Criticism from the TCCI sparks feeble response from Rene Hidding
Liberal Government’s track record on infrastructure is appalling
Priority list comes after almost four years of inaction
The Liberal Government’s belated interest in infrastructure projects is embarrassing.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said the Government is scrambling to look like it’s doing something before an election after being publicly criticised for a lack of action by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Rene Hidding’s track record at delivering significant infrastructure projects for Tasmania is appalling,” Dr Broad said.
“The projects the Government has now “identified” as priorities should have been their focus at the start of the term in government, not the end.
“Today’s announcement from the Minister is half-baked and smacks of desperation.
“The Liberals ridiculed Labor’s policy to advance passenger rail in Hobart, now they’ve copied it.
“Labor’s commitment to test the market for potential operators will breathe life into a project the Liberal Government has ignored.
“Rezoning the rail line has the potential to have a huge benefit in terms of affordable housing.
“It’s laughable that the Minister is now promoting rail given he’s ripped up the tracks heading into Macquarie Point.
“It points to a completely dysfunctional government that doesn’t know what it’s doing from one day to the next.
“Irrigation and renewable energy are of course priorities for Tasmania, but it shouldn’t have taken the Government almost four years to come to that conclusion.
“The Liberals’ inability to secure funding from Infrastructure Australia has hurt Tasmania badly.
“They’ve failed when it comes to projects like water and sewerage in Launceston, the Bridgewater Bridge and STEM in Hobart.
“The infrastructure progress made under this government is virtually non-existent. We’ve had four wasted years under Rene Hidding’s watch.”
Shane Broad MP Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
