Mr BILLSON (9:22 PM) —Just as the fog clears on one issue to do with the Scoresby Freeway, another fog rolls in. The fog has cleared and, basically, the game is up. In Monday's Herald Sun Victoria's state Treasurer, John Brumby, was boasting about his $1.7 billion war chest available for what was described as capital works that would stimulate employment and economic activity.

Ms Burke —What did Doyle say? `No tolls on Scoresby!'

Mr BILLSON —Exactly. The member for Chisholm, who just interjected, is probably the first Labor member of any parliament in Australia who has actually uttered the words, `No tolls on Scoresby!' I compliment her on that very long—

The SPEAKER —Order! The member for Chisholm has not only been recognised and heard in silence but has been supported by the minister at the table. At least she could reciprocate the courtesy.

Mr BILLSON —And a very belated contribution it is. This illustrates the point. Our constituents—one million residents in the east and south-east of Melbourne—were told just weeks before the last state election that it was not just a promise, it was a solid commitment from the state Labor government that they would be getting a toll-free Scoresby Freeway. Within weeks—not after a change of government, but when the very same people who were in power when that commitment was made were also in power after the election—they came out and said, `Woops! We've got it all wrong. We've got no cash. We have no funds for that.' The proof is out there: $1.7 billion of funding is available for capital works. That illustrates the point that the funds are there; they should be made available. There is absolutely no explanation as to why that project cannot proceed as was promised.

Quickly wrapping up my other point before handing over to my colleague who is looking for the call, there is great irony in the announcements made by the Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority. A chap by the name of Mr Brian Wilson has an answer for everything. He comes out making the most rash, unsubstantiated, entirely unjustified claims about anything that happens to be in the media. He has no evidence to back up his claims. He makes statements that are entirely contradictory to all the expert opinion available. He also makes claims about what the federal government plans to do. He has come out saying that the feds will not honour the agreement. That is absolutely incorrect. He should realise that honourable people honour their funding commitments, and that is what the Howard government will do. It will provide 50 per cent of the funding. If the state government have their costings wrong again, they should fess up; they should say so. And they should come back to the federal government with accurate costings—even if it will be the third or fourth try they have had at it.