A PAIR of Coalition senators descended on the future site of Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub Tuesday to slam the Federal Government\u2019s move to review a number of proposed infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n
National Party senator Bridget McKenzie and the Liberal\u2019s Sarah Henderson attacked Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, over a pause and review of the previous Government\u2019s $120 billion infrastructure investment pipeline project.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere in Victoria over 90 road and rail projects totalling in excess of $20 billion are now up for review and that has led to uncertainty for the construction industry,\u201d said Ms McKenzie.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese vital projects which are going to make sure we drive productivity gains in our economy and get people home safely are under question.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair called on Ms King to provide clarity over what this review means.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here today to ask Catherine King and the Federal Government what is going to be the future for critical projects in this region like the duplication of the Western Highway from Ararat to Stawell, like the Sunraysia Highway from here to Oyen or indeed the critical realignment at Pikes Creek,\u201d said Ms McKenzie.<\/p>\n
The Coalition senators also questioned the review in the contact of another the Labor Government announcement on the acceptance of new migrants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year the Government is planning to bring in 400,000 new arrivals, next year 315,000 new arrivals and over the next five years a total of 1.5 million new arrivals,\u201d said Ms McKenzie.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is putting stress and strain on housing supply and critical infrastructure such as road a rail projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McKenzie said she would like to see the Labor Government provide a list of all projects which will be under review.<\/p>\n
\u201cClarity in communication provides certainty,\u201d she said. \u201cGovernments get elected and they have the mandate to peruse the merit they were elected on, of course they should.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that\u2019s why I\u2019m saying if you want to review the infrastructure pipeline review all the infrastructure projects instead of using it as a smokescreen for your poor behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this month the Labor Government announced that they would be reviewing projects in the $120 billion investment pipeline for value and significance.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson from Ms King office described the pipeline as clogged with \u201cpress release projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe previous government left the $120 billion infrastructure investment pipeline in a total mess, backed-up with projects that were announced without the support of States or Territories, poorly scoped, underfunded at the outset, or designed simply to win votes,\u201d said a spokesperson for Ms King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very clear the pipeline is in disrepair and is not sustainable, which is why a 90-day review will inform the Government about which projects are able to be delivered, and how much they will actually cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the review projects found unsuitable will be scaled back or cut and those which are deliverable, respond to economic pressures and are nationally significant will continue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A PAIR of Coalition senators descended on the future site of Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub Tuesday to slam the Federal Government\u2019s move to review a number of proposed infrastructure projects. National Party senator Bridget McKenzie and the Liberal\u2019s Sarah Henderson attacked Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, over a pause and review […]<\/p>\n