Liberals’ infrastructure incompetence risks economic recovery

Tasmanian Labor
  • Liberals have continually failed to deliver budgeted infrastructure spend
  • Tasmania’s COVID economic recovery now set to be undermined
  • Tasmanians deserve a Government that plans for the future and delivers
  • The Liberals failure to deliver infrastructure projects now looks set to undermine Tasmania’s COVID economic recovery.

    When handing down the Federal Budget last night, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg made it clear that spending on infrastructure projects is time critical.

    “Funding for these shovel ready projects will be provided on a use it or lose it basis.

    If a state drags its feet, another state will get the money. We need works to start, not stall.”

    Shadow Infrastructure Minister, Shane Broad, said stakes have never been higher for Michael Ferguson to finally get his act together on infrastructure.

    “The State Government has failed to spend almost a quarter of the infrastructure budget every year for the last six years,” Dr Broad said.

    “The Bridgewater Bridge, Hobart underground bus mall, Derwent Ferries, TT-Line vessels, Hobart Airport roundabout, fifth lane on the Southern Outlet, bridge over the Tamar, and Burnie Port have all fallen victim to Michael Ferguson’s trademark kiss of death.

    “It is clear that the Liberals are simply not capable of delivering the large infrastructure projects that are so crucial to state growth, job creation and provision of services.

    “At a time when the state’s COVID recovery depends on infrastructure spending, Michael Ferguson’s inability to deliver could spell disaster for Tasmanians.

    “Tasmanians deserve a Government that plans for the future and delivers, and the Liberals have done little to indicate they can do that.”

    Shane Broad MP

    Shadow Infrastructure Minister

    /Public Release. View in full here.