Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Frankston rail line

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (17:29): (1745) My adjournment matter tonight is for the attention of the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. People will know the Liberals’ and Nationals’ long advocacy for the extension of the rail line beyond Frankston and the need to actually get better transport services on the Mornington Peninsula. The buses are hopeless—the 788—and the story there is well known, as is the failure to have sufficient transport services.

I want to pay tribute to the advocacy of Briony Hutton, who is working hard and has brought forward a number of submissions to me about this matter, making it clear that the need is there for an extension. The coalition at the last election committed money to extend to Baxter, and a joint contribution was promised by the federal government and supported, I might say, by the federal Labor Party. The only party that did not support an extension of the line beyond Frankston was state Labor under Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan. They were the only ones who were determined to block it, and there is no question that they are doing everything in their power to slow any progress in that direction.

It is clear that the peninsula needs an expansion of transport services. It is clear that that involves buses. It is clear that it involves an extension of rail beyond Frankston—think of Frankston Hospital, think of the Monash tertiary campus that is there that is such an important campus that needs proper transport. Those coming from further south on the peninsula need that extension of the rail line and preferably located near the major road infrastructure as well.

So it is with concern that we note the failure of Labor to move on this and note the importance of this project and note the advocacy of so many on the Mornington Peninsula. So I ask that the Minister for Transport Infrastructure visit with me and Ms Burnett-Wake and a number of local community people who are very determined to see an extension of that rail line. I think it is time that Jacinta Allan and the Premier, Daniel Andrews, had a change of heart. They have got to recognise the problems on the peninsula. They have got to recognise that these things are critical, and Labor’s candidate has been nowhere to be seen for years on this matter either. He has been in hiding on this matter, as have the Labor upper house MPs in that area as well. This is really important to the peninsula. It is important that the Minister for Transport Infrastructure has some sort of conversion experience here. She has actually got to recognise the need for improved transport on the peninsula, and I invite her to visit.