Premier’s ‘I don’t hold a hose, mate’ gaffe

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll faced criticism after responding to the death of a motorcyclist caused by a pothole by deflecting responsibility, emphasizing he is not the Roads Minister despite directing funding toward road maintenance. The incident has intensified political debate over road safety ahead of the November election, following an audit revealing nearly half of Victoria’s roads are in poor condition and prompting competing government and opposition promises to repair potholes.

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll faced criticism after comments he made in response to the death of a motorcyclist who struck a pothole on a state highway. Peter “Tiki” Mason, 71, died after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway near Ballarat on Sunday. When asked about the status of pothole repairs in the state, Carroll said he could not provide exact figures but promised his office would supply more information.

“I’m the Premier, not the Roads Minister,” Carroll said, explaining that he had directed funding toward road maintenance and had spoken with the Roads Minister, who assured him that crews were actively working on the Western Highway. Carroll indicated that while he could not give precise numbers at that moment, efforts were underway to address road conditions.

Carroll’s remarks drew swift rebuke from opposition figures. James Newbury, the Liberal Party’s legal affairs spokesperson, likened Carroll’s statement to a controversial moment during the tenure of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. In 2019, Morrison faced widespread criticism for saying “I don’t hold a hose, mate” amid Australia’s Black Summer bushfires, a comment seen as dismissive of responsibility.

Newbury accused Carroll of displaying a similar disregard for accountability, especially given the fatality linked to road conditions. “After the tragic death of a Victorian reportedly because of our dangerous roads, Ben Carroll has arrogantly said that he isn’t the Roads Minister and is therefore not responsible for potholes,” Newbury said. He called for the Labor government to be removed at the upcoming election.

The incident and Carroll’s comments come shortly after a report from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office highlighted concerns over the state’s road infrastructure. The report found that nearly half of government-owned roads were in “poor or very poor” condition in 2024, with deterioration outpacing repair efforts.

Road quality has become a significant issue in the lead-up to the November state election, with the Victorian Labor government under increased scrutiny for its handling of infrastructure maintenance. The government has pledged to remove half a million potholes, compared to the opposition’s promise to address half that number, underscoring the political stakes involved in managing the state’s road network.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.