SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
15 May 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
INFRASTRUCTURE MESS IN BILLIONAIRES BUDGET
The Albanese Government has chosen to put its Labor state premier mates ahead of sensible and straightforward infrastructure investment decisions in last night’s Budget.
After two years of cuts and delays, last-minute decisions by Minister Catherine King to inject new funding into state government infrastructure projects just to appease Labor Premiers has been the result.
“The infrastructure, transport and regional development decisions in this year’s Budget are riddled with contradictions and political decision making that will only serve to act against the national interest,” Senator McKenzie said.
“And giving tax breaks and lower household energy bills to billionaires only adds insult to injury.”
Infrastructure
After cancelling and cutting more than $25 billion worth of infrastructure projects over Labor’s first two years, the Budget papers reveal a further $2.1 billion worth of cuts.
This takes the total project cuts and cancellations under Labor to more than $27 billion.
The Government now expects to spend $1.6 billion less on infrastructure this year (2023-24) than they budgeted just five months ago in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Investment in roads will be $906 million less in 2024-25 and rail investment $528 million less in 2024-25 than was budgeted last May.
The Government claims to be investing another $16.5 billion in new and additional commitments to infrastructure to placate Labor State Premiers.
But the Budget papers show only $2.86 billion has been allocated towards these new infrastructure projects over the forward estimates.
That means 82 per cent of all new infrastructure spending announced by the Government last night is being pushed beyond the forward estimates.
Minister King was vocal in her criticism of delays between budget announcements and project delivery while in opposition, saying following the 2021 Budget:
“55 per cent of their newly announced infrastructure spend will be off into the never-never beyond the forward estimates … they’re giving up completely on delivering their commitments and instead cutting funding and putting projects off into the distant future.”
“This is the Minister who bagged the Coalition for adding CBD renewal bike lane projects to the infrastructure pipeline at the request of the former Western Australian Premier, only to keep those projects after her infrastructure review and now is herself committing an extra $100 million for walking lanes and bike paths.
“Labor’s Budget fails to make new investments in the infrastructure needed to help grow productivity, economic growth, or address congestion and improve road safety and communities can have no confidence the Government’s new projects will be delivered any time soon.
“After bringing in 525,000 migrants into the country in the past 12 months, this is a woefully inadequate response on infrastructure to support Labor’s higher population strategy.”
Road Funding Inequity
“Labor is driving division in the community by failing to ensure all road users fairly and equitably contribute to the cost of road maintenance,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Despite receiving a clear message from the High Court, the Albanese Government is refusing to ensure EV owners make an equitable contribution to the repair, maintenance and safety of our roads.
“The budget papers have disclosed that those wealthy enough to afford an electric vehicle will be saved $470 million in fuel tax over the next four years while all other road users, our most disadvantaged, those in the regions and our truck drivers, will be left to shoulder an $11 billion additional fuel excise burden.
“With each passing day the free-ride for EV owners becomes more and more inequitable and the Government needs to act.
Aviation
It is clear from this Budget that if Australians want to see action on airline cancellations, on delays and lost baggage, they will need to elect a Coalition Government.
Sadly, there was nothing at all in the Budget for this – not even funding to facilitate resolution of customer complaints with the big airlines.
“After two years of appalling performance by our airlines, with cancellations and delays continuing at unacceptable levels, it is beyond time for the government to commit to a pay for delay compensation scheme.”
Shipping
Anthony Albanese’s promised armada of 12 Australian ships to create a promised national Sovereign Fleet before the last election has shrunk to three leased vessels, according to the Budget papers.
Over five years the Government has decided to allocate $21.7 million to administer the establishment of a strategic fleet, while hiding the amount of funding needed to provide capacity for three privately owned vessels which could ‘become available’ to requisition in times of need.
“This goes to show that Prime Minister Albanese was never really serious about this proposal.”
Regional Funding
The Albanese Government’s two-year funding drought for regional communities continues with confirmation that not a single dollar will be delivered from their centrepiece regional economic development and community infrastructure grant programs this financial year.
There is not one new program to support regional economic development announced in this year’s Budget.
Despite claiming $1 billion would be made available to strengthen regional communities commencing on 1 July 2023, no money will be paid out this year under either the Growing Regions or Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.
“In total, our regions have been robbed of $130 million worth of investment that was intended to be delivered this year.
“Labor’s budget gives a $75 quarterly energy rebate and billions of dollars in tax subsidies to billionaires but overlooks the battlers who live in regional Australia.”
ENDS.