Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Baxter rail extension

Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (19:59): (335) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport, and the action that I seek is a commitment to extend and duplicate the Frankston to Baxter rail line. It is common knowledge that there is a great need for better public transport in the Eastern Victoria Region. That is why last year the Liberal Party committed $750 million toward the extension and duplication of the Frankston to Baxter rail line. When in government, the federal Liberals allocated $225 million to this project. When Labor took government, they scrapped it. Once again the people of the Mornington Peninsula have been sidelined. People in these communities deserve better. They should have access to fast, reliable public transport, not only for convenience but also because it provides access to employment and other opportunities. This is extremely important in this area because some of the areas affected by this train line are Baxter and Langwarrin, and data from the RMIT University Centre for Urban Research reveals that the suburbs of Baxter and Langwarrin are unfortunately among Victoria’s most vulnerable to spikes in cost of living, due to greater exposure to mortgage stress, car dependency and other inflationary pressures. These hardworking people are paying tax. Why aren’t they receiving any rewards? Funding needs to be invested into areas of need, not just areas where Labor wants to buy some votes. The state Labor government continues to refuse to support this extension and has failed time and time again to act, knowing full well that it is crucial and that these areas are growing and they need the appropriate infrastructure upgrades to cope with the demand.