place and the way that that is reflected in our community. I would particularly like to implore those members from across the chamber who I know take a very serious look at the way we are communicating to the young people in our communities. As I contribute on this government business program, which includes really important debates on working from home and that includes extraordinary and important matters, including consumer legislation, the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026 and of course, as the Leader of the House has already identified, the Firearms Amendment Bill 2026, because we are leading this country in so many ways and we ought to lead this country in the way that we debate this important legislation, I ask that all of us remember what it is to bring leadership to this chamber.

I am certainly looking forward to contributing on so many elements of this government business program. I was particularly delighted to hear that we have introduced legislation on the nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios, and I know that there are many people in my community who are looking to hear how we absolutely must consider the opportunity to work from home. This is a legislative agenda that puts the people of Victoria at the centre of all considerations. I know when I enter this place that I think about the community that I serve – I think about Cranbourne – but I do not just think about our community; I think about what it means to be here on behalf of our whole community. I know that when it comes to matters like the Firearms Amendment Bill, which the Leader of the House has already identified as being something that he holds very close and as a matter of great personal interest, all of these matters will be considered as they ought to be: respectfully and with the sort of language that I think that our classroom teachers often ask us to use as well.

As to the work-from-home legislation, this is a piece of legislation that I know has been highly sought after by so many members of our community, but particularly those people who have so many of those responsibilities that mean balancing working and working from home so it can be done in a way that gives equal weight to the role of those people who are employed and those people who are employers. As somebody who lives in my community – I live 56 kilometres south-east from here – I know that a commute into the city can mean the difference between going and picking up your children from after-school care a little bit earlier. It might mean getting to care for an elderly parent and being there at 5:30 instead of 7. It might mean having an opportunity to have breakfast with your children.

We have a full agenda. We have ministers who are taking the role seriously, and we are imploring people to elevate these conversations. I am also going to take the opportunity to thank those who have been serving with extraordinary leadership our great party in government. Once again, congratulations to our incoming Premier, and thank you again to our outgoing Premier for the role that she has played in leading our community.

 Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (12:40): I rise to oppose the government business program today. It is interesting to see the house of cards finally capitulate on itself. It is very hard to stand up here as the member for Morwell and field questions from constituents in the Latrobe Valley about what has gone on this morning on the other side of the chamber and who actually is running the state for them. We are going to show up on this side of the chamber and still prosecute everything that has gone on within this Labor government, but I have my own constituents sending messages and ringing to ask, ‘What is the way forward?’ I can honestly say the only way forward is to have an election on 28 ‍November, or earlier, to once and for all put this Labor government to bed and have a fresh start here in Victoria.

We have previously been very, very light on for stuff to debate in the government business program. As the member for Brighton said, we have a lot on the government business program this week, and it is mind-boggling to know how we are actually going to get through it all. There are motions afoot which will follow, because not only have people lost confidence in the government, but the government have actually lost confidence in themselves. We need to make sure that this place is still running properly, that the people not only of the Latrobe Valley but of regional Victoria, and every person in Victoria, still have a voice in this chamber.

There is the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 that at some stage we will be debating. We have the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which will come up as well. I am sure people on all sides will want to speak on these. There is the Corrections Amendment Bill ‍2026, because, as we know, this is at the forefront for every single person in Victoria. They worry about what is happening on our streets with crime, so when we are talking about corrections amendments and the Firearms Amendment Bill 2026 coming through, we need to make sure that we are measured in what we are doing to try and keep the people of Victoria safe and keep criminals where they should be. If they are committing crimes, we need to make sure that the process there is correct and working.

As we move back to what has happened this morning here in the chamber, I am not sure, but I know on this side it is a guessing game. I think on the other side of the house too it is a bit of a guessing game of where it is all going to end up and how we are going to march our way forward this week. Are we actually going to be speaking on the government business program that is before us or are we going to get something new come tomorrow morning? It is a concern not only for me, but also in particular for the people of the Latrobe Valley, because I am here to represent them, as every other MP in this place is here to represent their community to the best of their ability. When we have a government that is in disarray and we have the focus on what is going on on the other side of the chamber and we are not concentrating on Victorians and the constituents in our own areas, it does make you wonder where this is all going to lead.

As I said, we are opposing the government business program this week, and we wait with bated breath to see what is next from the government. We will be in the chamber to debate everything that is on the government business program, because I want to be here representing my community, doing the best that I can for them. As I said, we will be opposing the government business program.

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (12:45): The opposition opposing the government business program is nothing new, nor is it new that they have opposed everything this government on this side of the house has done to improve the lives of Victorians for the past 12 years. Opposing the government business program is nothing new. I would say they are opposing it because it means there is work to do. At the outset, let me say we have an absolutely jam-packed week ahead of us here in this chamber. We have four very important pieces of legislation set to be debated. I want to talk about this, because these kinds of reforms and this kind of legislation are aimed at making people’s lives easier.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, if it assists the member, the government business program has five bills listed, not four.

The SPEAKER: The member for Laverton to continue.

Sarah CONNOLLY: It is a tough day, and the difference between four and five certainly does mean it is a jam-packed week for debating legislation in this house. It sure does. I thank the member for Brighton for helping me correct the record.

This legislation is aimed at making life easier and more affordable for Victorians to address the cost of living, of housing, of getting around. This stuff is just so important. I have been out all weekend talking to folks in Melbourne’s west, and the one thing that they want to talk to me about is cost of living and how it is hurting. Thanks to my office. They have done a tremendous job in processing hundreds and hundreds of applications for 20 per cent off people’s registration. I have to tell you, I have never seen lines so long to speak to a member of Parliament. But they are not lining up to talk to me; they are lining up to talk to my staff to get them to process their applications. I have to say, on the weekend it was extraordinary, the people coming up to me, thanking me and this Labor government for this kind of initiative. $186 might not be much if you are from the big end of town. 186 bucks back on your registration might not be much for those on the other side of this chamber, but I can tell you in Melbourne’s western suburbs 186 bucks is a hell of a lot of money, and people loved being able to receive that. The other feedback they had for our government was that some of them received it in their bank accounts within the same day, some of them within 24 hours, and some of them not long after. They thought that was a remarkable improvement and thanked us very much. I have to say – and this diverts a bit from the government business program – I had the incredible pleasure of meeting one of the women that work for the department who are actually processing these claims and applications and putting the money back into people’s accounts. I did say to her, ‘Please pass on to your staff a thankyou from all of us.’ The feedback from residents has been absolutely remarkable for the accuracy and the very little time it has taken to put it back into people’s accounts. 186 bucks is a lot of money at this time.

Chief amongst the five pieces of legislation this week is our government’s work-from-home legislation, the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026, enshrining at long last the right to request flexible work arrangements for at least two days a week. I have to say when I am out in my local community, particularly in Melbourne’s west, the right to work from home at least two days a week is absolutely wonderful. If I am out doorknocking, I do not know what others here think, but one of the most embarrassing things can be on a Friday when someone very quickly opens the door, thinking it may be a parcel, and it is me, and they say, ‘Sorry, I’m on a Zoom meeting.’

A member interjected.

Sarah CONNOLLY: It is the gift of Sarah. I am interrupting a Zoom meeting or a Teams meeting, and they are very quick to close the door and say, ‘I need to get back to work.’ But I have to say it shows me that people in Melbourne’s outer west are working from home. They love working from home. It reduces not only the cost of travel but also the time and the impact of travelling in Melbourne’s outer west into places like the city. Not only is there more time to do work and be more productive but there is a better work–life balance, and I think that is really meaningful for people in Melbourne’s outer west. So debating that bill this week is absolutely fantastic. I cannot wait to do that.

We have also got the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which is going to look at introducing a number of amendments that build upon our government’s 150-plus rental reforms – which is fantastic – as well as residential homes. We have got a jam-packed week, and I cannot wait to get on with it.

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (12:50): I rise to oppose the government business program, and that is because the chaotic shambles of this government has been a moving feast all day. As to the four or five pieces of legislation that we are meant to be debating today, we would not know and they would not know, because they will not tell us. Just before the member for Brighton got up to speak another bill was put on the table. So here we are: another day under the Labor chaos reign. Here we are: another day, another unelected Premier. Victorians got no say again: they did not elect the member for Bendigo East, they did not elect the member for Niddrie and they sure as hell did not vote for $15 billion worth of corruption here with taxpayers money.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has a point of order?

Anthony Carbines: Not at all. I just thought perhaps the member for Warrandyte might need some assistance to refer to the government business program in the midst of her contribution, but I will leave that to your judgement.

The SPEAKER: Members have strayed far and wide from the government business program, a little bit in each contribution. I remind members that this is a debate about the government business program. The member for Warrandyte to come back to the government business program.

Nicole WERNER: Again, that is why we are opposing the government business program today: because there is no certainty and no clarity from the government as to what is going on in the house. They decided we are going to talk about the electoral amendment bill. Actually, ‘No, we’re going to pull it.’ Actually, ‘We’re going to speak about it.’ Or maybe they will pull it; we do not know. We do not even know who the Premier is right now. We are still waiting for them to be signed in or go to Government House. We are waiting, and we want to know what is happening – the chaos, minute by minute, this whole day as well as yesterday. And today in Parliament that is why we as the opposition are moving a vote of no confidence against the Premier who is being sworn in. That is why we are moving this vote of no confidence against the Premier, whoever the Premier is, whether it is the former Premier or the new Premier. This is the point: that all of these people are cut from the same corrupt cloth. They are cut from the same corrupt cloth, and the new incoming Premier has been at the former Premier’s side the entire time.

Anthony Carbines: Speaker, I renew my point of order with regard to the member for Warrandyte referring to and being relevant to the government business program in her contribution on these matters.

The SPEAKER: Come back to the government business program, member for Warrandyte.

Nicole WERNER: Again, this is why we are opposing the government business program, where they expect in the next two days – because we have this vote of no confidence that we actually moved before the winter recess, a good six weeks ago, to give them notice that we would be moving a vote of no confidence against the then Premier. That is the truth, and that is why we are opposing the government business program.

Anthony Carbines: On a point of order, I am sorry, Speaker, but other matters that may be orders of the day on the notice paper are not the business program. The business program is what we are debating. I have outlined to the house those bills, and I would appreciate it if the member for Warrandyte could speak to those matters.

The SPEAKER: Member for Warrandyte, the government business program is addressed in the paper, so I ask you to come back to the government business program.

Nicole WERNER: Again, this is why we are opposing the government business program: because of these four or five – and it is definitely five, because that is what they have told us – bills that we are meant to be debating in the next two days. All of a sudden they have got this heavy legislative agenda when in times past and all this year long they have had a light legislative agenda where they have had to defer to sledge motions in their government business time, where they have had to defer to sledge motions attacking the opposition instead of getting through the apparent legislative agenda that they have to get through. So today, when we move that vote of no confidence, it will eat up our time tomorrow for the five bills that the government –

Anthony Carbines: Speaker, I can only renew my point of order that the business program has been outlined. It covers five bills, and that is plenty for the member for Warrandyte to speak to. Other matters do not relate to the government business program.

The SPEAKER: Member for Warrandyte, come back to the government business program.

Nicole WERNER: That is why we are opposing this government business program, because we oppose wholeheartedly this government and the new Premier.

David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, I did not want to interrupt the member for Warrandyte, who was in full flight, but during her contribution the member for Wendouree, who might be trying out the Deputy Premier’s seat, was out of her seat and right the way through that contribution was interjecting out of her place. I ask for her to stop interjecting or move her seat and go where she should be seated.

The SPEAKER: All members should cease interjecting across the table, whether they are in their seats or not.

Assembly divided on motion: