Mildura passenger train: Liberal leader Michael O’Brien to consider rail link

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien has revealed his thoughts on whether passenger trains should return to Victoria’s northwest.

There are currently no V/Line trains to Mildura. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Victoria’s opposition will do “homework” before making any pitch to voters on returning passenger trains to Mildura.

Liberal leader Michael O’Brien on Tuesday visited Mildura, which has not had a passenger service since 1993.

Along with other regional lines, trains between Melbourne and Mildura were axed by the Liberals under Jeff Kennett.

At the last state election the Coalition promised to spend $80 million on track upgrades in its first Budget and restore the service within two terms.

Mr O’Brien said he wasn’t yet in a position to make promises but spoke about wanting to connect Victoria.

“I still want to see the work done so that ultimately we can look at getting passenger rail back to Mildura,” he said.

Labor has not committed to returning Mildura trains since a promise by Steve Bracks went unfulfilled.

Victorian Government spokespeople in recent months have talked up the number of coach services from Mildura and criticised a Parliamentary Budget Office analysis of a low-cost train proposal.

Infrastructure Victoria did not recommend returning passenger trains to Mildura in its draft 30-year strategy.

Mr O’Brien said Victoria, as a smaller state geographically, should have good road and rail links.

“I would like to see passenger rail returned to Mildura (but) you’ve got to do your homework first,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Labor isn’t even prepared to do the homework.”

Independent Ali Cupper won the seat of Mildura at the 2018 election from a Nationals incumbent, with passenger rail a key part of her platform.

Ms Cupper’s win, by 253 votes, paved the way for a three-cornered contest at next year’s election.

Mr O’Brien said he was “red-hot” about the Liberals contesting the seat and a candidate was likely by the end of this year or early next year, after a review of electorate boundaries was complete.

He was also unapologetic about flyers distributed by both the Liberal and National parties in Mildura earlier this year.

Ms Cupper, who remains independent but is in a coalition with the Reason Party, told parliament the material was “blatant misinformation” and voters wanted a different type of politics.

Mr O’Brien said he wasn’t going to be shy talking about Ms Cupper and Reason.

“Ms Cupper needs to explain why she ran as an independent and then joined a political party that supports extending the state of emergency, that supports putting five new drug injecting rooms across Victoria,” Mr O’Brien said.

“That is basically a Melbourne inner city party that she’s now the branch office of in Mildura – that’s for her to explain.

“If she doesn’t like that she’s being held accountable, then she doesn’t understand what democracy is about.”

Ms Cupper and Reason leader Fiona Patten have said they want a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Mildura and not a drug injecting room.

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