Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Allegations of threats and inflated costs raised over Melbourne airport rail route
An anonymous former planning expert alleges Victoria's government pushed for the Sunshine route for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link by undermining alternatives.
The expert's submission to the state's royal commission into the construction industry reportedly says officials added $3.8 billion to $4.6 billion in unnecessary tunnelling costs to an alternative route through Maribyrnong.
The expert also told The Age that a senior public servant was threatened with losing their job if they did not support Sunshine.
Jacinta Allan, the minister at the time, denies the allegations, while the government says it will not comment before the commission's findings.
The allegations have prompted the Victorian opposition to demand that Premier Ben Carroll explain what he knew and when.
The royal commission will examine the claims, and the opposition says it would continue with the Sunshine route if elected because contracted work is already under way.
Victoria’s opposition has accused Labor of bullying and intimidation over allegations about the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.
An anonymous former government planning expert reportedly said officials inflated cost estimates for an alternative route to favor a route through Sunshine.
The expert alleged that between $3.8 billion and $4.6 billion in unnecessary tunnelling was added to the Maribyrnong route estimate.
The expert also alleged that Jacinta Allan threatened his job if he did not support Sunshine as the preferred route.
The state government said it would not comment ahead of the royal commission’s findings, while an Allan spokesperson denied the allegations.
- Who
- The allegations involve the Victorian government, former minister Jacinta Allan and an anonymous former government planning expert. The Victorian opposition has raised the claims.
- What
- The expert reportedly alleged that alternative-route costs were inflated and that he was threatened over support for the Sunshine route.
- When
- The alleged events’ date is not stated. The claims were reported in an article published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Melbourne, Victoria, including the proposed Sunshine and Maribyrnong routes.
- Why
- The expert alleged that costs were increased to make the Maribyrnong route less attractive and favor the government’s preferred Sunshine route.
Victorian opposition and anonymous former planning expert
Victorian government and Jacinta Allan’s spokesperson
Cost estimates
Victorian opposition and anonymous former planning expert
The expert alleged that $3.8 billion to $4.6 billion in unnecessary tunnelling was added to the Maribyrnong route estimate to undermine it.
Victorian government and Jacinta Allan’s spokesperson
The government declined to comment ahead of the royal commission’s findings; an Allan spokesperson denied the allegations.
Pressure over route
Victorian opposition and anonymous former planning expert
The expert alleged he was threatened with losing his job if he did not confirm Sunshine as the ideal route.
Victorian government and Jacinta Allan’s spokesperson
An Allan spokesperson denied the allegations and said she would cooperate fully with the royal commission.
Multiple routes were proposed after then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pledged up to $5 billion for the airport rail link.
The anonymous former planning expert said he raised concerns with executives and was threatened with losing his job.
ABC Australia reported the allegations and the opposition’s response.
- Alternative-route estimate
- $3.8 billion to $4.6 billion in alleged unnecessary tunnelling
- Preferred route
- Sunshine
- Alternative route
- Maribyrnong
- Proposed station
- Keilor East
- Commission
- Victoria’s royal commission into the construction industry
What people are saying
He needs to explain what he knew, and when he knew it.
In terms of reading some of the allegations in the paper, there isn't even sources in relation to some of these claims
The former premier would cooperate fully with the royal commission.
The terms of reference are broad and expansive. Nothing is off limits.