Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Ministers statements: rural and regional roads

Melissa HORNE (Williamstown – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety) (14:16): I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s investment in our regional roads and repair of the network after last year’s massive floods. We have wasted no time in getting regional Victoria moving again, with a $165 million emergency road repair blitz which has seen more than 1100 flood-affected roads reopen to date.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Eildon is warned.

Melissa HORNE: Right across our state our crews have completed more than 937 kilometres of flood recovery works. Since coming to government we have invested more than $35 billion in the road network, and I commend the previous minister for his tireless work in the last term. But we are investing in the long-term sustainability of the network.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for South-West Coast is warned.

Melissa HORNE: In the last budget alone we invested $780 million in roads across the regions. We have rebuilt, repaired and resurfaced over 10,000 kilometres of regional roads, with another 1500 kilometres soon to be completed. I recently joined with the member for Lara to visit where we are upgrading the intersection of Bacchus Marsh and Purnell roads thanks to a $27 million investment. I know the members for Ripon, Eureka and Wendouree are passionate about the $60 million investment which is keeping Ballarat moving.

Those opposite know that no matter how many times they change lanes, no matter how many turns they take, whether it is to Bulleen, to Malvern –

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, it is well known to members of the house that ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition. As much as we are enthralled by the minister’s statement, she should stick to her portfolio.

The SPEAKER: The minister will come back to her statement.

Melissa HORNE: And I will, because they know they are on a road to nowhere. So while they are focused on that, we will get on with connecting regional communities. We are getting people back up and moving and we are getting freight on our roads, and that is what we are focusing on doing.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Leader of the Opposition, I ask the house to come to order.