Samantha Byrne

Preferences are a matter for the organisation branch of the Liberal Party. Once candidate nominations close on Monday 9^th November, the Liberal Party will finalise preferences for each electorate.

Data centres will be an important part of Victoria’s future. They drive investment, create skilled jobs and build the sovereign capability our state needs in a digital economy.

But they must be built in the right locations, and that is where Labor has failed.

Labor’s approach to data centre development has been haphazard, allowing data centres to go ahead in inappropriate locations. Residents have been left without a say, and industry has been left without clear rules.

A Liberal and Nationals Government will fix this.

Under Our Plan, data centres will not be built in residential areas, next to residential areas, or in the green wedge. Instead, they will be built in designated Data Centre Precincts that are appropriately distanced from where people live.

We will give both residents and industry certainty through clear guidelines about where data centres can and cannot be built. That means communities can have confidence their neighbourhoods are protected, and investors can have confidence about where to build.

Victoria can secure the benefits of this industry without compromising the liveability of our communities. Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can be trusted to get that balance right.

Commuters across Melbourne’s booming western suburbs will get more trains, more seats and greater capacity under a Jess Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government.

A future Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $1.7 billion to deliver 25 new hybrid electric trains, with each train having 6 cars, for the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines.

This investment will finally deliver suburban rail services for these communities and means additional, potential City Loop services every hour during peaks on the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines, increasing passenger capacity by more than double.

Labor promised to electrify the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines in both 2018, and 2022 – yet eight years later, these communities are still reliant on V/Line diesel trains.

Under our team’s plan, the trains will be electric, with hybrid capability allowing them to operate on existing electrified and non-electrified lines across the suburban network.

These trains will also free up V/Line trains to improve regional services.

Importantly, this commitment doesn’t preclude electrification of the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines upon completion of the upgrades to Sunshine station, but delivers electrified train services to these communities sooner.

A Liberal and Nationals Government will also establish a new and independent Public Transport Victoria (PTV) board to ensure Victoria’s public transport system is fully focused on better service delivery for commuters and taxpayers.

Werribee experienced a higher number of blackouts last year than ever before.

Affordable and reliable energy is fundamental to Victoria’s future. From businesses to households, Victorians are demanding an energy system that works. As our energy system continues towards renewable sources, we must ensure we maintain reliability for both households and businesses.

We will establish new Urban Solar Parks to encourage solar and battery installations on commercial and industrial rooftops in urban areas, to generate renewable power closer to where it is needed. Energy experts say this could supply as much as 25% of demand and reduce the need for transmission lines on our productive farmland.

Housing supply and aeordability remain major challenges in Victoria. For too long not enough has been done to increase housing availability and reduce barriers to development.

Here are some of the many ways a Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver more homes for the West:

Fast-track home building in existing suburbs

Labor’s focus on in-fill development in existing suburbs has left new growth areas neglected.

This has reduced access to family homes and aeordable land, limited housing choice and pushed up prices by artificially restricting the supply of serviced lots.

Our Plan will fast-track home building in existing, identified growth areas by setting clear end dates from commencement for all Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) and introducing industry-led PSPs to speed up land release and increase housing supply.

And we will ensure Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) revenue is spent on infrastructure in the communities from which it is collected and allow it to be directed to earlier delivery of roads, schools, utilities and community facilities.

Stamp duty

A Liberal and Nationals Government will also exempt first home buyers from stamp duty on properties valued up to $1 million.

Scrapping stamp duty for first home buyers is about supporting young Victorians and restoring the dream of home ownership.

Stop cultural heritage delays

Uncertainty of time frames and costs through Victoria’s cultural heritage process, as well as delays within government authorities, are stalling development and ultimately seeing fewer new homes built.

A Liberal and Nationals Government will undertake an independent review of Victoria’s cultural heritage framework to deliver legally binding timeframes across the entire approval process, standardised and transparent fees, clearer assessment requirements, a dispute resolution pathway and public reporting of system performance.

We will also identify opportunities to reduce duplication and streamline assessments for growth areas and major infrastructure corridors.

Our Plan will maintain strong protections for Aboriginal cultural heritage and decision-making, while delivering a clearer, fairer and more predictable approvals process.

Abortion law will not change under a Liberal and Nationals Government full stop.

Victorians deserve to be safe in our homes and safe on our streets. Under this Labor Government crime is at record highs.

In Labor’s last four-year term in Government, crime in Niddrie has skyrocketed. In some areas of the electorate Motor Vehicle Theft is up 140%, Residential Aggravated Burglary is up 53% and Retail Store Theft is up 100%.

These statistics aren’t just numbers on a page. Behind every crime is a victim who is left traumatised.

Our Plan to keep Victorians safe includes: recruit 3,000 more police oeicers, return PSOs to train stations, Break Bail, Face Jail, Adult Crime, Adult Time, stronger police pursuit powers, and targeted prevention and intervention programs.

We will invest $100 million in early intervention and rehabilitation, and support proven programs like Youth Activating Youth, working with Victorian Police.

Our Youthstart initiative will invest in proven community-based interventions such as Youth Justice Hubs, risk-based diversion, trauma-informed therapy, mentoring, and family-based case management.

The Liberals and Nationals will get mental health reform back on track by investing over $130 million to expand early intervention, build community capability and reduce pressure on acute services.

It’s time for a fresh start and a new government with the right priorities.