Two in three dollars allocated to new road and rail projects in Tuesday’s budget went to Labor held electorates, sparking hypocrisy claims from the Coalition.
Labor allocated $4.1 billion for 64 new priority infrastructure projects, $2.7 billion of which went to Labor seats, according to analysis of Infrastructure Department data by The Australian Financial Review.
The money for new projects was in addition to $10.1 billion over 10 yearstowards dozens of projects already being jointly funded with the states.
The bulk of the new money, about $1.9 billion, went to 14 new projects in western Sydney.
Among the cash splash was $115 million for upgrades to Mulgoa Road in the Liberal held marginal seat of Lindsay. A version of the same project was axed by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King six months ago in response to the review of the $120 billion 10-year Infrastructure Investment Pipeline.
Overall, NSW got $2.5 billion for 23 new road and rail projects with $1.85 billion allocated to Labor seats. About $340 million was given to Coalition seats and $215 million for projects that run over multiple, mixed electorates.
Queensland was allocated three new projects worth $192 million. The bulk of that went to the Labor seat of Blair for two highway upgrades worth $177 million. A further $15 million was allocated to the Liberal seat of Petrie.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the government had worked closely with the states and territories to invest in the projects that needed money the most, and were guided by them to assess priority.
“The majority of our investments in this budget went to ensure existing projects can be delivered, as well as in fast-growing areas like western Sydney and south-east Queensland,” Ms King told the Financial Review.
“The Commonwealth cannot deliver projects that the states and territories are not supportive of. We saw the outcome of this with the Liberals and Nationals announcing project after project that were never delivered.”
Just over half new projects were in Labor seats, though almost half of those – 14 small projects worth about $444 million – were in the Northern Territory where the party holds both federal lower house seats.
The Territory’s election is scheduled for August this year.
In Tasmania, three out of six new projects were in Labor seats and received the bulk of new money – about $120 million of the $171 million, which was largely for upgrades to the Lyell and Huon highways.
Big winner
A further $47 million went to transport projects in the seat of Clark around Hobart where independent Andrew Wilkie is the local MP.
Victoria received just over $17.6 million for three new projects, all of which were in Coalition seats, but was ultimately the big infrastructure winner in the budget, receiving $5 billion for 27 existing projects.
That commitment means Victoria received the largest share of new money allocated to the 10-year $120 billion Infrastructure Investment Program in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget, almost $2 billion more than NSW.
There is also $1.8 billion still unallocated in NSW, with many new projects currently in the planning phase, and anticipated to move to construction phase in the near future.
Across new and existing projects, Queensland was allocated $2.5 billion, while Western Australia received $2.3 billion, about 75 per cent of which was for WA Labor’s signature Metronet train network.
South Australia got $160 million for seven new projects, just $5 million of which went to Labor seats. The bulk of the money – about $136 million – went to two road projects in the independent seat of Mayo.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie accused Labor of using the budget to “bail out” Labor premiers and satiate local Labor MPs.
“It should have focussed on giving the Reserve Bank of Australia confidence in their fiscal approach, so interest rates can be reduced and cost of living pressures relieved,” Senator McKenzie said.
“This government spreadsheet has only one colour, and it’s a sea of red.”
AFR
