Treasurer blasts ‘egregious’ Federal funding for Victorian roads

Victoria’s Treasurer has blasted the Federal government over road funding.

The Federal budget update was released on Monday, and Victoria seems to have been short-changed.

For every dollar of federal road funding, Victoria has received just 7.7 cents.

By contrast, NSW receives more than 30% of the allocated money.

Over the next five years, Victoria will get $2.5 billion, compared to the almost $12 billion for NSW.

Treasurer Tim Pallas branded the disparity as ‘egregious’.

‘It seems that the Commonwealth are taking a purely political view about where their interests lie, rather than where the national interest lies,’ Mr Pallas told Tony Jones on Tuesday.

‘The Federal government have turned their back on Victorians.

‘There’s no doubt they’re angry about a number of things, including that we won the last election.’

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But Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said there’s more to the story than just the numbers.

Mr Chester told Tony Victoria has $3 billion in funding available in contingency for the East/West Link, but the State and Federal governments can’t agree on that project.

‘If that $3 billion gets added to Victoria, the figure jumps to about 20%,’ he said. 

Mr Chester said he doesn’t want to play politics.

‘At the end of the day, Victorians don’t care who builds the road or rail links, as long as it gets done,’ he said.

Click play for the full interview