Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Leader of the House, Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy, Minister for Major Events, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for Racing, Minister for Economic Development) (19:11): The member for Polwarth, who I note is no longer with us, has raised a matter for the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment seeking her to intervene at Viva Energy’s Lorne service station, which requires infrastructure upgrades. The member for Bellarine, the home of the commitment for the Bellarine link, has asked for matters to be referred to the Minister for Public Transport for an update and action on the Bellarine bus review. The member for Euroa has raised a matter for the Premier, and the action she has sought is that the Premier adopt a fair share guarantee for Victoria. I enjoyed the Seymour Cup with the member for Euroa. The member for Albert Park has raised a matter for the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts seeking action that she visit and see the glorious work of Sacred Heart Mission. I thank her for her work as cabinet secretary. The member for South-West Coast raised a matter for the Minister for Education and Deputy Premier seeking action to halt the closure of the Warrnambool College swimming pool. I note for the record that her sister, who babysat me as a youngster and crossed Geelong and Anglesea nursing with my aunt, is now a grandmother, making us all feel that little bit older. But I give her a shout-out too.

The indefatigable member for Pascoe Vale has raised a matter for the Minister for Education and Deputy Premier seeking action to provide an update on all those schools in his electorate that have had significant investments and upgrades, which is pretty much all of them. The member for Warrandyte has raised a matter for the Minister for Children in the other place with regard to action to support foster parents, foster carers, kinship carers and out-of-home care services. The member for Monbulk has raised a matter for the Minister for Carers and Volunteers, seeking that the minister visit the volunteers in her electorate. I thank her for her work as the caucus secretary – she very much excelled herself last evening in her hosting duties. The member for Ringwood, who is also concluding his time in this place voluntarily, has raised a matter for the Premier, and the action that he has sought is that the Premier write to thank all of those amazing electorate office staff who will be concluding their work at the end of the 60th Parliament. My friend the member for Broadmeadows, former staffer but not former friend – still a friend – raised a matter for the Minister for Environment seeking action on a Merri Creek visit on the wallan wallan regional parkland. I commend all those matters to ministers for action.

I also take the opportunity briefly to say to you, Deputy Speaker, our grateful thanks for your role and your friendship and also your role as a presiding officer here in the 60th Parliament. I am sure that will not be lost on the good burghers of Ashwood. I also give my grateful thanks to my constituents in the Ivanhoe electorate and the work that we continue to do together. Lastly, I thank the clerks and the Serjeant-at-Arms for their work. I commend all those matters to you.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Briefly, if you can indulge me, on 25 November this Parliament will turn 170 years old. Approximately 1600 members have been elected to both these houses in that time. I just want to reiterate the words of many other members who have spoken to say that in that time not a day of our democracy would have functioned without our clerks, our Parliament staff and everyone who has assisted us in our electorate offices. This is a significant achievement for the people of Victoria that will continue after the house recommences.

Stay classy, Victoria. The house is adjourned.

House adjourned 7:15 pm.