Thursday, 7 March 2024

Western suburbs rail lines

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. At the last two state elections Labor promised to duplicate and electrify the rail lines to Melton and to Wyndham Vale as part of the Western Rail Plan. Six years on, when will construction start?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Frankston can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Frankston withdrew from chamber.

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:13): On this side of the house we are incredibly proud of the investments we are making in rail, unlike those opposite, who cut and closed rail lines when they were in office. As a government we have indicated that we are going to be removing four dangerous and deadly level crossings along the Melton line. That is a $650 million investment. This is about making sure we make those necessary investments along the Melton line. In addition to that, we have made a commitment that we will be making sure the Werribee line is level crossing free. We are making investments –

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, the question was very short and targeted: six years on, when will construction start?

The SPEAKER: The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Danny PEARSON: It is a bit galling to get a question from those opposite, who never built anything, never delivered anything –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, standing order 58 does require a minister to be direct. Ministers are repeatedly and flagrantly, because they do not understand their briefs, not responding in any way to the questions that are asked. It is high farce if ministers can pick one word in every question and respond to that issue rather than the questions that are asked.

The SPEAKER: The Manager of Opposition Business knows that I cannot direct a minister how to answer a question. The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Danny PEARSON: As I said, we are making these investments along the Melton line to remove four dangerous and deadly level crossings, and we are making investments across the Werribee line as well to make sure that is level crossing free. These are investments that we are making. Those opposite did not deliver a single major project when they were in government.

Members interjecting.

Danny PEARSON: The Leader of the Opposition intervenes across the table: ‘Neither do you.’ I would remind the Leader of the Opposition that –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, standing order 58 also requires the minister to be succinct, and I would put to you that the minister, by not answering the question, is not being succinct either.

The SPEAKER: The minister will come back to answering the question.

Danny PEARSON: You cannot electrify a track unless you remove level crossings. You cannot electrify a track unless you duplicate it. We are making these investments to ensure that happens. Those opposite have never delivered a thing.

Members interjecting.

Danny PEARSON: You have had a really bad week; 5 o’clock cannot come fast enough for you.

The SPEAKER: Through the Chair!

Danny PEARSON: Speaker, the only person opposite who has been happy this week is the member for Mornington’s son, who was waving at the Premier when she smiled at him. You have had a dreadful week, mate.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister! The Premier will come to order. I can pre-empt what the point of order is going to be.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is now debating the question.

The SPEAKER: Minister, come back to answering the question.

Danny PEARSON: As I have said, you have got to remove level crossings before you can electrify. You have got to duplicate before you can electrify. I am very happy to arrange a briefing for those opposite. Perhaps, member for Sandringham, we can roll the SRL briefing into one about the regional rail plan. I am very happy to do that, making sure those opposite understand the investments we are making in rail.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): Is it the case that Labor cannot afford to deliver the promised upgrades to the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines?

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:17): Clearly the Leader of the Opposition has no plan B and did not listen to the answer I gave him to the substantive question. Five o’clock cannot come round fast enough for you, mate.

The SPEAKER: Minister, you will direct your answers through the Chair.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question is not the same as the substantive. It asks: is it the case that Labor cannot afford to deliver the upgrades?

The SPEAKER: A point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. I ask the minister to address the question that was asked.

Danny PEARSON: We are investing in road and rail right across the western suburbs. We are making sure the Werribee line will be level crossing free. The Melton line will be level crossing free. We are continuing to invest in the infrastructure that Victorians have overwhelmingly voted for, and we will continue to do so.