I thank the member for Malvern for his question, but clearly he is not only geographically challenged; he is also historically challenged. Perhaps he has forgotten that we gave a very clear commitment to Victorians that we would have a debate about debt and a..

Frank Wilkes is a leader worthy of celebration for his contribution to the modernisation of this place. He was the quiet lion of Labor who let his values and actions speak loudly. The few people in this Parliament who had the opportunity to meet him..

This is an amazing question from those opposite, who basically managed to tell Victorians exactly what they thought of regional Victoria. They called them the toenails, they meant it and they have learnt nothing ever since. Let me be clear about this: the Andrews Labor..

I rise to update the house with new information on the government’s investment in education which is being translated into a higher skilled workforce and the attraction of jobs to Victoria. Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force statistics released last week show that a total..

I rise to inform the house that the government has accepted all the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s performance audit on applying high-value, high-risk processes to unsolicited proposals, which was released today. In his comments, the Auditor-General observed that: Well-planned, timely and high-quality infrastructure is essential..

Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I thank the member for Ripon for her question. Perhaps the member might want to listen to some of the key stakeholders in rural and regional Victoria, who have been overwhelmingly supportive of this initiative. They said that they advocated to this..

Mr PALLAS – I thank the member for Malvern for his question. The only difference between the member for Malvern and the black knight of Monty Python fame is that the black knight did not cut his own limbs off! Let us be very clear:..

I rise to speak on the Andrews government’s action in addressing the increased demand and pressure being placed on Werribee Mercy Hospital. The Andrews government has committed $85 million to developing 6 new operating theatres and 64 new hospital beds, 8 of which will be critical care beds…

I rise to update the house on new information regarding the resolution of the Port of Melbourne Corporation and DP World Australia relating to the new lease arrangements that have been struck at West Swanson Dock terminal. Both parties to the agreement have described this as..

It gives me great pleasure to rise to update the house on the impact of the budget on Victoria’s credit rating and the reaction of key business groups and the ratings agencies. The 2015–16 budget restores funding to services. It also invests in productivity-enhancing infrastructure,..

 I rise to inform the house about the Andrews Labor government’s action aimed at unlocking the value in our public assets to remove 50 of Melbourne’s most dangerous and congested level crossings. In November 2013 the Victorian Labor Party released Project 10 000. It outlined our plan..

 I rise to inform the house about actions being taken by the Andrews Labor government to stand up to the Prime Minister and the Liberal Party in Canberra and make sure that Victorians get their fair share of federal infrastructure funding. We are trying to..

I also rise to express with this house my condolence upon the passing of Joan Elizabeth Kirner. In many ways Joan was the embodiment of somebody born in the fiery crucible of politics. She wore the tag of an activist with pride, and she demonstrated..

I rise to update the house on the progress of the housing affordability task force in making buying a home more affordable for Victorian families. Housing affordability is one of the most complex and, might I say, urgent public policy issues confronting modern Australia. Home..

That this bill be now read a second time. Every family is different, but every family wants the same thing. They want their kids to have the best start in life. They want jobs that will exist next year, in industries that will exist next..

I rise to express my sincere gratitude to the people who rushed to assist the family involved in the horrific road incident in Wyndham Vale last Wednesday. I have expressed my condolences already to the family; however, I would like to reiterate today my deepest..

The member for Bundoora raised the implementation of processes that ensure the highest standards of probity and rigour in future infrastructure project contracts. Under the former government, the moral and commercial integrity of infrastructure procurement went into freefall. This decline culminated in the despicable side..

I thank all contributors to this debate — the members for Malvern, Melbourne, Mornington and Gippsland East. I will pick up on some of the comments made and the content of the discussion around the amendments to the bill, and I want to reinforce my appreciation..