Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

The picture of relevancy! The benefits, of course, include a 15 to 20 minute time saving from Geelong to Melbourne, a reduction in congestion on the West Gate Bridge, something that I would have thought members in western seats in Melbourne would support—reducing congestion on that bridge, which at the moment carries an unsustainable 200,000 vehicles a day—and providing an alternative route to the West Gate Bridge. It will remove 20,000 trucks each day from local roads.

The eastern section will allow 100,000 vehicles each day to bypass 23 sets of traffic lights. It is a hugely important project for the development of Melbourne and Victoria. Unfortunately, the ALP in Victoria is opposed—although former Premier John Brumby supports it. In fact, even the Leader of the Opposition, in 2008, said:

… there is a shortage of east-west links … I think the Eddington report is a good one.

The Eddington report, of course, recommended the East West Link. Now, of course, he has been told by the bosses of Victoria to be opposed to it. The questioner also asked about what is stopping additional—

Opposition members interjecting—

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