02-March-2009
Portfolio Media Releases, Infrastructure, The Economy
Further revelations today that the Rudd Government seems intent to use federal infrastructure funding for political advantage make a mockery of the Government’s claims that these funds are being used to stimulate the economy.
“This is the third occasion where information has been released to show that the Rudd Government is misusing infrastructure funds for their own political advantage,” said the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP.
“Claims in today’s media that the Rudd Government will contribute to an $8 billion subway through the marginal seats of Lindsay and Parramatta while ignoring the necessary but unpopular freeway extension that goes through the seat of the Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, are embarrassing when compared to Labor’s statements before the last election. It shows that politics is dominating the Government’s consideration of key infrastructure decisions.
“These decisions are being leaked to the media despite the fact that Infrastructure Australia has not even reported to the Government yet! It puts a lie to the statement by Anthony Albanese on September 12, 2007, when he said a “critical feature of our policy is that decisions on the nation’s infrastructure priorities will be without political interference”.
“This comes on top of revelations last year that the Prime Minister and the Treasurer had told the NSW State Government not to even bother applying for funding for the North-West metro because there were no votes in it for the Labor Party. So despite the fact it was rated as the most important infrastructure project for NSW by former Premier Iemma, the North-West Metro didn’t even get presented to Infrastructure Australia for consideration because Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan stopped it,” Mr Robb said.
“Given that the Government has now been forced to come clean and admit that their infrastructure fund will be $7.4 billion short, leaving just $8 billion of Howard Government monies for infrastructure needs, it means that the quality of every decision is paramount and it means under no circumstances must the Government use these monies to bail out failed Labor States.
“Comments by the chairman of Leighton’s, David Mortimer, today that ‘the requirements for infrastructure will be way beyond $8 billion’ underline why it is important that this spending is on the projects with the best return for Australia and Australian jobs.
“Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese is up to his neck in trouble. Despite over $80 billion being shovelled out the door by the Rudd Government in new expenditure since the last Budget, Mr Albanese has failed to gain even one extra dollar for the Building Australia Fund,” Mr Robb said.
Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620