Thursday, 13 August 2026

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:30): I rise to update the house on another important milestone delivered by the Carroll Labor government: the Connecting Victoria program. In partnership with Opticomm, our government has delivered more than 150 kilometres of new fibre infrastructure across Clyde, Cardinia, Devon Meadows, Curlewis and Wallington. I am happy to report that more than 2100 homes and businesses can now access faster and more reliable broadband services, with more than 500 premises already connected. Eligible premises now have access to download speeds of up to 1000 megabits per second and upload speeds of 400 megabits per second, with even faster services to be trialled in the months ahead. But this investment is more than just fast internet speeds. It means regional families can work, study and stay connected with confidence. It gives local businesses the digital capability they need to grow, innovate and compete. And in a climate where bushfires, floods and storms remain an ever-present risk, stronger telecommunications infrastructure helps ensure communities can receive timely emergency information when it matters most. Telecommunications are primarily the responsibility of the Commonwealth. However, this government has refused to stand by while regional communities were left behind. Connecting Victoria is the largest investment in mobile and broadband infrastructure ever undertaken by a state jurisdiction in our nation’s history. That is what Labor governments do. We do not leave anyone behind. We invest in infrastructure that keeps communities connected, strengthens regional economies and ensures every Victorian has the opportunity to participate in the modern digital economy, regardless of where they live.