Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claimed on Tuesday that the Victorian government has not proposed funding the Melbourne Metro Rail project with AU$11 billion, but added he would be happy to see such a step taken.

While having a conversation with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, the prime minister had to answer questions on the Melbourne metro rail tunnel, penalty rates and dual citizenships. Victoria is currently seeking federal funding for the project to build two new tunnels under CBD Melbourne to broaden the size of the city. “I’m yet to see a proposal, the minister is yet to see a proposal, certainly we don’t discriminate between rail and road,” Turnbull told 3AW.

Turnbull also confirmed his talks with U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, last week. The PM declared the TPP as one of the biggest agreements in global history.

Turnbull described it as a “big win” for Australia to sign a historic TPP trade pact with 11 other countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Vietnam. The United States signed the TPP early Tuesday, prompting to cut 98 percent of tariffs for different goods and products.

“We had a long discussion about it,” Turnbull said, addressing his conversation with Obama last week. The Australian prime minister confirmed he was asked to become the ambassador of Washington, but that he refused, saying it was not his cup of tea.

There have been further negotiations over the TPP put forward on Tuesday, advocating new development in the economy and growth in opportunities for Asia-Pacific regions. The TPP specifies regional trade rules to help Australia mix with the region and prosper. It is touted as being more beneficial for customers and businesses than mere bilateral Free Trade Agreements, and is expected to enhance job opportunities and strengthen the Australian economy.

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