Wednesday, 28 August 2024

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:22): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is delivering real cost-of-living support for parents in the Education State. I had the great pleasure of being out with the member for Footscray –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will be heard in silence. Member for Brighton!

Ben CARROLL: I was out at Footscray Primary School with the hardworking member for Footscray, a school that has for 160 years been delivering quality education. Under our government there is a $20 million funding program to transform that school and add 200 places. We are doing the tutor learning initiative, the mental health in schools program, doing everything we can to support every student.

Today we announced that as part of the school saving bonus we are adding textbooks, because we know the cost of living is a real pressure on everyday families. That is why we are getting out and making sure that every student and every family in the Education State knows that we support them. We know that education is the single most important investment we have. It is the single most important investment we have to combat disadvantage. It is the single most important investment we have in our nation’s productivity and prosperity. That is why Victoria has the best NAPLAN results, the best attendance results, the best teacher workforce and the best student–teacher ratios. It is why 50 ‍per cent of schools built across this nation are being built right here. It is why we support our teacher workforce. We do not kick teachers out of the party room; we support them. We support teachers. That is why we make sure that teachers are front and centre of the Education State.

John Pesutto interjected.

Ben CARROLL: I would not go there if I were you, because we know Moira Deeming is going to do you slowly.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will come to order, and I ask members at the table to cease their verbal abuse across the table.

Michael O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, Kmart Keating should direct his remarks through the Chair.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Berwick is warned.

Ben CARROLL: On the point of order, Speaker, regarding the member for Malvern, the out-of-work barrister, in Hansard in 1933, Speaker Blackburn, under ‘General principles’ –

The SPEAKER: Order! What is your point of order?

Ben CARROLL: that it is not a point of order – said you cannot ‘interject to prevent a member from making their speech’. The Premier cannot make a speech in here, and I cannot make a speech, without those opposite constantly interjecting right through question time.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I ask the minister to direct his comments through the Chair. The minister has concluded his ministers statement.