Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Only a federal Labor government will make sure that the extension of the line to Baxter, benefitting residents in Frankston and the peninsula, becomes a reality.' This statement can still be found on the Prime Minister's website, dated 31 July 2018. It proudly states, 'Labor will deliver Frankston-to-Baxter rail upgrade.' At this point I would say, 'Well, show me the money, Albo,' but of course the money is already there.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member, I will remind you to use correct titles when referring to someone in this chamber.

Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The money is already there, and it has been there since 2019, when my predecessor, Greg Hunt, got it in the federal budget. It was $228 million to duplicate and electrify the line to Baxter, alleviating pressure at Frankston railway station, creating car parking at Langwarrin and connecting the peninsula to wider bus services. All it needs now is for the state government, the Andrews Labor government, to do its job and to fund its part. At the last state election, our fearless Liberal candidate in Hastings, Briony Hutton, secured a commitment of $746 million from a future coalition government, but the ALP, for their part, promised nothing. Instead of calling up their mates in Spring Street, what have the government done? They have put it on the chopping board, together with two other essential road and safety improvements in my electorate, as part of their 90-day review. Last month I joined Chris Crewther and Renee Heath to protest this outrageous denial.