Tuesday, 30 May 2023

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (13:55): Amid Labor’s horror budget there has been some good news for the people of Hastings. Finally, after sustained advocacy by the Liberals, the government has woken up to the need for a cross-peninsula bus service. Eight months ago Liberals candidate Briony Hutton announced our commitment to delivering a regular bus service between Hastings and Mornington. Finally, the government has agreed to fund our plans. I want to give a special shout-out to Briony Hutton for getting this done. Her advocacy has paid off to benefit locals. Too often the people of Hastings are the forgotten people of the Mornington Peninsula. It should not have taken nine years for the state Labor government to wake up to the need for this improved bus service, but finally they have. Those living between Balnarring and Hastings should be able to travel the Mornington Peninsula on public transport without first having to go through Frankston, adding 1 hour. The regular and ongoing cross-peninsula bus service is a no-brainer. The Liberals will hold this state government to account to make sure that it is delivered within a reasonable time frame so that the people of Hastings and surrounds do not continue to be the forgotten people.