Signs for an airport rail link have gone up at Melbourne's major railway station, but passengers will be waiting a while to catch its first train.
The city-to-airport train ride will take just 25 minutes, according to the "Moving Victoria" advertising at Melbourne's major Southern Cross Station.
But with construction to begin in 2016, and expected to take a decade, the first train to use the new line won't arrive until 2026.
The Victorian government defended the signs, saying they were part of an information campaign and not political advertising ahead of the November state election.
"People need to understand that this government is getting on with the job of funding and building the infrastructure they need," Premier Denis Napthine said on Wednesday.
Dr Napthine also said the Coalition was spending less on government advertising than the equivalent year of the previous Labor government.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the Moving Victoria campaign had been underway for some months, to highlight infrastructure projects that were underway or funded in the budget.
Mr Mulder also said the new airport line could be delivered sooner than 2026.
"It is going to depend on the bids that we get (to build it) ... it may well be we can offer sections of that project up earlier than 2026, such as the airport rail link."
"This is not so much about promises - it is about projects that are funded, projects that we're delivering, projects that we're starting."
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the Moving Victoria ads were a waste of money.
"I'm more than happy to commit to never running the sort of blatant political advertisements Denis Napthine is running at the moment," he told reporters.
Mr Andrews would not commit to spending less than the coalition on government advertising, as he said the premier would not say how much was being spent.
Share
