THE Victorian Government has conceded for the first time the dumping of Darren Chester as federal transport and infrastructure minister last year has been a setback for major rail upgrades including the trouble-plagued North-East line.
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Public transport minister Jacinta Allan confirmed the Andrews Government had “almost reached agreement” with Mr Chester for the money to be released to enable to engineers from the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which owns the track, and V/Line to make a start.
But the Gippsland-based MP lost his cabinet position and National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce replaced him in charge of the portfolio.
“Late last year, we had almost reached agreement for the release of funding for the Regional Rail Revival with the Commonwealth,” Ms Allan said.
“Then Victoria lost Darren Chester as minister.
“In his place, we gained a federal infrastructure minister clearly focused on other things.
“We’re continuing to lobby for Victoria’s money to be released without further delay.
“We won’t play politics with delivering the upgrades regional passengers deserve.
“It’s time the Sydney-centric, chaotic, Turnbull Government delivers, because whether it is road or rail, city or country, the Andrews Labor Government is getting it done.”
Mr Chester has confirmed the deal to handover the federal funding was poised to happen late last year.
The scope of works on the North-East line is still to be released publicly and the Victorian Government has doubts the $100 million allocated will be enough.
Ms Allan and Mr Joyce met last week regarding the release of the rail funding to Victoria.
Mr Joyce has taken leave of absence from parliament this week in the wake of revelations he was having an affair with a former staffer who is now pregnant.
But in addressing a question from Indi MP Cathy McGowan about the rail upgrade last week, Mr Joyce said the inland rail project also had to be taken into account.
“It is vitally important that it is not only for a commuter network, but also what we need to do on the inland rail,” Mr Joyce said.
“It’s vitally important we get the agreement in place so we can deal with any land acquisition requirements and working with the minister from Victoria we look forward to a vast improvement as part of the Coalition’s investment in rail infrastructure.”
He said consultations would start mid-year.