Fight Over Port of Melbourne Sale

 

Victoria’s plans to raise $6bn by selling the port of Melbourne are in jeopardy: the opposition refuses to support legislation for its sale.

 

The Andrews Government wants to sell the Port of Melbourne lease for 50 years to raise an estimated $5-6 billion to fund its signature transport projects.

 

The Coalition has decided to use its upper house numbers to block the sale of the port over concerns Labor's proposed deal will create a monopoly and cost taxpayers millions in compensation if another port is built. 

 

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the Government could still sell the port's lease without legislation if the Coalition refused to support it, by using powers granted under the State Owned Enterprises Act.

 

The support of the Greens gives the Coalition the numbers it needs for an Upper House inquiry, potentially stalling the legislation for months. The Coalition supports a medium-term lease of the port.

 

Following a vote in Parliament last week, Labor printed thousands of flyers attacking the Liberals for blocking the sale.