Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to ‘work cooperatively’ with states, but refuses to commit

Despite visiting Queensland yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to commit to chipping in more cash to save under-pressure transport projects that have blown-out by billions of dollars.

Queensland’s blown-out major road and rail projects are under a cloud after the federal government repeatedly refused to commit to chipping in more cash to save the under-pressure plans.

With costs on the Coomera Connector skyrocketing by more than $860m and the estimated price of the Sunshine Coast Rail rising several billion dollars, the Miles Government has been publicly pleading with the federal government to go 50:50 on the increased costs.

But during a visit to Queensland on Tuesday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to commit to funding the major blowouts – and would only say he would “work cooperatively” with the states.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to commit to funding the major blowouts. Picture: Martin Ollman

“What we do, as a serious government that’s fiscally responsible, is we ask for business cases, we analyse the cases being put forward and then we make announcements, at appropriate times,” he said.

“We work cooperatively with all state and territory governments, but we also are a Government that produced the first Budget surplus in 15 years under this Treasurer and will continue to work responsibly in the lead up to the next Budget and beyond.”

The Sunshine Coast Rail was one of a number of Queensland projects in the spotlight during Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King’s review of projects last year.

The most recent business case puts the cost between $5.5bn and $7bn – initially earmarked as $3.2bn – meaning the state was seeking at least an extra $1bn from the federal government on top of the $1.6bn it had already committed.

Meanwhile Transport Minister Bart Mellish announced last week the cost of the Coomera Connector – also dubbed the “second M1” – had climbed from $1.5bn, to $2.16bn, to now more than $3bn.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish announced last week the cost of the Coomera Connector. Photo: Glen Campbell

It was understood the state government had approached the Commonwealth to up its contribution a further $432m to cover half the increase – but no deal had been done.

“I’ve had some initial discussions with the federal government infrastructure projects around the state,” Mr Mellish said.

“It’s one of the ones that’s a key on our list.

“We’ve been expecting to hear from the federal government around their budget time on that and it’s not for me to rush the federal government or push them into I suppose decisions ahead of their due process.

“We have committed our share of this additional cost because we recognise how critical the Coomera Connector is not only for South East Queensland, but also our state’s economic prosperity.”