‘Nation building’ was the theme of Federal Budget night, with Treasurer Wayne Swan allocating $22 billion to transport and broadband infrastructure in his second Budget.
“The centrepiece of this Budget is the $22 billion we are investing in the infrastructure our nation needs to grow and to prosper in the years ahead,” said Swan in his speech to Parliament last night.
“Its focus is on an unprecedented push for jobs and productivity built on roads, rail, ports and broadband that are the building blocks for sustainable growth.”
The $22 billion funding includes $8.5 billion for roads, rail and ports – “international gateways for our exports” – flagged by Infrastructure Australia as priority projects as well as specific projects for particular regions, such as $3.2 billion allocated for a dual-rail link from west Werribee to central Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.
Swan continued the ‘nation building’ theme with the announcement of a $43 billion public private partnership investment into a nationwide broadband network.
“It’s a budget that supports jobs today by investing in the infrastructure we need for tomorrow,” said Swan.
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