Election promises have been low on the Albanese Government priority list, as revelations surface that hundreds of infrastructure projects are still sitting on the Minister’s desk.
Red tape has prevented almost $1.3 billion in election commitments to deliver community infrastructure, including projects in Flynn from getting off the ground.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie said the number of projects tied down in bureaucracy was an admission of incompetence by the Albanese Government.
“Just over 2 per cent of projects have been contracted in the 18 months since the Albanese Government’s election,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These are not major projects that require long lead times. These are localised projects such as sporting infrastructure, female changerooms, Aboriginal and ethnic community centres upgrades to Men’s Sheds and community halls.
“Instead, we have had 18 months of malingering from a government that has spent all its energy, efforts and $450 million on a failed referendum campaign.
Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce said the Albanese Government was elected on the back of promises made in the election, and their incompetence in government has so far failed our community.
“Projects such as the Biloela Valleys Rugby/Soccer Club upgrade which includes change rooms at the multi-sport ground remains stagnant due to the Albanese Government’s incompetence, Mr Boyce said.
“Even if the projects like the Boyne Island and Tannum Sands Aquatic Centre are eventually delivered, the costs will likely have ballooned in the high inflationary environment as the price of materials and labour skyrockets.
“Projects like the Boyne Tannum Sharks Football Club upgrade have been forced unnecessarily to invest many hours preparing documents and wading through paperwork to apply for projects already promised by Labor, only for there to be no action 18 months on.
“Residents in Flynn are left questioning whether infrastructure projects will be delivered at all, let alone in this term of government, after experiencing the go-slow approach from the Albanese Government.”
Fast Facts:
- Senate Estimates has revealed only 39 projects are contracted with applicants – valued at $28.9 million
- 415 projects have not been contracted – valued at $1.27 billion
- Of the projects that have not been contracted:
- 174 projects worth $608.4 million – the department is still ‘waiting on project information’
- 175 projects worth $514.8 million – ‘in Assessment’
- 66 projects worth $152.4 million – ‘negotiating agreement’
