OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has not bought into the issue of whether the Victorian government should impose a toll or sell off existing roads to fund Melbourne's East-West freeway.
The federal coalition has promised $1.5 billion for the multi-billion dollar project, which will require an 18km road to be built connecting the city's Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Road.
Toll road operator ConnectEast boss Dennis Cliche has said the state government will struggle to raise funds for the tunnel and has recommended the sale of the Eastern freeway and to turn it into a toll road.
But Transport Minister Terry Mulder says the freeway won't be sold nor be tolled, putting him at odds with Premier Denis Napthine who told Fairfax Radio earlier this week that he would not rule out tolls to fund the East-West Link.
Mr Abbott says how the new freeway is funded is up to the Victorian government.
"How much of a private sector contribution the Victorian government wants, that's really a matter for the Victorian government," Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Mr Abbott says federal Labor has left Victoria in the lurch by refusing to commit to the project.
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