Thursday, 10 February 2022

Ministers statements: road infrastructure

Mr CARROLL (Niddrie—Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Roads and Road Safety) (14:34): I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government’s road maintenance blitz is delivering smoother and safer journeys for motorists while also delivering important local jobs in local regions. We know that roads are the arteries of our local economies. Since 2014 we have invested more than $35 billion in road upgrades right across our state—$35 billion. Since September last year some 500 road projects right across our state have been delivered. More than 600 kilometres have been delivered. And the good news is we are only halfway through our road maintenance blitz: we have got another 500 projects to come right across our wonderful state. A great example: with the member for Macedon and the Minister for Regional Development—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the member for South-West Coast to leave the chamber for the period of 1 hour.

Member for South-West Coast withdrew from chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn members on both sides of the chamber that they will be removed for shouting across the chamber.

Mr CARROLL: With the member for Macedon, the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Agriculture, I inspected the Calder Freeway just last week. Some 4 kilometres of road have been resurfaced under the Andrews Labor government that were badly damaged last summer. But it is not just about resurfacing and rebuilding roads, it is about delivering local jobs for local people right across our state. By ensuring these works are being delivered by local crews, we are also making sure that the money is being reinvested into those local economies—in the hotels, the shopping strips, the cafes—right through our great state.

I want to put on record the record of the Andrews Labor government. Since the last election 6800 kilometres of roads have been rebuilt, 900 in metropolitan Melbourne. Since 2014 some 12 000 kilometres of roads have been rebuilt, 80 per cent in regional Victoria. When you consider that the Victorian government is responsible for some 25 000 kilometres of roads, it gives you a very clear understanding that under this government we have put a record investment into roads and road maintenance. While the other side continue to cut and want to roll back the Big Build, we will get on with delivering local jobs and supporting regional economies.