The failed former Health Minister, Michael Ferguson, has wasted no time applying his peerless incompetence to the infrastructure portfolio.
Today in Senate Estimates, the Federal Infrastructure Department could not say when the Bridgewater Bridge replacement would be completed because it is waiting on a revised business case from the Tasmanian Government, which is not expected until the middle of 2020.
Labor Shadow Infrastructure Minister, Shane Broad, said the Liberal Government had promised that construction would start in 2019.
“Last week in State Parliament, Mr Ferguson could not say when the project would start and would not guarantee that it would be delivered on Budget,” Dr Broad said.
“Now it has been confirmed that the Liberals have to go back to the drawing board to develop an entirely new business case because the first one they submitted to Infrastructure Australia was so badly botched.
“The Bridgewater Bridge has become a monument to the Liberal Government’s failure to deliver major infrastructure projects.”
The news follows revelations that another crucial infrastructure project, the Hobart Airport Interchange, has blown out by around $20 million.
“The airport interchange was supposed to be under construction by the middle of this year. It is very concerning to hear that the budget has already blown out at a time when Tasmania is already heading for a debt disaster.
“The Bridgewater Bridge and the Hobart Airport roundabout are too important to fall victim to Michael Ferguson’s trademark incompetence.”
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
