Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2005-2006 and Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2005-2006. I do so in order to explain some of the concerns I have about the way in which the Commonwealth has failed to adequately fund important infrastructure in the electorate of Gorton. There is no doubt, quite justifiably, there is concern shared amongst community members in my electorate that they are not getting their fair share of resources to provide the important infrastructure required for one of the fastest growing areas of Melbourne.

I was contacted yesterday and asked to comment on a survey or a review of all the electorates in Australia. I was asked to comment on why it was that the electorate of Gorton was allegedly the one with the lowest level of satisfaction. I do not think that is true and I challenge the assertions made by those eminent academics who have tried to find a measure for happiness, because I go around my electorate, whether it be to the New Year’s Eve Lunar Festival at St Albans or the Keilor Gift held this Sunday, a magnificent race in Victoria, or indeed many other festivals and events such as the festival held in Glengala Road at St Andrew’s Church. It is a great Greek-Cypriot festival where thousands flock every year to celebrate and enjoy themselves with their families. I see a lot of happiness in my electorate. I see people who are very community minded and very welcoming to not only people from outside the area but also their neighbours.

I challenge the assertion made by this survey that the residents in the electorate are not happy. But we could be happier. I can assure you that if we were able to fix some of the major transport blockages that are created by the lack of resources from the Commonwealth there would be many commuters much happier than they are currently. I can visit the Western Highway at 8.30 on any weekday morning and find the traffic at a standstill. The Western Highway in my electorate is a car park; it is effectively not moving or is moving very slowly. That is causing great frustration to the community in Caroline Springs, Burnside, Deer Park, Kings Park and Ardeer.

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