Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (14:12): My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and it concerns the Western Highway, now widely regarded by my constituents as Victoria’s premier off-road driving experience. I have had multiple residents contact me about its deteriorating state. Some sections are so uneven they should come with a warning label and quick access to a chiropractor. Frankly, Minister, the suspension industry is probably the only sector benefiting from the government’s road maintenance program in Victoria. Can the minister explain why this major highway has been allowed to resemble a lunar surface and when regional motorists can expect a road that does not feel more like a mechanical endurance test?