Australia’s Federal Infrastructure Budget for 2021
The Australian government has announced an additional $15.2 billion in new infrastructure funding in the 2021-22 Budget to help aid economic recovery from the CCP virus pandemic.
The additional funding adds to the $110 billion 10-year building plan investment that already formed part of the National Economic Recovery Plan which the government says will support around 30,000 jobs across the country.
Nation-building projects were the focus of the infrastructure spending, with a $1 billion boost for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, bringing the total commitment to $2.5 billion, and another $1 billion to the now $3 billion Road Safety Program.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said Australia is coming back as he unveiled a Federal Budget aimed at steering Australia out of the COVID-19-induced recession amid massive spending on essential services.
The deficit of $161 billion for 2020-21 is $52.7 billion better than forecast in last year s October 6 Budget.
The forward estimates have the deficit falling to $106.6 billion next year and down to $57 billion in 2024-25, but the deficits are predicted to continue for at least the next decade â a far cry from the back in black celebrations of just two years ago.
WINNERS AND LOSERS:
Federal Budget 2021: The key figures(Graphic: Tara Blancato)
$400 million additional funding for the Bruce Highway
$178.1 million for line capacity improvement on the Gold Coast Rail Line from Kuraby to Beenleigh
$126.6 million for stage three of the Gold Coast Light Rail
$240 million for the Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication
$400 million for upgrades to the inland freight route from Mungindi to Charters Towers
$160 million for the Mooloolah River interchange upgrade
$203.4 million for local road and community infrastructure projects, and $261 million for road safety projects
Total - $2 billion
BUDGET EXPLAINED:
NSW, SA snag lion’s share of budget infrastructure spending
By Fergus Halliday
11 May 2021
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1 minute read
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NSW, SA and Victoria have snagged the lion’s share of infrastructure spending in the latest federal budget.
As revealed in the 2021 budget, the government is committing an additional $15.2 billion to infrastructure projects over the next ten years. This will bump the total federal commitment to $110 billion, with the additional spending said to account for 30,000 new jobs over the decade.
At a federal level, both the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and Road Safety Program are being extended for another year at the cost of $1 billion each.
Prime Minister
The Australian Capital Territory continues to benefit from the Liberal and Nationals Government’s record infrastructure investment, with funding for major new projects to be announced in this week’s 2021-22 Budget, securing Australia’s recovery.
Key projects to be funded include $26.5 million to duplicate the remaining sections of William Hovell Drive, an additional $5 million for Gundaroo Drive Duplication and $2.5 million for upgrades to Beltana Road in Pialligo.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said these projects will make Canberra roads safer, improve public transport, reduce travel times and support hundreds of jobs.
“From the duplication of Williams Hovell Drive, to supporting the extension of light rail in Canberra – these projects will support more than 200 direct and indirect jobs across the ACT,” Prime Minister Morrison said.