Vic seeks 25pc of Building Australia fund
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Victoria 'needs greater federal funding for road and public transport projects'. (AAP: Andrew Brownbill)
The Victorian Government says it wants at least a quarter share of the Federal Government's new Building Australia infrastructure fund.
A deal struck yesterday between the Commonwealth and the states will see $20 billion in federal cash allocated to infrastructure projects across the country.
A list of key projects will be drawn up by the end of the year.
State Roads Minister Tim Pallas says Victoria needs greater federal funding for road and public transport projects than other parts of the country.
"In terms of the Building Australia Fund, if this plan is all about dealing with urban congestion, then Melbourne and Sydney and to a lesser extent Brisbane, have to be the key focus of interest and activity," he said.
"For too long Victorians have received less than their fare share when it comes to federal road allocations."
Federal opposition
Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has labelled the venture a "slush fund" and has expressed concern the money will be used to bail out failing state Labor governments.
But federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese says the Government is at arm's length from the process and all projects will be decided on their merits.
"The Opposition should get out of the way and support Labor's agenda," he said.
"The fact is they had nothing to say about infrastructure for 12 long years.
"Now that the Commonwealth is getting on with the business of nation building, doing it in a rigorous way, they are sniping at the sidelines."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the projects hinge on the Opposition being responsible in the Senate, and says they should act responsibly and support the move.
"Up until now they've opposed it," he said.
"They've shouted their opposition to this on the floor of the House of Representatives, said all sorts of negative things about it.
"I think they are radically out of step with the mood of the Australian nation and the needs of the Australian economy."
