Page 2875 - Week 10 - Thursday, 7 October 2021
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MR BARR: The budget does contain a very significant infrastructure program. In fact, I draw the Leader of the Opposition’s attention to the net new capital that is contained within the new policy decisions of the budget, table 3.2.1, which sees $455 million in new capital over the forward estimates period. That is net of the capital provisions that are provided across the forward estimates.
In looking at the detail of the program, Madam Speaker, you will see that new works are a smaller proportion than they have been in previous budgets because there is a strong ongoing program. The government has been very clear in the 10-year infrastructure plan that we have put forward what the priority projects were, and we have drawn from that infrastructure program for the projects that have received funding.
Ms Lee: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lee, a point of order.
Ms Lee: The question specifically was what the Chief Minister, in his capacity as minister responsible for major projects, has done to enhance the directorate’s capability. I ask that he be relevant to that.
MADAM SPEAKER: I think he is talking about the infrastructure forward plan and its ability to be delivered. Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would draw the Leader of the Opposition’s attention to the initiatives contained within the budget papers, including those specifically for Major Projects Canberra that include some additional resourcing for the agency, scaling that agency up in line with the scaled up infrastructure program.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary, Ms Lee.
MS LEE: Minister, how will a modest four per cent increase in infrastructure spending over four years turbocharge our economy?
MR BARR: It is not a four per cent increase.
Ms Lee: What is it?
MR BARR: It is significantly greater than that. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that figure from. It is certainly not drawn from the budget papers.
Ms Lee: Your budget papers.
MR BARR: It is not drawn from the budget papers.
Ms Lee: Then what is it?
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