Transport and Infrastructure

What it is

Roads/potholes, the $33.3bn Suburban Rail Loop, VNI West and the Western Renewables Link transmission lines, and regional rail/hospital infrastructure.

Evidence

A $7.6-$11.4bn 240km transmission line from the Wimmera to NSW; Coalition vows to scrap it ("dead, buried and cremated"), matched by One Nation (¹(;² ). A 2022 government report found a 4-year delay adds up to $321/yr to household bills ($4,816 over 15 yrs); Nexa modelling says cancellation adds ~$500/yr (³). Flashpoint seat: Ripon (Labor, 5.98%), where Redbridge found One Nation >40% — "ground zero" for Labor in regional Victoria; Murray Plains (Nationals) also at risk (³(;⁴ ). VAGO found 48% of state-managed roads in poor/very poor condition (up from 39% in 2021); Loddon Mallee 69%; 8,049 unrepaired potholes; $3bn/yr needed vs $1.04bn funded + $352m extra (⁵). First section under construction for $33.3bn; 49% want it paused vs 27% continue (⁶). One Nation would scrap it to fund Airport Rail/Melton electrification (⁷).

Where it bites

Regional west (VNI West), Loddon Mallee/Hume/Grampians (roads), outer Melbourne west/north (SRL, Melton).

Who owns it

Coalition and One Nation lead on stopping VNI West and on roads (Coalition $5bn road plan); Labor owns the SRL risk and the "debt tsunami"/pothole attack line (⁵(;³ ).