Joint media release
Shadow Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie
Shadow Minister for Education, Senator for Victoria, Senator Sarah Henderson
Victorians have yet again been snubbed by the Albanese Government with more infrastructure cuts and delays following the outcome of Labor’s Infrastructure Review.
Documents released to the Parliament have revealed the extent of cuts and delays resulting from Labor’s shambolic review which has resulted in hundreds of projects put on ice for more than six months.
Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson, said the state had fallen victim to Labor’s mismanagement of the infrastructure pipeline, with local projects cut or significantly delayed.
“With crucial projects given the boot and others left in limbo, Victorians have every right to question whether the Albanese Government can be trusted to deliver the essential infrastructure to keep us safe,” Senator Henderson said.
“Victoria’s infrastructure mess is a testament to Labor’s covert strategies and severe funding cuts, leaving crucial projects in uncertainty and communities neglected.”
Cancelled Victorian projects include:
- • Geelong Fast Rail;
- • Frankston to Baxter rail upgrade;
- • The McKoy St – Hume Freeway intersection upgrade;
- • The Rutherglen Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route;
- • The Western Freeway upgrade – M80 Ring Road to Ferris Road; and
- • Upgrades to the Calder, Sunraysia and Murray Valley highways.
Projects facing significant delays across Victoria include Stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade, Henderson Road Upgrades at Rowville, widening and resurfacing of roads across the Mansfield Shire, overtaking lanes on the Calder Highway, Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Rail Line upgrade and further planning for the Western Rail Plan.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said after cancelling 50 projects in November, the Albanese Government have followed up by ruthlessly cutting funding for more projects to the tune of $8.8 billion over the forward estimates.
“The Albanese Government have been incredibly sneaky in their bundling of individual projects into road corridors, which has left the full extent of cuts and delays to projects along key highways and freight routes still in doubt,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Labor so far have refused to release the figures on allocation of funding on road corridor projects and fess up on which projects they plan on cutting to deliver the corridors.
“Since coming to office, the Albanese Government have caused chaos and uncertainty to the infrastructure pipeline with repeated budget cuts, despite bringing 1.5 million more migrants into the country.
“Australians are living with increased congestion and deteriorating roads as a result of Labor’s failure to invest in the road upgrades our communities need,” Senator McKenzie said.