Victorian Liberals pledge to shelve Rail Loop’s first phase if elected

The Victorian Opposition has promised to scrap the mammoth first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop if elected at the state’s next election.

Party leader Matthew Guy made the announcement on Wednesday, claiming the Liberals would instead divert the money into health and hospital funding.

The rail loop is the largest project of its kind in Victoria’s history and would eventually connect all of the city’s major rail lines and Melbourne Airport.

Mr Guy said his government would stop construction on the project’s first phase, which has been underway since June.

“This November, Victorians face a clear choice – a choice between immediately rebuilding Victoria’s broken health system, or a train line in 13 years’ time,” Mr Guy said in a statement.

”This rail line is the most expensive, yet least-scrutinised project in Australia’s history. It still hasn’t even been assessed by Infrastructure Australia.”

The first phase of the rail loop will cost $34.5bn and is expected to by completed by 2035. It will include six new underground stations and 26km of tunnels.

However, Transport Minister Jacinta Allan was quick to rebuff Mr Guy’s plan, noting it would result in 24,000 job losses and hinder Melbourne’s train network from being future proof.

“Victorians voted for this project, which will create thousands of jobs – and today Matthew Guy has finally come clean,” she said in a statement.

“By cutting the Suburban Rail Loop, you are cutting thousands and thousands of jobs across the Victorian community.

“What we’ve seen today is a pretty stark message to the Victorian community.”

The Suburban Rail Loop was an election promise in Labor’s successful 2018 campaign.

Mr Guy said his government would instead funnel the funds to build new hospitals at Melton, Mildura, West Gippsland and Wodonga.

More than $11.8bn has already been set aside by the state government to deliver the project, including $2.2bn for early works.