Thursday, 12 September 2024

Ministers statements: housing

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:45): I am very pleased to remind the house that we have approved here in Victoria more homes than any other state in Victoria. Our growth rate –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! When members call for respect when they are on their feet, I expect them to show it to all members who are on their feet.

Jacinta ALLAN: As I said earlier, these homes are about people. It is not just about numbers, it is about people. It is people like Markrit, who I met this morning, who has the dignity of a roof over their head in one of the 206 brand new social and affordable homes in Bills Street, Hawthorn, close to schools, jobs and public transport.

John Pesutto: What’s the nearest public transport?

Jacinta ALLAN: Kooyong station is less than a kilometre away. There is a tram. There is a bus. I tell you what, we will not be standing on the back of a ute protesting against these sorts of homes.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I ask the Premier to come back to her ministers statement and to not attack the opposition.

Jacinta ALLAN: Whether you are standing on the back of a ute or standing in the dock in a courtroom, some are opposed to public housing. We are committed to investing in more homes for more Victorians. When you see that there are some in our community who oppose public housing, who oppose the development of Bills Street, Hawthorn, they are blocking people like Markrit from the opportunity to turn her life around, like she spoke about so powerfully this morning.

We have a plan to continue to build more homes. We are going to reject the blockers; we are going to be the builders. We are not going to slow down; we are going to double down. And there is more to come. Indeed our work will continue next week. Next week we will be focused on building more homes and supporting kids in schools. I will be in India, wanting to look at more trade and investment opportunities for our state. We next week will be focused on Victorians, not on ourselves like those opposite.