Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:16): On Sunday we announced the opening of the brand new Wurundjeri Way extension, the first road to open as part of the West Gate Tunnel project and of course, as the Premier just outlined, the first city bypass to be delivered in about 25 years. The road provides a new connection from Melbourne’s west to the southern part of the city and will take thousands of cars off busy city streets, including in particular Spencer Street and King Street.

Good governments build for the future. They build projects that cater to growing communities and changing needs. That is why we have got on and built the West Gate Tunnel – to serve one of the fastest growing areas in our nation. While Labor builds, the Shadow Treasurer and her team are planning on ripping $10.8 billion out of the budget, and $10.8 billion in cuts means no roads investment, it means no rail investment and it means sending Victoria backwards. When we do that not only do we harm the economy but Victorians suffer from those decisions.

The West Gate Tunnel not only delivers time savings for those in the west but has created over 6000 jobs. But it almost did not happen, because the Liberals tried to block it. They voted –

Jacinta Allan interjected.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: Absolutely. They teamed up with the Greens. They voted against building Wurundjeri Way. They voted against building the West Gate tunnels, they voted against the veloway and against the upgrade of the West Gate Freeway. They voted against thousands of trucks off local streets. They voted against 6000 jobs for Victorians. Labor builds; those opposite block. I am very proud to stand here and say the West Gate Tunnel is looking very close to being finished – just like the Leader of the Opposition.