<p>The Victorian Government has defended payments made to freight operators affected by the construction of the Regional Fast Rail project between Melbourne and Ballarat.</p> <p>In State Parliament yesterday (Wednesday, October 29), opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder attacked payments made by the government to Freight Australia.</p> <p>But transport minister Peter Batchelor said the attack shows the opposition lacks a proper understanding of the project.</p> <p>"Freight Australia is the existing freight operator on the lines, yet the Liberal Party seems to think that payments for disruption to their services while lines are upgraded is somehow extraordinary," Mr Batchelor said.</p> <p>He rejected suggestions that the payments represent a blow out in costs or that freight services will be unnecessarily disrupted during the upgrade.</p> <p>"The budget has always included an appropriate amount for business disruptions and losses caused by the works," he said. "The Department of Infrastructure is also working closely with Freight Australia on the alternative freight routes that will be used during the closures."</p> <br />
