$200m boost for jobs in Victoria
02 August 2015 by News Desk
The Government of Victoria will create a $200m fund to boost jobs in the state if sale of the Port of Melbourne goes ahead.
The government says it will establish the multi million-dollar “agriculture infrastructure and jobs fund” to drive economic growth; create jobs; boost exports and support Victorian farmers.
Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, told reporters: “Whether it’s education, transport infrastructure, water infrastructure or biosecurity this fund will be a real boost to what is such a significant part of Victoria’s story and such an important part of Victoria’s future.”
The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s busiest container port and used by more than 3,000 ships every year. Selling the lease on the Port would generate over $6 billion, according to government figures.
The port will be leased to private interests for 50 years to raise billions of dollars for transport projects including a plan to remove the state’s 50 most dangerous railway level crossings.
Legislation regarding the sale is due to go before the Victorian parliament later this week. Opposition parties are opposed to the sell-off plan and are seeking a parliamentary inquiry.
