Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (10:15): I am really pleased to talk about literacy and numeracy this morning, because obviously Victoria purports to be the Education State. Firstly, about literacy, I know I had a great experience as a teacher and that many other teachers, both new and experienced teachers, have a great experience. Literacy skills are important. They help our young people grow and prosper, and hopefully they have a great experience when they grow forward into the future. Just a quick reminder for those opposite on how to spell experience: E-X-P-E-R-I-E-N-C-E. It is not that hard, but apparently four of your MPs struggle with that. But let us go towards numeracy. I noticed yesterday in the chamber that the minister had a very novel way of measuring certain things. She brought out numbering beads. I do not know if there are 15 billion beads to bring out, because that might be the number that is needed to count the level of corruption in this state. Maybe the government could bring out some new literacy and numeracy measures to count the level of corruption in this state, because wouldn’t that be a great experience for them.