MP puts up hand for $2b

Henderson wants windfall for rail

SARAH Henderson is urging the State Government to splash a $2 billion windfall on regional infrastructure.

The cash is set to fall into Victorian coffers after the state sold its share of the Snowy Hydro energy scheme to the Commonwealth yesterday.

Ms Henderson, the federal MP for Corangamite, said the State Government needed to spend more money in regional areas, claiming it poured an unfair amount into metropolitan Melbourne.

In particular, Ms Henderson said more money was needed for regional road and rail projects.

She singled out the $1.42 billion the Commonwealth put towards a regional rail package last June, which courted just $150 million from Victoria.

Part of the package included $110 million being invested in the rail duplication between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, along with planning and land acquisition for a rail corridor to Torquay.

But Ms Henderson said Victoria needed to kick in more money, with the duplication project expected to cost about $300 million alone.

“I’m calling on the state to match our funding ($1.42 billion), because we do not have the money that’s required to fully fund these rail upgrades,” she said.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas welcomed the $2 billion windfall but said the state had not decided what the money would go towards.

“This demonstrates that when we have a partner in the Commonwealth we can deliver benefits that are in the interests of Victoria and the nation,” he said.