Victorian taxpayers continue to face a multi-billion dollar funding shortfall on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East project as independent experts renew their calls to scrap it.
Yesterday, when asked directly in Parliament, Minister Danny Pearson failed to answer if the $34.5 billion SRL East project has been fully funded.
It follows renewed calls by the Grattan Institute for the Allan Government to “bite the bullet” and cancel the SRL to free up construction sector labour and materials to tackle Victoria’s housing crisis.
Recently, the Victorian Auditor-General reported admissions by the Allan Government that the SRL East project could have blown out to as much as $41 billion – before main works on the project have even commenced.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, David Southwick, said: “Under Labor, Victoria is broke and taxpayers are being left on the hook to fill major project budget shortfalls.
“Labor is recklessly pressing ahead with an unfunded project that is already facing multi-billion cost blowouts and delays before construction has even commenced.
“The Allan Government must not sign any further SRL East contracts and explain to the Victorian community how this project will be funded and who will pay.”
