This is an amazing question from those opposite, who basically managed to tell Victorians exactly what they thought of regional Victoria. They called them the toenails, they meant it and they have learnt nothing ever since. Let me be clear about this: the Andrews Labor government is committed to the full $416 million for the Murray Basin rail project. The only risk to the capacity of this state to be able to deliver the full, properly researched through a business case Murray Basin rail project is those opposite, who seem committed to undermining the foundation — the fundamentals — of this government’s budget. It was a budget that it put together, a budget that it funded $5 billion — —

The SPEAKER — Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will allow the manager of opposition business to make a point of order in silence.

Mr Clark — On a point of order, Speaker, the Treasurer is debating the issue. It was a very specific question about the source of the additional funding for this project. I ask you to bring the Treasurer back to answering that question.

Honourable members interjecting.

The SPEAKER — Order! Government members will allow the Treasurer to come back to answering the question.

Mr PALLAS — Let us be very clear. We are committed to funding and delivering this project. Of course we can deliver it earlier. We can deliver it effectively through the commitment of the federal government, and we will be working with it in order to secure the early delivery. But let us not take my word for the need for this properly delivered project, not the shonky ‘half the Rural Finance Corporation’ funded arrangement that those opposite put. Let us remember that no less an authority than the member for Mildura was out in public long before the true costs, hidden by those opposite, were in the public domain, saying, ‘You need to put more money into delivering this project’.

Of course this government remains committed, and we will work to ensure that the commonwealth delivers for rural and regional Victoria, just as the Andrews Labor government is. Importantly, those opposite, who seek to torpedo and stand in the way of the value of the lease of the port — —

The SPEAKER — Order! The Treasurer will resume his seat. The manager of opposition business on a point of order.

Mr Clark — On a point of order, Speaker, the Treasurer is again debating the question. I ask you to bring him back to informing the house: where is the additional money?

Mr PALLAS — We made it clear before the last election. We told Victorians that we would establish the Victorian Transport Fund and we would use those funds from the lease of the port. We have honoured that commitment, and the vehicle to achieve that is currently before the Parliament. The only question those opposite need to answer is: is it their job to sabotage rural and regional Victoria? Is it their job to stand in the way of Victorians getting the infrastructure they deserve? Are they going to continue to behave like the wreckers of the Victorian economy they have always been?