Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to inform the house about the ongoing support that the Andrews government is providing to regional Victoria. Last week’s state budget included the largest ever investment in regional Victoria. In fact we have invested more in three budgets than the state coalition did in four — that is, $4 billion worth of investment. But that is not all. The state budget also included an Australian first — a 25 per cent reduction in payroll tax for regional businesses, which will support jobs across regional Victoria.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Ripon is warned.

Mr PALLAS — We have delivered twice the amount of business cuts in three budgets as the coalition did in four. We have done our fair share for regional Victoria, unlike those opposite — and, might I say, their federal colleagues as well. The least the federal government could do is keep its word to regional Victoria and deliver what it promised.

You would think that the National Party at the very least would have something to say about the constituency that is being cheated. Their meek capitulation finally proves what we have always suspected — they are nothing more than Liberals in big hats, R. M. Williams boots and a big yellow streak down their backs.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! Without the assistance of the member for Warrandyte.

Mr Clark — On a point of order, Speaker, sessional orders provide for ministers statements to advise the house about matters, not to debate the issue. The Treasurer is now debating issues. I ask you to bring him back to the proper purpose of this sessional order, which is to provide information to the house on matters relevant to his portfolio.

Ms Allan — On the point of order, Speaker, it is entirely appropriate for the Treasurer of this state to talk about risks and threats around federal government funding and funding cuts to Victoria, particularly regional Victoria. He is being entirely relevant, and it is a great shame that those opposite are trying to gag debate on what is a critical issue for regional Victoria.

Mr Watt — On the point of order, Speaker, I take the point of the Leader of the House — —

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! Without the assistance of government members. The member for Eltham is warned.

Mr Watt — The Leader of the House in the last part of her statement has just agreed with the manager of opposition business that the Treasurer was debating. She said we are trying to gag debate. The point is not to debate but to give information. She has belled the cat.

The SPEAKER — Order! I do not uphold the point of order, but I do ask the Treasurer to ensure that he stays within the bounds of making a ministers statement.

Mr PALLAS — I would have thought that the National Party at the very least would be interested in hearing the massive gift that the people of Victoria expect from this government and get — unlike, of course, the federal government, who have done everything within their capacity to rip Victorians off and to short‑change regional and rural Victoria — —

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Burwood is warned.

Mr PALLAS — The member for Bulleen is Malcolm’s guy. The Pied Piper from Point Piper has been playing his tune, and the member for Bulleen has fallen into line like the loyal Liberal lapdog that he is.