Forget political dust-ups – some of parliament’s best work never makes the front page

September 24, 2026 — 5:00am

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At the start of this, the final sitting week in the life of Victoria’s 60th state parliament, all government business in the lower house was pushed aside for an entire day so that politicians could pay tribute to Tim Read, a Greens MP who died on Saturday from cancer.

Some might regard this as Spring Street indulgence. As Greens leader Ellen Sandell remarked, Read would have probably wanted his colleagues to put the day to more productive use. But there is more to being a good parliamentarian than churning through question times or the next piece of legislation.

Once in a while, it is good for our political representatives to pause and reflect, not just on the contribution of a much admired colleague – and Read was certainly that – but what they have done with their own time in office.

The moment also offered a requiem for this parliament. The next one will bear little resemblance to the legislature of the past four years. If the polls are half right, the coming election is about to swing a wrecking ball through this place.

Premier Ben Carroll alluded to this when he noted that the 61st parliament would be well served if the incoming class of 2026, regardless of what party or constituency they represent, share some of Read’s intelligence, curiosity and decency.

In Read’s valedictory speech, the Brunswick MP described the art of politics as........

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