Thursday, 15 August 2024

Ministers statements: regional rail

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:23): Today I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s transformation of regional rail services across our state. We have taken action to address cost-of-living pressures for many Victorians by capping V/Line fares at no more than the metro daily rate, which is $10.60. More than $80 million has gone back into the pockets of Victorians since the fare cap took effect in March last year. I know from speaking to the member for Ripon that her community in Ararat is making the most of our fairer fares, with passengers saving about $50 on a return fare to Melbourne.

Ararat commuters had another very important milestone to celebrate recently. The community came out to celebrate the 20th anniversary of passenger trains returning to Ararat, services that Labor returned after those opposite closed them down. The Allan Labor government is building on this legacy by adding more services to the Ararat line and running more modern VLocity trains. Just today I announced that the first of our latest order of 23 new, modern, locally built VLocity trains has hit the tracks in the west of our state, meaning more capacity for the up to 200 extra V/Line weekend services that we are currently in the process of rolling out. Just like those opposite closed the Ararat line to passengers, I remind the house that they closed the Maryborough line too, and let us not forget the Bairnsdale line.

Today this Labor government is adding more services to our regional networks, including of course the Ararat line, and running more modern VLocity trains across our regional network. While some opposite are worried about pending court actions, the Allan Labor government is taking real action to transform regional rail.

Michael O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, standing orders preclude members from discussing any matters that are sub judice, yet members of the government are constantly referring to matters that are sub judice. I would ask you to enforce the standing orders and sit down members who do this. The rules apply or they do not.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bentleigh, you can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Bentleigh withdrew from chamber.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, there is no point of order. The only comments that have been made by members on this side of the house are in relation to what is in the public arena. Everyone knows that the Leader of the Opposition is being sued by numerous members of his party, of course in the case being led by Moira Deeming in the other place.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the House! It is not funny. Sub judice is a serious matter. Any public or media comment on any issue, particularly in the judicial system, does not preclude the application of the sub judice convention in the house. Therefore I ask members to be very careful about what they say in relation to matters that are in the public domain and before the judicial system.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Malvern, it is not an opportunity to pat yourself on the back.

Before I call the next question, I acknowledge in the gallery the Pakistan Consul General Moazzam Shah, who is in the upper gallery today. And while this is not normal procedure for the house, the Clerk has indicated that it is okay as she is a fan, I also acknowledge Wasim Akram, who is also in the gallery with us today.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Fans will come to order!