Politics · Australia · 6 hrs ago
Victorian parties pledge dental centres and worker protections
With Victoria’s state election on November 28, the major parties have announced new campaign promises.
Premier Ben Carroll says a re-elected Labor government would open 20 free dental centres across the state, doubling an earlier pledge of 10.
The plan would cost $230 million and includes proposed sites in regional centres and suburban council areas.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson says a Coalition government would speed up and expand protection orders for workers threatened or abused by members of the public.
The proposed changes would let police seek orders for victims and cover more businesses where staff deal with customers.
The Coalition says the changes would start on February 1 next year if it wins, while Labor’s dental centres depend on re-election.
Early voting starts November 18, and more than 4.6 million people are on Victoria’s electoral roll.
Victoria’s major parties have made election pledges on dental care and worker protection.
Labor says a re-elected government would double its planned number of free dental centres from 10 to 20, at a cost of $230 million.
The Coalition says it would fast-track workplace protection orders to keep violent and abusive offenders away from workers.
Early voting is scheduled to start on November 18, ahead of the state election on November 28.
- Who
- Victorian Labor, led by Premier Ben Carroll, and the Coalition, led by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.
- What
- Labor pledged 20 free dental centres, while the Coalition pledged stronger and faster workplace protection orders.
- When
- The pledges were reported on October 31, 2026. The state election is scheduled for November 28.
- Where
- Victoria, Australia.
- Why
- Labor says the clinics would help people access dental care. The Coalition says its proposal would protect workers from violent and abusive offenders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ben Carroll pledged that a re-elected Labor government would open 10 free dental clinics.
Labor announced it would increase its dental-centre pledge to 20, and the Coalition set out its worker-protection proposal.
Early voting is scheduled to start across Victoria.
Victoria’s state election is scheduled to take place.
The Coalition says its proposed worker-protection reforms would start if it won the election.
- Labor dental-centre pledge
- 20 free centres
- Proposed cost
- $230 million
- Regional dental hubs
- Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Latrobe Valley, Mildura and Shepparton
- Early voting
- Starts November 18
- State election
- November 28
What people are saying
No Victorian should ever have to live in pain because they can't afford to see a dentist.
We'll deliver 20 free dental clinics, open to anyone of any age.
They should be able to go to work, do their job and come home safely to their families.
The last thing they need is to worry about their loved ones being threatened or assaulted just for turning up to work.