In late 2017 or early 2018, then-transport minister Jacinta Allan reportedly directed a secret working group to produce documents inflating the cost of a direct Maribyrnong airport rail route with unnecessary tunnelling, making the Sunshine option seem cheaper ahead of the 2018 election.
A planning expert told Melbourne’s Big Build royal commission that financial estimates were manipulated and a senior public servant faced sack threats to lock in the choice.
The government won’t comment as the commission probes integrity in major projects, with former premier Allan denying the claims and set to testify before the November 28 state election.
