Federal Labor has unveiled multi-billion-dollar infrastructure funding packages for Queensland and Victoria, as part of an election commitment to reduce congestion and slash travel times in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Bill Shorten visited Melbourne on Friday morning to announce an elected Labor Government would invest $2 billion in federal funds in the Metro Tunnel project, which is currently being built solely using state funding.
The Coalition has refused to let Victoria’s Andrews Government repurpose federal funds committed to the East West Link, after the Premier Daniel Andrews cancelled the tollroad project days after being elected in 2014. The dramatic saga led the Andrews Government to commit to fully funding the $11 billion Metro Tunnel rail project.
But Shorten on Friday said it was right for the Commonwealth to contribute to the rail tunnel.
“Federal Labor’s investment will end nearly six years of cuts and chaos from the Liberals in Canberra, which has left the Andrews Labor Government to do all of the heavy lifting on infrastructure investment in Australia’s fastest-growing state,” Shorten told a press conference.
“This investment means the Andrews Government will have a real partner in Canberra, so they can get on with delivering the pipeline of transport infrastructure that Victoria needs.”
Premier Andrews said the funding promise demonstrated the Labor Party’s commitment to reducing congestion in Melbourne.
“This is what a real partnership looks like, with real investment in the projects that Victorians voted for and need,” the premier said. “Whether it’s building the Metro Tunnel now or planning for the Suburban Rail Loop – it’s about getting people where they want to go and taking cars off the road.”
Federal Labor’s transport spokesperson Anthony Albanese accused the Coalition of being anti-public transport in Victoria.
“The former federal Labor Government provided substantial funding for this project in the 2013 Budget, but Tony Abbott took the money off Victorians and kept it in a locked box,” Albanese said. “A Shorten Labor Government will unlock the box and give Victorians their fair share.”
Albanese on Friday also announced a multi-billion-dollar package of promised funding for road and rail projects across Queensland.
The majority of the new money is for road projects, but included in the fresh commitment was $35 million to relocate Loganlea railway station, money to expand park and ride facilities, and $750,000 for a business case into the extension of rail from Springfield to Ipswich.
“This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government who will deliver quality infrastructure in Queensland or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos,” Albanese said. “Labor’s investment package will upgrade and modernise the State’s transport networks from Cape York to Coolangatta, making it easier for Queenslanders to move around while also delivering productivity gains that will underpin future economic and jobs growth.”