MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CATHERINE KING: Well, thanks very much, Jo. What a great day it is. I think the last time Jo and I were here was right down the other end of Ison Road, where, with this bizarre circumstance, we had basically a road that just ended with a fence, and all of this huge housing development happening here in the City of Wyndham, but this road, in essence, to nowhere. And this is a great day for the local community, and it's a great day. I want to particularly acknowledge Jo Ryan for her advocacy, but to be here with the Premier but also the Mayor here as well. This is an excellent example of three levels of government working together to build a road that actually supports the growing infrastructure needed for this community as we see so many new housing, new people moving into the area. And so, to see this project, it'll be open, as I understand it, tomorrow morning. Cars driving on here. There's more to come at both ends. There's further funding we've announced for the project down the end here, which you can already see started as well as a further ring road down the bottom as well. So more to come, but this is a really great day for this community. $194 million, working in partnership with the Carroll Labor Government and working with the City of Wyndham to build infrastructure that supports the communities here.

We know that roads are incredibly important to people. We know that roads provide the opportunity for people to get to work, to get to school, but more importantly, they connect people and they connect people to their families, to work, and to the social life around them. They also mean that our communities, as they grow, keeping up with that infrastructure is really important. Whilst you can see the housing development on this side, there are lots of empty paddocks still, which I suspect when we come back here maybe in five years' time, there might be some different changes out that way as well.

But this is a great day for the local community. As a government, we've been very proud to work with the Carroll Labor Government to actually deliver this project. I want to give a shout out to all of the workers who've been on this project. They do a great job building the infrastructure that is needed by this state. But really importantly, to the local community here, I know this will make a big difference. Werribee's changed incredibly since I was young. My sister used to live here a long time ago, and it had- you can see it around you. Lots of farming, lots of country roads which are no longer fit-for-purpose. And the fact that we're closing now the level crossing, as you go over, if anyone's had a chance to see that, closing that now, for the local community here, it makes for better connections and a much, much safer commute as well. So, to the local community, thank you for your patience. I know it always feels like these things take a long time, but this project is actually being delivered three months early, and I'm delighted to have that and hand over to the Victorian Premier.

VICTORIAN PREMIER BEN CARROLL: Thank you, Catherine. Investing in Melbourne's western suburbs’ roads is vital. It's vital for hardworking locals in Melbourne's west to spend more time with their families, but also to get home safer and ensure, whether they're going to work, whether they're dropping the kids off at school, one of our brand-new schools, that they can do it in the smoothest way possible. What Ison Road does is deliver a great new interconnect for Werribee and Wyndham locals to the Princes Freeway. It also means all these suburbs that have had the through traffic will no longer have the cars going down their local roads. This is an important investment, but it's more than just a road. It's a bridge. It's cycling. It's active transport. Investing in roads transforms communities, and that is why we are so committed to it.

I also want to acknowledge the three levels of government that have been a critical part of the Ison Road Project. Thank you to Catherine King and the leadership she and Jo have shown at the federal level, and to the state local MPs. John Lister, who can't be with us today because he's got a young child on the way, and this will be a great thing for John and his local community. Getting to sport, getting to school, all those things that we know. Matt Hilakari, a great advocate for local roads here in Melbourne's western suburbs too.

I made it very clear as Premier that roads, roads, and roads are such an important component of what I will do as Premier. As I said yesterday, you don't need to be a Rhodes scholar to know we need to invest in more roads, fixing potholes, smoother ways home, and getting people home quicker and faster to be with their families. That's why I'm also pleased to make a couple of announcements about what a re-elected Carroll Labor Government will do in Melbourne's western suburbs to get families together. I am very pleased to announce that we will upgrade Point Cook Road in Seabrook, a $195 million commitment, extending two kilometres from Central Avenue to Dunnings Road. And I acknowledge the Member for Point Cook, Matt Hilakari, all the advocates here from the local community that have been pushing for this intersection and this road to be upgraded. I'm also very pleased to announce that Taylors Road in Kings Park will, under a Carroll Labor Government, get a $170 million investment. This will be a massive change for locals in Melbourne's northwest, and to have Uros Rasic here, an advocate and a candidate for Sydenham who knows this community so well. Thank you, Uros, for your work and your support. Ballan Road and Bolton Road, that intersection which has been full of congestion, will double its capacity, and John Lister has been a strong advocate for that. That will ensure an $83 million investment in Wyndham Vale.

Investing in locals' roads is so important. It's one of the most fundamental, basic pieces of infrastructure a government can do to support families getting home sooner, getting home safer. And on that subject, we are now going to hear from a local who will tell you right now why Ison Road and Melbourne's west matters when it comes to roads.

GREG GEORGE: My name's Greg George. I'm a local here. Have been a local for many years. This fantastic road here is going to take a lot of pressure off the inner suburban of Werribee around Watton Street, Synnot Street, all that area, Shaws Road, because a lot more traffic will come down here from all the estates out to the back of Werribee, Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes, and so forth. And it's a great, great effort by the three Victorian Labor Party-sorry, Victorian Government, the federal government, and the Wyndham City Council.

JOURNALIST: What's traffic been like around here?

GREG GEORGE: It's been pretty chaos a lot of times. A hell of a lot, yeah.

JOURNALIST: And what do you think this will do?

GREG GEORGE: I think it's going to take a lot of pressure off a lot of inner roads.

JOURNALIST: So, Greg, what was it like in peak hour for you?

GREG GEORGE: Peak hour, pretty bad sometimes.

JOURNALIST: How long would it take you- I don't know if you go to the city or Avalon or...

GREG GEORGE: I go to, yeah, the city sometimes, and it could take, say, an hour and a half.

JOURNALIST: And were you spending a lot of that time here, just trying to get out of these estates?

GREG GEORGE: Yes, sometimes yes. Or if you want to go from one side to, say, from Hoppers Crossing to up to Wyndham Vale, it could sometimes take three quarters an hour, an hour. And now with this great road here, it’ll take a lot less.

JOURNALIST: Getting off the Princes Freeway at Werribee, that exit, there's normally like a queue banked up for kilometres going past. Do you think that's been quite a massive issue?

GREG GEORGE: Yes, it has been, but I'm sure it's going to improve a lot more.

JOURNALIST: The area’s known for a few bottlenecks. You’ve got some powerful ears here. What do they need to do next?

GREG GEORGE: Just listen to local people from all areas of Werribee.

JOURNALIST: Is there another road you’d have on the top of the list for them?

GREG GEORGE: What can I say…

JOURNALIST: I know you’re not a town planner but…

GREG GEORGE: No, I’m not a town planner.

JOURNALIST: … is there another bottleneck that you think locally, they just need to fix that one too, that’d be helpful?

GREG GEORGE: I think they’re on their way to doing something about it.

JOURNALIST: Which one are you thinking?

GREG GEORGE: There’s quite a few.

JOURNALIST: An extension further along here?

GREG GEORGE: Oh well, Tarneit Road and Derrimut. There’s quite a few.

JOURNALIST: Thanks Greg.

GREG GEORGE: No worries. Thank you.

JOURNALIST: Catherine, do you mind if we start with you?

KING: I do not mind that at all. You did a great job. Good job. Alright, who’ve we got?

JOURNALIST: Are you chipping into any of the roads that Ben just announced?

KING: Obviously, the Carroll Labor Government's making those announcements in the upcoming election. We'll obviously consider requests in the budget next year for new projects as they come on. But we are already investing substantially here in Werribee. Obviously this project has been a really large one. The extension onto the Princes, again a really big project there, but you can already see all of the early works have started for that construction, starting on that next year. And then there's another project down the end that we're investing in as well. And we continue to do that. I think we're investing about $21.5 billion in co-investment for roads and rail here in Victoria. That's been a great partnership that we've had with the Victorian Labor government and will continue to co-invest and we normally do that and make those announcements in the budget.

JOURNALIST: Does that include Suburban Rail Loop?

KING: In terms of Suburban Rail Loop, obviously we had our $2.2 billion early investment and then we've announced $3.8 billion for that. We're doing that in stages. That is for the tunnelling and we'll continue to look at those requests from the Victorian Government for investment. But we're taking our money alongside the construction of that particular project.

JOURNALIST: Were you forewarned about the cutbacks to SRL East that were announced last week?

KING: Certainly, obviously the Victorian Government gives us a heads up about if there's any changes in the scope of the project. And their decisions, the design and development of the project matters to the Victorian Government, and certainly we are funding- the components that we're funding and we welcome the Victorian Government's decision to keep that project on track.

JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that there hasn't been a new cost benefit analysis carried out on the SRL East? Do you think there's a risk of your federal investment -

KING: No, we don't keep doing cost benefit analysis along the way. That would be a very unusual thing to stop projects and keep doing that. Infrastructure Australia have done the work on SRL East. We are very happy to have been partnering with the Victorian Government on that project. As I've said down here, I live now- I have the great advantage, I live in the regions in Ballarat, I live in the West, but I grew up in the East. I grew up in Burwood, Burwood East, Syndal. I know the community. I used to go when I was studying at uni, when I was still at home trying to get across to Monash, how hard that was to do when you didn't have a licence at the age of 17, trying to take public transport there.

So that's what SRL East will deliver for the East, but we're also investing substantially in the West. In communities like this, also Western Freeway as well. Important projects as well as Melbourne Airport Rail. We can do all of those things because we've got a State Labor Government that has done the work, and it does take work to actually do the planning, understands what's needed in the communities. We're coming off the back of two very big builds. North East Link is continuing. And that continuing investment in infrastructure is really important. Important for communities in the west, the east, the south and the north, and that's what the Carroll Labor Government is doing in conjunction with the Albanese Labor Government.

JOURNALIST: The Victorian Government wants $11.5 billion in funding. So $6 billion has already been committed. Can you guarantee that the remaining $5.5 billion will be...

KING: Well, again, they are decisions that we make in our budget. The last budget, we made the decision to contribute to the tunnelling, to contribute that component, and we are making those decisions alongside the project as the funding is required. They are decisions for budget. We've got a May budget next year, budgets after that and we do that pretty systematically as we go through our own processes at the federal level.

JOURNALIST: And airport rail is also a hot topic. If the Premier decided that he wanted to make airport rail a priority, would you instead then be happy to commit that Commonwealth funding…

KING: Well, the first thing is the Premier has made Melbourne Airport Rail a priority. Let's make that very clear. And he has always been of that view. I don't think any conversation I've had with Premier Carroll from a long time ago, where he has not mentioned airport rail. But as I'm saying, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can do SRL East. We are building that at the moment. Tunnelling is starting, you know, that project will be absolutely transformative for the east. Projects like this here, investment in the Western Highway, again, really important for the west. But Melbourne Airport Rail, we are already building Sunshine, untangling that network which is incredibly important, not just for airport rail, but also for the electrification of Melton. You can't do electrification of Melton, you can't actually deliver for that community without actually untangling the network at Sunshine.

Now, that is a $4 billion project. We've got two in that. We've also got $5 billion sitting there for the next stages of Melbourne Airport Rail. The discussions between the airport, Victorian Government and the Federal Government continue to go very well. Hopefully we'll have some announcements to make, but that is a priority for us. but you can't do Melbourne Airport Rail without Sunshine, and that project has got the money, and we're investing and starting that.

JOURNALIST: Given the significant amount of federal funds that have been committed to SRL, was the Federal Government consulted before the new Premier made the decision to eliminate underground interchanges and implement other cost saving measures?

KING: Well, again the design and construction are matters for the Victorian Government. I'm not building these things, I'm not doing it. I'm not an engineer either. So they get their experts to go and do that. We obviously have a look at that if there are scope changes to the project. We're investing in that project. We are committed to the project. The design and decisions around design are really a matter for the Victorian Government and their project managers.

JOURNALIST: But when big cost-saving measures are made, does that not impact the…

KING: There aren't cost savings for the Commonwealth, as I understand it. They are design projects. We are funding at the moment the tunnelling, and that part of the component of the project. We'll continue to talk to the Victorian Government if there are- when the further requests come on, what that actually looks like, but we're not at that point yet.

JOURNALIST: Angus Taylor today said he wants to legalise vapes and cut the cigarette tax by 80 per cent. What is the government’s gut reaction to that?

KING: Well, first, here they are copying One Nation's policy. Yet again, they can't seem to actually come up with any ideas of their own. I've been involved in public health for a long time in the early stages of my career. There is a reason we have a tobacco framework that actually looks at the issues around getting rid of advertising, making the costs of cigarettes- like actually having tobacco excise and using those levers to do that. World leading experts will tell you that framework has been critical in reducing the rates of tobacco use, and Australia has the lowest rates of those. There is a reason we've got that. Now, if Angus Taylor wants to see more kids smoking, and he wants to see more kids vaping, that's the recipe he has just put out with that. That is what he has done. He's basically said, the tobacco convention, WHO tobacco convention, we're going to rip that up. That is what he has said. So frankly, from our point of view, yes, there are issues. Yes, there are issues with illegal tobacco. The way to tackle that and to tackle criminality is through compliance and enforcement. We've put a lot of money in that. We're working with the states and territories to do that. But you don't just give up and go the entire history of public health that has seen smoking rates drop in this country, you don't just rip that up and say, and we're going to encourage people to vape. That is what both One Nation and the Liberal Party policy have, and I would encourage people to actually go and talk to public health experts who have been world leading in this. They are the people who will say doing something like that will absolutely cause havoc in terms of our tobacco and smoking rates.

JOURNALIST: Do you mind if I ask the same question, Premier? Just given that we do have an issue with… just given that we have such high rates of illegal tobacco in Victoria, do you not think there's any merit in taking a look at the excise and of others [Indistinct]?

CARROLL: Santo, it's very clear that Angus Taylor is on the side of Philip Morris, and we are on the side of public health. His policy is reckless and it will drive up smoking rates. Public health is such an important investment, and to be doing what he's announced, it’s now for the State Liberal Party to rule it out. It was another policy from the Liberal Party without any homework.

JOURNALIST: On health. Yooralla, the building on Flinders Street. I've spoken to Cohealth, they say this is entirely a government issue at the moment, we’re still working out what goes in there. Are you happy with it potentially being close to a methadone clinic?

CARROLL: Santo, this is an important project, and you mentioned Cohealth, and we are working with them. This health facility will actually help people in need get the help and support they need to get off the street, to get their risk factors addressed. This is an important investment in Melbourne for public health and we don't shy away from that.

JOURNALIST: The council is concerned about it becoming a bit of a honeypot. Would you as the State Government, given it's your policy …

CARROLL: Sure.

JOURNALIST: … be responsible for clean up around that facility or would that fall into council like it does at- in Richmond?

CARROLL: Look, we will always work with the City of Melbourne. This is an important investment in healthcare in the CBD. Cohealth are an outstanding community partner, and we’ll continue to invest in healthcare.

JOURNALIST: Premier, Jemena has paused a rollout on five-story power lines in the inner west. Can you say- and that's to connect the power to data centres. Can you say why would they have stopped this rollout, and should data centre power lines be mandated underground or does industry speed chomp community amenity?

CARROLL: I'll go to the first part of the question and then answer the second part. Look, first and foremost, I want to acknowledge the advocacy of the local member, Katie Hall, the member for Footscray. She, I think, has brought to the table the importance of community and social licence on all sorts of infrastructure. To the second part of the question…

JOURNALIST: Sorry, just the first part of the question was why have they stopped and if you don't know why, can you explain that?

CARROLL: Well, Jemena, an independent authority, they have stopped it and I think they stopped it because they've seen the community have had serious concerns. So in this case, the second part of your question that when it does come to data centres, and I had a very productive meeting with the Prime Minister last week, they are an important part of 21st century infrastructure. We’re all using them at the moment. But there does need to be social licence, community value, and we are working on that right now in terms of a data centre plan that is sustainable but makes sure it has the guardrails and community input as well. This is an issue, I think, people are grappling with around the world. And data centres are an important part of 21st century infrastructure. But the energy, the planning, the local amenity, the water use, these are valid considerations that the proponents of data centres need to consider and be mindful where they are being built within community settings. 

JOURNALIST: Just back on tobacco, but a tobacco firebombing this morning. I'm not sure whether you're aware a man was seriously injured, one of the arsonists. Broadly that, but specifically Brad Battin turned up wanting to speak with the media, have a pot shot at you and the government using that as an opportunity given that person's injuries. Do you think that was appropriate?

CARROLL: Look, the Liberal Party are always about stunts. Whether it's putting PSOs in hospitals rather than nurses, diesel trains in Melbourne's west, they'll do anything for a headline. We're about substance, we're about policy and doing our homework in the interests of hard-working Victorians. On this matter specifically, Paul, as you know, I've spoken to the Chief Commissioner. I speak to him regularly. He has more resources to fight organised crime. And that's what this is. Organised crime. And there must be zero tolerance to it.

JOURNALIST: Have you seen the footage?

CARROLL: I've read the article…

JOURNALIST: I understand if you haven’t, it’s pretty horrific.

BEN CARROLL: No, I haven’t- yeah, yeah. And zero tolerance. There's no way around this. Giving the Police Commissioner the resources he needs to fight organised crime.

JOURNALIST: Premier, regional doctors…

CARROLL: Sure, Leanne. 

JOURNALIST: …are on strike today. It follows Melbourne hospital doctors also striking a few weeks ago. Why is there no payoff after…?

CARROLL: Sure, Leanne. Look, we are working very closely. The Health Minister is as well, as the Treasurer. We have a number of EBAs in the health sector that we are working on and we'll continue to back our health workers, continue to support them and we'll do everything we can to make sure these are resolved as quickly as possible.

JOURNALIST: Do Victorian prisons have a toxic workplace culture?

CARROLL: I'm a former corrections minister and what I saw with our prison officers was simply the best prison officers in the nation, working hard every day to try and turn lives around, to making sure our prison environment is safe and secure as well. Thank you very much.

JOURNALIST: Do you have an opinion on the kangaroos, Ben?

CARROLL: I’ll just- last one on the kangaroos. 

JOURNALIST: [Talks over] [Indistinct] petting zoos.

BEN CARROLL: Kangaroos and the petting zoos, but I've got another appointment. Look, can I just say, Sonja Hood is an outstanding President. I think she would have considered this very strongly. I think she has made the right call. And I think it is about then making the next right call to bring North Melbourne some silverware. 

On the petting zoo, Paul, can I extend my thoughts, prayers, love to the family. This is horrific, that a young person has lost their life. I do know the Chief Medical Officer will be out later today, but I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. I can't imagine what they're going through.