JANE AGIRTAN INDEPENDENT

The Victorian Liberals and Nationals announced they will not complete the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) if elected in 2026 so they can deliver important infrastructure projects right across the state.

Since its announcement in 2018, the SRL has never been subjected to a proper business case assessment or scrutinised by infrastructure authorities and has been criticised by the Victorian Ombudsman, Victorian Auditor-General, Grattan Institute and Rail Futures.

With debt under Labor heading towards $200 billion and the independent Parliamentary Budget Office costing just two-thirds of the project at up to $125 billion, this is not a project Victoria can afford.

To protect Victorians from even more debt, waste and cost blowouts and ensure proper management of Victoria’s major project pipeline, the Liberals and Nationals:

• Call on the Allan Government to pause the SRL to ensure Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline remains stable and publish the contracts already signed by Premier Jacinta Allan.
• Have requested the Parliamentary Budget Office cost the impact of the SRL on current and future State Budgets.
• Will move to create an Infrastructure Standing Committee (‘Victorian Infrastructure Committee’) to oversee infrastructure expenditure and hold the Government to account on the delivery of its infrastructure commitments.
• Reserve the right not to complete the SRL if elected.

“Under Labor, Victoria is broke and has more debt than New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania combined. It simply does not make sense to put all of our eggs in one basket when there are so many pressing infrastructure needs right across Victoria”

“Under Jacinta Allan, the SRL is shrouded in secrecy and will sign Victorians up to a project that will plunge us further into debt and diminish our ability deliver key projects including hospitals, schools, roads and other vital services across the state.”

Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Southwick, said: “Labor’s major projects track-record is one of blowouts, waste and delays which Victorians can simply no longer afford.