Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to update the house about the Andrews government’s strong and, might I say, continuing support for our fire services. Yesterday of course I addressed the more than $100 million injection into our fire services implicit in the outstanding work of the Minister for Emergency Services. We have introduced presumptive rights legislation that will reduce the barriers to claiming compensation and support firefighters in their time of need — that is, supporting them when they need it, not denying the link between firefighting and cancer.

We are funding above and beyond the commitment we gave to the firefighters before the last election. The Andrews government is fully and acutely aware of the stress, the hardship and also the sacrifices that our firefighters endure. The member for Yan Yean, an outstanding volunteer, spoke quite passionately in this place about the problems encountered and the memories that have not blurred from her consciousness and the contribution of her community.

The brave men and women of our fires services deserve better. They deserve to be treated with respect, and they deserve our gratitude. What they do not deserve is the slander, the abuse and the straight out lies of the Leader of the Opposition. Last week they were at it again — straight out lying about volunteer numbers in New South Wales, because they either do not know or do not care about conformity with the truth. It also seems that the shadow Minister for Emergency Services does not care much either. As the member for Frankston pointed out, he has been lying about Black Saturday for many, many — —

The SPEAKER — Order! I take this opportunity to remind members that the use of the word ‘lie’ is inappropriate in the chamber.