Matt Johnston: Federal funding crucial for SRL — and for the Allan government

As a federal election looms, the Albanese government has decided to put more money into Melbourne’s Airport Rail but without federal funding for the SRL, the Allan government is out of the loop.

Federal Labor MPs want the Melbourne Airport rail link built, not only because of its benefits but because it’s popular.

The project was planned and funded with $10bn last decade, but was paused by the Andrews government during a dispute about the Tullamarine station location. This conveniently allowed it to put off paying its share of the bill, at a time it put almost all its eggs in one giant basket called the Suburban Rail Loop East – a project some federal MPs snidely call the “Cheltenham to Box Hill line”.

The Melbourne Airport Rail project was planned and funded with $10bn last decade, but was paused by the Andrews government during a dispute about the Tullamarine station location.

A federal election is now looming, and the Albanese government has decided to put more money into airport rail. The SRL is yet to see a cent.

Some Labor MPs are under serious pressure in Victoria, where Peter Dutton and independents are making inroads in previously safe(ish) seats.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan will be at pains to downplay any rift between the Labor teams.

Some Labor figures insist Allan’s first response to the offer of more airport rail cash was to ask for more SRL funding.

Perhaps that’s because some Labor figures say without federal funding for the SRL the Allan government – and the Cheltenham to Box Hill line – is stuffed.