Opposition leader Peter Dutton has pledged $6.5 billion to fund the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, while scrapping $4.2 billion in Suburban Rail Loop funding.
The election promise to increase funding for the airport rail by $1.5 billion is dependent, however, on both federal and state Coalition governments succeeding at their next elections.
In its first major policy announcement since Mr Dutton’s budget reply speech, the Coalition said on Monday night it would cancel Labor’s Suburban Rail Loop and SRL Sunshine Station promise if elected.
Peter Dutton plans to scrap Labor’s Suburban Rail Loop project if elected. Picture: Thomas Lisson / NewsWire
“A Dutton Coalition Government will reinvest every dollar of the $4.2 billion of federal funding for SRL and SRL Sunshine Station into other Victorian road and rail projects, like extending the Frankston line to Langwarrin and Baxter, and duplicating Donnybrook Road and planning for the extension of the Upfield line in Melbourne’s north,” a joint statement between Mr Dutton and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie read.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the Allan and Albanese governments and Melbourne Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), committing to work together to start the delivery of the Airport Rail Link.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King said while there was a “little way to go”, the MOU was a significant step in progressing the project.
“This is an important step in ensuring that we have the right processes in place to have officials work together,” she said.
“It gives permission for officials to start the work together to make sure that we get the right outcome for both the airport but also for the people of Victoria.”
Mr Dutton and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie announced the Coalition’s plans for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link in a joint statement released on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The Opposition Leader’s announcement also comes one month after the Albanese government announced a $2 billion investment in a new rail “superhub” at Sunshine, which would play a key role in the Airport Rail Link.
