Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Minister for Public Transport. It was confirmed at PAEC that there is a total of $15.1 billion of capital expenditure provisioned for the Suburban Rail Loop over the forward estimates. Can the minister update the house on the revised figure over the forwards following the changes to the project announced today?

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:02): I ‍thank the member for the question –

John Mullahy interjected.

Vicki WARD: which was indeed a Dorothy Dixer, member for Glen Waverley. I welcome their interest in this amazing project – orbital rail – which will transform our city. While this government is making sure that every single dollar invested in this project is invested wisely and well and that this project will continue addressing the –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this question asked for just one figure.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Broadmeadows, you are warned. The minister was being relevant.

Vicki WARD: This is a great project. This Premier has gone through it. We have looked to make sure that every dollar is spent well and wisely. As the Premier advised today, we have saved a billion dollars and will look to save a billion more on this project, because unlike those opposite we are not here for waste. They will waste taxpayers money by shutting this project down.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the minister is debating the question. In fact the minister has not even come to the question.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded her answer.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): How can Victorians believe the Premier has saved them $2 billion when his own minister cannot identify a single dollar removed from the forward estimates?

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Public Transport, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:04): It is very clear that that question actually does not relate to my answer at all and barely relates to the first question. We have made it very clear where we have found savings and that we will conduct a technical review to find even more.