Election issues for Victoria

KEY ELECTION ISSUES FOR VICTORIA

INFRASTRUCTURE

Victoria wants billions in federal infrastructure cash. The state has a solid case too. Victoria gets nine per cent of national infrastructure funding, NSW gets 36 per cent. Victoria has historically got about 20 per cent, despite having a quarter of the nation's population and GDP. Sydney's employment boom has been amplified by the lion's share of the nation's transport funding, and politicians south of the border want some of that action too.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Victoria specifically wants $4.5 billion from the federal government for the $11 billion Melbourne Metro Rail project - even though the state has pledged to build it alone if it has to.

The same goes for the $5.5 billion Western Distributor toll road which initially needed Commonwealth funds before Victoria admitted it would proceed regardless.

Nevertheless any cash pledged from Canberra will be welcomed - and publicised.

DEFENCE

Victoria's car industry has two feet in the grave and the government wants some big defence contracts to fill the gap.

It wants the Land 400 vehicle to be built in the state - it was designed in Melbourne - and it also wants some big ship-building contracts so the Williamstown shipyards don't get mothballed permanently.

REFUGEES

Melbourne is perhaps the most pro-refugee city in the country. Premier Daniel Andrews has offered to house almost 300 asylum seekers the Commonwealth wants to send back to Nauru.

The Greens - whose sole lower house MP Adam Bandt holds the seat of Melbourne - are hoping to capitalise on disillusionment with the major parties on this issue and climate change to win in Batman, Higgins, Melbourne Ports and Wills.