Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Ministers statements: Suburban Rail Loop

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:23): The Suburban Rail Loop is going full steam ahead because on this side of the house we are focused on securing Melbourne’s future. We cannot just let growth happen by accident. Failing to plan for growth means more expensive homes further away from families and jobs. It means more traffic and it means more time commuting instead of being with your loved ones – or, on this side of the house, with your caucus colleagues. Those opposite are trying to say now is not the right time for the Suburban Rail Loop, but we know we have to put the work in now in order to secure our future. And we know the Suburban Rail Loop will forever change Melbourne for the better – how we move, how we work, how we study and the communities we live in. The Suburban Rail Loop will unlock 70,000 new homes in the first stage alone, built on the doorstep of world-class public transport, with local jobs, services and open spaces nearby. Victorians know that now is the right time to deliver the Suburban Rail Loop, because without it we will only move backwards.

On this side of the house we have a positive, united vision for Melbourne’s future, while those opposite are not even united in their criticism. Every time the wind changes they are flipping between calling for the project to be cancelled, then scrapped, then paused, then cancelled again, and that is exactly how they acted during their four wasted years in government – allergic to hard work and scared of making a decision. They always look for the easy way out. They never delivered a major project in their four wasted years in office.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, may I again refer you to Speaker Brooks’s ruling that a ministers statement is not an opportunity –

Jacinta Allan interjected.

James Newbury: It was a fine ruling, Premier.

The SPEAKER: Through the Chair.

James Newbury: Sorry, Speaker. It is inappropriate for a minister to use a ministers statement to attack the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to come back to his statement and to be mindful of not attacking the current opposition.

Danny PEARSON: Certainly, Speaker. The last time the Liberal Party delivered a major project here in Victoria Carlton could field a premiership side. That is how long ago it was. They have blocked every major project we have delivered. We are not blockers, we are builders.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is reading from a speech. I would ask him to table it.

The SPEAKER: Is the minister reading from a speech? He is referring to notes.

Danny PEARSON: We are not wasting a day. We are builders, we are not blockers and Victorians know that under the Allan Labor government there is better housing and better transport infrastructure. It is a project that Victorians have voted for.