Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:24): The Carroll Labor government is delivering real cost-of-living relief for Victorian families, and now we are going further, with free dental care for every Victorian. A re-elected Carroll Labor government will open 10 ‍free public dental clinics across the state, giving adults and children access to free dental care every day, including an annual check-up. When fully up and running, these clinics will treat more than 100,000 Victorians a year. This builds on Labor’s Smile Squad, which has already treated more than 175,000 public school students and visited more than 1000 schools, making dental care free and easier for working families. We are also putting money back into household budgets through half-price public transport fares, saving people up to $850. We have also delivered the 20 per cent rego rebate, which is saving drivers up to $186 per vehicle and, might I say, was opposed by some opposite. There were some who called it a hoax and claimed most Victorians would not know how to apply for it, but more than 3.6 million Victorians have already proved them wrong.

These are the sorts of practical measures that only Labor governments deliver to make life cheaper and easier for working people. We know what is at risk. There are those who would cut $40 billion and put services like Smile Squad and cost-of-living support at risk, making life harder and more expensive for Victorian families. While a Liberal–One Nation government would cut, only a Labor government will keep investing in the services that Victorians rely on.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, again, this is the fifth minister today clearly in breach of the rules of this place, misusing ministers statements and ignoring your rules.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer has concluded his ministers statement.