Premier Daniel Andrews has warmly endorsed the federal government’s election promise of $2 billion for fast rail to Geelong after a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday, but cautioned that the project cannot be built for many years.

Mr Andrews’ comments mark a significant about-face for the Premier and signify a new spirit of detente with the Prime Minister following the Coalition’s election win on May 18.

The Morrison government has committed $2 billion towards fast rail between Melbourne and Geelong. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Labor dismissed the $2 billion offer as grossly inadequate when it was made in April, just days before Mr Morrison called an election he was widely expected to lose, arguing the full project would cost between $10 billion and $15 billion.

The premier also dismissed the Geelong fast rail pledge as into the “never-never” and “not relevant”, noting April’s federal budget included just $50 million for planning for Geelong fast rail in the next four years, with the other $1.95 billion committed beyond the forward estimates and at least one more federal election cycle away.