Anthony Albanese says "the interests of Victorians are looked after" amid rail loop review

Victoria’s newly installed Premier Ben Carroll has signaled he may redirect billions in federal money set aside for the contested Suburban Rail Loop, prompting a cooperative response from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Carroll, who took office this week after replacing Jacinta Allan, said he would pursue investments delivering “the greatest value” and didn’t dispute a possible review of the 90-kilometer project, including contracts already signed. Speaking Thursday, Albanese said he would collaborate with the state government to ensure Victorians’ needs are met, noting that Victoria’s share of federal infrastructure funding had fallen to eight percent under the previous Coalition government. The federal government has committed $6 billion to the rail loop, while the state has allocated about $11.8 billion for its first stage. Opposition leader Jess Wilson has promised to pause and reassess the project if elected in November.