Victorian taxpayers have paid more than $32.9 million to 102 Suburban Rail Loop executives over the past financial year, a new report has revealed.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) 2023-24 Annual Report has confirmed:
- Total executive remuneration grew from $21.31 million in 2022-23 to $32.9 million in 2023-24 – an average of $322,000 per executive.
- The total number of SRLA employees grew to 643.4 full time equivalent (FTE) in 2023-24, up from 538.3 in 2022-23.
- Total employee expenses were $57.95 million in 2023-24.
- The SRLA suffered a comprehensive result loss of $2.981 million.
Despite the significant increase in expenses, as well as the Victorian Auditor-General reporting an expected 20 per cent cost escalation, the Allan Labor Government is standing by its claim that the project will be delivered on budget by 2035.
This report comes as the Suburban Rail Loop continues to face a more than $22 billion funding shortfall, as the Allan Labor Government continues its refusal to provide basic documents and information on the project to Commonwealth infrastructure authorities.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Southwick, said: "Labor's priorities are all wrong and there is no justification for these extraordinary executive expenses.
"Premier Jacinta Allan is being dishonest with Victorians as she continues to refuse to reveal the true cost of the Suburban Rail Loop.
"Every dollar spent on Labor's army of SRL executives is one less to fix our crumbling roads, help improve students' educational outcomes, keep our community safe and ensure an emergency call for help is answered on time.
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage projects and Victorians are paying the price."
