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

I thank the member for Corangamite, who is a fierce advocate for Geelong and the Corangamite area. She is a fierce advocate for stage 2 of the East West Link, along with the Great Ocean Road upgrade, which the member the Grayndler refused to fund when he was a minister. This government is committing $25 million to that great tourism icon in Australia. The Princes Highway West: the $185.5 million upgrade, with a sod just turned a few weeks ago by the member for Corangamite. The Western Highway Ballarat to Stawell duplication: the member for Wannon and the member for Mallee are also interested in that. The $73 million investment in the Tullamarine Freeway widening, which we are working with the Victorian government to deliver.

Members would be aware that last Friday the Prime Minister released the first ever audit of Australia's infrastructure, which is being compiled by Infrastructure Australia. It is a terrific document which highlights that Australia has some very good problems, in particular in Victoria, in that we have significant growth in the city of Melbourne. In fact, some in Melbourne argue that in the next 20 years Melbourne will overtake Sydney as Australia's biggest city. To do that, it will need infrastructure. It will need significant investments in infrastructure. The audit makes a very good point: Melbourne will need an east-west connection.

Ms Ryan interjecting—

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