By CASEY NEILL
GREATER Dandenong’s worst level crossings are fuelling a war of words between the region’s politicians.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said “the Liberal-Green coalition” had voted against legislation for funding to remove 50 of the state’s worst level crossings, including those at the South Gippsland Highway and Abbotts, Chandler, Heatherton and Corrigan roads.
She described the move as “an act of treachery against the Victorian people”.
But South Eastern Metropolitan Region Greens MP Nina Springle said “the Greens absolutely support the removal of level crossings, and indeed anything else that improves Melbourne’s rail network”.
She told the Journal that Ms Williams’ claims stemmed from the Greens and Liberal Party opposing the State Government’s moves to privatise the Port of Melbourne. The proceeds from the sale are earmarked to fund the grade separations.
“We oppose the sale. The port is one of Victoria’s few remaining strategic assets and a private monopoly will be bad for farmers, exporters and Victoria in general,” Ms Springle said.
She said there’d be a parliamentary inquiry into the Port of Melbourne sale and legislation wouldn’t pass the Upper House until this was complete later this year.
It has already passed the Lower House despite Liberal and Greens opposition.
“The Greens are completely supportive of level crossing removals. We want all of these crossings removed,“ Ms Springle said.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region Liberal MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said Premier Daniel Andrews claimed before last year’s election that the level crossing pledge was fully funded and costed.
“But he is now back-flipping,” he said.
“Last week the Coalition passed Labor’s budget giving it all the funding it asked for.
“Labor is now making excuses for a commitment it knows it can’t deliver.”
