Victorian premier-elect Daniel Andrews ‘very politely’ says no to PM on East West Link

Victorian premier-elect Daniel Andrews has revealed he “very politely” rebuffed Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s request he back down on plans to scrap the controversial East West Link.

Speaking on 3AW radio this morning, Mr Andrews said he had spoken to Mr Abbott for around 30 minutes over the phone and planned to hold a face-to-face meeting soon.

The Prime Minister has threatened to redirect $3 billion of federal funding to NSW road projects from Victoria’s budget if Mr Andrews tears up the contracts already signed by the previous Coalition government.

“He asked me to break my commitment and I indicated in a respectful way that I would not be doing that,” Mr Andrews said.

“He wants to be an infrastructure Prime Minister, I want to be a Premier that is about outcomes and who is about delivering on all the commitments I have made.

“[It would be] unwise for a federal government to cut infrastructure funding.”

The new premier has committed to releasing all documentation regarding what he has termed a “secretive, rushed and botched” link project.

Mr Andrews also said he would meet with the winning construction bidders of the link despite his intention to dump the project.

"They build things and I have many, many things to build," he said.

"I think we can have an adult and mature discussion with them as well."

Mr Andrews stormed to power in Saturday’s election, with initial results indicating a swing of more than 2 percent to Labor.

The Victorian Liberal party is meeting this week to appoint a new leader following Denis Napthine’s resignation after the loss.

Outgoing Treasurer Michael O’Brien and former Minister for Planning Matthew Guy are believed to be the frontrunners for the top job.