Peter Dutton has announced that the Coalition will scrap $2.2 billion in funding for Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) if it gets elected in May.
He also plans to cancel the $2 billion that the current Labor government has earmarked for an upgrade to Sunshine Station.
Dutton said the money saved by axing the station upgrade funding would be diverted into other Victoria road and rail projects, such as extending the Frankston Line to Langwarrin and Baxter, extending the Upfield Line in Melbourne’s north, and duplicating Donnybrook Road.
He said Sunshine station would still be upgraded, but not to the extent proposed by Labor.
He claimed the Coalition’s priority is delivering Melbourne’s long-awaited Airport Rail Link, and pledged an extra $1.5 billion in funding to that project.
“Building the quality infrastructure that Victorians need is all part of the Coalition’s plan to get this great state and our great country back on track,” he said.
“We have committed an extra $1.5 billion, which takes our contribution to 50 per cent of the $13 billion required for this project.
“To the credit of Brad Battin, the state opposition here has increased their contribution to $6.5 billion as well, and that will make this project a reality.”
Responding to Dutton’s announcements today, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government of Australia Catherine King said the Sunshine Station upgrade is a crucial part of delivering Melbourne Airport Rail.
“You can’t have Airport Rail without upgrading Sunshine.
“It means no connection to the city, no connection to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, and no future electrification to Melton.”
