The review was sold as a 90-day process but it is now 178 days since its launch
A review of federally funded projects, including the mothballed Melbourne Airport Rail Link, is yet to be released, raising concerns the rail project could be stalled for years.
Victoria
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A long-overdue major review of federally funded infrastructure projects — including the mothballed Airport Rail Link — is still weeks away from being released.
The Herald Sun understands there is no set date for the review to be made public, but that it will be revealed ahead of the Albanese government’s December budget update.
The review, looking at the viability of $120bn of infrastructure investments, was originally sold as a 90-day process, but it is now 178 days since its launch.
Opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said serious delays in the infrastructure portfolio were creating major problems.
“While minister (Catherine) King delays the infrastructure review, construction prices are increasing, Australians are missing out on well-paying jobs, and our roads are degrading and becoming more unsafe,” Senator McKenzie said.
“More than 400 critical road and rail projects across the nation remain under threat of cancellation, yet the Albanese government has seen fit to fund stadiums and rail loops with business cases that don’t stack up.”
It comes as the infrastructure investment program is estimated to have blown out by at least $33bn.
The decision to include Melbourne’s $10bn Airport Rail Link project in the review, despite the fact $730m had already been spent on it and construction was well underway, sparked outrage.
There are now fears the major link could be stalled for years, while the controversial Suburban Rail Loop and other federal-funded projects deemed under construction were exempt from the review.
Chief executive at economic think tank the Committee for Melbourne Mark Melvin recently said Airport Rail Link has “got to be done, so let’s get on with it”.
It is understood a draft of the independent review was sent to Victoria and other states for their opinions mid-year, with the federal government now considering its response to the recommendations and feedback.
Victorian Transport Minister Danny Pearson on Wednesday said: “I don’t have any sense at this stage in terms of when they propose to respond but … I don’t think we’re going to be waiting years for this.
“It’s a 90-day review, it’s not a 900 day (review).”
The Herald Sun this week revealed public servant Vito Trantino, who was put in charge of the halted rail project, was being paid more than $560,000 a year.
Mr Pearson said the Airport Rail Link director was assisting with other major projects as the government awaited the outcomes of the review.
A government spokeswoman for Infrastructure Minister Ms King said she was considering the “lengthy report” in detail.
“She is consulting closely with her state and territory counterparts, and federal colleagues to determine how to proceed in a way that best serves the interests of the Australian public and doesn’t contribute to inflation and cost of living pressures,” the spokeswoman said.
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