SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE – ANOTHER BUDGET STATEMENT, ANOTHER CUT TO INFRASTRUCTURE

The future of hundreds of life-saving and congestion busting infrastructure projects across Australia are in doubt after the Albanese Government announced a further $8.8 billion of cuts and delays to critical road and rail infrastructure yesterday.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said communities, contractors, and construction workers throughout the country are unaware if their projects will be axed or deferred beyond 2027.
“It is astonishing the Albanese Government could use the MYEFO to announce $8.8 billion in further cuts to infrastructure as ‘savings’ to offset Labor’s runaway spending, without releasing the list of axed projects,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Treasurer Chalmers needs to own up to the reality that these cuts will have a detrimental effect on our already congested cities and suburbs.
“Particularly as the Albanese Government plans to bring in a further 625,000 people over the next two years, while blocking the pathway for construction workers to immigrate here.”
The $8.8 billion in cuts and delays announced yesterday are in addition to the $7.4 billion in cancelled projects Labor announced on November 16.
Senator McKenzie said the government has not disclosed which road and rail projects will be affected by this new, second round of infrastructure cuts in less than a month.
“After 18 months of cuts and delays, Labor’s policies are having a negative impact on confidence across the sector,” Senator McKenzie said.
“A recent report from Infrastructure Australia found there is growing concern for suppliers and construction companies when it comes to the infrastructure pipeline.
“Large construction companies view uncertainty within the infrastructure pipeline as a bigger threat to the capacity to deliver projects compared to 12 months ago, and smaller firms rank the lack of funding certainty in their top three risk factors.
“Construction companies, suppliers and the Australian public have all been left in the dark about which projects are set to be abandoned for years as part of this latest announcement and they deserve to know.
“Albanese Labor made a big show promising transparency while in opposition and here is an opportunity to prove themselves.
“Australians deserve to know and understand the impact Labor’s cuts will have in our congested suburbs and our regional capitals.
“Minister King must release the full list of projects the Albanese Government have deemed unworthy to proceed.”
ENDS.