The recently-released Victorian infrastructure plan promises $11 billion for Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel that is designed to transform Melbourne’s public transport system, a future airport rail link partnership proposal with the Commonwealth, over $2 billion for an additional 3,100 police officers, added to the $5 billion that has already been given to Victorian schools over the past three budgets.
Victoria’s state government says it has responded in full or, in-principle, or at least partly supported to each of Infrastructure Victoria’s 137 recommendations that were released in December 2016.
However, one of Infrastructure Victoria’s recommendations the plan does not and will not for the foreseeable future support is a congestion tax-honouring a key election commitment of the Andrews Labor state government.
According to Victorian Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings, “Governments come and go, but Victoria’s infrastructure priorities remain. Thanks to Infrastructure Victoria’s work, we have a pipeline of projects for the years ahead – and we’re getting on with delivering them.”
“Our infrastructure plan is ambitious and we’re not wasting a single day to deliver the projects our state needs – building better transport links, world class schools and hospitals, and modern digital connectivity,” he says.
“This is about boosting jobs and ensuring Victoria remains the best place to live, work and do business.”
