Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Ministers statements: Smile Squad

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:41): I rise to update the house on cost-of-living relief that is being delivered by the Allan Labor government through our Smile Squad program. Our $321 million Smile Squad is the biggest single investment ever made in preventative health care in this state. The bright orange vans are continuing to deliver free dental care to public school students right across the state. This includes students from Boronia Heights Primary School. I had the pleasure of visiting that school on Monday with the member for Bayswater, and we met local mum of four Sarah and her delightful little boy Bailey and we talked about the way in which Smile Squad is not only delivering cost-of-living relief but also saving time travelling. As a mum of four, Sarah knows and very much appreciates what the Allan Labor government is delivering for her.

Smile Squad has already visited 870 Victorian government schools, and we know that dental conditions are the leading cause of preventable hospital admissions for children under 10. That is why we will continue to invest in Smile Squad. But we know Smile Squad, as I said, is not just good for children’s health but also good for the hip pockets of families, some of whom are doing it tough at this time, saving on average around $400 for every child. To put it another way, that is half the price of a ticket on a cruise from Brisbane to Airlie Beach and back. While those on the other side are discovering that getting the truth –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, thanks to former Speaker Brooks, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition. Perhaps the minister might like to tell us how long the public dental waiting list is.

The SPEAKER: I did not hear the minister attacking the opposition, but I do remind the minister that it is not appropriate to attack the opposition in a ministers statement.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: I might add that while those on the other side are discovering that getting their leader to tell the truth is harder than pulling teeth, those of us on this side of the house are investing in children’s teeth.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, you just heard the member for Evelyn’s point of order about not attacking the opposition.

The SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

Danny O’Brien: You said that they had not, and the minister at the table just went to that.

The SPEAKER: What is your point of order?

Danny O’Brien: I am repeating the point of order of the member for Evelyn.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded her ministers statement.