30th November 2023 12:00
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:00):
My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure in the other place. The recent federal government strategic review of the infrastructure investment program showed the federal government’s commitment to partnering with Victoria to build the Melbourne Airport rail link.
This is good news for the people of the western suburbs. It will certainly result in improved public transport connections in the west as vital transport infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of Sunshine station are linked to the airport link.
So my question to the minister is: will the Allan government commit to funding the development of the Melbourne Airport rail link?
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:00):
Thank you, Mr Ettershank, for that question, and I will seek an answer from the minister in the other place in accordance with the standing orders.
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:01):
I thank Ms Shing for her response on behalf of the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. By way of a supplementary question, the Melbourne Airport rail project is effectively linked to a range of key transport infrastructure in the west, including the Sunshine station precinct and Albion station redevelopments.
By way of supplementary: if the Allan government will not or cannot commit to the airport rail link, will it commit to funding promised critical upgrades to projects such as those at Albion and Sunshine stations?
Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:01):
Thank you, Mr Ettershank, for that supplementary. Again I will seek an answer for you in accordance with the standing orders.
Written Answer
Received: 20 February 2024
Hon Harriet Shing MP
(Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality)
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question and interest in the Allan Labor Government’s transport infrastructure agenda.
We are working with the Commonwealth Government to understand the future timeline of the Melbourne Airport Rail project and on a path forward for negotiations with Melbourne Airport owners APAM.
[ENDS]
