Federal election 2025: Anthony Albanese hopes rail funding the right track with Victorian voters
While there are many trains of thought for how to achieve election victory, one way for Anthony Albanese could be rail announcements in Victoria.
Reiterating Labor support for a $2 billion upgrade to the Sunshine train station in Melbourne’s west, the prime minister made his first appearance of the campaign alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
It comes as the coalition promised it would scrap federal funding for the station upgrades and the contentious Suburban Rail Loop project in favour of a long-awaited airport rail link.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.But Mr Albanese said the upgrade to Sunshine station was necessary for a rail link to the airport to go ahead.
“Unless you fix Sunshine rail, you can’t do the airport rail link. It’s a necessary precondition,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
“I’m a prime minister who understands Victorian infrastructure.”
Rail infrastructure is looming as a crucial election issue in Melbourne, with concerns growing about mounting costs.
With Melbourne emerging as one of the key election battlegrounds, the unpopularity of the state Labor government has threatened to cast a shadow over the federal campaign.
While other state premiers were prominent on the campaign trail in its first week, Ms Allan did not make an appearance until Monday.
Mr Albanese did not comment on whether state Labor’s polling would have an impact on chances in Victoria, but said he was looking to make more in-roads in party heartland.
“I’m pretty confident, we’ll be arguing not just to hold seats but to win seats in Victoria,” he said.
“(Victorian Labor MPs are) standing up for those people who want to get on the metro and then get seamlessly through to the airport right throughout Melbourne.”
Ms Allan also dismissed suggestions her own standing with the electorate would be a drag on the federal vote.
“What I know Victorians are focused on is a choice, a choice between a prime minister and a Labor government ... that’s backing the infrastructure projects our city and state needs and wants, as opposed to a Dutton government and a Liberal offering that is all about cuts,” she said.
“Victorians know this because we’ve seen all of this before.”
