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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 782 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 13 October 2020 by Ms A. Sanderson

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

METRONET PROJECTS — JOBS

782. Ms A. SANDERSON to the Minister for Transport:

I refer to the McGowan Labor government's investment in keeping WA safe and strong, which includes a record pipeline of transport infrastructure projects.

(1) Can the minister update the house on what this government's investment in Metronet means for WA jobs and WA businesses?

(2) Can the minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who does not support this government's commitment to delivering what is the largest investment in public transport in the state's history?

Ms R. SAFFIOTI replied:

(1)–(2) I thank the member for Morley for that question and for the member for Morley's support for our record infrastructure program. The McGowan government is investing $11.8 billion in transport infrastructure projects across WA, which includes $5.7 billion on Metronet projects over the forward estimates. This builds on our commitments in the past and this year to have hundreds of millions of dollars to complete the Forrestfield–Airport Link project; 246 new locally made railcars being funded through the budget; the Thornlie–Cockburn Link, with $195 million for that project this year; the Yanchep rail extension; $144.6 million for the removal of level crossings, including the Denny Avenue level crossing project that is underway; hundreds of millions of dollars for the Morley–Ellenbrook rail line, the Byford rail extension and the Midland rail extension; the new Bayswater station project; the multistorey car park at Mandurah station; and funds for the new Lakelands train station. Members, this is a record infrastructure spend. We are upgrading stations at Cannington, Gosnells and Kelmscott, we are upgrading level crossings on the southwest main line and we are also installing solar panels on a number of our train and bus stations. This is a record amount, members. It is employing thousands of Western Australians who currently have jobs because of our record infrastructure program.

We know that the opposition does not support these projects; it does not support Metronet. I am sorry that the member for Vasse is not in the chamber now. Members might use the words ''tag team'' about the members for Bateman and Vasse working as a team as they swapped out. It is an interesting team, in a sense that they are a tag team, members! I am glad the phantom of the Parliament, the member for Bateman, has rocked up in this chamber today. I am glad they let him in and I am glad that the member for Vasse invited him in to let him sit in her seat. Of course, the member for Vasse, who is not used to telling the truth on these sorts of matters, was up to it again. Do members remember a few months ago when the opposition put out on Twitter a photo of a really cramped train, saying, ''Look how busy these carriages are during COVID. This is unsafe''? Then of course we found that that picture was taken in 2012. The member for Vasse is at it again!

Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup interjected.

The SPEAKER: I have given permission. I had a look at it; it is okay.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: I have sought permission. Nice checking, member for Dawesville, but I sought permission.

On 8 October, the member for Vasse tweeted that we had not laid any track of new rail. She did it again, members. I thought, ''Hang on; that's not right!'' Then it was lucky, because the next day, within 15 hours, she clarified that by tweeting a photo of me next to all the rail that we have laid. She tweeted a comment saying that the government has not laid any new rail, and the next day she tweeted a photo of me standing next to the new rail we have laid.

Mr B.S. Wyatt: That's a nice photo, isn't it?

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: This is a lovely photo and the best photo. Thank you for noticing, Treasurer.

Again, this is an opposition that hates Metronet. The opposition is saying that we are spending too much on Metronet. I am glad the shadow Treasurer is back. I am glad the opposition unlocked that cupboard, opened the door and let him out. I am glad he is back here. What projects is he not going to deliver?

Mr D.C. Nalder: I signed the contract of that road that you are talking about laying rail for.

The SPEAKER: Member for Bateman, you did not hear how she explained it. She did not say who did it.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: You are taking responsibility for the contract the member for Vasse just attacked me on?

The SPEAKER: Minister, you will get to the end.

Ms R. SAFFIOTI: It is a divided, useless opposition that cannot hold it together during question time. Imagine what risk it would be to Western Australia if it were to win government, members.

Mr M.P. Murray interjected.

The SPEAKER: Who are you? Minister for Sport and Recreation, you have not got your scarf on. I call you to order for the first time.