Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (23:40): (2220) What a sensational time of the evening to be doing an adjournment debate. It is close to midnight, and I am that nice combination of almost delirious and slightly excited – excited to be here, of course, and particularly excited because I feel I have let my people down. I have to be honest: I have let them down horribly, because it has been some months without mention of the toilet at Ringwood East train station. Given this is the last opportunity in the year – and I know you are paying such close attention to what I am saying, President – I think it is opportune –

Georgie Crozier: Aren’t you here Tuesday?

Nick McGOWAN: No, I think this is the last opportunity for me to make amends to my people and finally implore the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place – I know Minister Williams is an avid watcher of my videos and my social media –

Georgie Crozier: She leaves comments.

Nick McGOWAN: I apologise profusely to the minister for not yet responding to her comment on my post where I labelled the Metro Tunnel a Baillieu government initiative, although as inconvenient as facts are from time to time for those opposite, the fact is that it was commenced – $50 million was budgeted. It was not expended – I do not want to give people the wrong impression here – but nonetheless it was budgeted.

Georgie Crozier: Different route.

Nick McGOWAN: There was a discussion about the routes, and I actually quite like the one that they decided on. But I will keep that secret between me, you, the camera and everyone else in the public. Besides that little point, there was actually an Infrastructure Australia assessment which we also commenced. I know that is inconvenient for you too, Minister, but I am digressing. I have yet to see every single one of your stations, but goodness, if any of your stations have a toilet and mine at Ringwood East still does not, then something has gone drastically wrong, because as I say to the local people in Ringwood East –

Melina Bath: It’d be duplicitous.

Nick McGOWAN: I can use the word ‘duplicitous’. The Greens have gone already. I am supporting the Greens tonight wholeheartedly, because everyone should be able to use the word ‘duplicitous’ – but the Greens are unfortunately not paying attention. It is a common occurrence when I get up to speak. Nonetheless I got used to it and accustomed to it, and it does not perturb me one little bit. What does perturb me somewhat, though, is the fact that the people of Ringwood, the people who use Ringwood East train station, continue to this day, Minister Williams, not to have a toilet. That means they cannot relieve themselves. That means we are depriving every young person in my constituency, every senior person, every mum with a child –

A member interjected.

Nick McGOWAN: Pregnant women as well; that is right. There are lots of people who actually need to have a toilet at a train station. I make light of it, because I do not like to carp and moan and bitch – no-one is going to listen to me do that. But what is really important, Minister, on this day, this night, and at this time – and I know the minister opposite appreciates this point too – is in all seriousness, for goodness sake, boys and girls, it is 2025. Can we not have a toilet? Minister, that is what I am asking you. This is my Christmas wish: please, for the people of Ringwood East train station, to ensure that they have connectivity – those with abilities and non-abilities, everyone – give them, give us all, the toilet we deserve at Ringwood East train station.