Northern Metropolitan Region
Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:49): (281) My constituency question is directed towards the Minister for Planning, and it concerns the Andrews government hoarding almost half a billion dollars in the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Fund up in Spring Street instead of delivering it for these communities. This money has not been spent in two years, and it could be used now to relieve pressure on families. My colleague and member for Western Victoria will be interested to note in the Melton area there is $172 million unspent sitting in government coffers and propping up the budget, and in Wyndham there is $168 million. The Premier, in acknowledging massive swings against the government in these suburbs, said that they do not want to have bought into a housing estate and have to wait 20 years for that to become a community, they want to see stuff in their area that other parts of the state have. So I ask the minister: will the government commit to spending this money in growth suburbs that is needed now?
Sitting suspended 12:50 pm until 2:02 pm.