Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to commend the Andrews Labor government on a terrific budget delivered last week in the great state of Victoria. It is a budget that does some really important things—they have gone alone on funding Melbourne metro. Yet, miraculously, today the Turnbull government is claiming that it is going to make an $857 million contribution. Well, blow me down with a feather!

What does Treasurer Tim Pallas have to say about this? Treasurer Pallas says that this money is money the Commonwealth owes the state for the lease of the port of Melbourne. This is not new funding; it is the 15 per cent for the asset sale—talk about tricky accounting! The facts are simple. Victoria is still being dudded by this Commonwealth government. Trickery and accounting will only get you so far. Of all the people in this country, Victorians are fairly astute, particularly when it comes to promises made and reading a Treasurer's report. We know when we are getting duped, and this government is duping Victorians.

But on the other side of the scales, the Andrews Labor government in Victoria know how to look after Victorians. They are funding roads in outer suburbs and public transport. They are getting on with the job in Victoria while these people do nothing. (Time expired)