Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Ministers statements: transport emissions

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (14:15): I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is tackling transport emissions, because we know transport emissions are a critical element of tackling climate change. We know they are the second and fastest growing source of emissions, and three-quarters of our road transport is a major source of transport emissions. Victorians know our pathway to net zero is tackling transport emissions right across our public transport network and right across our road network.

With the Premier and the member for Ivanhoe recently I visited the depot out in Ivanhoe, Ventura’s bus depot, and saw firsthand the 26 electric buses being rolled out – and with the member for Sunbury, who is not here. The member for Footscray is here, and she knows what we are doing in Melbourne’s western suburbs. We are making Melbourne’s western suburbs the home of electric buses. The member for Kororoit, the member for Laverton, the member for Footscray, as I have said, and the member for Williamstown right here are also doing it.

Now, unfortunately only one-half of the Bayside city rollers is here – there he is, the member for Caulfield – because we are rolling out electric buses in their electorates too because we know how important they are right across the network. We know they struggle when it comes to tackling climate change. We know they struggle to actually believe in climate change.

A member: I think your colleagues believe in change.

Ben CARROLL: Oh, well. I should not take interjections. We know they cannot fill up a full coach, but we know 11 will fit in a minibus – and guess what, we are rolling out electric minibuses. And guess what, there is only one way they are going, and they are going to throw the Leader of the Opposition under it very soon. I have just been given a thumbs up – you are in trouble, mate.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Malvern is warned.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eltham can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Eltham withdrew from chamber.