North-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:46): (1603) My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. The North East Link toll road is going to cost us over $26 billion, not to mention the cost of environmental destruction and years of disturbance, damage and pollution caused by these works. Every dollar spent on this toll road is money that cannot be used for other things that people in our community need. Mental health services are stretched. Homelessness services are stretched. Public schools are underfunded and public housing waitlists are far too long. Our ecosystems are in decline and threatened species face extinction. Governments make choices about what they prioritise and how they spend our money. We have just seen a state budget handed down, so I ask: Minister, can we expect further blowouts in costs for this project in the near future?