Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:58): I had a coughing fit and I was not able to finish something last night. I would just like to pick up on the issue of the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old Chris Rua Antony, who was hit by the car that veered off Pound Road and died in hospital with his family by his side a week later. The tragic accident could have been prevented if appropriate safety barriers had been installed along this vulnerable section of Pound Road. The community continues to be scared that it may be only a matter of time before another person is killed. At least five serious accidents have taken place on the same dangerous corner in the past year, the footpath being dangerously close to fast-moving traffic. Residents are calling for protective safety barriers to be installed, the footpath to be moved further away from traffic, the speed limit to be reduced to 60 kilometres an hour and an immediate road safety review to be conducted. And on that matter, the impact of the level crossing removal projects has caused high congestion zones and intersections which are now dangerous. So there does need to be a road safety review, and I am sure if we were under a Liberal government that would be happening. Over $34,000 has now been raised on a GoFundMe project for the Pedestrian Safety & Education Fund appeal, which has been initiated by Chris’s family, for which I congratulate them.