Federal Labor will “slash” $2 billion pledged for Geelong fast rail to fund Melbourne’s planned Metro Tunnel instead, according to Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
Ms Henderson last Friday accused Opposition Leader Bill Shorten of diverting the funds after he announced $2 billion for the tunnel.
“This is an extraordinary step to slash $2 billion in budgeted funding,” she said.
The accusation comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison in March announced $2 billion for Geelong to Melbourne fast rail.
Ms Henderson also took aim at Labor challenger for Corangamite Libby Coker.
“(Ms Coker) has not once mentioned the regional rail link or road safety this entire election campaign,” she said.
The Morrison Liberal Government last month announced $700 million for rail duplication from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds, a pledge soon matched by Ms Coker.
But Federal Government had included less than five per cent of the total $2.7 billion it promised in its 2019/2020 budget, according to Corio Labor MP Richard Marles.
“Six years on and on the eve of an election the Liberals have only just discovered Geelong,” he said this week.
“But let’s be clear – the money that Morrison and Sarah Henderson have promised is all off in the never never and is a hoax.
“There is no intent whatsoever on the part of the coalition to build a fast train between Geelong and Melbourne.”
Ms Coker said a federal Labor government would instead get fast rail “done properly” by working closely with State Government.
The Andrews Labor Government is currently completing a $150 million business case for the project.
State Government has since described the $2 billion commonwealth pledge as up to $12 billion short of the required amount.
The Turnbull Liberal Government last year announced $150 million for the duplication, on top of $147 million from the Victorian Government.
