Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (18:12): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and relates to the duplication of Barwon Heads Road. This whole project has been typical Andrews government infrastructure spin. They promised big but have delivered nothing at all. At the election they pledged $318 million to build the road, but two years later the sole allocation has been a paltry $400 000 for planning. Thank goodness the federal government has stepped in to clear up yet another Andrews government mess. The $292 million committed in the budget last week in the federal Parliament drops the state commitment to just $73 million. There is no excuse now to not get on and deliver for the Bellarine.

The state government’s refusal to explain the $46 million blowout is just not good enough either. No-one expects competence in a Daniel Andrews infrastructure project, but the least we deserve is honesty. It is a legitimate question, and refusing to answer just shows the lofty contempt this government is becoming renowned for. Lisa Neville called the project, quote, ‘A critical piece of infrastructure’ back in 2018.

She knows how important it is, and the total lack of progress made until this federal rescue deal should be hugely embarrassing to her, as the local member, and her government. I call on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to reveal immediately the nature and details of the $46 million cost blowout on the duplication of the Barwon Heads Road.