Australians would have to re-elect the Morrison Government at least twice before they see the bulk of the extra infrastructure investment promised in Tuesday night’s Budget.
Less than 48 hours after it was delivered, Scott Morrison’s Budget has emerged as a pre-election con job, with the bulk of the promised infrastructure funding not due to flow for at least four years.
Mr Morrison has reluctantly acknowledged the need to invest in infrastructure to boost productivity and tackle traffic congestion, but is deferring any action to reverse his previous cuts and neglect.
Overwhelmingly the Budget announcements won't commence in the next term or maybe even the term after that.
These are grand promises on the Never Never.
Australia needs a Labor Government with a genuine, properly thought-out plan to invest in our cities and regions in the national interest in its first term in office – not years later.
The Government’s own Budget Papers lay bare the reality of a Budget based on smoke and mirrors, rather than a genuine plan to invest in our nation. They reveal the following:

NEW SOUTH WALES

• Promised extra funding: $6.1 billion.


• Reality: $241 million, or 4 percent, to flow over next four years.

QUEENSLAND

• Promised extra funding: $2.6 billion.


• Reality: Nothing next year; $313 million, or 12 per cent, to flow over the next four years.

VICTORIA

• Promise: $2 billion for Geelong Fast Rail.


• Reality: 2 percent available over next four years.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• Promised extra funding: $1.8 billion.


• Reality: $95 million, or 5 per cent, over next four years.

TASMANIA

• Nothing new in 2019-20 or 2020-21 and only $68 million in the following two years.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• Promised extra funding: $1.6 billion.


• Reality: $17.5 million next financial year and $60 million in the following year.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

• Promised extra funding: $622 million.


• Reality: $60 million, or 9 per cent, over next four years.

ACT

• Nothing next year; $35 million in new funding over four years.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019