❓ Ms Beazley asks about the Cook Labor government's Metronet program, its support for local jobs and businesses, and community support for accessible public transport. The Minister responds by highlighting employment figures, specific projects, and criticizes the previous Liberal-National government's lack of infrastructure development.
AnsweredQoN 783Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRONET — PROJECTS
783. Ms H.M. BEAZLEY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
record investment in public transport infrastructure that will benefit
generations to come.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the government's signature Metronet
program, including its support for local jobs and businesses in WA?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house the overwhelming level of support for accessible
public transport in our WA community?
783. Ms H.M. BEAZLEY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
record investment in public transport infrastructure that will benefit
generations to come.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the government's signature Metronet
program, including its support for local jobs and businesses in WA?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house the overwhelming level of support for accessible
public transport in our WA community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Victoria Park
for that question. I just have to start by commenting on that extraordinary supplementary question from the member for Vasse.
We saw Zak Kirkup give up seven days before the last election —not
17 months, which is what the member for Vasse just did!
(1)–(2) In
relation to Metronet, we saw the extraordinarily good employment figures that
came out today, which shows the state unemployment rate to have fallen to 3.3 per
cent in September. The big contributors to the strong employment activity
across the state are not only strong private sector investment activity, but,
of course, government investment activity. Thousands of people are employed on
our projects across the state. When we look at the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, we
see local businesses and local Aboriginal people being employed. In respect of
Metronet, more than 10 000 people are employed on our Metronet projects. These
include the Forrestfield–Airport Link project and the Thornlie–Cockburn
Link project. The Thornlie–Cockburn Link project is very much well
underway; we have seen a lot of activity in that area recently. Of course,
there is also the Ellenbrook and Yanchep lines.
The member for Vic Park knows that
hundreds of workers are getting ready for work on level crossing removals in
Victoria Park and Cannington, offsite and onsite. Western Power is involved in
the relocation of transmission lines and 532 pre-cast concrete beams have been
completed. There is work around the state supporting employment and supporting
families. Every time I meet people on those sites—I visited one just
recently—they come up and say, ''We just love these projects. We
want more projects.'' That is the view of everyone employed in those
projects.
Yesterday I unfortunately missed
question time, but we saw a couple of things from the opposition. We had the first question on Metronet in 68 question
times, and it had to be on the first day I was not here! That is why I had
to stand up and talk about this, because I missed out yesterday!
In relation to the question of
disruption, I again state that we apologise for the disruption caused by these projects, but disruption is part of getting things
done. What was the former Liberal–National government's approach to disruption as a result of building public transport? It did not
disrupt anything, because it did not do anything! If it does not do anything,
it will not disrupt anyone. It did not disrupt the people of Ellenbrook because
it never built them a rail line. It did not disrupt the people of Mirrabooka
because it never built MAX light rail. It never built anything.
There will be some impacts on the Mandurah
line this weekend as we do further works for the Thornlie–Cockburn Link. We are also continually trying to
provide information for those impacted by the Armadale line
transformation. We will be holding more community days and providing more
information so that people are aware of what is coming.
Again,
the disruption is something that we apologise for, but it is part of getting
projects done. We are proud of transforming the state with our record
infrastructure spend, and we are proud of our record employment.
for that question. I just have to start by commenting on that extraordinary supplementary question from the member for Vasse.
We saw Zak Kirkup give up seven days before the last election —not
17 months, which is what the member for Vasse just did!
(1)–(2) In
relation to Metronet, we saw the extraordinarily good employment figures that
came out today, which shows the state unemployment rate to have fallen to 3.3 per
cent in September. The big contributors to the strong employment activity
across the state are not only strong private sector investment activity, but,
of course, government investment activity. Thousands of people are employed on
our projects across the state. When we look at the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, we
see local businesses and local Aboriginal people being employed. In respect of
Metronet, more than 10 000 people are employed on our Metronet projects. These
include the Forrestfield–Airport Link project and the Thornlie–Cockburn
Link project. The Thornlie–Cockburn Link project is very much well
underway; we have seen a lot of activity in that area recently. Of course,
there is also the Ellenbrook and Yanchep lines.
The member for Vic Park knows that
hundreds of workers are getting ready for work on level crossing removals in
Victoria Park and Cannington, offsite and onsite. Western Power is involved in
the relocation of transmission lines and 532 pre-cast concrete beams have been
completed. There is work around the state supporting employment and supporting
families. Every time I meet people on those sites—I visited one just
recently—they come up and say, ''We just love these projects. We
want more projects.'' That is the view of everyone employed in those
projects.
Yesterday I unfortunately missed
question time, but we saw a couple of things from the opposition. We had the first question on Metronet in 68 question
times, and it had to be on the first day I was not here! That is why I had
to stand up and talk about this, because I missed out yesterday!
In relation to the question of
disruption, I again state that we apologise for the disruption caused by these projects, but disruption is part of getting things
done. What was the former Liberal–National government's approach to disruption as a result of building public transport? It did not
disrupt anything, because it did not do anything! If it does not do anything,
it will not disrupt anyone. It did not disrupt the people of Ellenbrook because
it never built them a rail line. It did not disrupt the people of Mirrabooka
because it never built MAX light rail. It never built anything.
There will be some impacts on the Mandurah
line this weekend as we do further works for the Thornlie–Cockburn Link. We are also continually trying to
provide information for those impacted by the Armadale line
transformation. We will be holding more community days and providing more
information so that people are aware of what is coming.
Again,
the disruption is something that we apologise for, but it is part of getting
projects done. We are proud of transforming the state with our record
infrastructure spend, and we are proud of our record employment.
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