Freeway lane deal slammed by Libs

THE DEAL to build an extra lane on the Monash Freeway from Heatherton to Glenferrie Road should be investigated by the Victorian Auditor General, Liberal Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said last week.
Mr Baillieu said the $903 million deal between the State Government and Transurban was a ‘secret deal behind closed doors’ and that the State Government was paying Transurban too much interest.
“Transurban is borrowing funds at abour 6.8 per cent but the Labor Government is effectively paying 9.7 per cent for these funds,” he said.
“Like any Australian government, the Labor Government can borrow funds at about 6 per cent.
“The extra interest that the Labor Government is paying to Transurban is money that could be used for extra nurses, ambulances, health facilities, teachers, other roads or rail extensions.”
Mr Baillieu has received a letter in response to his request from the Victorian Auditor General stating the deal would be investigated as part of annual financial audits on the State.