MR PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to update the house on the progress of the Andrews Labor government’s initiative to lease the port of Melbourne and remove 50 of our most dangerous and congested level crossings. This government sought and received a mandate to lease the port at the last election. Those opposite are trying to stand in the way of the removal of our level crossings, of the Murray Basin rail project and of the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund.

There is a widespread consensus that the lease of the port is in the best interests of the state. The Victorian Farmers Federation knows it, the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry knows it, the Victorian electorate knows it and, most of all, those opposite know it. This government has been more than willing to make genuine compromises and engage stakeholders. We have given protections through the Essential Services Commission to port users. We have offered dedicated funds and dedicated legislation to regional infrastructure, which those opposite would not do.

But we cannot and will not compromise with the mindless destructiveness of those opposite. This makes clear that all those opposite have ever stood for is to oppose, to wreck and to talk down any achievements of this government, terrified that the legacy of this government will prove the enduring wisdom of the Victorian people in November 2014.

But ultimately this government will proceed. We will not be held hostage by those opposite. We will keep our promises to the Victorian people. If those opposite think that they can trash the will of the Victorian