Wednesday, 9 September 2026

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:12): My question is to the Premier. In 2021 the Premier said:

We are making our regional roads safer, stronger and more reliable for everyone …

At the same time, as roads minister he cut the budget by almost $200 million. If integrity is no longer optional, will the Premier admit he misled Victorians?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Caulfield is warned.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:13): You do not need to be a professor or a Rhodes scholar to know we need to do more on roads. That is why we have doubled the maintenance funding for our roads.

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:13): If the Premier was really making regional roads safer, stronger and more reliable, why did resurfacing and rehabilitation fall by almost 20 per cent on his watch?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:13): I will tell you one thing: there are several reports out today. One exposes the $40 billion of cuts. We are investing $1.4 billion in roads this year.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, apart from it being embarrassing, the Premier is debating the question and has not gone near answering any question today.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, you know I cannot tell the Premier how to answer a question. I do remind the Premier of the question.

Ben CARROLL: We are fixing our roads. It is a priority of ours with a comprehensive plan to make sure – half a million potholes, bringing road maintenance back inside, getting prisoners out to work and doing the support they need as well.