“The release of $1.5 billion from the Federal government previously earmarked for East West Link, and the disagreement about contingencies placed on its approved use for Victorian infrastructure by the Turnbull Government highlight the way partisan politics are hobbling progress on delivering urgent infrastructure for the state,” Master Builders Association of Victoria CEO Radley de Silva said.

“We welcome funding to get infrastructure projects underway—that is the good news—but expediency vanishes when arguments and miscommunication between federal and state governments are allowed to get in the way,” Mr de Silva said.

“Infrastructure Victoria is well-placed to identify projects and delivery details. It was established to avoid partisan stumbling blocks. We hope that their recommendations will be strongly informed, but to succeed it must provide those details of delivery that were lacking in the draft of their 30-year plan,” he said.

“While Master Builders is supportive of allocation of funds for specific projects, infrastructure needs for Victoria should be determined by the state government based on advice from Infrastructure Victoria, where there is the greatest understanding of priorities,” he said.

“We support the exploration of alternative funding options, but priority consideration must be given to reducing impact on housing affordability and the costs to business.

“The population of Melbourne alone continues to accelerate toward an expected eight million by 2051 and without roads and other transport works the state’s ability to provide for business and citizens will slip further and further behind,” Mr de Silva said.