Jacinta Allan has taken the unusual step of expressing her gratitude to the federal Coalition amid renewed debate over the viability of the Suburban Rail Loop project.
The Victorian Premier on Monday gave thanks to the Peter Dutton-led opposition after a petition from Victorian Liberal MP and shadow cabinet minister Dan Tehan.
Mr Tehan has urged the Albanese government not to proceed with federal Labor’s commitment to pump $2.2 billion into SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill.
He has taken aim at Ms Allan’s “reckless” pursuit of the project, which he claims “could double Victoria’s already unsustainable debt” which recently surpassed $140 billion.
But Ms Allan told reporters Mr Tehan was spouting “typical Liberal nonsense to conceal the fact they’re totally hostile to funding the infrastructure the Victorian community wants and needs”.
“I want to thank Dan Tehan. (He) has done the Victorian community a favour today. He’s made it absolutely clear that a federal Liberal government doesn’t stand with Victoria, doesn’t stand with the projects Victorians need, Victorians want,” she said.
“They won’t deliver the infrastructure funding that’s raised through revenue. I remind Peter Dutton and Den Tehan that Australian taxpayers can be found here in Victoria as well, and we deserve our fair share.
“That’s why I’m really grateful that Peter Dutton and Dan Tehan have given us the opportunity from today to make it clear every day until the federal election that there is a very clear choice that they don’t back the infrastructure projects that our city and state needs.”
Ms Allan insisted federal Labor were a “partner” in the project despite reports the $2.2 billion has yet to flow through from the Albanese government.
The state government is also desperately trying to secure even more funds from the Commonwealth, to match the $11.8 billion it has allocated to SRL East.
“The federal Labor government is a partner in the Suburban Rail Loop. They made a $2.2 billion investment in this project at the last federal election. It was their biggest election commitment during the 2022 election,” Ms Allan said.
SRL East, which will include stops at Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley and Burwood, is estimated to cost up to $34.5 billion, with the state government also attempting to raise funds through “a range of value-capture sources” to pay for it.
Mr Tehan has argued Victoria cannot afford to build the project but Ms Allan is adamant the state needs the new rail connection, which also unlocks land for more housing.
“The Suburban Rail Loop is going to deliver great public transport services to our growing city and state. It’s going to deliver 70,000 more homes. It’s Australia’s largest housing project alongside being such a critically important infrastructure project,” she said.
Mr Tehan, the Member for Wannon in Victoria’s south-west, said in his petition that the $2.2 billion should instead be spent by the Commonwealth on fixing the state’s roads.
“While roads across Wannon and rural Victoria are left crumbling, the Federal Labor Government has pledged $2.2 billion to the Suburban Rail Loop, a project that could double Victoria’s already unsustainable debt, the petition said.
“Roads are a lifeline for regional communities – essential for connecting families, supporting businesses, and ensuring safe, accessible travel. Yet, funding that should go toward maintaining these critical routes has been cut by both the state and federal Labor governments.
“In signing this petition, we urge the federal government to cancel its Suburban Rail Loop funding and direct these resources towards fixing rural roads.”
Mr Dutton told Sky News Australia’s Laura Jayes the Coalition were “happy to provide support to projects but not if the state government has no hope of putting their own money in”.
“If I entered into any agreement with Jacinta Allan at the moment, I’d want to see the colour of their money first. Because they have wrecked the Victorian economy,” he said.
“I want to see more money spent in Victoria on road infrastructure. I want to make sure that we can support good projects and we’ll do that.”
Sky News
