WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2026
YOU CANNOT LIVE IN A PERMIT: MP MINISTER’S MISTAKE
● David Southwick MLA
■ Caulfield MLA David Southwick says the State Government has fallen short of its own target to provide 80,000 new homes. “When it comes to housing, Labor keep moving the goalposts because they cannot meet their targets. We have seen this time and time again,” Mr Southwick said. “A big launch saying that this government were going to build 80,000 homes; they could not get there, so they changed the goalposts to 800,000 homes over 10 years. “We have 100,000 permits vacant. You cannot live in a permit. We need the homes. This government is not building homes, only dishing out permits. “We saw the Minister for Planning, the member for Carrum, turn up at the announcement in Caulfield to launch the new section of their activity centres and could not even get the street right. “She called it Station Rd in Caulfield rather than Station St. If this planning minister does not even know what the streets are, how are they going to build homes? “The Stop the Elsternwick Towers people gave a good shout-out, because the minister turned up to the activity centre – that already is an activity centre, 12-plus storeys – to make more announcements. “This government is all spin, no substance, no houses, and it will be the Liberals that will provide choice and voice for all Victorians .”
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● Recipients of the Norm Gibbs Leadership Award have been named in State Parliament by Ashwood MLA Matt Fregon. Mr Gibbs was ‘Zodo The Clown’ at Monash Children’s Hospital until age 92. The award recipients are listed on Page 3. Photo: Monash Children’s Hospital