Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull open to funding trains

New Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has revealed the federal government will consider funding Melbourne Metro Rail.

It’s a major breakthrough for the Andrews government’s $11 billion project.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to fund urban rail and refused to let $3 billion allocated to the East-West Link be used for other projects.

But Mr Turnbull said the project will be considered carefully and with an open mind.

‘Infrastructure – urban infrastructure, which the Commonwealth may support – should be assessed on its merits, with no discrimination between whether it’s mass transit rail … or roads,’ he said.

The government has begun community consultation for the project which is due to begin construction in 2018.

Mr Turnbull was in Melbourne today to announce $100m in funding for domestic violence prevention today.

PM to announce over $100 million for domestic violence, inc $17 million to keep women safe in their homes @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/MhskDytrnd

? Katherine Firkin (@KatherineFirkin) September 23, 2015

Singer Chris Brown could be blocked from entering Aust for his Dec tour, with Turnbull gov signalling no tolerance for DV offenders @3AW693

? Katherine Firkin (@KatherineFirkin) September 23, 2015