Multi-billion dollar pitch to Queensland voters in budget

Scott Morrison has made a major pitch to Queensland voters in this week’s budget with a big slice of a $17.9b infrastructure spend being earmarked for the sunshine state.

The government has announced a $17.9b transport infrastructure package as part of this week’s budget with the Prime Minister making a big pitch to Queensland voters.

Money has been earmarked in Tuesday’s budget for major projects including the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package and key rail upgrades in Queensland.

“Our strong economic recovery is being driven by our record funding for major road projects right across the country,” Mr Morrison said.

“Our investment in these infrastructure projects will support tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs across Australia over the construction life of these projects, providing certainty and security for businesses and communities across the country.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s budget will include $3.1b towards the $3.6b Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package.

Scott Morrison has made a big play for the Queensland vote in this week’s budget. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw.

The spend on the project includes $1.2 billion for a freight terminal at Beveridge, north of Melbourne, and $740m for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal at Truganina in western Melbourne.

The government has also allocated $920m for the Outer Metropolitan Ring Rail South project as part of the deal.

The budget will include a $3.9b infrastructure pledge for Queensland, which is shaping as a key battleground ahead of the upcoming Federal election.

The government has set aside $1.6b for the long-awaited Beerwah-Maroochydore rail extension on the Sunshine Coast.

There is also $1.1b for the Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade on the Gold Coast.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will unveil his budget on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage.

The government’s spend includes $3.3b for new Queensland projects including $150 million for the Woolloongabba Station in Brisbane.

The government has also committed to $3.3b for NSW projects including $1 billion for the Tuggerah to Wyong faster rail upgrade, $336m for the Pacific Highway at Wyong, $264m for the Newell Highway at Moree and $352m for the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass.

“With the unemployment rate already at an equal-48-year low, the measures in this budget will create an additional 40,000 jobs across Australia, building on our world leading economic recovery,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“By enhancing transport connectivity, we’re strengthening our supply chains against challenges such as Covid-related disruptions and the impact of natural disasters.”

Other key pieces of the package include;

* $678 million for Outback Way which stretches from Winton in Queensland, through the Northern Territory to Laverton, Western Australia.

TASMANIA

* $336 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package

* $100 million for the Great Eastern Drive Tourism Support package

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

* $200 million for the Marion Road-Anzac Highway to Cross Road

* $120 million for the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package

* $2.2 billion for the existing North South Corridor - Torrens to Darlington project

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

* $145 million for the Thomas Road South Western Highway to Tonkin

Highway

NORTHERN TERRITORY

* $132 million for Central Australian Tourism Roads project

ACT

* $46.7 million for the Athllon Drive Duplication

Originally published as Multi-billion dollar pitch to Queensland voters in budget