Thursday, 20 February 2020

West Gate Tunnel

Mr M O’BRIEN (Malvern—Leader of the Opposition) (11:32): My question is to the Premier. The government continues to tell Victorians that the West Gate Tunnel will open in 2022; however, on 11 February Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said in relation to the West Gate Tunnel Project:

… the contractor has informed us that the project is unlikely to be completed by the end of 2022 …

As a publicly listed company—

Ms Allan: Read the rest of his quote! Read the rest of his quote out. If you’re going to quote him, read the rest of his quote. Go on.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the House! The Leader of the Opposition has the call.

Mr M O’BRIEN: As a publicly listed company, Transurban is required to tell the truth to the stock exchange, so Premier—

Ms Allan interjected.

Mr M O’BRIEN: I will try that again. As a publicly listed company, Transurban is required to tell the truth to the stock exchange. So, Premier, when will you tell the truth and admit to Victorians that your West Gate Tunnel will not open in 2022?

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:33): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question and for pointing out the obligations that publicly listed companies have. There are other obligations too: when you are quoting someone you ought quote them accurately and fully. I think it is fair to say that Transurban, from their CEO down, do not necessarily accept the contention put forward by their builders as to challenges and the impact of those challenges on the ultimate time line. There is a dispute between the client and the builders, and the government expects—

Mr Walsh interjected.

Mr ANDREWS: Yes, and I have often looked to the National Party for a complete list of all the conflicts I am involved in. Thank you so much, Deputy Leader—or Leader or are you even a party these days? I do not think so. If I need help from the member for Murray Plains, I will ask for it, given the vast experience in infrastructure delivery of those opposite. Really!

Seriously, those opposite ought to quote accurately, and they ought to do less barracking for projects to fail and more learning of the lessons of 2018 and 2014, when they were comprehensively rejected because they did nothing for four years.

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, I hope you would agree the Premier is now debating the question. I ask you to bring him back to answering it: will the West Gate Tunnel open in 2022 or not?

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has been relevant to the question. He did depart in there. I ask the Premier to come back to answering the question.

Mr ANDREWS: Extreme provocation, Speaker. I am terribly sorry. Such is the quality of the interjections, it is so hard to let them go, Speaker. I do apologise to you and to the house. The Leader of the Opposition in his point of order has sought to recast the question. He asked me to make a concession. I will make no such concession. We expect, on behalf of all Victorian taxpayers, that this project is delivered in full accordance with the contract.

Mr M O’BRIEN (Malvern—Leader of the Opposition) (11:35): The existence of toxic spoil is a key reason for the West Gate Tunnel Project no longer being on track to open in 2022, according to the contractors. Last night at a public meeting the Treasurer said no decision had been made about the dumping of toxic spoil near the Wyndham Vale train stabling yards. Premier, will you remove this threat hanging over the heads of the local community and make a decision to rule it out right here, right now?

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:36): Two points: the management of spoil, whether it be spoil with PFAS issues or many of the other issues that need to be dealt with—with all spoil in projects like this—is principally a matter for the builders. We expect, though, that those issues be dealt with to the highest of standards, and that is why Environment Protection Authority Victoria are so central to this whole process. I must say I feel obliged to say, and I will so with the greatest of respect, the notion that we would be seeking the advice and the wise counsel on PFAS management issues of people who literally told people, ‘You could put it on your breakfast cereal’ up at Fiskville—it will be a cold day when we wait for your advice on managing—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr M O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, I would ask you to bring the Premier back to the question, asking him to rule out this threat of toxic spoil being put near the Wyndham Vale train stabling yards. The Minister for Public Transport seemed to rule it out yesterday; the Treasurer did not rule it out last night. We are asking the Premier to actually lead, make a decision and rule it out.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition has made his point of order. I do not uphold it. The Premier has been relevant to the question that was asked.

Mr ANDREWS: I am ruling out being influenced by the toxic hypocrisy of those opposite. We will be guided—

Members interjecting.

Mr ANDREWS: Oh, it’s a laughing matter now. It’s a laughing matter! I have got one word: Fiskville. Fiskville, that is your answer.