Labor is disappointed that the Abbott Government has taken less than 24 hours to rule out making Infrastructure Australia more independent.

 

Last night, I announced a Shorten Labor Government will establish a truly independent Infrastructure Australia to broker new investment, create jobs and drive nation building projects.

 

This morning on ABC774, Joe Hockey ruled out supporting the idea:

“The thing I’m always wary of is setting up a new independent body, right, where you just give them money and they determine where the money goes, because ultimately, as a person elected by the people of Australia, I’m accountable for that.  And if I haven't got control over the where the money goes…”

JOE HOCKEY – JON FAINE, ABC774 – 15 MAY 2015

It’s concerning that the Liberal Party is so quick to dismiss an idea that takes the politics out of infrastructure.

 

The Treasurer is good at telling everyone to ‘have a go’ - he should ‘have a go’ at taking the politics out of infrastructure investment.

 

Infrastructure must be at the centre of any plan for Australia’s future – it’s too important to be held hostage to short-term politicking or squabbling.

 

Just as the Reserve Bank of Australia is the independent authority at the centre of monetary policy, under Labor, Infrastructure Australia will be at the centre of capital investment, driving results that are in the national interest.

 

Infrastructure is one of the big challenges for Australia for the next decade - it must be at the centre of any credible plan for Australia’s future.

 

For too long, infrastructure priorities have been beholden to the political priorities of governments.

 

Labor will take the politics out of infrastructure and put the nation’s interest at the heart of nation-building.
FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2015

 

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