The Victorian opposition has launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing Labor of “bullying and intimidation” following explosive allegations regarding the planning of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
The controversy stems from an anonymous submission made by a former government planning expert to Victoria’s construction industry royal commission. According to details first published by The Age, the submission alleges that the government deliberately undermined alternative proposals for the rail link to force through its preferred route via Sunshine.
Claims of Artificial Cost Blowouts
The whistleblower claims that between $3.8 billion and $4.6 billion in unnecessary tunnelling was intentionally added to an alternate Maribyrnong route. The alleged goal was to artificially inflate the price tag, making the Maribyrnong option unviable and steering the project toward Sunshine—a route that includes a planned new station at Keilor East within Premier Ben Carroll’s electorate of Niddrie.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure Evan Mulholland blasted the government over the revelations, demanding full accountability from the state’s leadership.
“We’ve seen revelations that Jacinta Allan and her office allegedly bullied, threatened and intimidated senior public servants to get a preferred political outcome on the Melbourne Airport Rail,” Mr Mulholland said.
Pressure Mounts on Premier Ben Carroll
With Premier Ben Carroll part of the cabinet when the decisions were made, the opposition is pressing him to clarify his personal involvement and knowledge of the alleged pressure tactics.
“He needs to explain what he knew, and when he knew it,” Mr Mulholland stated.
The state government has thus far declined to comment on the specific substance of the claims, pointing to the ongoing findings of the royal commission. As the fallout from the inquiry continues to unfold, the pressure is mounting on senior ministers to address the serious allegations of political interference in major infrastructure planning.
