Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Suburban Rail Loop

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:06): (806) My question is to the Treasurer, and it concerns the damning Auditor-General’s report released today, which has revealed a $300 million blowout to the Suburban Rail Loop early works package that was not specifically disclosed in the budget. I ask: why was this blowout not disclosed, and instead hidden from the public?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:06): In the spirit of ensuring that the house gets the answers that it seeks, Ms Shing and I will regularly confer in relation to matters that are cross portfolio. But in relation to the VAGO report, I think it is important to note that it covers changes to TEIs, and these have been disclosed and brought to book in last year’s budget. It demonstrates that although the vast majority of government projects are on time and on budget, and of course they support thousands and thousands of jobs across the state –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: It is a common feature for Mr Davis to cherrypick information from a report, so therefore it is the opportunity that he is presenting me to respond in a way that talks to the report and what it discloses. An increase in TEI simply means more investment in a project very often, and this can be attributed to a range of factors. There can be an expansion in the scope of the project, there can be a change in the procurement approach to the project and often – and we would welcome more and more of this – it can mean the Commonwealth getting on board and contributing to a project; therefore obviously the project is worth more and it needs to be recognised as costing more because it delivers more.

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: Ms Shing is itching to talk about the SRL project in relation to it being on track and the first stage being delivered by 2035.

In relation to the VAGO report, I just want to provide a few examples of some of the TEI explanations that I went through before. For example, if you look at the car parks for commuters project, the TEI increased because the scope increased.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, I asked about a very specific point about the Suburban Rail Loop and a specific cost overrun. For the minister’s benefit, it is appendix D, page 56.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order. I think the minister was being relevant to the question. It is a bit noisy. Can I ask for the noise level to be brought down a bit, and can I ask Minister Shing to stop using a prop; otherwise it will be endless that people will be showing props.

Jaclyn SYMES: As I said, I am just concerned about the cherrypicking of explanations of the VAGO report, and I was at pains to explain TEI and what that can do in relation to estimates.

David Davis interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: You have asked a specific question about the SRL, which I know Minister Shing is very keen to get up, but what I can confirm, Mr Davis, is that the $300 million refers to an amount approved by government to plan and develop SRL which is not included in the budget papers.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:09): Treasurer, thank you, but you are responsible for the budget, and it says this initial amount was not specifically disclosed in the budget papers, and that is the purpose of my question. Further on this matter, the auditor’s report has revealed the SRL East early works package is going through a ‘pricing reset’. Will you depart from your predecessor and make any additional blowouts public in the budget rather than hiding them?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:10): Mr Davis, this project remains on time and on budget in relation to the commitments that have been given.

Members interjecting.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the Treasurer is not allowed to mislead the house.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order. The Treasurer to continue and, hopefully – I am not reflecting on one side of the chamber; I am reflecting on both – we can hear her.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mr Davis, the SRL project: we will have tunnel-boring machines in the ground; we will have trains running on those lines by 2035. This is a project that will cost money, yes. This is an investment that is worth it. Victorians deserve it. Coming from an opposition who does nothing, builds nothing and criticises everything, I will back us every time.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:11): I move:

That the minister’s answer be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.