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

I rise to congratulate Puffing Billy steam train for the fantastic work done by the volunteers—in actual fact, there are over 400 volunteers there— the CEO, John Robinson, and all their board. It is a steam train which was created back in the 1900s, initially for logging. It runs for 29 kilometres. For those rail enthusiasts, it is a narrow gauge, which means it is five foot three inches wide.

Now, it is very much focused on tourism. With the beautiful Belgrave trestle bridge, it is a fantastic trip where we have so many international and interstate tourists, and locals, who sit out the back of the open carriage with their feet out. However, in inclement weather, people are desperate to do something when they get to Lakeside. That is why, in the last federal election, I and the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, committed $5.5 million to an Emerald discovery centre. It is something I am very proud of.

In the last state Labor budget, we were expecting some good news. Sadly, though, the money did not arrive. I call on the state Labor government to get out there and actually support Puffing Billy. It is internationally recognised. As I said, 500,000 tourists each year go there. Let's get behind this. Let's create jobs. Let's do something which Victorians will be proud of right across Australia and the world. (Time expired)