MCG maintains status as first choice for international sporting events

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The MCG will maintain its status as the first choice for international sporting events held in Australia. The Queensland Government has secured the 2027 Ashes and the Boxing Day Test for another 7-years. But the happy announcement was marred by transport woes and the threat of a credit score downgrade.

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00:00Boxing Day at the G secured once again.

00:05It's going to be an incredible celebration of not just cricket but of culture.

00:09The state government striking a deal to hold the iconic Boxing Day test at the MCG until at least 2030.

00:17Victoria has also been awarded the 150th anniversary men's ashes test in 2027

00:24and the women's 90th anniversary day night test in 2425.

00:29Bringing with it the promise of an Olympics like atmosphere.

00:34We're going to raise the show so high in terms of live music and food and festival zones and fan zones.

00:42I was lucky enough to make my debut here and then hopefully in the next seven years

00:47there's more Victorians that can come through and make their debut here as well.

00:50Despite securing the Boxing Day test's future,

00:53I've been practising at home with my son.

00:56The Premier was playing a straight bat on the future of the suburban rail loop

01:00and its impact on Victoria's credit rating.

01:03S&P Global Ratings declaring blowouts could see a downgrade in the future.

01:08The Premier is resisting calls to come to her senses and realise that we cannot afford this project.

01:14Victoria's rating with S&P was downgraded from AAA in December 2020.

01:21Currently the state's AA rating is the lowest of any state or territory they rate

01:27and lower than the national credit rating.

01:30We are focused on supporting and delivering our strong fiscal strategy.

01:34A fiscal strategy that is focused on growing and supporting jobs.

01:39While one rail project is looking at the long term, another has come up short.

01:44After revelations the platform at the recently upgraded Deer Park station west of Melbourne

01:50isn't long enough to accommodate bigger nine car trains.

01:54You can call it a stuff up, a screw up, a cock up, a balls up, whatever you like.

01:58The platform will now be lengthened by ten metres as part of Melton Line upgrades.

02:03That was investment and a project that was underway before the government had committed to the Melton Line upgrade

02:10and this is a good example of how we have a sequence of investments.

02:14Ms Allen says bigger trains will stop at the station once Melton Line upgrades are complete.

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