Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit – Minister for Youth, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (14:08): The Carroll Labor government is delivering for Melbourne’s west. I grew up in Altona, which is in Melbourne’s west. The Premier is from the north-west, and we understand the opportunities and challenges for the west. We know that families in Melbourne’s west are struggling with the cost of living, and even feeding your family can be a struggle in this economic climate. Around one in three Victorian households experience food insecurity each and every year, and the food relief sector is experiencing record demand. This is why this government, the Carroll government, has recently announced $5 million to support a massive expansion of SecondBite’s distribution centre in Derrimut. This will triple SecondBite’s food relief capacity across our state. The impact of this will be extraordinary, and over the next 10 years expansion will support the delivery of over 100 million meals, reaching an additional 316,000 households which are doing it tough under financial strain. Importantly, our investment will double food relief support to both regional and rural.

By contrast, those opposite would climb into bed with One Nation at the first chance that they get. They want to rip the guts out of frontline services to the tune of $40 billion.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Bulleen! I could not hear the last part of the minister’s statement.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister for struggle street does know that it is inappropriate for the minister to be using her statement in this way.

The SPEAKER: I will not uphold the point of order, because that is not an appropriate way to raise a point of order.

Luba GRIGOROVITCH: I would like to think that that was not a swipe at carers or volunteers, but who knows with that person. Those opposite are so out of touch with Melbourne’s west that they just sacked one of their very few representatives from our region. But, guess what, it took four times to actually get rid of her, and you did it after we got told that Pauline Hanson did not even want her.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: I do not appreciate members on their feet being shouted down. It is very disrespectful. The minister to continue, without interruption.

Luba GRIGOROVITCH: On this side we are committed to a new direction for Melbourne’s west and for Victoria and building a stronger and more resilient relief system for all Victorians.