Federal roads funding
Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Last week’s federal budget ripped $1.3 billion from Victoria’s road funding to June 2024. Why has the minister failed to secure Victoria’s fair share of road funding?
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) (14:29): I thank the member for his question. Can I say from the outset that it is terrific to have a partner in Canberra that acts in true partnership with the Victorian state government, because unlike those on the other side – we never got these questions when it was their mates in Canberra. We never got those questions with the former leader of the federal National Party, who oversaw possibly the worst mismanaged project, the inland rail project, in federation. We never got those questions then, but we are getting those questions now. I do welcome the federal government having a nearly $100 million increase in Victoria’s share of transport infrastructure funding in last week’s budget. We are working in partnership with them to be able to deliver a number of projects, because partnerships are what it is all about, whether it is working with local governments on improving roads or whether it is working with the federal government on improving roads.
Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, on a question of relevance, the minister is speaking about trains and everything else except roads and the $1.3 billion cut.
The SPEAKER: The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked.
Melissa HORNE: I think the thing that we need to keep in mind is that the federal government has got a 90-day review into many of the infrastructure projects, which do include roads. We will continue to work with them, because unlike those on the other side that are happy to issue press releases –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Gippsland South, you asked a question; I expect you want to hear the answer. Those on my left will come to order.
Melissa HORNE: As I was saying, we will continue to work with the federal government, and I do welcome the federal government’s continued investment in, particularly, supporting roads through local councils, including the $100 million Roads to Recovery program and the $72 million Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! Member for South Barwon, you are warned.
Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:32): Victoria’s share of federal road funding is about half that of both New South Wales and Queensland –
Jacinta Allan interjected.
Danny O’BRIEN: Do you want to talk about Princes Highway East? Three years after –
The SPEAKER: Member for Gippsland South and the Deputy Premier! The member for Gippsland South, without assistance.
Danny O’BRIEN: Thank you, Speaker. Victoria’s share of federal road funding is about half that of both New South Wales and Queensland. This is due to a lack of matching funds from the Andrews Labor government. Why has the minister failed to convince the Victorian Treasurer of the need for matching funds to fix Victoria’s 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) (14:33): I think the member needs to cool his jets and wait for the Treasurer to hand down the budget next week. We will continue to work with the federal government in partnership to be able to continually improve roads across Victoria.