Overview

• The Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, has pledged to cancel $2.2 billion in federal funding for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), citing concerns about its financial viability.
• An additional $2 billion allocated for Sunshine Station upgrades would also be redirected under the Coalition's plan, totaling $4.2 billion in cuts.
• The funds would be reallocated to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, which is estimated to cost $13 billion, with the Coalition committing $6.5 billion contingent on matching state contributions.
• The Victorian government argues that canceling Sunshine Station upgrades would undermine the viability of the Airport Rail project by disrupting regional and suburban connectivity.
• The SRL's first stage, estimated at $34.5 billion, has faced criticism from Infrastructure Australia, which recommended halting federal funding until a re-costing is completed.