Wednesday, 9 September 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is to the Premier. The Premier claims that fixing Victoria’s roads is his priority, but why wasn’t it a priority when he cut road maintenance funding by 20 per cent as the minister for roads?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Eildon can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Eildon withdrew from chamber.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:08): I am the Premier now, and I am making sure we remove half a million potholes on the Western Highway, the Calder, the Princes and the Geelong highway. We will make sure we get on and fix roads. They have had 24 hours; they still will not match our promise on bringing road maintenance back in house.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Nationals! Leader of the Opposition! I remind members at the table that they are not immune from being removed from the chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded his answer.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): Why did the Premier cut road maintenance funding by nearly $200 million as the minister for roads?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:09): We doubled road maintenance funding. We are putting in a billion dollars. They privatised it.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your guidance on the requirement to be factual in this chamber. If I may put to you – I appreciate that every member is expected to be factual ‍– VAGO says today that the Premier cut funding, which I am happy to table for the Premier.

The SPEAKER: There is an expectation that members will be factual.

Anthony Carbines: On a point of order, Speaker, if the member for Brighton wants to continue to throw props around the chamber, it is unparliamentary. He should desist.

The SPEAKER: It is not appropriate to table documents during question time.

Ben CARROLL: VAGO says road maintenance needs more oversight. You cannot get any more oversight than bringing it back in house and holding contracts to account.