Infrastructure Australia Audit proof the Federal Government needs to invest in infrastructure

If Prime Minister Tony Abbott needs any more proof his government must urgently invest in public transport infrastructure, then he only needs to read the Infrastructure Australia’s Audit that he released today.

Mr Abbott should heed the report as a warning his government must invest in critical road and public infrastructure projects to ease congestion, including a second rail river crossing and Sunshine Coast rail duplication. 

Speaking from the Transport and Infrastructure Council Meeting in Sydney, Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jackie Trad said she welcomed any report that highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure for Queensland.

“Queenslanders expect all levels of government to work together to fund priority infrastructure,” Ms Trad said.

“If Mr Abbott is serious about being an Infrastructure Prime Minister he must do more than release a report. He must invest in critical infrastructure projects and work with the state governments to ensure priority projects are funded.

“It is disappointing that Mr Abbott is still steadfastly refusing to commit to support the vital infrastructure projects Queensland needs to ease congestion like a second river crossing. 

“In its last priority list, Infrastructure Australia confirmed a second river crossing in Brisbane was the number one priority project for the nation and second river rail crossing is a key public transport infrastructure project for South East Queensland.”

Ms Trad said roads were one part of the solution and that government must also invest in public transport infrastructure to ease congestion on our road networks.

“An efficient and integrated transport network is critical to grow productivity and ease congestion in Queensland’s cities,” Ms Trad said.

“A second rail river crossing is a vital infrastructure project for Queensland. It is estimated that the South East Queensland population will grow by 1.5 million people over next 15 years – with 80 percent of people choosing to live outside the Brisbane local government area.

Ms Trad said the audit was a warning to the Abbott Government to invest in urban public transport improvements such as a second rail river crossing and Gold Coast Light Rail to support the growth of South East Queensland. 

“It’s been eighteen months since the government published an infrastructure priority list and in that time the problems of congestion and population growth have only gotten worse,” Ms Trad said.

Media contact: Deputy Premier's Office 0488 996 667