Thursday, 3 August 2023

Ministers statements: regional rail network

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (14:19): I am actually speaking today on the evolving rail renaissance happening under the Andrews Labor government. A very special birthday is happening this month. We will celebrate 40 years of V/Line, that great purple symbol that is supporting a regional rail renaissance – not a revival, but a renaissance – under the Andrews Labor government. I want to thank those 3000 hardworking members of our staff –

John Pesutto interjected.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Ben CARROLL: that get up every day and work so hard to deliver a regional rail revival program of over $4 billion, upgrading every regional rail line in this great state.

Add to that, the real birthday present has been our regional fare cap. That has seen more than 9 million trips taken since it was introduced. That is a saving of over $15 million back in the hands of regional Victorians but also metropolitan Victorians who are getting out and seeing everything our great state has to offer. I want to give a special shout-out to the member for Wendouree, to you, Speaker, and to the member for Geelong, who just recently had me in their electorates talking to local commuters about what the regional fare cap means to them. Do not take my word for it: $15 million back in the hands of regional Victorians to put back into regional economies, to invest in local towns and local communities. Because whether you live in postcode 3000 or Hawthorn or your postcode, Speaker, 3550, that is what you do: you ensure you have price equity and transport equity. That is what our government is all – (Time expired)

The SPEAKER: Order! I realise it is Thursday afternoon and you are all keen to go home, but I would ask you to show some respect in the house to those on their feet.