Transport Minister excuses the Cross River Rail’s shocking budget blowout, which has climbed to $6.3 billion from the initial $5.4 billion.

As part of the bombshell announcement today by Transport Minister Mark Bailey, we now know that Cross River Rail services won’t start until the first quarter of 2026.

It was first scheduled for the end of 2025.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey joined Neil Breen on Brisbane Live to defend the blow out and delays.

Mr Bailey referenced the impacts of the global pandemic, 18-months of La Niña rain, and the war on Ukraine for causing supply chain issues.

Mr Bailey believed the Cross River Rail’s delays were a good outcome compared to the 3-year delays for the West Gate Tunnel in Victoria.

“A cost increase at 17%, it is a lot lot lower than any other mega project in the country by a long way and there’s a delay of only 3 months”, Mr Bailey told Neil Breen.

Press PLAY to hear the whole debate