Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:29): On this side of the house we understand that better public transport means making it easier and safer for Victorians to get around. That is why we have been building more public transport connections across our train and tram networks, with record investment in bus services as well. More public transport services means less dangerous traffic congestion. It means Victorians do not have to rely on a car, which we know can be costly to run and to own, and it means making it easier for people in the outer suburbs or rural and regional areas to head into our vibrant, bustling and very proud major events capital. And I look at Minister Dimopoulos when I say that.

Labor has added more than 3500 train services, about 24,000 bus services and about 230 tram services operating every week, and we are making it more affordable too – free for kids under the age of 18 every day and free for seniors, disability support pensioners and carer card holders on weekends. We continue to make our public transport network safer, with new CCTV along the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo corridors, more than 100 extra authorised officers, expanding the successful community connectors program from Dandenong now to Frankston as well and activating spaces through retail offerings at our brand new Metro Tunnel stations, as well as with things like better lighting not only at stations but along footpaths for that last mile.

To most Victorians it is pretty obvious that more public transport options makes life easier, and giving safe transport connections is important. But the Liberals are not like most Victorians. They cut services, they close train stations –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, again a minister today is abusing their ministers statement. It is not an opportunity to attack the opposition.

Mary-Anne Thomas: Speaker, on the point of order, rulings in this place have made it clear that it is entirely appropriate to compare and contrast the position of the government in relation to those who seek to hold government in this place.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to come back to her statement without attacking the opposition.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: Some will cut services, close train stations and shut down train lines. The Kennett philosophy made life harder for Victorians.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is just an abuse, and the minister has ignored your ruling.

The SPEAKER: The minister referred to ‘some’ in her last comments.