The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Breaking the nexus between the electoral cycle and the infrastructure investment cycle remains the biggest challenge for policymakers, according to Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP.
The world does indeed face troubling economic times. Uncertainty within the European Union, the United States’ slow recovery, and China’s weakening growth continue to affect international financial markets, consumer confidence and government budgets. The Treasurer called the economic uncertainty a ‘white-knuckle ride’. It’s a good description. It would be all too easy for governments in these situations to become gripped with fear – reacting only to immediate threats and hanging on for dear life. And, given the political circumstances of the Parliament for which the Australian people voted in the last election in 2010, I think that would be reinforced as an easy, but understandable, option. But to do so would be counterproductive, and that is not the approach of this Federal Government. The challenge for infrastructure policy is simple. We need to break the nexus between the electoral cycle, which is short-term, and the infrastructure investment cycle, which, by definition, is over a much longer period. That’s why I am particularly passionate about the conference themes of economic reform, competition, sustainable funding and efficient infrastructure. These are themes that sit squarely at the heart of my portfolio. I’m proud of the long-term view that this Labor Government has taken – and continues to take – to boost productivity. On investment, we are delivering a record $36 billion through the current Nation Building Program. No other Federal Government in our history has directed this much towards improving our nation’s roads, rail tracks and ports. We’ve doubled the roads budget, we’ve increased the rail budget by more than 10 times, and we’ve committed more to urban public transport since 46
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Volume 3 Number 2
3/25/13 12:46 PM
