Rank-and-file Victorian Labor members are preparing to heap more pressure on the Victorian government to “get serious” on building Melbourne’s airport rail link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A motion moved by Transport Workers Union state secretary Mem Suleyman on the stalled project is scheduled for debate at the Victorian Labor State Conference on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It calls for the state government to “get serious about the development of the airport rail link” and for all parties to “roll up their sleeves” and get the project done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his 10th budget, Treasurer Tim Pallas on May 7 revealed Melbourne Airport Rail would be completed at least four years later than its original 2029 target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Victorian government and airport have long been at odds over whether the Tullamarine station should be underground or elevated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The frustrating and seemingly endless dispute over whether the project should be overground or underground is not important,” the motion reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Airline workers and commuters don’t care whether the station is above the ground or underground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“They just want a station that gives them the same option as every other airline worker at major airports in Australia.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another motion slated for debate on Sunday is pushing for more railway stations to be built between the Airport and Werribee stations as part of the Suburban Rail Loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It suggests no new stations have been promised for the western section of the rail loop plan, which has no estimated cost or finish date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Treasurer Tim Pallas told a budget estimates hearing on Thursday that the eastern section of the rail line from Cheltenham to Box Hill was deliverable within its $30 billion to $34.5 billion price tag despite a 22 per cent jump in construction costs since 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speeches from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan to party faithful on Saturday were overshadowed when pro-Palestine protesters gatecrashed the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six motions supporting the Palestinian cause, including one calling for an “end to military co-operation with Israel”, passed after a fiery debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canberra Times<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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