Thursday, 3 April 2025

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:24): How good is it to have a partner in Canberra? Over the last couple of weeks I have been out and about with my federal counterpart Minister Catherine King announcing funding for important local road projects in our outer suburbs, all part of the $1.2 billion suburban road blitz. We are supporting Victorian families by investing in the road upgrades our fast-growing communities want and need. We are able to do this because we have done the work to plan and sequence for a pipeline of upgrades across our road network – projects that will bust congestion and boost safety, getting families home sooner and safer.

As the members for Frankston and Carrum know, we have been improving road safety and improving connections in Seaford and Carrum, and nearby the member for Cranbourne is very excited to share with her community the huge investment we are making in Clyde. Last sitting week I was out with the member for Point Cook announcing a crucial upgrade to Central Avenue, which builds on our investments in Point Cook Road. On Monday I was out with the members for Sydenham and Sunbury to announce an upgrade to the Calder Park Drive interchange, and of course there are the works that will happen at Donnybrook Road. Not only that, we are investing in planning for future works too, like upgrades to High Street Road in Wantirna South, and Western Port Highway as well, because this ensures that we can continue to deliver long into the future.

On top of that, we do not neglect our colleagues on the other side of the chamber. The communities of Warrandyte, Croydon and Narracan will see what real action on congestion and safety looks like from a government that gets things done. While those opposite are backing more federal Liberal cuts in Victoria, we are out there delivering the projects that we know Victorians care about, no matter where they live.