Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:03): My question is to the Premier. When asked how many of the 500,000 potholes he has promised to fix have so far been fixed, the Premier stated:

I’m the Premier, not the Roads Minister.

That was nine days ago. Can the Premier now give Victorians the answer?

Members interjecting.

Danny O’BRIEN: On a point of order, Speaker, the opposition is happy to grant an extension of time if the roads minister would like to provide more information.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, Leader of the Nationals.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:04): We have made it very clear that, after the privatisation of road maintenance by Jeff Kennett, we will bring it back inside.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order in respect of debating the question, Speaker, the Premier might like to explain how much he got for the privatisation of SprayLine Road Services one month ago.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Nationals, you know that is not a point of order. It was a good try, but it was not a point of order. The Premier has only been on his feet for a few seconds.

Ben CARROLL: We will bring road maintenance back inside. We have already removed over 80,000 potholes. They are promising to remove 250,000; we will remove 500,000. And we will get minimum-security prisoners out there on the job too.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for South-West Coast, you are warned.

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:05): How many potholes did the Premier fix when he was the roads minister?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:05): Unlike those opposite, we do not do selfies in front of potholes or spray-paint around them or skip over them. We fix them.

The SPEAKER: I acknowledge in the gallery the honourable Andre Haermeyer, former member for Yan Yean and Kororoit and former minister.