Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:31): We have been given many opportunities in this place and outside of it to demonstrate our commitment to building for the future. This year the Allan Labor government will open the Metro Tunnel and the West Gate Tunnel. We have now removed 87 level crossings, including making the entire Cranbourne–Pakenham to Sunbury corridor boom gate free. You only get to switch on big projects if you commit to investing in them in the first place. But the Big Build is not just about delivering more than 180 rail and road projects for the future, it is growing Victoria’s economy by supporting more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs and by improving productivity. We invest in jobs, in the local manufacturing pipeline and in more opportunities for Victorians. We make it easier for Victorians to get to work, to get to education and to get to leisure opportunities as well. So when those opposite promise to rip $10.8 billion out of the budget, they are promising –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is now the third ministerial template where a minister has used a ministers statement to sledge the opposition in the same template way.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to be very careful about not attacking the opposition in her ministers statement.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: It is by way of contrasting the investment of this government and the economic benefits it has delivered and, of course, the jobs as part of that that it has delivered and the infrastructure that will serve generations to come. Cutting $10.8 billion means cutting opportunities for apprentices.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I seek your guidance. I think now we would be at about seven or eight attempts that you have given to advise ministers not to behave in this way. Clearly they are defying your ruling. If rulings are to mean anything in this place, I would ask: how do we deal with this behaviour?

The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton is aware that I do not make the standing orders; I uphold the standing orders. The minister is being advised to come back to her ministers statement. I cannot control what the minister says in her ministers statement.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: Cutting $10.8 billion means cutting investment in vital active transport connections that get kids to school safer.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Point Cook can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Point Cook withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, not only is it within your power, but there have been numerous instances where ministers have defied a Speaker’s rulings and the Speaker has sat the minister down. I would say to you that today this is egregious behaviour from this government in terms of their sledging.

Ben Carroll: On the point of order, Speaker, it is very clear in Rulings from the Chair, page 160, that a minister is allowed to countenance a range of policy positions. That is what the minister is doing.

The SPEAKER: Indeed the minister is able to countenance many policy positions. I do remind the minister to come back to her ministers statement without attacking the opposition.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: Thank you, Speaker, for that guidance. The Allan Labor government is very busy, among many other projects, investing in, planning for and building projects like the Melton line upgrade, the Sunshine superhub and airport rail. We are doing this to be able to ensure that we are catering for the needs of Victorians for generations to come. When those opposite tell Victorians very clearly that they are the party of cuts, we need to remember: when people tell you who they are, believe them. Labor builds; Liberals cut.