Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised a multibillion dollar infrastructure spend ahead of the release of the country’s latest federal budget.
The PM unveiled part of a AUS$24.5 billion 10-year road and rail infrastructure package, most notably including the $5 billion rail link connecting Melbourne’s airport to the city.
In addition, $400 million has been set aside to shift freight from roads to rail, which Turnbull said was to ‘bust congestion’ and reduce the road toll.
Turnbull added that the infrastructure spending would be felt right across the nation. “Nobody has missed out,” he said.
However, Treasurer of New South Wales Dominic Perrottet said the state was getting a raw deal from the infrastructure package.
NSW will receive $1.5 billion for new national infrastructure spending, while Victoria has been allocated $7.8 billion.
Nearly $1 billion will also be spent on building a Coffs Harbour bypass on the Pacific Highway in Northern NSW. “That is going to save lives,” said Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
