Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to update the house on the ongoing strength of the Victorian labour market. Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed that the Andrews government had created over 200 000 jobs since being elected.

Of those, 117 000 are full‑time positions, in contrast with those opposite who created just 15 000 full‑time jobs, and they did that during four years of mediocrity.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The shouting across the chamber will cease. I will not hesitate to remove members from the chamber without warning.

Mr PALLAS — Part‑time jobs of course were a specialty of the previous government. They liked them so much, they made the cabinet and the Premier part time. Recently, of course, we have also seen the ANZ Stateometer, which when released confirmed that Victoria is the only jurisdiction in the nation that is growing above trend and is accelerating.

Honourable members interjecting.

Questions and statements interrupted.

SUSPENSION OF MEMBER

Member for Ripon

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Ripon will leave the chamber for the period of 1 hour.

Honourable member for Ripon withdrew from chamber.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE and MINISTERS STATEMENTS

Ministers statements: employment

Questions and statements resumed.

Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — We have created more jobs over the last year than the rest of the country combined. Even today, the Premier and the Minister for Public Transport were out announcing the imminent start of works on Melbourne Metro, which will accompany of course a public transport construction blitz right across Victoria.

Those opposite will be pleased to know that we have now delivered on their election commitment of 200 000 jobs. But we have done better than that: we did not do it in five years, like they promised, we have done it in two years. However, we have not yet been able to beat their other comment, their other commitment — to train a billion Victorians — but we have managed to reverse insidious cuts to TAFE.