- Final price tag of Labor's Cross River Rail cover-up and failures revealed as $19.041 billion.
- The Crisafulli Government is now getting the project back on track after years of Labor's mismanagement and industrial action which impacted productivity.
- The Crisafulli Government has implemented new measures to hold contractors to account to deliver project.
The staggering true cost of Labor's blowout of the Cross River Rail project can be exposed as $19.041 billion, after Labor's cost blowouts were finalised with contractors.
First Cross River Rail passenger services are also expected to commence in 2029.
11 months of negotiations with the project's contractors to resolve Labor's billions of dollars in cost blowouts have now been finalised - which were essential to getting the project back on track after years of mismanagement and secrecy under the former Government.
The former Labor Government originally promised Queenslanders the project would be completed for $5.4 billion by 2024 and spent years hiding the true cost by spreading the project across multiple separate budget line items.
In December, the Crisafulli Government revealed to Queenslanders the project would exceed $17 billion and would not be completed until 2029. Today's announcement confirms that figure and adds clarity to the full scope of the project.
The project had been plagued by industrial disruptions, with more than 140 days lost due to protected industrial action and further cascading impacts from unprotected action
The Crisafulli Government has restored productivity on the project, which has significantly improved after reining in the recklessness of the CFMEU - allowing the project to regain momentum.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Government has now reached an agreement with the contractors, with performance-based funding and strict milestone accountability in place.
"We've put contractors on notice. There are now clear expectations and consequences. This is about delivering better public transport options for Queenslanders — not excuses," Minister Mickelberg said.
"Cross River Rail is just one part of the vital transport infrastructure the Crisafulli Government is delivering, alongside Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail and The Wave all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, to support Queensland's future growth and success in 2032 and beyond."
Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said the reset provided a clear path forward for the project.
"This reset has allowed us to establish a realistic and achievable delivery schedule, and we're committed to working closely with our delivery partners to meet the revised milestones," Mr Newton said.
"Cross River Rail remains a transformational project for South East Queensland, and despite the challenges, we're focused on delivering the infrastructure that will support our growing population and future transport needs."
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the organisation was preparing to welcome Cross River Rail into the network and deliver more services for passengers.
"We're looking forward to integrating Cross River Rail into our network and delivering the extra train services that will come with it," Ms Stapleton said.
"This project will transform how people move across South East Queensland, and we're focused on ensuring a seamless transition that enhances the customer experience and supports future growth."
