The Rockliff Liberal Government’s fight to protect Tasmanian infrastructure projects from the Albanese Government’s chopping board has resulted in all but one major project continuing.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, has said he has fought from day one to ensure not a single Tasmanian project should be cut in the Federal Government’s delayed Integrated Infrastructure Review.
“The Federal Labor Government have confirmed they will keep their promise to fund all but one project, with the Commonwealth’s $16 million commitment Old Surrey Road/Massey Greene Drive Project being cancelled,” Mr Ferguson said.
“We have never supported any cuts to our well planned and coordinated infrastructure pipeline.
“We know the delayed review has had a chilling effect, with projects delayed due to the uncertainty of whether they can be tendered.
“Every project is critical and now our civil and construction industry can move forward with confidence.
“Unfortunately, this week, the Albanese Government has continued to shift the goalposts, making it clear they plan on abandoning rural Tasmania with the announcement they are moving to a position that the Federal Labor Government will only contribute 50 per cent of the cost of these important upgrades, compared to the 80 per cent under current arrangements.
“This means that while we previously would have been able to leverage a $20 State investment into a $100 upgrade, now it will only be a $40 upgrade – 60 per cent less.
“This is unacceptable for our regional communities, for the visitor economy, for Tasmania’s road safety, and for the certainty that our infrastructure pipeline provides our local industry – just ask the Tasmanian Civil Contractors Federation, who this week have voiced their concerns on this disastrous cut to future investment.
“State Labor representatives ought to be picking up the phone and telling Mr Albanese just how important Federal investment is, but it appears that the likes of Rebecca White and Brian Mitchell have no influence within Labor Party ranks.
“Ms White is apparently Labor’s shadow Minister for Infrastructure, although you wouldn’t know it – she hasn’t asked me a question for over two years in relation to State Roads investment.
“The Leader of the Opposition ought to be out in front of the media today criticising Mr Albanese, but yet again she is running a protection racket for the Federal Labor Government’s failures, but I guess that’s hard to do when you have to get permission from Nick and Dougie from the Federal executive.”
