If truth is the first casualty in election campaigns, as it is in war, then coming in closely behind are trust and responsibility. Witness the fire and counterfire this week between the major parties over the Suburban Rail Loop, the Airport Rail link and money. On Monday Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pronounced the death knell for the Suburban Rail Loop if the Coalition wins the May 3 election.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Senator Bridget McKenzie at Marnong Estate winery on Tuesday in the Melbourne seat of Calwell, where they vowed to withdraw federal funding from the Suburban Rail Loop.Credit: James Brickwood

The $2.2 billion of federal money committed to the first stage of the project, SRL East, would be withdrawn, as would another $2 billion from a $4 billion upgrade of Sunshine station, which had been announced last month by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan. The money instead would be used to complete funding for the Melbourne Airport Rail link.

In the blizzard of financial promises made in an election campaign, we hope this one........

© The Age