Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addressed the media in Melbourne on Tuesday after pledging to cut more than $2 billion in federal funding for Victoria’s controversial Suburban Rail Loop (SRL).
Mr Dutton described the Suburban Rail Loop as a “cruel hoax” and criticised the government for funding a project “that everyone knows would never be delivered”.
“It’s not happening because it’s a $200 billion pipe dream,” Mr Dutton vowed on Tuesday.
The multi-stage orbital train line was estimated to cost $50 billion when it was proposed by then-premier Daniel Andrews ahead of the 2018 state election.
However, costs have since doubled, with a 2024 report by the Parliamentary Budget Office estimating it will cost $96.4 billion to build the SRL East and SRL North sections of the project, and a total $120.2 billion to operate the service until 2084.
The Albanese government also did not commit any additional funding to the project in the 2025 federal budget, effectively putting the state government on notice given the fiscal consequences of pursuing such a large project without federal funding.
The state government requires an additional $20 billion to fully fund the project.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said Mr Dutton was cutting funding to “vital projects that Victorians want”.
“It’s April Fool’s day and Peter Dutton’s cuts are no joke,” Ms Allan said on Tuesday.
The Premier said the Coalition’s infrastructure funding cuts would impact projects that support jobs for Victorians.
The opposition has pledged $1.5 billion towards completing the long-awaited Melbourne Airport Rail Link instead.
The pledge will be matched by the Victorian Liberal Party should the Brad Battin opposition win the next state election.
Mr Dutton slammed Ms Allan, accusing her of being “obsessed” with the Suburban Rail Loop, dubbing it a “pie in the sky” project.
“I hope that the Labor government here in Victoria changes its position, and we would be very happy to work with them, but that doesn’t seem to be the case,” he said.
“The Victorians I have spoken to have just had a gutful of the Allan Labor government, the extra taxes, the money that they spend, the always rack up debt – it’s exactly what is happening at a federal level.
“As Victorians say, they’re worried that what Anthony Albanese is doing to the national economy, Jacinta Allan has done to the state economy here. Australians can’t afford that”.
Mr Dutton said the continuation of the SRL would divert funds for road and infrastructure projects for the next 25 years.
The Melbourne Airport Rail Link is the “missing piece of infrastructure that Victorians need”, the Opposition Leader said.
“It will be built under a Coalition government. It will not be built under an Allan Albanense government, that much is obvious to every Victorian.
“If you vote for Anthony Albanese, you’re voting against the Melbourne Airport Link.”
Dutton vowed to “break the cabal up’” accusing Jacinta Allan and the Prime Minister of being “joined at the hip” with the CMFEU.
“I’m going to invest into Victoria, I’m going to invest into infrastructure and we’re going to get this great state going again,” he said, adding he is confident the Coalition can win a number of seats in the state.
