Darren Chester: Let’s do a deal on regional rail

IT’S time to do a deal on regional rail, writes DARREN CHESTER

All aboard: Darren Chester wants a new federal-state regional rail deal in place by July 1. Picture: Andy Rogers

IF THERE’S one thing that unites voters it’s their contempt for politicians who become obsessed with petty arguments and point scoring.

When I took over the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio, I put a pragmatic proposal to the Victorian Government and we did a deal that has resulted in partnership funding for $3 billion worth of projects including Murray Basin rail, the Echuca-Moama Bridge and highway safety upgrades across regional Victoria.

That work is all under way and will make a difference to the lives of thousands of regional Victorians in the years ahead.

Darren Chester

Now, in the wake of the Budget, it’s time the two levels of government got together for another deal.

Last night’s Federal Budget included $1 billion in infrastructure funding for new projects in Victoria, with $500 million allocated for the first stage of regional rail upgrades.

The Victorian Government wanted more and Premier Daniel Andrews has claimed that none of its regional rail projects will go ahead unless the Commonwealth provides $1.4 billion.

Even though public transport is primarily a State Government responsibility, Mr Andrews wants the Federal Government to fully fund all of his regional rail budget promises.

Rather than threaten to abandon all of his regional rail plans, I’ve got a better idea.

The Premier should allow the Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to sit down and negotiate an outcome that both levels of government can live with.

We should set a deadline of July 1 to get a deal done and stop the public slanging match.

Neither government may get everything it wants — but Victorians certainly will benefit.

They will see a couple of ministers from opposite sides of the political divide behaving like grown-ups and doing their jobs in the interests of all Victorians.

What do you say, Mr Andrews: have we got a deal?

• Darren Chester is federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport