Today in Question Time, Premier Jacinta Allan made the extraordinary claim that the suburban rail loop would benefit “all Victorians.”
Reality is, this is a $216 billion niche project that swings from Cheltenham to Box Hill in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with no positive impact on regional Victoria.
Even worse, it is draining money away from other much-needed projects our community needs.
Regional Victoria makes up 25 per cent of pop but only receives ten per cent of Labor Government spend on infrastructure.
Hospitals, roads, housing and other government services are left floundering as this pet city project goes project, yet Premier Allan today spruiked that “All Victorians will benefit from the suburban rail loop”.
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, stated, “the Premier’s claim that the Suburban Rail Loop will benefit all Victorians is simply out of touch with reality.”
“The focus should be on addressing the urgent needs of our regional communities, not pouring billions into an inner-city project that leaves regional Victorians behind,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is yet another example of the Allan Labor Government ignoring the needs of regional Victorians, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
“Labor can’t manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.”