Thursday, 3 August 2023

Ministers statements: transport infrastructure

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop) (14:42): At the heart of the Andrews Labor government’s Big Build is transport equity and providing affordable public transport connections to support more people to access schools and TAFE, health services and of course jobs. This is why the Andrews Labor government is investing in the biggest transport infrastructure program in our state’s history, the Metro Tunnel –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for South Barwon can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for South Barwon withdrew from chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: across the suburbs, the Cranbourne line, the Hurstbridge line, extending the Mernda line, level crossings in Pakenham, the Melton line – I cannot not mention Melton – the Sunbury line works and of course upgrading every regional rail line. They help also with the cost of living by making it quicker and easier for where people get to go. A big project is also going to support that: the Suburban Rail Loop, where Cheltenham to Box Hill will connect seven existing train lines. It will connect Monash and Deakin universities, Box Hill TAFE, Box Hill Hospital, Monash hospital, the heart hospital and Box Hill and Southland and Glen Waverley shopping and employment precincts. Every single day this project will cut the cost of getting to work, getting to hospitals and support jobs. It will save Victorians time and money. But there are some who do not support this, who do not want this time. Let me share this quote:

… the project that must be cancelled is Suburban Rail Loop.

A rail line that will run from Cheltenham to Box Hill, from nowhere to nowhere …

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will come to order. The member for Eltham! I would ask the house to come to order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Imagine saying Clayton, Box Hill, Cheltenham are nowhere to nowhere. That comment from Liberal luminary Jeff Kennett sums up the Liberal opposition’s view on the suburbs and on the Suburban Rail Loop. Only the Andrews Labor government will get on and deliver it.