Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber. The government is taking a mode-neutral approach when assessing the optimum transport solutions to address identified network deficiencies. The Asset Recycling Initiative has committed up to $1.6 billion towards urban rail projects in New South Wales, including Sydney Metro and a second harbour crossing. In the ACT, we are contributing $60 million towards the light-rail project. The Australian government has also recently committed $95 million towards Gold Coast light rail stage 2 and, in November 2015, announced a $2 million rail option scoping study that will examine Western Sydney's rail transport needs, including serving the proposed Western Sydney airport and the Western Sydney priority growth and land release areas. In addition, we have announced $10 million to further a study into the Melbourne Metro project. The Australian government is committed to delivering the much-needed Perth Freight Link and WestConnex projects and stands ready to fund the East West Link, should a Victorian government choose to build it.