Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (23:38): (2137) My matter is for the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to join colleagues, including the Premier and the Prime Minister, for a preview trip through the Metro Tunnel ahead of its opening on 30 November. It was one of those moments when the scale of the achievement really settles in. Travelling through the finished stations, you can feel the sense of pride from everyone involved. This is a project that Victorians have waited a long time for, and it stands as just another reminder that Labor governments do not just talk about infrastructure, we deliver it. We build the big projects that keep our state moving.

For communities across the Northern Metropolitan Region, the Metro Tunnel will be transformative. Parkville station will finally give our world-leading health and medical research precinct the direct rail connection it has always needed. Arden station will be the centre of an entirely new neighbourhood, opening up jobs and opportunities as the precinct grows. State Library and Town Hall stations will make moving through the CBD simpler and more accessible, especially for families, shift workers and students.

The Metro Tunnel means more frequent, more reliable services right across the network. Free public transport on weekends during the opening period will give every Victorian a chance to experience these new stations for themselves. This is what long-term planning looks like – a government investing in a modern rail network and a transport system worthy of our growing state. The action that I seek is for the minister to outline how many additional services will run during the summer start period, which begins on 30 November, and what increase in passengers we can expect when the big switch begins on 1 February.