Labor will order a review of road and rail projects promised in a $120 billion infrastructure program that has blown out under successive Coalition governments.
The road and rail Infrastructure Investment Program grew from 146 projects when Labor was last in power a decade ago to 738 projects now.
Labor claims the Coalition had used the multi-billion dollar nation-shaping fund as a “massive electoral pork barrel”, writes The Australian.
Hundreds of projects — ranging from new traffic lights to railways — will be reviewed and could be axed.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will announce a 90-day review by an expert panel that specialises in land transport infrastructure.
The panel will not look at projects already under construction, or election pledges made by the government.
The infrastructure pipeline is worth $120 billion and has 738 projects, 162 of which have a government commitment of $5 million or less.
Ms King said a properly functioning infrastructure investment pipeline meant projects can be delivered within time frames and budgets with greater certainty.
“It is time to clean up the mess left by the Liberals and Nationals clogging the pipeline with ‘press release projects’ — announced but unable to be delivered,” she said.
“This review will put confidence back into the investment pipeline, benefiting the states and territories and the communities we all serve.”
State and territory governments agreed to support the review at a meeting of national cabinet, with local governments to be consulted as the government considers priority projects and their ability to be delivered.
Infrastructure Australia forecasts as from May, there will be a shortage of about 95,000 workers on public infrastructure projects nationwide.
