Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Mornington electorate

Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (12:46): (178) My question is to the Minister for Public Transport. It is budget day. The Frankston to Baxter rail upgrade has been called for since the 1920s, with $225 million of federal budgeted funds there for the project since 2018, so will the minister commit to delivering this much-needed project? There are no rail services in the Mornington electorate. This project will revitalise Frankston Hospital and Monash University and give people closer parking, stations and bus services, less time commuting, more time with families and less costs. In 2018 I secured $225 million from the federal Liberal–Nationals government. In 2019 Albanese said Labor would deliver this project and do it sooner. However, the ongoing lack of support by the Andrews government means this project is now at risk of being scrapped by the Albanese government following their 90-day review. There are also reports that these cut federal funds will be shifted to the white elephant Suburban Rail Loop in an attempt to prop up the state Labor government after their budget.