Qld projects cut by federal government: What you said
The federal government has swung the axe on major Queensland projects – sparking debate about other areas that could have been cut. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Opinion
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The federal government has swung the axe on more than $200m on major Queensland infrastructure projects – but many in the state want the chops to come elsewhere.
A war of words between the state and federal Labor governments exploded in November after a controversial review of infrastructure projects was released by federal minister Catherine King – with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk slamming the result as “outrageous”.
Queensland was hit with the highest amount of projects delayed indefinitely – including the Sunshine Coast Rail extension, the Inland Freight Route, Pacific Motorway upgrade from Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway, the Cairns Arterial Road duplication and the Bribie Island Road upgrade.
The state was also hit with $205m worth of cuts including the major $160m Mooloolah River Interchange – for which more than 100 homes have already been resumed and about 300 people dislocated.
But the federal government handed over an additional $2.5bn to save projects which suffered cost blowouts, including $1.7bn extra for the Gold Coast faster rail.
The announcement of cuts and delays prompted an explosive outburst from Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, who rejected claims from Infrastructure Minister Catherine King that there was co-operation with the states.
Ms Palaszczuk, meanwhile, said the federal government’s infrastructure cuts “outrageous” and that it was dishonest for Ms King to suggest there was co-operation from the state.
News of the cuts sparked furious debate among readers.
Some claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s razor gang chopped in the wrong areas – of about 1500 online voters the most chose “$1.6bn for the Sunshine Coast rail extension to Maroochydore” as the most important Queensland project.
Other readers insisted the 2032 Olympic Games should have been the target for slashes, while some said it was business as usual in politics.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Not a big deal
LDiva
Qld only lost $320m which could easily be recovered by only doing smart projects & canning bad projects, like SC light rail & save $4-$6bn then put those $’s towards (1) a good electric bus system (2) the Mooloolah road Interchange AND with money left over.
Matt
I don’t understand how they are blaming the LNP for Albo now scrapping projects. With LNP there was funding commitments with Albo they have been cancelled ?
JAMES
Shame they did not cut the Ferny Grove train station park and ride, what an eyesore, and complete debacle that will cause traffic chaos entering in and out of Samford Road, the old system worked fine !
Steven
We now have a government that only spends money it has in the bank, rather than what can be made to magically appear on a pretty spreadsheet.
Another government bungle
Paul
Oh well I suppose that old saying “If you don’t do anything you don’t make any mistakes” applies here and in fact it applies to this Government overall, Albonomics mixed with Chalmernomics is a sure-fire path to recession.
John
Australia voted for labour. A full 31% That’s 3 in 10 people. Now they get to run Australia their way.
Riley
Pumping all the immigrants into the country, Labor are doing great with this yeah. More demand on those roads already overwhelmed. Not to mention inflation of costs on all the basic services also. What the hell is Canberra wanting, riots!
Wayne
These guys couldn’t balance a pre school tea morning. Chalmers discovered a surplus? like hello. Now we’ll stop all spending on major projects and blame anybody cos we don’t have any money.
John G
Albanese and Chalmers are working on the principle that if they don’t spend any money they might be able to avoid stuffing up the budget.
Instead they’re going to stuff up the economy
We wasted money on other things!
RazorJ
Money wasted on Voice referendum would have paid for some of these projects
Jeff
cancel the Olympics and re direct the money to better worthwhile projects. Most Australians (Queenslanders) don’t want the Olympics.
Don
Just wasted $340m on a referendum they new was going to fail
just do it soon
the massive increase in the public service in the last year, means now no money left. Why did we need 1 more public servant? We need less. 100s of 1000s more public servants since albo got in.
Beth
The premier could cancel the games we don’t need to have, but that would cut her source of income after this gig.
Warren always pending
Cancel the Olympic Games Queensland cannot afford it This government is incapable of costing anything Out the door in 24
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