The semi-secret deals successive Victorian governments have done with Transurban, one of the world’s biggest toll road companies, are an insult to taxpayers and motorists, who will be paying billions of dollars for decades with little way of knowing if they are getting fair value.

Transport Minister Jacinta Allan (left) and Premier Daniel Andrews tour the West Gate Tunnel site in December. Credit:AAP

To be sure, a dramatic increase in infrastructure investment is needed, and the Andrews government has garnered community support for getting projects done, but the public must be given sufficient information to assess the investment of their money.

The government’s refusal to release details relating to the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel is unjustifiable. It contravenes essential requirements of proper public policy – transparency, accountability and cost-effectiveness.

There was no tender; the project was suggested by Transurban, which is investing $4 billion in return for almost $40 billion in tolls from that project and from an associated extension for a decade of tolling on CityLink. So there is no credible argument that the financial details are subject to commercial or cabinet confidentiality.