Vic Libs spruik trams, trains plan

Victorian Labor has unveiled an election bid to arm young drivers with defensive driving skills, but the government says there's no evidence the free course will improve road safety.

Labor's $146 million plan aims to cut the road toll and improve road safety, with every 16-year-old who gets their learner's permit having to do the free defensive driving course during school.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said if elected, the plan would prepare young people for dangerous situations and address the chronic over-representation of young drivers in the road toll.

"It's going to save lives," he said.

However, Premier Denis Napthine said the experts disagreed such training improved road safety.

He said road safety should have a bipartisan approach rather than "politically motivated, populist thought bubbles".

The RACV did not support the proposal for compulsory, defensive driver training for learner drivers.

Its research showed there was no sound evidence it reduced crashes involving young drivers and it could actually give them a false sense of confidence, public policy general manager Brian Negus said.

Nineteen days out from the poll, Dr Napthine on Monday visited the Bombardier factory in southeast Melbourne which will build new trams if the coalition is re-elected.

It's part of a $3.9 billion package unveiled at Sunday's Liberal campaign launch to buy 170 new trains and trams if the coalition wins.

They will carry an extra 150,000 passengers a day and create 3500 jobs in the manufacturing, supply and construction industries, with the largest rolling stock order in 30 years.

Another Liberals' launch announcement, a $100 rebate for kindergarten fees, drew some opposition heat because it won't be means tested.

Dr Napthine said all families deserved the benefit as all suffered cost of living pressures.

Mr Andrews countered that Labor's plan to upgrade kinders so children learned in the best conditions was more important than "desperate last-minute cash giveaways".

Labor again was forced to fend off attacks about its record on managing big projects after the government said Victorians were paying $1.8 million a day for the desalination plant without getting any water.

Treasurer Michael O'Brien said the desal legacy would continue if Mr Andrews was elected premier.

Mr Andrews maintained it was a good deal and a necessary insurance against drought.

In other announcements, Labor vowed to let private midwives access public hospitals to provide birthing services, reducing pressure on maternity wards.

Dr Napthine also revealed seven out of 40 new trains promised within two terms by the Liberals at the last election had been delivered.

Eight were being built and there were another 25 due as part of the Pakenham-Cranbourne rail upgrade, but Dr Napthine wouldn't say if contracts had yet been signed.

Meanwhile, a new poll shows that the ALP holds an election-winning lead over the Coalition.

With only three weeks to go until election day, the SMS Morgan poll shows the ALP leads with 53.5 per cent of votes on a two-party preferred basis, with the Coalition on 46.5 per cent.

But the weekend poll of almost 2000 people shows Premier Denis Napthine is the preferred leader for 51.5 per cent of voters, over Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews on 48.5 per cent.