❓ Question regarding the progress of the Byford rail extension project, its job creation benefits for Perth's south-east, and a comparison of the current government's public transport delivery record versus the previous Liberal-National government. The Minister's answer focuses on defending the government's record and criticising the opposition's stance on infrastructure projects.
AnsweredQoN 762Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BYFORD RAIL EXTENSION
762. Dr A.D. BUTI to the Minister for Transport:
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Where is the
red and white?
My question is to the Minister for
Transport. I refer to the McGowan Labor government's unprecedented
efforts to support local jobs and local businesses through its delivery of
Metronet and its record investment in transport infrastructure.
Can the minister update the house
on the work underway to deliver the Byford rail extension and outline what this
job-creating project will mean for those in Perth's south east, and can
the minister advise the house how this government's record in
delivering public transport compares with the previous Liberal–National
government?
Several members interjected.
762. Dr A.D. BUTI to the Minister for Transport:
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Where is the
red and white?
My question is to the Minister for
Transport. I refer to the McGowan Labor government's unprecedented
efforts to support local jobs and local businesses through its delivery of
Metronet and its record investment in transport infrastructure.
Can the minister update the house
on the work underway to deliver the Byford rail extension and outline what this
job-creating project will mean for those in Perth's south east, and can
the minister advise the house how this government's record in
delivering public transport compares with the previous Liberal–National
government?
Several members interjected.
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you; I am very interested. I thank
the member for Armadale for that wonderful question. Again, let us acknowledge
the mighty efforts of the South Fremantle Bulldogs, who, of course, won the
grand final, and I acknowledge the members for Roe and Fremantle and all the
other South Fremantle supporters. Sorry, the member for Bateman, too.
The SPEAKER : Member, that is
a preamble. If you are going to do that, please mention that Collingwood beat
the Eagles by one point!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I cannot do
that, Mr Speaker; as much as I would like to, I cannot.
This is an unprecedented time and
we are out there creating jobs for thousands of Western Australians. That
cannot be demonstrated better than through our infrastructure program. All
members would be aware that infrastructure projects are happening throughout Western
Australia. As part of our economic recovery and creating jobs, we are
delivering much-needed, long-awaited infrastructure. An example of that is the
Byford rail extension, member for Armadale.
Remember, that is something the previous government said was not needed until
2050. We are delivering on this core commitment to the people of Byford.
We
see a divided, sloppy opposition; do we not, members? We have one member
saying, ''Don't do this project. Slow it down. Don't
undertake that project.'' The member for Darling Range is out
campaigning against the Byford rail extension, and then the shadow Treasurer—''semi'',
''quasi'' or whatever we call the shadow Treasurer—comes
in and asks, ''What are you doing for jobs?'' We are trying to
deliver infrastructure, but the opposition is campaigning against
infrastructure throughout Western Australia. It is against the Byford rail
extension, the Morley–Ellenbrook line and the Bayswater station. Again
and again, the opposition opposes every project and then comes into this
chamber demanding projects for jobs. It is divided and sloppy. We are talking
to the community. When we build infrastructure, of course there are challenges.
Mr D.C. Nalder : I haven't
heard the member for Darling Range say that.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! I call
you to order for the first time, member for Bateman. You cannot do political
statements in the chamber, you know that.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Mr Speaker,
maybe it is because they do not invite him to Liberal Party meetings nowadays! It is obvious that the Liberal Party is opposing
the Byford rail extension. When a party is out running a petition against a project, it normally means that it opposes that project, member. That is what
has happened in Darling Range. The member for Darling Range is opposing a project.
We, on this side, are working hard
delivering jobs and creating industry certainty. The feedback from industry is
incredible—it has never ever seen a pipeline of work like this in Western
Australia. Today, this budget again demonstrates the record level of
infrastructure spending in WA and transport spending, which is the highest it
has ever been. We will keep going, creating jobs and giving certainty to small
businesses and industry throughout Western Australia. The impacts will be
enormous, the jobs are there and, of course, we are also undertaking new
training courses. We are out there creating jobs. Members opposite can go out
and oppose Metronet all they like, but we are defending jobs, WA businesses and
the future for Western Australia.
the member for Armadale for that wonderful question. Again, let us acknowledge
the mighty efforts of the South Fremantle Bulldogs, who, of course, won the
grand final, and I acknowledge the members for Roe and Fremantle and all the
other South Fremantle supporters. Sorry, the member for Bateman, too.
The SPEAKER : Member, that is
a preamble. If you are going to do that, please mention that Collingwood beat
the Eagles by one point!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I cannot do
that, Mr Speaker; as much as I would like to, I cannot.
This is an unprecedented time and
we are out there creating jobs for thousands of Western Australians. That
cannot be demonstrated better than through our infrastructure program. All
members would be aware that infrastructure projects are happening throughout Western
Australia. As part of our economic recovery and creating jobs, we are
delivering much-needed, long-awaited infrastructure. An example of that is the
Byford rail extension, member for Armadale.
Remember, that is something the previous government said was not needed until
2050. We are delivering on this core commitment to the people of Byford.
We
see a divided, sloppy opposition; do we not, members? We have one member
saying, ''Don't do this project. Slow it down. Don't
undertake that project.'' The member for Darling Range is out
campaigning against the Byford rail extension, and then the shadow Treasurer—''semi'',
''quasi'' or whatever we call the shadow Treasurer—comes
in and asks, ''What are you doing for jobs?'' We are trying to
deliver infrastructure, but the opposition is campaigning against
infrastructure throughout Western Australia. It is against the Byford rail
extension, the Morley–Ellenbrook line and the Bayswater station. Again
and again, the opposition opposes every project and then comes into this
chamber demanding projects for jobs. It is divided and sloppy. We are talking
to the community. When we build infrastructure, of course there are challenges.
Mr D.C. Nalder : I haven't
heard the member for Darling Range say that.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! I call
you to order for the first time, member for Bateman. You cannot do political
statements in the chamber, you know that.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Mr Speaker,
maybe it is because they do not invite him to Liberal Party meetings nowadays! It is obvious that the Liberal Party is opposing
the Byford rail extension. When a party is out running a petition against a project, it normally means that it opposes that project, member. That is what
has happened in Darling Range. The member for Darling Range is opposing a project.
We, on this side, are working hard
delivering jobs and creating industry certainty. The feedback from industry is
incredible—it has never ever seen a pipeline of work like this in Western
Australia. Today, this budget again demonstrates the record level of
infrastructure spending in WA and transport spending, which is the highest it
has ever been. We will keep going, creating jobs and giving certainty to small
businesses and industry throughout Western Australia. The impacts will be
enormous, the jobs are there and, of course, we are also undertaking new
training courses. We are out there creating jobs. Members opposite can go out
and oppose Metronet all they like, but we are defending jobs, WA businesses and
the future for Western Australia.
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