Opposition MP questions the Minister for Transport regarding Metronet cost blowouts and seeks a definitive cost estimate, while the Minister deflects by highlighting federal contribution and broader economic factors.

AnsweredQoN 1474Legislative Council
Asked
16 November 2023
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

METRONET —
CAPITAL SPENDING AND FUNDING
1474. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the additional $1 billion
that the commonwealth government has gifted to the state government to cover
the most recent cost blowouts for Metronet.
(1) What is the
best current rounded estimate of the full capital cost of Metronet —
(a) $11 billion;
(b) $12 billion;
or
(c) $13 billion?
(2) Does the
minister rule out any further budget blowouts of the kind she has consistently
delivered each year since 2017?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
$1 billion allocated by the federal government reflects a contribution towards
just its share of cost escalations, as per national partnership agreements.
This is shown in the 2023–24 state budget. Cost escalations have been experienced across the whole economy, whether one
is building a patio or a railway. The cost per kilometre for Metronet
projects remains significantly lower than other major rail projects across
Australia.

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