Canberra needs to deliver real infrastructure funding for North Queensland

Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt has welcomed the Federal Government’s long-awaited white paper on Developing of Northern Australia.

Mr Pitt said while Canberra had clearly listened to the Palaszczuk Government’s call for action on the infrastructure needs for North Queensland – it needs to back the white paper up with real new funding for projects.

“I have been lobbying Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey for real infrastructure funding for new projects in Queensland so as a first step, I welcome the identification of the Hann Highway as a priority project under the Northern Australia road package and the funding for a water resource assessment for the Mitchell River catchment and for a feasibility study for the Nullinga Dam,” Mr Pitt said.

“Today’s announcement shows that contrary to what the federal government has been saying, it appears they do have money to invest in infrastructure but they need to work together with us and industry to deliver this funding and job opportunities which go with it for North Queensland.

“I call on the Federal Government to ensure that Queensland gets real benefits from the $800 million remaining in the Asset Recycling Scheme and not link it to the sale of state owned assets.

“The Northern Territory and Western Australia are accessing the asset recycling initiative, with WA receiving up to $750 million from the fund plus $499 million for roads in a special deal, potentially and access to the remaining $800 million.

“Queenslanders deserve a one-off special $500 million deal like Western Australia and I call on the Federal Government to deliver this now.

“All of the remaining funding of $800 million must be invested in Queensland otherwise the Federal Government will be pulling out infrastructure funding from Queensland for not supporting asset sales. 

“I also ask that the Federal Government’s loan scheme must not be structured so that Queensland picks up the tab for these loans. We are waiting for urgent advice on the eligibility criteria for their $5 billion concessional loans scheme.

“While they have told us the loans will be aimed at achieving no net cost to the Commonwealth, Queensland will not accept any arrangement whereby the State effectively picks up the tab for these loans.

“As a North Queenslander I know firsthand the geographic advantages of being so close to Asian markets, the national security role of the north and abundant opportunities to lead the world in tropical education, design, health and medicine.

“But I also know too well the significant economic, environmental and social challenges of Queensland’s regional areas with sparse populations, infrastructure needs, service delivery costs, competition for skilled labour and the costs of natural disasters.

“The Queensland Government will ensure that we capture opportunities for investment discussed in the white paper to deliver innovation and jobs but we need funding for the rest of Queensland’s infrastructure needs.

"By providing the right economic and social infrastructure needed in Queensland we will underpin long-term growth and I look forward to discussing how we can work with the Federal Government to deliver more for the north and the rest of Queensland.

“Today’s announcement is a welcome start but we still have a long way to go.”

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