The Allan Labor Government’s $200 billion Suburban Rail Loop is a gravy train with over 100 executives earning an average of $322,000 each in the last financial year.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said this was an extraordinary salary, in light of the cost of living crisis faced by many regional Victorians.
Ms Broad said in the 2023-24 financial year the Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s (SRLA) employee expenses were nearly $58 million.
“A total of 102 sub-executives shared in remunerations of $33 million, with an annual average of $322,000 per executive,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
Ms Broad said the Premier had misled Victorians over suburban rail loop funding, as they have not secured any Commonwealth funding for the project. The Commonwealth Labor Government has not contributed one cent.
“Under the Premier’s financial mismanagement, costs for major projects have blown out by over $40 billion. Labor cannot manage money and Victorians are paying the price with less services and higher taxes.
“The Allan Labor Government has driven Victoria into crippling debt, with daily interest repayments to reach $26 million by 2027-28.”
Ms Broad said despite major shortfalls in funding, the Premier has signed contracts and construction of the SRL has already commenced.
“Regional Victoria is growing and deserves a fair share of State government funding so that Victoria can become a state of cities, not a city state,” Ms Broad said.
“I call on the Allan Labor Government to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on the SRL gravy train and explain where the money is coming from to pay for it.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
