The Federal Labor Government continues to crab-walk away from the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL).
Speaking in Federal Parliament today, Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, stated:
"We have made acapped contribution of $2.2 billion towards the early works of Suburban Rail Loop East, andrelease of that funding is contingent on the program meeting the conditions under the National Land Transport Act as is any project that the Commonwealth invests funding in – which includesproject proposal reports which we have not received from the Victorian Government yet."
These comments cast doubt on any Federal funding actually being provided to the SRL and come as the project continues to face a $20 billion funding shortfall as critical infrastructure projects across Melbourne's rapidly growing outer suburbs and regional Victoria continue to be cut, delayed and ignored under Labor.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Southwick, said: "It's now clear the Federal Government is turning its back on Premier Jacinta Allan's $200 billion SRL.
"Premier Jacinta Allan must explain exactly what new taxes and charges she will levy on local homeowners, residents and businesses to fill the growing funding shortfall on this project.
"This is a project that Victoria simply cannot afford and instead of putting all our eggs in one basket, the Allan Labor Government must pause the SRL and instead invest in desperately needed infrastructure projects across Victoria.
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage major projects and Victorians are paying the price."
