Ministerial Media Releases
Apr 6, 2009

Turnbull misleads while Rudd Labor Government delivers community infrastructure

Turnbull misleads while Rudd Labor Government delivers community infrastructure funding

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,

Regional Development and Local Government

Leader of the House

Member for Grayndler

April 6 2009

The Rudd Labor Government has approved some 3,600 community infrastructure projects around Australia, and already signed contracts and delivered funding through the first round of the Community Infrastructure Program.

The Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull should stop misleading the community. The facts are as follows:

  • We have already approved some 3,600 projects in 562 council areas under the first round of the Community Infrastructure Program. There are 565 councils in Australia; and
  • We have already released $151 million of the $250 million available under the first round to the 351 councils which have returned signed contracts.

The Liberal and National Parties voted against the Community Infrastructure Program, calling it “low-quality spending”.

Mr Turnbull did not even bother to show up to the inaugural meeting of the Australian Council of Local Government, which was held in Parliament House last year.

In contrast, the Rudd Government recognises the importance of local communities and local governments in delivering stimulus to local economies.

Work has already started on a number of projects across the nation. We are funding projects across the nation including community halls, sports grounds, swimming pools, CBD and main street improvements, parks and playgrounds.

Funding has already been delivered for projects that include:

  • $248,000 for the Woollahra Municipal Council to make safety improvements to the notorious Gap Park in Mr Turnbull’s electorate;
  • $272,000 for the North Sydney Council to upgrade the Cremorne Point foreshore and walkways in North Sydney and Cammeray in Joe Hockey’s electorate;
  • $149,000 for the City of Subiaco to develop a playground in Mueller Park in Julie Bishop’s electorate; and
  • $1.35 million for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in Warren Truss’ electorate.