Labor names infrastructure targets&semicolan govt blames states

A Labor-led government would &#8220roll up its sleeves&#8221 to address pressing infrastructure issues, leader Kevin Rudd said yesterday (Tuesday, 19 December). While shy on naming an actual funding figure for infrastructure upgrades, Mr Rudd said investment would be more than the Federal Government’s current $5.5bn commitment. Projects on Mr Rudd’s agenda include developing the M7 to F3 motorway and working on ways to fast-track the Penrith rail link in Sydney, and upgrading the Ipswich motorway and Townsville Port access road in Queensland. &#8220When it comes to road, when it comes to rail, Mr Howard’s approach is to blame the states,&#8221 Mr Rudd said. &#8220My approach is let’s work with the NSW Government on strategies to fix infrastructure problems.&#8221 Transport minister Mark Vaile said Mr Rudd’s comments on infrastructure for capital cities were an &#8220extraordinary&#8221 admission that the Labor states had completely mismanaged transport infrastructure in Australia’s major capital cities. &#8220Incredibly, much of what Mr Rudd identified [yesterday&#93 as priority areas are already being actioned through Auslink highlighting a complete lack of understanding of the program’s aims and objectives,&#8221 he said. &#8220The Australian Government is currently working with the states to develop urban corridor strategies, which will guide future investment decisions in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.&#8221 The operations of the Westlink M7 motorway in Sydney’s west had exceeded performance targets, said Mr Vaile, proving it an &#8220outstanding&#8221 example of a successful public-private partnership project. Projects on the NSW Road Transport Association’s wishlist include a tunnel from the M4 to Port Botany, widening the M5, developing a four-lane highway from Sydney to Brisbane, and a north-south motorway through the western suburbs of Sydney. A link between the F3 freeway and the M2 motorway &#8211 a proposal that has been shelved for three years &#8211 was also on marked as significant. The Sydney Chamber of Commerce welcomed Labor’s announcement. Mr Rudd’s plan to establish a national infrastructure fund was recognition that Sydney needed more investment to fund future growth, SCC executive director Patricia Forsythe said. &#8220Sydney is the major hub in the national supply chain &#8211 development of our freight network is a top priority for business,&#8221 she said. Mrs Forsythe said that in order for the nation to develop further, governments needed to overcome the fear of being labeled &#8220Sydney-centric&#8221. &#8220This issue of how we fund investment and growth in major cities is a debate worth having.&#8221

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