Opened the debate
Wood argued that infrastructure projects in La Trobe faced significant cost increases under state Labor administration, citing examples such as the Clyde Road extension rising from $70 million to $250 million. Wood claimed that the Berwick train station car park project increased from an estimated $15 million to $64 million due to union influence. Wood stated that the Albanese government cancelled funding for sealing 110 kilometres of local roads in the Dandenong Ranges, which had previously been committed by the Liberal government. Wood further alleged that $110 million in federal funding for Wellington Road duplication was diverted to the Suburban Rail Loop, causing the project cost to balloon to $900 million. Wood contended that these decisions harmed local residents by prioritising the Suburban Rail Loop over essential road safety and maintenance projects.