Tuesday, 10 September 2024

Ministers statements: Victoria’s Big Build

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:10): I rise to update the house on the Big Build. What a glorious day it was yesterday joining the Premier and the member for Albert Park to head down to Anzac station to announce the completion of our third Metro Tunnel station. I know Victorians are excited about this project, but just think: just 10 years ago those opposite cancelled it. They said it would divide Melbourne like the Berlin Wall, but I guess they do know a bit about what it is like to be internally divided. In New South Wales, Labor and Liberal premiers rode on the first trains on the new Sydney Metro together, and I hope those opposite are not waiting around for their tickets.

Not only is the Metro Tunnel coming on time next year, we will also be opening the West Gate Tunnel. Anyone who has ever been stuck in traffic knows how important delivering a second river crossing is for our road network – everyone but those opposite, who could not find the west on a map. It is a project that is bringing Victorians together, even though the Liberals and the Greens teamed up in 2018 in the other place to cancel it.

Let us not forget that back in 2013 Liberal Premier Napthine said it was impossible to remove 50 level crossings. I am proud to share that since we were elected we have removed 84 level crossings while those opposite have blocked, have delayed and have opposed every single one of those. Victorians are excited by these level crossing removal projects, and I think those opposite might be too. I know many of you advocate in private to have a level crossing removed in your electorate or advocate for the Suburban Rail Loop to start in your part of the electorate.

Nearly 10 years ago Victorians made up their minds about those opposite: four miserable, wasted years of a do-nothing government. We have not wasted a day since we have had the great gift of government. Those opposite have not wasted an opportunity to tear themselves apart. We are the party of delivering; they are the party of division, disunity and defamation. That is what they will be remembered for, if they are remembered at all.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to attack the opposition. And can the minister please provide a copy of his script?

The SPEAKER: To the first part of the point of order, I do ask ministers to refrain from attacking the opposition in their ministers statements.