Disgruntled Labor MPs are expected to demand Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan bring forward billions of dollars of planned spending on the segment of the Suburban Rail Loop megaproject that is in Melbourne’s west to shore up voter support after a disastrous byelection.

The possible showdown at caucus and factional leaders’ meetings next week follows a brutal post-byelection week for the premier that included Seven Group boss Ryan Stokes declaring Victoria was in a “recession”, a sinkhole shutting down work on another big project and Ms Allan cutting short a testy press conference over on the financing of the $100 billion rail loop.