Wednesday, 16 October 2024

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Treasurer. Today the Treasurer said that the additional $837 million blowout on the Metro Tunnel will ‘have an impact around the state’s debt position’. Will all of this blowout be added to Victoria’s debt?

 Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:03): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He should have finished the sentence of that quote. I did then go on to say ‘unless certain other actions are taken’. What are those certain other actions? If you are taking money out of the Consolidated Fund, one of the things you might want to draw down on might be contingency, and can I assure the Leader of the Opposition that there is more than adequate contingency allocated to this project such that there will not be any adverse impact upon state debt. I love the fact that those opposite will never miss an opportunity to criticise the Melbourne Metro project, a project that they would have stopped had they had a chance.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, the Treasurer is debating the question, and also on relevance I ask that he be drawn back to the question about debt.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer was being relevant to the question that was asked. The Treasurer has concluded his answer.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): The Treasurer also said he was looking at finding ‘offsets’ to cover the Metro Tunnel blowout. What government services will be cut?

 Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:05): I thank the Leader of the Opposition once again for demonstrating his lack of understanding of how the balance sheet works. One of those offsets may well be a reorganisation of the contingency that has been allocated for this project. In practical terms what that means is that this government has done what any prudent government will do, and that is put aside adequate provision for projects so that they can adequately –

Members interjecting.

Tim PALLAS: There is no contingency deep enough to pull you out of the hole you are in.

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

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will come back to the question. The Treasurer has concluded his answer.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mordialloc is warned.