Project Costs

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().6 February 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has advised:

1. No.

2. There is no cost blowout.

The Marshall Liberal government's flawed reference design would have cost $14.3 billion and would not have included essential network upgrades to east-west connections. The costs of these essential upgrades are estimated at $850 million for a total cost of $15.15 billion. The $9.9 billion figure was a cost provided by the former government to obtain a political benefit. The flawed reference design would never have been built for $9.9 billion.