Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak once again about the need for road upgrades in La Trobe and the role they play in increasing employment. In the La Trobe electorate there is 26 hectares of land known as Minta Farm, which is immediately south of the Beaconsfield interchange. Most of the land is developed as a high-density business, innovation and technology park which will create an amazing 10,000 new jobs for the area.

However, sadly, after the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in March 2016 announced $500 million to go towards the Monash, including the upgrade of the Beaconsfield interchange and the extension of O'Shea Road which would go right through Minta Farm, not one cent has been spent on these vital works for jobs in the area. I find it absolutely outrageous that the state Labor government has $500 million of federal funding, yet they are failing to invest to actually get the extension of the Monash Freeway between Cardinia Road and Clyde Road from the South Gippsland Highway to Warrigal Road. Also, as I've mentioned before, there is an absolutely vital need for the completion of the Beaconsfield interchange and the extension of O'Shea Road.

Shame on Premier Daniel Andrews and shame on Bill Shorten for allowing money to be spent in the western suburbs rather than getting this vital project built.