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Albanese to tip $3.8 billion into Suburban Rail Loop ‘locked box’
The money is tied to milestones and comes as tunnelling is set to begin later this year, with the project still far short of its full cost.
On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an extra $3.8 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop, bringing the Commonwealth's total contribution to $6 billion.
Premier Jacinta Allan secured this support for the $34.5 billion project, which will connect established train lines in Cheltenham, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, and Clayton.
Tunnelling for the 26-kilometre rail line is expected to start by the end of 2026, with Albanese calling the project a "game changer" for Melbourne's productivity.
Despite the funding boost, the federal commitment remains $5.5 billion short of what the Victorian government requested, with funds tied to specific project milestones.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson vowed to pause and review the project if elected in November, while critics cite cost blowouts of at least 22 per cent since 2019.