Page 19 - ETU Journal Autumn 2017

My father first joined the ETU in Bendigo in 1964 and served in a variety of roles, including as a shop steward and Sub Branch Secretary up until his retirement in 2008. He has been an ETU delegate to the Bendigo Trades Hall council from 1976 until today.
Q Your government has initiated several massive infrastructure projects since coming to power, including level crossing removals, the Metro Rail Tunnel, the Western Distributor and more. Why has this been a priority for you and how are they contributing towards growth and job creation in the state?
Prior to the 2010 election, the then Liberal Opposition promised a
series of new train lines, including
to Rowville, Doncaster and Avalon airport. Once elected they delivered none. They didn’t start a single major rail project. They left the plans for
the Metro Tunnel sitting on the shelf for four years. Their legacy left an already congested public transport and road network bursting at the seams. Victorians voted in the Andrews Government to get on with it and that is what we are doing. Victoria has the highest population growth in the country, and these projects are essential to keep Victoria moving and continue our strong economic and jobs growth. The local content provisions in all our contracts are ensuring that jobs are created for locals right across our infrastructure projects. The benefits of this are being
The government has also announced we will build the North East Link connecting the Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway. Planning work is underway.
JACINTA ALLEN
realised, with thousands of Victorians being employed on the 10 level crossings that have already been removed.
infrastructure projects on merit.
The Western Distributor project, which includes the Monash Freeway Upgrade and upgrades to Webb Dock, has been assessed to have a far greater cost-benefit ratio than the East-West Link.
Work on the Monash Freeway upgrade has begun, with work on the Western Distributor expected to start next year subject to final planning and environment approvals. The project is estimated to create 5,600 jobs.
The government has also announced we will build the North East Link connecting the Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway. Planning work is underway.
RAIL > MOVING FORWARD
Q
Do you think we will ever see an airport rail link built in Melbourne?
Yes. The independent Infrastructure Victoria has recommended that a rail link to the airport be constructed within 15 to 30 years. A rail link to the airport is dependent upon the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project being delivered first. Without the tunnels the rail link would simply be transporting people from the airport into a gridlocked city loop.
Q A fast rail link between Melbourne and Sydney is the dream that never dies for infrastructure fans. Do you think it is viable and do you expect to see it built one day?
I think it can be viable and would love to see it built. The project needs leadership from the Commonwealth Government, and Anthony Albanese, Labor’s Shadow Infrastructure Minister, has been a passionate advocate for the project for many years. The Victorian Government will continue to work proactively with all sides of politics
to design and develop a project that stacks up and can be delivered.
Q Your government is also investing heavily in road transport infrastructure. What made you decide that the Western Distributor is a better option for Melbourne than the East-West Link? When do you expect construction to begin and jobs to become available on the project?
In contrast to the former government, the Andrews Government assesses
Q
How have the government’s plans been affected by the federal government’s failure to provide Victoria with its fair share of federal infrastructure funding? Is there more you would like to do in rail if the funding was available?
Victoria is currently being forced to go it alone on infrastructure. Despite having 25% of the nation’s population and the fastest growing population rate in the country, the Turnbull Government has allocated Victoria less than 8% of its infrastructure budget over the next five years.
In contrast New South Wales gets more than 30%. Tony Abbott was upfront – he declared he wouldn’t fund public transport. Malcolm Turnbull frequently professes his love of Melbourne’s public transport and claims he will fund it, but he hasn’t provided any new funding in Victoria. The Andrews Government has refused to let the Commonwealth Government’s lack of funding hold back our state. For example, we have already announced we will fully fund the $11 billion Metro Tunnel project. However, there are many much-needed projects right across Melbourne and Victoria that could be bought forward if Victoria received our fair share of funding. n
Victoria has the highest population growth in the country, and these projects are essential to keep Victoria moving and continue our strong economic and jobs growth.
www.etuvic.com.au THE ETU > AUTUMN 2017
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