Dutton promises extra $1.5 billion for Melbourne Airport Rail
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The news: Peter Dutton will make his way into the key battleground state of Victoria on Tuesday with a promise to increase federal funding by $1.5 billion for the stalled Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
The context: The rail link to Melbourne's airport has been on the federal political agenda for more than six years, but the project was delayed by former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in 2023.
Dutton will on Tuesday announce that if the Coalition is elected, it would increase federal funding for the project to $6.5 billion — an additional $1.5 billion — the full 50% share of the estimated $13 billion cost of the rail link.
This will be matched with $1.5 billion by a future Victorian Coalition government if the party is also elected at the state level.
Dutton is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday in Melbourne, where he needs to win a swag of seats to become prime minister.
He will also ramp up his opposition to the Victorian government's controversial suburban rail loop, which could cost as much as $200 billion and has not been given the green light by Infrastructure Australia.
What they said: "The Airport Rail Link is a long overdue piece of transport infrastructure vital to the future growth of Melbourne, and a Coalition Government at both levels of representation will make it a reality," Dutton and infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said in a statement.
"Delivering an efficient rail connection for urban and regional passengers to the airport will be a transformative investment in the future of Melbourne and Victoria.
"Melbourne deserves a world class gateway and we can provide that in partnership with Melbourne Airport and a willing Victorian Government by delivering a first class rail connection to the CBD.
"Once delivered it is estimated the Airport Rail Link will carry 6,600 passengers per hour from the first day of operation. It will also make it easier and more efficient for staff working at the airport precinct to get to and from work each day.
"A Dutton Coalition Government will prioritise the Melbourne Airport Rail Link and cancel the Albanese Government’s $2.2 billion commitment towards Jacinta Allan’s $200 billion Suburban Rail Loop which is an unfunded, cruel hoax of a project.
"We have listened and acted on Infrastructure Australia’s damning assessment of the Suburban Rail Loop, a project that everyone knows would never be delivered. Delivering Melbourne Airport Rail Link is our first priority."
The source: Coalition campaign
