Western Distributor

Shadow Minister for Roads and Industry, Ryan Smith

Revelations in Senate Estimates today show what Victorians suspected all along, the only winner from the Western Distributor is Transurban, whilst the big losers are taxpayers and motorists in the eastern and south-eastern suburbs.
Mr Mike Mrdak the Secretary of the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development told Senate Estimates today that there was no evidence to support Daniel Andrews’ claim that the Western Distributor will relieve congestion and that the Andrews Government has not made available all of its analysis of the project.
Whilst sending the bill to Malcolm Turnbull with one hand, Daniel Andrews has refused to provide the supporting documentation that the Federal Government required to make a full assessment of the project.
Daniel Andrews is condemning Victorian motorists to more than a decade of extra tolls worth $30 billion to Transurban to pay for a project that his own hand-picked infrastructure advisors refuse to endorse and the Commonwealth Government says could further gridlock Melbourne.
Only Daniel Andrews could find a way to spend $1.2 billion to not build the East West Link and then spend $5.5 billion on a road that will make congestion worse.

Media contact:  James Duncan   0457 758 018   james.duncan@opposition.vic.gov.au