A major breakthrough has been reached between the Andrews Labor Government and the Opposition on the Delivering Victorian Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Bill 2015.
The Opposition sought a restriction on compensation for 15 years from lease commencement.
The Government has agreed to this, subject to competitive neutrality pricing guidelines applying to a state sponsored second port.
These guidelines were developed under the previous Coalition government, and have been described by the Leader of the Opposition as a “sound principle”.
All matters of consequence have now been resolved through good faith negotiations between the parties.
The outcome is a good result for the state of Victoria.
The Opposition has sought extra time to consider several minor technical issues, which the Government is comfortable with.
I would like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for his cooperation in a constructive negotiation process and I look forward to the Bill being passed in the next sitting week.
Reviewed 19 August 2020