Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) (11:21:55) — I rise to update the house about the ongoing strength of the Victorian economy, which of course has created over 280 000 jobs since we took office, more than 170 000 of those full‑time — and they said it could not be done. Those opposite of course would put all of that at risk. The Leader of the Opposition has already quietly announced plans for a cost audit within the first 100 days of government, and we all know what that means.

Mr Guy — On a point of order, Speaker, relating to relevance, you might want to see that the Treasurer and indeed the education minister’s comments relating to a cost audit were in relation to prisons. I seek leave to table the story just to ensure that the Treasurer and the Deputy Premier no longer mislead this house.

Ms Allan — On the point of order, Speaker, I think the Leader of the Opposition protesteth just a little bit too much. I think it is entirely relevant for the Treasurer to consider the management of the state budget and policy options that might be considered in setting the state budget, and I would ask that you allow him to continue to answer the question.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! Without the assistance of the member for Gembrook! There is no ability for members to seek leave to table a document. They can make a document available to the house by handing it to the Acting Clerk.

Mr Clark — On a further point of order, Speaker, you were asked to rule on the question of relevance and to bring the Treasurer back to making a ministers statement in conformance with sessional orders relevant to his portfolio, not misrepresent a newspaper report relating to prisons. You have not yet ruled on that point of order.

The SPEAKER — Sorry, I missed it because of the shouting. I did not hear the point being made about relevance; I heard the part about seeking leave to table a document. I do ask the Treasurer to come back to making a ministers statement.

Mr PALLAS — All I said was ‘Thank you’, Speaker. They took exception to it. Right now of course business conditions are the highest in the nation — here in Victoria — and guess who did it? This government. Why? Because we are investing in the things that business regard and pay respect to — things that support business, like doubling the infrastructure spend in less than three years and creating jobs. And of course we are the ones that are going out there reducing payroll tax liability for 38 000 businesses right across this state.

Those opposite, though, are about indiscriminate acts of cuts to the public sector — to hospitals and to services. When they say they do not do it, if their lips are moving they are lying.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! The member for Gembrook! I warn the member for Kew and the member for Gembrook to cease interjecting across the chamber.

Mr Clark — On a point of order, Speaker, the Treasurer is proceeding to debate the issue in his last few words, indeed throwing abuse at members across the chamber. I ask you to bring him back to making a ministers statement.

The SPEAKER — The Treasurer did stray from making a ministers statement, and I ask him to come back to making a ministers statement.

Mr PALLAS — The greatest abuse you can do to the people of Victoria is to turn your back on them when they need leadership, so as a comparison, 170 000 full‑time jobs were created. That is more than 10 times what those opposite managed in their four limp and dysfunctional years. We have also created 10 times the amount of jobs that those opposite created in regional Victoria.

As we deliver payroll tax cuts for business and as we cut stamp duty for first home buyers, those opposite only know how to manage their ultimate political infidelity, promising that this time they will be different. But they will never change. It is their dirty little secret.