This Month
SRL authority spent $675,000 looking for executives
The Victorian opposition says the revelation shows Jacinta Allan is more focused on recruiting back-office executives than police, teachers and healthcare workers.
November
‘Massive mood for change’: Can Jess Wilson take the fight to Labor?
A year out from the Victorian election, the Liberals need a 16-seat miracle to topple Labor, despite the state’s rising crime, taxes and huge debt.
Australian taxpayers bailing out Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop chaos
When the Albanese government is the project’s anchor tenant, it signals that federal Labor will bail out Victoria, no matter how indebted it becomes.
Federal Labor signals billions more for Suburban Rail Loop
Catherine King says the rail line through Melbourne’s outer suburbs “is happening” despite concerns over the cost and business case for the project.
Decision on $9.3b for Melbourne rail loop to be made in May budget
Concern within the federal government about the Victorian government’s request for another $9.3 billion in funding for its Suburban Rail Loop project appears to be waning.
October
‘Victorianisation’ of Australian economy threatens future prosperity
If treasurers continue to mortgage tomorrow for today’s projects, they risk being priced out of the future altogether.
June
Allan’s SRL funding plan contradicts housing promise: property industry
The industry says it is not financially viable to build new apartments along Victoria’s controversial Suburban Rail Loop.
May
Ratings agencies pan Victorian budget’s lack of restraint
A $2.3 billion cost-of-living package including household energy rebates in Jaclyn Symes’ first budget will send debt to a record within four years.
Four reasons Allan’s claims the election vindicates her don’t stack up
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan claims the federal result is an endorsement of her and the Suburban Rail Loop. Even some Labor figures say that’s delusional.
Jacinta Allan claims federal election result cements her authority
The Victorian premier says that Labor’s national victory is an endorsement of her leadership and the controversial Suburban Rail Loop.
April
We traced the Suburban Rail Loop to ask voters about the election
The mega rail project is a lightning rod for judgement about government priorities. It’s route also runs through several at-play seats. Here’s what voters say.
‘Not going to happen’: Dutton accuses Allan of SRL obsession
The opposition leader promised to stop funding Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop, making it a defining issue in the federal election in Victoria.
March
Dutton to scrap SRL funding, pledges $1.5b to Melbourne airport link
The funds being announced by Peter Dutton on Tuesday will be matched by the state opposition leader Brad Battin, lifting airport rail funding to $13 billion.
PM won’t rule out more Suburban Rail Loop funding despite warnings
Anthony Albanese says he believes it’s a viable project – “When you have an infrastructure project, quite often in the early stages, there’s some criticism of it.”
Inside the rollercoaster week in Victorian politics
Crime, the CFMEU, cost blowout fears on the Suburban Rail Loop and a new stoush with the top cop. These stories show why Premier Jacinta Allan may think a week is a long time in Victorian politics.
Allan told she needs an exit strategy for SRL
Infrastructure Australia has cast doubt on the Victorian government’s ability to fund a third of SRL East through value capture and warns of more cost blowouts.