I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Thank you Jacinta, for that very warm welcome on what is a big weekend for you.
It’s a special moment to stand in front of your friends and colleagues as leader of the party and Premier of the State you love.
Because – as Jacinta and all her Victorian Government colleagues appreciate – the true honour and the real purpose of public life is the chance to serve.
To aim high, build big – and build to last.
JA, everyone in this room knows how hard you work and how much you care.
And every day, more and more Victorians are seeing that as well.
I acknowledge all my Federal colleagues here today.
A great friend and an even better Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles.
The local member and an outstanding Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten.
And so many other Members and Senators.
25 Victorian Labor MPs out of 39 seats.
A reflection of the fact this great branch keeps supplying quality candidates and the dedicated true believers and volunteers in this room keep driving winning campaigns.
We saw that in Aston last year – and we saw it in Dunkley this year.
