2 years ago
SO MUCH FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET
CATHERINE KING MP
After spending all day on Monday talking about their supposed record investment in infrastructure, a close read of the Budget Papers reveals the reality of more cuts and years-long delays to the projects Australians need.
What the Morrison Government press release didn’t tell us is that there will be a $3.3 billion cut to infrastructure spending over four years, or that 55 per cent of their newly announced infrastructure spend will be off into the never-never beyond the forward estimates.
We already knew that the Morrison Government broke their infrastructure promises by an average of $1.2 billion a year, but now they’re giving up completely on delivering their commitments and instead cutting funding and putting projects off into the distant future.
Only Western Australia and South Australia will see over 50 per cent of their promised new infrastructure spending in the next four years.
An incredible 87 per cent of new Victorian funding and 99 per cent of new NT funding is beyond the forward estimates - perhaps as much as three elections away.
These cuts and delays mean more time stuck in congestion on our roads, less investment in rail and public transport, and slower jobs growth.
This Government simply cannot be trusted. The Morrison Government’s latest infrastructure announcement didn’t even last 36 hours before it fell apart.
Once again, they are all announcement, but no delivery.
Australians don’t need more cuts and delays, they need real infrastructure delivery that boosts productivity, improves public transport and gets them home more quickly and safely. As we recover from COVID, they also need jobs.
Labor has a proud record on infrastructure. We established the nation’s first ever Minister for Infrastructure when Anthony Albanese took on the position in 2007.
We will continue to detail our policy offering before the next election. But Australians know we are on their side when it comes to keeping our promises and making the right investments that deliver long term benefits for people in every part of Australia.
Newly announced infrastructure funding beyond the forward estimates:
• ACT, 79 per cent
• NSW, 57 per cent
• NT, 99 per cent
• QLD, 50 per cent
• SA, 34 per cent
• Tas, 70 per cent
• Vic, 87 per cent
• WA, 15 per cent
What the Morrison Government press release didn’t tell us is that there will be a $3.3 billion cut to infrastructure spending over four years, or that 55 per cent of their newly announced infrastructure spend will be off into the never-never beyond the forward estimates.
We already knew that the Morrison Government broke their infrastructure promises by an average of $1.2 billion a year, but now they’re giving up completely on delivering their commitments and instead cutting funding and putting projects off into the distant future.
Only Western Australia and South Australia will see over 50 per cent of their promised new infrastructure spending in the next four years.
An incredible 87 per cent of new Victorian funding and 99 per cent of new NT funding is beyond the forward estimates - perhaps as much as three elections away.
These cuts and delays mean more time stuck in congestion on our roads, less investment in rail and public transport, and slower jobs growth.
This Government simply cannot be trusted. The Morrison Government’s latest infrastructure announcement didn’t even last 36 hours before it fell apart.
Once again, they are all announcement, but no delivery.
Australians don’t need more cuts and delays, they need real infrastructure delivery that boosts productivity, improves public transport and gets them home more quickly and safely. As we recover from COVID, they also need jobs.
Labor has a proud record on infrastructure. We established the nation’s first ever Minister for Infrastructure when Anthony Albanese took on the position in 2007.
We will continue to detail our policy offering before the next election. But Australians know we are on their side when it comes to keeping our promises and making the right investments that deliver long term benefits for people in every part of Australia.
Newly announced infrastructure funding beyond the forward estimates:
• ACT, 79 per cent
• NSW, 57 per cent
• NT, 99 per cent
• QLD, 50 per cent
• SA, 34 per cent
• Tas, 70 per cent
• Vic, 87 per cent
• WA, 15 per cent