Poor advice on SRL infrastructure decision

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

Premier Ben Carroll has decided to dismantle Infrastructure Victoria, a key agency responsible for independent infrastructure planning and advice. This move has sparked concerns from the CPSU about the government's commitment to expert guidance and transparency in major projects like the Suburban Rail Loop, while also raising questions about the future of infrastructure decision-making in the state.

The decision by Premier Ben Carroll to dismantle Infrastructure Victoria has drawn criticism from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). CPSU secretary Jiselle Hanna questioned the government’s commitment to the agency’s role in providing independent, expert advice, particularly regarding major infrastructure projects such as the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) and the Westgate Tunnel.

Premier Carroll recently announced the elimination of Infrastructure Victoria, a government body responsible for long-term infrastructure planning and offering what he described as frank and fearless recommendations to elected officials. However, Hanna highlighted inconsistencies between this claim and recent project outcomes, pointing to the SRL, which has faced significant challenges and negative public perception. The Suburban Rail Loop has been labeled “a dog of a project,” and federal government engagement was limited until Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s intervention, seemingly motivated by electoral considerations linked to former premier Jacinta Allan.

Hanna suggested that the expert advice previously provided by Infrastructure Victoria may have been disregarded in key decisions, casting doubt on the value and effectiveness of maintaining such an advisory body if its guidance is not followed. This criticism reflects ongoing debate about the transparency and accountability of infrastructure planning processes in the state.

Carroll’s announcement also includes job cuts, particularly among executives within the agency. While Hanna acknowledged the government’s move to reduce staff numbers, she raised concerns about the financial implications, noting that the redundancies are likely to result in substantial payouts due to existing employment contracts with senior public servants.

The dismantling of Infrastructure Victoria marks a significant shift in how infrastructure priorities will be developed and advised upon in the state, with questions remaining about how future projects will be evaluated and managed without the agency’s independent oversight.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.