Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Ministers statements: transport infrastructure

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:53): This morning I woke up to what I thought was a pretty ordinary April Fools’ prank from the federal opposition leader, but sadly it was just more of the same from them – short-changing Victoria, ripping billions out of infrastructure projects across this state. It is groundhog day. Let us be clear. The Liberals’ announcement today means cutting the Suburban Rail Loop, with its 8000 jobs and 70,000 new homes and a much-needed rail link to two of Victoria’s biggest universities. It means cutting half a billion dollars from airport rail, ensuring that it cannot be delivered, and this includes cutting works at Sunshine, which would effectively delay Melton electrification by about 10 years.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Benambra has had enough of question time.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I know that you said you would take this into consideration further, but in Rulings from the Chair as they stand, page 156, former Speaker Maddigan was quite clear that it is out of order to discuss how a possible future federal government might affect the state, because it is hypothetical. I would ask that the minister cease until you have considered it further.

The SPEAKER: I will be seeking advice, given the timeframe that we are in, in relation to that ruling. The minister to continue without attacking the opposition.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: My opening must have been pretty good if the member for Benambra wanted a ciggie. In contrast, the Allan and Albanese governments have invested $4 billion to get on with delivering works at Sunshine. These works are the first stage of Melbourne Airport rail and the first stage also of Melton electrification. They will reconfigure one of the most complex rail junctions in our network and make Sunshine a transport superhub. It will separate tracks to create dedicated suburban, regional and freight paths, creating capacity for extra services and boosting reliability while we are at it. And if you do not do the full Sunshine works, you leave people across the west cramped, congested or simply stranded on the platform. It beggars belief that under Dutton’s plan there would be no extra services to Melton or Wyndham Vale, one of the fastest growing regions in our country. Dutton is treating Victorians like fools, and the Victorian opposition leader is cheering him on from the sidelines. Dutton’s track record is crystal clear – 10 years of ripping off Victorians – and he is promising to do it again.