Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to move a motion concerning the East West Link, one of the most important infrastructure projects in Victoria's history. I move:

That this House:

(1)   recognises that:

(a) the Australian Government will contribute $1.5 billion towards the completion of the western section (Stage Two) of Melbourne's East West Link;

(b) the commitment to Stage Two of the East West Link is in addition to the Commonwealth's $1.5 billion contribution towards the $6 to $8 billion Stage One section of the East West Link; and

(c) together, Stage One and Stage Two will create some 6,700 construction jobs which are so important for Melbourne, Geelong and south-west Victoria; and

(2) notes that the:

(a) East West Link is critical to:

(i) easing congestion on the West Gate Bridge and improving Geelong's transport links to Melbourne;

(ii) easing congestion on the Eastern Freeway and alleviating major traffic bottlenecks at Hoddle Street and Alexandra Parade; and

(iii) improving freight efficiency and connections for major industries in Melbourne's outer east, north and south east to the Port of Melbourne and international airports;

(b) East West Link will never happen under a Labor Government—state Labor opposes the project despite estimates that the cost of Melbourne's road congestion will grow to $5 billion per annum by 2021 and $7.2 billion by 2031, more than double current levels; and

(c) Victorian Leader of the Opposition has described the East West Link as a 'grand hoax' and has threatened to rip up any contracts that are signed in respect of the project and in doing so, has shown contempt for the people of Victoria.

The East West Link is vital to Victoria, vital to Geelong and vital to Corangamite, the electorate I proudly represent. Often, governments are accused of not having vision, of not thinking long term. Here is yet one more project which reflects the Victorian government's long-term vision for our great state: its long-term commitment to investment in transport infrastructure. As I have mentioned, the federal government is proudly backing this project, to the tune of $3 billion, building the roads of the 21st century—money which will be lost, of course, if state Labor is elected on Saturday.

I note we have a very proud Geelong delegation in the House gallery today, all of whom are backing the East West Link because they know how important this is for our region. They know how important it is for jobs, for our future, for our economic prosperity, at a time when every job in our city is important. Darryn Lyons, the mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, is here. Deputy Mayor Bruce Harwood; the CEO, Gill Miles; Kylie Warne and Bernadette Uzelac from the Geelong Chamber of Commerce; Elaine Carbines, representing G21; and, just so as to not miss anyone out, the former member for South Barwon Alistair Paterson are all here. All are backing the East West Link because they know how important it is.

Look, in contrast, at Daniel Andrews. He is no John Brumby; he is no Steve Bracks. That is quite clear. His commitment to tear up the contracts for the East West Link and shut this project down is one of the most politically reckless, economically destructive actions of any political leader we have seen. Ripping up contracts will expose the state to millions of dollars of liability and signal to the rest of the country and the world that we cannot be trusted when they are doing business with us.

Today I want to focus on the benefits of the western section to Geelong and my electorate of Corangamite. Under a Napthine government, construction will start at the end of 2015. At the moment, some 14,000 Geelong motorists commute to Melbourne every day for work. From Werribee onwards, it is a quagmire. The western section will save commuters three hours a week in travel time, it will deliver a second river crossing and it will unblock the terrible quagmire—the carpark—we see leading up to West Gate Bridge. The West Gate Bridge is currently terribly congested, carrying some 200,000 vehicles a day, and the new western section will provide capacity for around 100,000 vehicles per day.

As we in Geelong know, it is all about jobs. Here is one of the most important projects for jobs we have seen in many years—6,700 jobs. The western section alone will create 3,000 jobs. We in Geelong need these jobs. These are jobs that Labor is trying to shut down. Frankly, it is an absolute disgrace. Two weeks ago I was very proud to stand side by side with the member for South Barwon, Andrew Katos, and with local candidates in the Geelong region—Paula Contelj in Geelong, Ron Nelson in Bellarine, Tony McManus in Lara—fighting for the East West Link. They know how important this is for our future, as is the Great Ocean Road upgrade. Unfortunately, the member for Grayndler, who is speaking next, fought against that one as well. But Andrew Katos and those local candidates understand how important this project is for business. I note that the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure is also in the House—a great champion for building the roads of the 21st century.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

That is not true! The member for Grayndler has just made another false statement to the House—saying that we do not build anything. Construction on the Great Ocean Road has already commenced. It is so exciting to see our investment in the roads of the 21st century. I tell you what: the East West Link is going to revolutionise our city—and that is what we need!

Let me just give an example. Journey Management, a wonderful transport and logistics company in Geelong, employs some 200 people. They estimate that the East West Link—I met the CEO, Shane Blakeborough, just a few days ago—will save the company a million dollars a year in fuel, in maintenance and in productivity gains. Currently, it is cheaper for his trucks to drive from Geelong to Albury than it is for them to drive from Geelong to Dandenong. The East West Link will also mean that, rather than do one trip a day, he will be able to do two trips a day from Geelong to Dandenong. That is a massive boost to the productivity of a very important business in Geelong.

What is extraordinary about Labor's position is that just six years ago the Leader of the Opposition, along with the member for Gorton and the former members for Gellibrand and Lalor—former Prime Minister Gillard—threw his support behind an east-west link. They actually said in a submission to the East West Link needs assessment study:

We support a cross-city road link from the western suburbs to the Eastern Freeway. The consequences of doing nothing are negative and far-reaching. They will threaten Melbourne's future economic success and liveability. Substantial new investment is needed in the transport network to avoid these consequences and to support the changes taking place across Melbourne, including opening up new jobs and business opportunities across the city. Doing nothing therefore is not an option.

That is why I have launched a petition. I urge anyone who has not signed it to go onto my website, sarahhenderson.com.au, and sign the petition, calling on all MPs in this place including Labor MPs, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, particularly the member for Corio and the member for Ballarat—and I note that unfortunately the member for Corio is not even speaking on this debate, which is very telling, I have to say. I can say that already hundreds have signed this petition, urging members on both sides of the House to back the East West Link.

I have also called on local unions and local union leaders to back the East West Link. Previously, they were supportive of the western section because they know how important this is for jobs and for economic growth, and now there is deafening silence. They are putting their partisan political games ahead of jobs. I say to Geelong Trades Hall and to other local union leaders: put jobs ahead of politics and back the East West Link.

It is vital to have coalition governments in Spring Street as well as Canberra if Victorian families are to have the job creation they need and deserve. The simple fact is: Victoria cannot afford to lose all the hard-gained earnings of the last four years by going back to Labor. Labor cannot be trusted to keep Victoria's finances in order. Labor cannot be trusted to manage money. They cannot be trusted to deliver on their promises. The promise of Daniel Andrews and his insidious links with the CFMEU, which seems to be running the Labor opposition more than anyone else, is the most reckless and economically destructive commitment that has ever been seen in the state of Victoria. Look what they are also doing with Bay West, another destructive project for our environment. So I urge all MPs to get on board and back the East West Link. For Victoria, vote Denis Napthine's government in on Saturday.

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