THE federal government has warned the rollout of Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek and the WestConnex motorway project are under threat after Labor and the Greens blocked its infrastructure bill in the Senate. 
 
The opposition and the minor party refused to support the new bill unless the government agreed to 29 amendments, including mandatory assessments of all projects for their impact on climate change. The government claimed its new infrastructure bill would allow fast-tracking of road projects for Western Sydney by allowing the government to make decisions on infrastructure without being impeded by bureaucracy.

Senior ministers yesterday accused Labor of delaying vital road projects in Sydney and backlogging the $50 billion ­national infrastructure package announced in the Budget.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott convened an urgent meeting of his Cabinet infrastructure sub-committee on Tuesday to plan a response to the unexpected move by the opposition to block its road building bill. The government claimed the amendments would impose a new layer of red and green tape on projects and delay major infrastructure projects for Sydney, including WestConnex, a second airport and a $3 billion roads program for Western Sydney.

The changes would require Infrastructure Australia (IA) to consider the environmental benefits and sustainability of WestConnex and Badgerys Creek as well as conduct new cost-benefit analysis. It would also restore power to the states to veto projects.

The opposition claimed the government’s bill, which was passed in the lower house in November after debate was gagged, was flawed and was designed only to reduce the ­independence of IA to assess infrastructure projects.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Jamie Briggs accused Labor of siding with the Greens to delay projects it had previously given bipartisan support to. “The Coalition is committed to investing $50 billion in infrastructure across Australia by 2019-20, including almost $15 billion in NSW,” Mr Briggs said.

“But the Labor Party and the Greens are blocking our ­attempts to ensure the roads of the 21st century are delivered quickly and efficiently.

“Their amendments will make approvals for infrastructure slower by drowning projects in red and green tape.

“It will jeopardise the delivery of nation-changing infrastructure projects such as Badgerys Creek and will ­ensure major projects such as WestConnex are held up, ultimately making the process more costly.”

Opposition Infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said the bill was flawed and the amendments were backed by the Business Council of Australia: “Our key amendment to the flawed legislation was supported by BCA and the business community … which understood the original legislation undermined the independence of IA.’’

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/bill-shortens-western-roadblock-labor-...

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 5:24am:

Why doesn't the government wish for cost benefit analysis, armpit?  Why do they want to avoid environmental impact studies, armpit?  Something smells fishy, armpit.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 5:24am:


Good on them, that's their job, good to see they're doing it.

Is Tony Abbott the countries first PM to not have a clue on how to negotiate?
Imagine the mess after the next election when he ends up in a minority govt trying to get his hard line policies up and running 

adelcrow wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 8:41am:


Well, you're half-right.

He doesn't have a clue. Period.

cods wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 8:49am:


Lets face it...both parties in NSW are equally corrupt..the crap thats now coming out about both Labor and the Libs in that state would spark a revolution in most countries.

cods wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 8:49am:


Last time I looked, Obeid wasn't a Liberal.

Kat wrote on Jun 26^th, 2014 at 8:52am:



NO thank god hes all yours along with the great list of corrupt that labor has to its credit..

you talk about owning land.. and that what OBEID did very well after robbing farmers of their land...OBEID you remember him dont you????????

he would rob his own mother I am sure.