- Published:
- Tuesday 27 February 2018
Nationals Member for Euroa Steph Ryan is putting petty city politics ahead of her own electorate, supporting the Liberal Party’s attempts to block the West Gate Tunnel.
In an unprecedented act of economic vandalism, the Nationals are opposing the West Gate Tunnel Project that will deliver 400 jobs for Benalla.
The Andrews Labor Government has announced that Benalla will be home to a $60 million factory which will supply precast concrete for the West Gate Tunnel.
Without the tunnel project, there will be no factory.
While the Liberals and Nationals waste time with political stunts in Parliament, the Labor Government is getting on with the West Gate Tunnel.
The West Gate Tunnel has been through the most comprehensive planning and environmental assessment process ever conducted for a Victoria road project.
The project is urgently needed and construction is already underway.
The Liberals’ attempt to revoke the planning approval on a major project under construction is unprecedented, with more than 700 Victorians working on the West Gate Tunnel project already.
Construction of the Benalla precast facility is due to commence within weeks, and it will be fully operational from October 2018.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“Let me be very clear, without the West Gate Tunnel there will be no concrete pre-cast facility for Benalla – only Labor and only the West Gate Tunnel will deliver this massive boost to the local economy.”
“Steph Ryan needs to explain to the local community why she opposes 400 jobs for Benalla.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The National Party have a chance to stand up for Northern Victoria and 400 new jobs in Benalla or continue to be told what to do by the Melbourne Liberals and Greens.”