Malcolm Turnbull has teed off on journalists who question the nature of Canberra’s $1.42 billion commitment to Victorian regional rail, calling speculation over missing asset recycling money “fake news”.
The PM was in Melbourne on Tuesday, discussing the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival project.
The Andrews Government announced the project in April, based on the argument it was owed $1.45 billion by the Commonwealth for selling the Port of Melbourne in September 2016.
Federal treasurer Scott Morrison has argued the state does not deserve any reward for the port sale, because the two-year asset recycling scheme closed before the deal went through – a fact Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has blamed on stalling tactics by Victoria’s Liberal Opposition.
Moreover, Morrison has argued Victoria was never to receive $1.45 billion for selling the port, instead saying he offered state treasurer Tim Pallas an $877.4 million commitment, which Pallas did not sign.
The result has been nine months of bickering between the state and federal governments, with either side accusing the other of playing politics, and nothing getting done.
That all came to an end on Tuesday with Turnbull’s announcement of $1.42 billion in regional rail funding, which the Victorian Government says has come from the asset recycling scheme, but the PM says has not.
“No, it’s not [from the scheme],” the prime minister told reporters. “The asset recycling scheme has closed, this is money that’s coming out of our infrastructure budget. We found the funds available.”
Turnbull’s patience was tested further, with a reporter asking whether Victoria would get any Commonwealth money for selling the Port of Melbourne, given the regional rail funding is not being attributed to the asset recycling scheme.
“You are way out of touch,” the PM responded.
“What Victorians are interested in is getting the job done. They want the infrastructure built. They are sick of politicians arguing and point-scoring. They’re sick of journalists and the media point-scoring and arguing too.
“We are delivering this money today. The asset recycling scheme was closed. It had come to an end. I’m sorry, that’s the fact. But the bottom line is the money is there.
“My focus, our focus, is on the needs of 24 million Australians,” he continued. “We are committed to them.
“I hear all the commentary. I see all the click-bait. I see all of the fake news. I’m not interested in that. I’m interested in results. That’s what we are delivering.”