Vic govt wants to sell port for billions

The Victorian government wants to sell Melbourne's port for a multi-billion dollar price tag to pay for huge road and rail projects.

Labor is already committed to the sale of Australia's busiest port for $6 billion if it wins the November election to pay for the removal of Melbourne's 50 worst level crossings.

Now Treasurer Michael O'Brien says the government plans to start the sale process within months and it is likely to pay for the second stage of the East West Link and the Metro Rail Capacity Project that includes a rail link to Melbourne Airport, News Corp Australia reports.

Mr O'Brien said the Napthine government could reap an even greater windfall than the Victorian ALP's $6 billion estimate by tying its sale to the development of the Port of Hastings as a second container port for Victoria.

"We're not just kicking the tyres. This is the road map to privatisation," Mr O'Brien said.