Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Western Highway duplication

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. The government has failed to manage the Western Highway duplication to Stawell, with the project being delayed, deferred and stalled for nearly a decade. Will the government commit to finishing the project now that the funding from the Commonwealth has been reduced to a 50–50 split?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:39): I thank the member for her question. As a government we have invested more than $7 billion into roads that Melburnians and Victorians depend upon, including $1.8 billion into regional Victoria. The member referred to – or was alluding to – comments made by the federal minister today in relation to potential changes to those funding splits. That is for prospective projects going forward, not current projects going forward. Certainly I think our experience on this side of the house, our lived experience, has been that Canberra has not tended to fund our projects on a 50–50 basis. If you look at the West Gate Tunnel, not a dollar from Canberra. If you look at the Metro Tunnel, not a dollar from Canberra. If you look at the level crossing removal program, not a dollar from Canberra. We would dearly love Canberra to fund our projects 50–50, like the fantastic Suburban Rail Loop and like the North East Link.

Danny O’Brien interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Gippsland South can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Gippsland South withdrew from chamber.

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (14:40): The government’s own Big Build website states that the Western Highway upgrade is vital for the safety of the community. There have been more than 163 collisions, 18 tragic fatalities and 90 serious injuries in the past decade. How many more Victorians will die before the Allan government finally finishes this project?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:41): Our commitment to regional Victoria remains. We continue to invest in regional Victoria in terms of roads and rail, and we continue to support regional Victorians every step of the way.