The Victorian premier responded to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s announcement that he would pull federal funding from the SRL East and Sunshine rail hub if elected.
The fleet of new Spanish-built passenger trains is already $826 million over budget and on track to be at least three years late entering service.
The federal opposition leader will announce on Tuesday that,if elected,he will withdraw federal funding for the rail loop,branding the project a cruel hoax.
In August 2023,Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she was “100 per cent confident” the Armadale line would reopen on time in May 2025. It won’t.
Commuters also face disruptions from full or partial closures of the busy M1 metro line over several weekends,as well as services stopping earlier some nights.
A union representing almost 1000 rail workers has been unsuccessful in its appeal to the Federal Court of a months-long suspension of industrial action.
The opposition leader has strengthened the Coalition’s stance against the SRL following a report critical of how the state government can pay for it.
The extra costs are aimed at reducing safety risks,the government says.
Weak patronage figures come as the Minns government seeks help from Canberra to close a funding shortfall for the line’s extension.
Infrastructure Australia says no more federal money should be given to the rail project without revised costings after expressing low confidence in the Victorian government’s $35 billion price tag.