Thursday, 18 June 2026

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport, Minister for Women and Girls) (14:13): On this side of the house we build for the future, and that means building the public transport system that Victorians need not just for today but for generations to come. It was Labor that saved the Metro Tunnel project when infighting among the Liberals threatened to kill it. When we got on with delivering this important project, the Liberals tried to block it and even called it a hoax, and they opposed the extra services that it unlocked as well. Then when Labor got on with building the West Gate Tunnel, the Liberals tried to block that as well, with a little help from the Greens that time. While the Liberals have a history of regional rail cuts and closures, Labor reopened passenger services to regional centres like Bairnsdale, Ararat and Maryborough. Labor cleaned up Liberal cuts. While Labor has invested in locally built rolling stock, including of course the G-class and the VLocity and the brand new X’trapolis 2.0, the Liberals sat on their hands and brought Victoria’s rolling stock industry to a standstill. The order books dried up because they forgot to order a single tram for four years.

Members interjecting.

Gabrielle WILLIAMS: That is right. They took more than two years to order a single V/Line carriage. The Liberals cut local jobs, and they are at it again, promising cuts to trains on the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines at the very moment that Labor is adding services and capacity. It is very simple: Labor gets you where you need to go; the Liberals get you nowhere.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Member for Tarneit, I ask you to stand and apologise.

Dylan WIGHT: Sorry.