Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Hearing renews Victoria’s Budget gripes

Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas has again lashed out at the Turnbull Government after a Senate Budget estimates hearing confirmed the 2017 Federal Budget added no new money for the state’s infrastructure.

On Budget night earlier this month, federal treasurer Scott Morrison said the Government “will make $1 billion available for regional rail and other infrastructure projects” in Victoria.

But on the first day of estimates hearings, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development secretary Mike Mrdak said the money was not new.

“It does not represent new funding in terms of the Budget Forward Estimates,” Mrdak responded to a question from Labor senator Glen Sterle.

For Pallas, who has long criticised the Turnbull Government for ignoring Victoria when it comes to infrastructure funding, the revelation confirmed Morrison’s speech was nothing more than “smoke and mirrors”.

“We said on the night of the federal budget that there was nothing new in this for Victorian infrastructure, and today the federal government has confirmed it,” the state treasurer said.

“The Turnbull Government is all smoke and mirrors as it short-changes Victorians and pumps billions into new infrastructure in the Prime Minister and Treasurer’s state of New South Wales.”

Victorian public transport minister Jacinta Allan said the news was “further proof” of Malcolm Turnbull’s disregard for the state.

“We won’t just sit back and accept crumbs off the table of a Prime Minister and Treasurer who govern only for Sydney,” Allan said.

“We’ll keep fighting every day for Victoria’s fair share – that’s what Victorians expect.”

Federal shadow transport minister Anthony Albanese piled on, saying the admission “highlights the Turnbull Government’s ongoing campaign of deceit over its level of infrastructure investment in Victoria”.

“Prior to the delivery of the Budget earlier this month, Victoria, home to a quarter of Australians, was receiving less than 8 per cent of the national infrastructure Budget,” Albo said.

“Despite Mr Morrison’s attempts to pretend otherwise, nothing has changed since Budget night.”