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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Energy & Infrastructure

Victoria to scrap 'secret' public transport levy after transparency concerns

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Victoria will scrap a levy secretly imposed on public transport fares, intended to fund major infrastructure projects like the Suburban Rail Loop.
  • Premier Ben Carroll cited a lack of transparency in the levy's creation and implementation as the reason for its abolition.
  • An auditor general's report revealed the levy, which began in January 2025, and also raised doubts about the timely and budget-conscious delivery of the Suburban Rail Loop East project.

Victoria is set to abolish a levy that was secretly added to public transport fares, a move Premier Ben Carroll announced would happen due to a "lack of transparency" in its creation and implementation. The levy was intended to help fund the state's ambitious "Big Build" projects, including the controversial Suburban Rail Loop.

because there was no transparency in its creation and implementation.

— Ben CarrollThe Victorian Premier explained his decision to abolish the public transport levy.

Carroll stated that Victorians "deserve better public transport" and "deserve to know what their money is buying." He confirmed his intention, along with the treasurer, to abolish the charge, with a formal cabinet process to follow. The existence of the levy was only revealed in an auditor general's report tabled in parliament the day before Carroll's announcement.

Victorians do deserve better public transport. They also deserve to know what their money is buying. Under my leadership, they will.

— Ben CarrollThe Premier emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending.

The auditor general's report also cast doubt on the feasibility of delivering the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop, known as SRL East, on time and within budget. This 26km stretch of twin tunnels from Cheltenham to Box Hill was estimated to cost between $30-34.5 billion in 2021, with a projected opening in 2035. The levy, in place since January 1, 2025, imposed a 1% annual increase on all metropolitan and regional public transport fares, on top of existing inflation adjustments.

I was not part of the creation.

— Ben CarrollThe Premier stated he was not involved in the initial decision to approve the levy.

Carroll, who served as public transport minister when the levy was first approved in 2021, claimed he was not involved in its creation. He stated he was not on the budget and finance committee in December 2023 when the levy was approved, though he was added to the committee in November 2024. The auditor general's report indicated the levy was expected to raise $8 billion over 37 years, with 60% earmarked for SRL East. Carroll emphasized that under his leadership, "transparency and accountability is fundamental."

transparency and accountability is fundamental.

— Ben CarrollThe Premier highlighted his commitment to open governance.
About this summary

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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