Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston, representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister outline to the Senate how the government's investment in vital infrastructure projects, like the East West Link in my home state of Victoria, will create jobs and boost the economy?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McKenzie for her question and her longstanding interest in Victoria's infrastructure. The Abbott government has made a record $7.6 billion investment to build the infrastructure of the 21st century for Victoria. This is an additional $1.6 billion between 2013-14 and 2018-19 compared to Labor's last budget update in government, in the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The largest and most important project is the East West Link, as the senator has adverted to, which the government has committed $3 billion towards. East West Link stage 1, which will connect the Eastern Freeway with CityLink, will create 3,700 jobs. East West Link stage 2, a 12-kilometre link that will connect Appleton Dock Road at the Port of Melbourne to the Western Ring Road at Sunshine West, is expected to create 3,000 construction jobs. Together, this vital infrastructure project will create almost 7,000 jobs in Victoria.

Cesar Melhem, former secretary of the AWU Victorian branch and current Legislative Council member in Melbourne, is quoted as saying:

It is just crazy not to go ahead with the [east-west] project.

He went on to say:

The AWU will campaign heavily to make sure a future Labor government goes ahead with it.

This coalition government and the Napthine government of Victoria are the only people to agree with Mr Melhem and to guarantee the construction of the East West Link, which is a vital and important piece of infrastructure for Victoria.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Thank you very much, Minister. Will the minister outline to the Senate the specific benefits the East West Link will provide to commuters in Melbourne?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you again, Senator, for the question. Currently it will take a maximum of 63 minutes between the Eastern Freeway and CityLink. East West Link stage 1 will cut this to just seven minutes, bypassing 23 sets of traffic lights. Single stage 1 will alleviate critical congestion at the end of the Eastern Freeway and address chronic congestion around Flemington Road, the CityLink off-ramp, Mt Alexander road, Racecourse Road and Elliott Avenue.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my left! Senator Conroy! Senator Lines!

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They are not interested in this, of course, over there. Stage 2 will provide a 15- to 20-minute time-saving for people travelling from Geelong, Werribee, Altona and Laverton into the city; provide a 10- to 15-minute time-saving for people travelling from Ballarat, Melton and Caroline Springs into the city; and cut 15 to 20 minutes off a typical trip from the freight and logistics precinct in Truganina in Melbourne's west to the Port of Melbourne.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate of any risks to the East West Link and the jobs that this project will create?

David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If Daniel Andrews is elected Premier, he will tear up the already signed contracts for the East West Link and therefore lose 7,000 jobs. On top of that, it could cost the Victorian taxpayer about $1.1 billion of compensation, and the Victorian government would need to repay the Commonwealth $1.5 billion of funding already received, as reported in the Herald Sun today. Of course, shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen says that Labor does not support tearing up contracts. He says:

Bill Shorten and I are of one mind, Labor honours contracts. Labor in Government honours contracts entered into by previous governments. Even if we don't like them for issues of sovereign risk Labor honours contracts in office signed by previous governments.

When will Daniel Andrews wake up? (Time expired)