Billions more set in train for contentious rail project
AUSTRALIAN taxpayers will shell out billions of dollars more in the federal budget to help fund Victoria’s controversial Suburban Rail Loop. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ fifth financial blueprint will include an extra $3.8 billion for the massive infrastructure project, for which preparatory work started in 2023. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Suburban Rail Loop East – which will connect established train lines in the suburbs of Cheltenham, Glen Waverly, Box Hill and Clayton – would make Melbourne’s economy more productive and improve connectivit