Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:06): On this side of the chamber we make no apologies for supporting working people and fighting for working people. Our policies are focused firmly on the future – the best start for every child, a great healthcare system, making sure we build on the 121 new schools that we have built so every child, no matter where they come from, has a bright start. We are building 12 new hospitals and putting 17,000 nurses and midwives inside them. We are providing cost-of-living support all the way from free kinder to free TAFE, making sure there are opportunities at every stage of life. And, yes, we will put 1500 police out on the street, have more PSOs and have a brand new academy in Melbourne’s western suburbs. We will fix half a million potholes, and we will have medium-security prisoners out there helping us do it too. I promised a royal commission on my first day as Premier; it is up and running now. I also am promising 10 free dental clinics – not a one-off but a structural cost-of-living measure that will stand the test of time. We are delivering a new direction on law and order, on the economy and on integrity. We are fighting for working people on health, education, schools and the cost of living. There is so much at stake at this election: a choice between a party fighting for working people and a Liberal–One Nation coalition that will fight the working people. They took away the work-from-home right. They will take away penalty rates. They will take away paid parental leave.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Minister for Youth, this is your second warning. Member for Broadmeadows, I know you do not want to be here, but you are.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is required to be factual, and he mucked that one up all on his own.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order.

Ben CARROLL: They preferenced One Nation in Nepean, who said they would Americanise the public health system, and that is what will happen under a Wilson–Pickering government.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Caulfield and the Premier, it is not too late to remove you both from the chamber.

Emma Kealy interjected.

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

Member for Lowan withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier knows not to misuse his ministers statement to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I remind ministers when they are making their ministers statements to be very cautious about not attacking the opposition.