East West Link: Andrews government ‘dead’ over axing, predicts Tony Abbott

The Age: East West Link: Andrews government 'dead' over axing, predicts Tony Abbott Josh Gordon State political editor for The Age April 16, 2015 The Andrews government is "dead" because of its decision to dump the East West Link, Tony Abbott has predicted. But the Prime Minister has refused to accept the project itself is finished, despite the $420 million deal this week between the state government and the East West Connect consortium to end the contract for the controversial project. The federal government handed over about $1.5 billion to the former Napthine government for the first eastern stage of the road, with a further $1.5 from the Commonwealth on offer for the second western section. Despite the demise of the contract, Mr Abbott said the money would remain in a "locked box", remaining adamant the road should still be built as a congestion-busting project for Melbourne.