Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Suburban Rail Loop

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:43): (875) My question is to the Treasurer. Despite the fact that the SRL East project is largely unfunded, depending on $11.5 billion from the Commonwealth, most of which the state government does not have, and billions of value capture, none of which the state government has, and further noting the Premier said a few days ago, ‘We have the money we need for this project,’ Treasurer, will you confirm that far from having the money, there is a $20 billion-plus funding black hole?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:44): I thank Mr Davis for his question. Mr Davis, we have money to commence this project. We have momentum and excitement around this project. The minister has talked about the exciting opportunities in value capture, the commercial opportunities, the housing opportunities. Being closer to employment, education and health facilities is something that particularly people in the east are really, really excited about. Particularly members in the east know all about this.

In relation to the allocation of funding, the project is commencing. We will have boring machines in the ground next year –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: and the project will commence.

Sonja Terpstra: President, this is the third point of order that I have made today on the constant stream of interjections, particularly from Mr Davis. I am struggling to hear the minister with her answer, and I would ask that the minister be allowed to continue in silence.

The PRESIDENT: The minister to continue without anyone interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mr Davis, this project has been underway since 2022. Early works for SRL East are well underway. Every tunnelling contract has been signed, and all construction is expected to be completed by 2035. Contrary to the comments that you make, we cannot afford not to deliver this infrastructure project. These are productive investments that generations will benefit from.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:46): The Treasurer is in noddy land. Given the Premier said ‘We have the money we need for this project’ and the huge black hole, I ask the Treasurer this: can you rule out further borrowings, rule out state tax increases, rule out new state taxes and rule out secret Treasurer’s advances to fund the SRL East?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:46): I reject the premise of the question. Mr Davis, refer to my answer to your substantive.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:46): I move:

That the Treasurer’s answer be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.