Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Peter WALSH (Murray Plains) (14:39): (1510) My question is to the minister for Public and Active Transport. V/Line staff on the Swan Hill train in my electorate have been telling passengers this service will be dropped within the next 12 months and replaced by buses to Bendigo. Minister, what is the latest information on the plans to replace the Swan Hill train service with buses? There is a huge difference in passenger comfort between the comfort of a long-haul train seat and a buffet car, particularly for those travelling for medical appointments or with young children, and being crammed onto a bus to bounce along country roads riddled with potholes this government will not fix. Is the Labor government telling the people of Swan Hill that it cannot afford to maintain and operate our regional rail network? Does this mean that the estimated cost of $15 billion in CFMEU corruption is going to cost Swan Hill its train service? Swan Hill has fought hard over the years when its train service has been threatened, and it will fight again. The Allan government thinks otherwise. Watch this space. We will not accept second-best.