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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/11/labor-to-scrap-melbournes-east-west-link-if-elected-in-november
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| Labor to scrap Melbourne's East West Link if elected in November | Labor to scrap Melbourne's East West Link if elected in November |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Victorian Labor party would scrap Melbourne’s controversial East West Link toll motorway if elected in November, despite expectations that contracts for the $8bn first stage would be signed next month. | The Victorian Labor party would scrap Melbourne’s controversial East West Link toll motorway if elected in November, despite expectations that contracts for the $8bn first stage would be signed next month. |
| The opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, said he took the decision after advice from former federal court judge Ray Finkelstein, administrative law expert Richard Niall QC, and contract law expert Siobhan Keating, Fairfax Media reported. | The opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, said he took the decision after advice from former federal court judge Ray Finkelstein, administrative law expert Richard Niall QC, and contract law expert Siobhan Keating, Fairfax Media reported. |
| Labor had previously said it would honour any contracts for the 18km road which were signed before the election for fear of alienating investors in Victoria. | Labor had previously said it would honour any contracts for the 18km road which were signed before the election for fear of alienating investors in Victoria. |
| But, if it wins the November election, it now plans to use a supreme court challenge by Moreland and Yarra councils to render the contract invalid. | But, if it wins the November election, it now plans to use a supreme court challenge by Moreland and Yarra councils to render the contract invalid. |
| The councils claimed the planning process that led to the East West Link being approved was flawed because key legislative requirements had not been met. | The councils claimed the planning process that led to the East West Link being approved was flawed because key legislative requirements had not been met. |
| The support of Labor means that court action is now likely to succeed should Andrews be elected. | The support of Labor means that court action is now likely to succeed should Andrews be elected. |
| “[Premier] Denis Napthine has no authority, no mandate and no right to sign Victorians up to this tunnel just two weeks before the election,” Andrews said on Thursday. “Labor will have no part of it. Victorians must be given a choice.” | “[Premier] Denis Napthine has no authority, no mandate and no right to sign Victorians up to this tunnel just two weeks before the election,” Andrews said on Thursday. “Labor will have no part of it. Victorians must be given a choice.” |
| Andrews later said Labor would install its own transport plan rather than “proceed with Denis Napthine’s dud tunnel”. “Instead, Labor will transform Victoria’s public transport system by doubling the size of the City Loop with Melbourne Metro and removing our 50 most dangerous and congested level crossings,” he said. | |
| Stephen Jolly, a Yarra councillor who is behind the legal case and is a spokesman for the community campaign against the project, said the community should be congratulated for making it an election issue. | Stephen Jolly, a Yarra councillor who is behind the legal case and is a spokesman for the community campaign against the project, said the community should be congratulated for making it an election issue. |
| “If it wasn’t for the community campaign Labor would never have come to this conclusion,” Jolly said. | “If it wasn’t for the community campaign Labor would never have come to this conclusion,” Jolly said. |
| “Let us not forget that this project was their idea back in 2008. Under pressure they were forced to come out against it last year but they always said they would honour any contracts signed.” | “Let us not forget that this project was their idea back in 2008. Under pressure they were forced to come out against it last year but they always said they would honour any contracts signed.” |
| Mark Stone, the chief executive of the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he was disappointed by Andrews’ comments and that he would request a meeting with him to understand why Labor’s position had changed. | |
| “There’s overwhelming support among major business and motoring groups and unions who all want it to go ahead,” Stone said. | |
| “[We have] consistently supported East West Link as it will create jobs and be a vital part of our transport network.” | |
| Business confidence would take a hit if the project did not come into fruition, he said. | |
| Jamie Briggs, the federal assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development, Victoria’s treasurer, Michael O’Brien, and the state minister for roads, Terry Mulder, said on Tuesday the East West Connect consortium had been selected to enter final negotiations, with contracts expected to be signed next month. | Jamie Briggs, the federal assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development, Victoria’s treasurer, Michael O’Brien, and the state minister for roads, Terry Mulder, said on Tuesday the East West Connect consortium had been selected to enter final negotiations, with contracts expected to be signed next month. |
| The court case will be heard on 15 December, two weeks after the state election. | The court case will be heard on 15 December, two weeks after the state election. |