The budget for the North-East link has been majorly blown out, with the cost of the project rising to $26 billion despite an original projected cost of $10 billion.

Transport and cities program director at the Grattan Institute, Marion Terril, says the state government needs to focus on already existing projects like the North-East link with the rising cost of materials and labour.

“There’s nothing to say there won’t be greater blow outs … just earlier this week, Infrastructure Australia put out a report about … the state of the market for construction,” she told Tony Jones.,

Press PLAY to hear why the project cost has blown out + her advice to the state government

She says the state government put pause on projects which are in the early stages.

“We are pushing these things … it’s full steam ahead with the Suburban Rail Loop, and that’s one – it’s so early on and it’s so expensive, as well,” she said.

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