Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:18): The Carroll Labor government is pouring record investment into the health system Victorian families rely on, and regional Victoria is getting its fair share. This year we are locking in a record $32 billion for Victoria’s health system, including $3.9 billion in fresh investment. We have backed that up with more than $59 billion in additional health funding since taking office in 2014, a decade in which we have built and upgraded hospitals right across the state, from Footscray and Frankston to Maryborough, Cranbourne and Craigieburn. We have hired an extra 17,000 nurses and midwives to make sure every Victorian can access the health care they need across the state. We are driving that investment deep into the regions. This budget pumps $75 million into the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund on top of the $655 million we are spending to upgrade Ballarat Base Hospital and the $115 million to rebuild Maryborough hospital as well, just to name a few. That is what responsible economic management delivers: 10 years of growing investment in the hospitals and health workers that regional and metropolitan Victorians count on. But this election puts that record at risk. There are some who would rip $40 billion out of the budget and put more than 30,000 Victorian jobs on the line, cuts that would smash health services first –

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, all members are required to be factual, and the minister is not being factual.

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

Colin BROOKS: While Labor will protect health services –

Danny O’Brien interjected.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Nationals, this is your last warning.

Colin BROOKS: there are some who will cut from those services. It is in their DNA – cut, cut and cut. They have done it before; they will do it again. Jess Wilson’s One Nation–Liberal coalition will leave Victorians without the health care they need.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer knows that you need to refer to members by their correct titles.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, it is also a misuse of a ministers statement.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his ministers statement.