Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (18:53): There were 17 adjournment matters this evening to 14 separate ministers, and written responses will be sought. There were two directed to me, which I would like to acquit now if nobody minds waiting a few more minutes before we pull up stumps this evening.

Ms Terpstra asked me about the seniors festival and the seniors card, which are programs dear to my heart. The seniors festival is one way that the government supports older Victorians to connect and to stay active, and it also helps reduce social isolation and loneliness. The festival is every year for a month. There are literally thousands of free activities right across the state that our seniors can enjoy, and it was wonderful to be able to go out to the seniors festival opening in Fed Square last year to help celebrate the 2025 festival. The government is making it more affordable for seniors and Victorians to get out and about and to stay connected, and the seniors card program provides discounts on transport and on goods and services. There are nearly 1.5 million seniors card holders and seniors business discount card holders across the state. Victorians aged 60 and over who work fewer than 35 hours per week can access free and concessional public transport, and there are a number of benefits. We have got eight days of free public transport during the seniors festival, free fishing in Victorian waters and discounts at thousands of participating businesses statewide, and something we are very proud of is that from 1 January this year seniors card holders are able to travel free on weekends anywhere in Victoria, right across the state. I am very happy to provide that response to Ms Terpstra, and I know she is a great supporter of our seniors in her region of North-East Metro.

In relation to Mr McCracken’s adjournment to me, which I find an interesting angle and road to go down for those opposite, let me just unpack this a little bit. This all started because Jeff Kennett, the great hero of the opposition, the hero of the Liberal Party, that great neoliberal former Premier, wrote an op-ed in the Herald Sun, which I know is another favourite of those opposite, about how Jess Wilson should do a deal with One Nation so that they could win the next state election. That is where this issue has originated from, so it does beg the question: will Jess Wilson reject that as a proposition? Will she cosy up with One Nation or not? That is a legitimate question to ask. I say to Mr McCracken that I am really not that much interested in a has-been in the New South Wales Parliament, and frankly, I do not actually have much time for anybody whose values are so low that they are prepared to swap parties just to keep a seat in Parliament. I actually do not think that the gentleman that you have asked about in your adjournment matter is at all relevant to this issue.

What I would say is that literally the day after Jeff Kennett did that opinion piece in the Herald Sun and Jess Wilson refused to rule out a deal with One Nation, the Leader of One Nation Pauline Hanson went on a racist rant on national television and called Australia a place where there are no ‘good Muslims’. This is a serious issue. This is the kind of hate and divisive rhetoric that we should be absolutely rejecting in this country. I am not aware of any member of the Victorian opposition that has come out and condemned those comments. I am not aware of anybody in your ranks that has come out and said, ‘That is racist, and there is no place for that hate and division in our state.’ I talk to multicultural communities day in and day out in our state, as I know you do too, Mr McCracken. I know the hurt that is inflicted by the words of politicians when they seek to divide us by pitting Victorians against Victorians, Australians against Australians. I stand by my statement, and I will call out that kind of behaviour any day of the week. I hope you are satisfied with that answer, and that finalises my comments on that.

The PRESIDENT: The house stands adjourned.

House adjourned 6:58 pm.