Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Ministers statements: Suburban Rail Loop

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:12): How timely it is to be able to talk to the chamber about the Suburban Rail Loop and how that is supporting a pipeline of jobs and opportunities for Victorians from all walks of life. Despite the alternate reality occupied by those opposite, works are powering ahead across all six SRL precincts in preparation for the launch of tunnel-boring machines next year. Those opposite have spent years peddling deceit and misinformation about the project, and it seems like every day my job is to come into this place and dispel myths, rumours and fictions of the opposition’s imagination. Again, I have got a copy of the business and investment case here and many copies in my office for people should they wish to read them. Let me be clear: the Suburban Rail Loop is Australia’s biggest housing project. It was endorsed by Victorians at two state elections and at one federal election and, importantly – Mr Davis, feel free to ask me about this – it remains on time and on budget.

Today’s VAGO report, for the avoidance of any doubt, confirms that the TEI for the SRL East project remains at $30.7 billion, and it is on track for delivery in 2035. So I would suggest, Mr Davis, that you have a very careful look at appendix E, page 14, of today’s report, where you will indeed hopefully be able to interpret that correctly. Last week our trusted partner in Canberra, infrastructure minister Catherine King, released the $2.2 billion that has been committed, and this is in addition to the $300 million for project planning and development. We have got 1500 Victorians already working across the project. Within peak construction we will have a further 24,000 good, paying jobs added to the Victorian economy as a direct result of this transformational piece of infrastructure. This will include engineers, painters, electricians, plumbers, surveyors, gardeners and maintenance workers. We are investing in this work. It is interesting to see what you are doing as you rip yourselves apart in trying to come to a decision about whether you support this project or not.