Wednesday, 23 September 2026

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Education, Minister for Skills and Training, Minister for First Peoples, Minister for Women and Gender Equality) (14:07): Victoria under Labor is the Education State. We have topped the nation two years in a row on our NAPLAN results, a credit to our hardworking educators and support staff, which is why we need to honour their work with the pay and conditions that they deserve. On Thursday last week a record was set. Over 93 per cent of education staff voted in favour of this government’s pay deal – 93.1 per cent, to be precise. This pay deal makes Victorian teachers the best paid in the country with the best conditions. When we back our teachers, we deliver for Victorian students and we get results. But great results do not happen by accident; they come from investment and from commitment. Labor has built 121 schools, and we are delivering more support for students in and out of the classroom. This includes breakfast clubs, dedicated tutoring, explicit instruction, phonics and even more. These investments are benefiting all Victorian students and their families, setting them up to learn and achieve.

Compare that with the announcement we saw over the weekend. Without consulting any of the schools concerned, the opposition have announced that they will close six existing government schools, leaving students and their families –

Matthew Guy: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, question time is not a time for ministers to reflect on or attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order on this occasion. I believe the minister was referring to an announcement that has been made.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: They have announced that they will close six existing government schools, leaving students and their families in the lurch. They have said that they will look after the cleverest kids and abandon the rest.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, standing order 58 requires ministers to be direct, factual and succinct. The minister’s claim is unfounded and factually inaccurate.

The SPEAKER: That is a matter for debate, member for Sandringham.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: They have said they will look after the cleverest kids and abandon the rest. Labor knows that a good education system uplifts and empowers all.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bulleen will leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Bulleen withdrew from chamber.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is now misleading the house.

The SPEAKER: There are appropriate ways to deal with people misleading the house. That is not one of them.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: They have promised $40 billion in cuts, and they are starting with schools. Only Labor builds the Education State.