Chris Crewther (Dunkley, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Over the parliamentary winter recess, I received the best news I've heard since the budget in May. The $225 million I secured via the federal government through my advocacy to fund the electrification and duplication of Metro rail from Frankston to Baxter will be matched by an elected Matthew Guy Victorian Liberal government. A total of $453 million has now been dedicated to the biggest infrastructure project in Dunkley's history. It will help free up parking at Frankston, Kananook, Seaford and Carrum, create 4,000 local jobs, reduce congestion and more. So far it means a new station at Langwarrin and service for the hospital and the university at Frankston East, as well as an upgraded station at Baxter.

Congratulations to Michael Lamb, the Liberal candidate for Frankston; Donna Bauer, the Liberal candidate for Carrum; and Neale Burgess, the member for Hastings, for their wonderful efforts at the state level to secure this state match in funding from an elected Liberal government in Victoria. Recently we also had the privilege of being told that the shadow infrastructure minister has copied our leadership and won't withdraw the $225 million of Turnbull coalition funding if elected—and I say 'privilege' with genuine enthusiasm, given their state counterpart's history with the East West Link contracts.

So, it is now time for the Andrews Labor government to step up to the plate with matching funding, because the only risk to this project is a Victorian Labor government being elected. They have dragged their feet on this issue. They need to step up, and they also need to step up to save the 200 jobs and seven businesses in Seaford. (Time expired)

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