Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster said the failure of the Victorian Government to allocate funding for the completion of the Murray Basin Rail Project in their 2020/21 budget is beyond disappointing.“It is clear the Victorian Government has disregarded the concerns of stakeholders and the needs of regional Victoria by refusing to accept their responsibility to complete this project. Worse still, the revised business case was kept secret, with stakeholders left in the dark, and not given the opportunity to provide feedback.“I’ve had countless meetings and discussions with industry and stakeholders, and communicated their needs to the Victorian Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan. Those who rely on the Murray Basin Rail Project need it completed in full as originally promised and agreed with the Federal Government. With today’s announcement, the Victorian State Labor Government has let regional Victoria down again.The State Government is now attempting to shirk their responsibilities for this vital infrastructure, by adhering to a suboptimal plan with a totally insufficient funding commitment, which will result in an inferior rail system for the people of Mallee.“This Victorian Labor Government’s continued refusal to honour the original Federal and State Government agreement is disgraceful.’Without the full completion of the Murray Basin Rail Project, investors will overlook the north-west of Victoria in favour of regions with modern transport infrastructure that can meet the growing needs of industry.This decision shows a complete disregard for those outside of the golden triangle of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.Nationals Senate Leader and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said today’s Victorian Budget highlights the Andrews Labor Government’s complete disregard for regional Victorians.“Where is the promised Murray Basin Rail Project? The complete standardization as originally promised is what state Labor committed to,” Senator McKenzie said.“Labor’s cost-cutting hodgepodge mixture of old and new track of varying gauges, which does not deliver the crucial Murray Basin Rail Project as promised, puts country road users lives at risks, and puts more big trucks on our country roads, instead of taking them off.“Today’s state Budget leaves regional Victorians scratching their heads.