The Nationals in Government are helping to deliver a record $50 billion in infrastructure and billions more to support communities in every corner of the country in the 2014-15 Federal Budget. The Nationals have fought hard to make sure the regions are at the heart of our economic recovery, which will start with this Federal Budget. This Budget puts in place the structural reform that will repair our economy and secure the nation’s economic future. That’s why we are investing in the things that will get our country moving again - investments that will underpin our productivity and prosperity for generations to come – and why regional Australia has a key role in our plans. Our Nationals team will continue to work hard to ensure our regional communities get the support they need to continue making a sustained contribution to our national economy, and the recognition they deserve for their efforts. The centrepiece of the Budget is a fast-tracked $50 billion investment in new infrastructure, including in regional Australia: • $6.7 billion to fix the Bruce Highway • $5.6 billion to complete duplication of the Pacific Highway • $450 million for more four-laning of the Western and Princes Highways in Victoria • $480 million for the North West and Great Northern Highways in Western Australia • $400 million for the Midland Highway in Tasmania • $90 million for the Northern Territory’s Regional Roads Productivity Package • Up to $1.3 billion towards the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing • $508 million for the Warrego Highway • $300 million to kickstart the Inland Rail project, linking Melbourne to Brisbane Funding with a regional focus includes: • $1 billion for the National Stronger Regions Fund to create stronger, more prosperous regional communities • $2.5 billion to continue the popular Roads to Recovery programme, including a double payment in 2015-16 • $565 million to fix dangerous roads under the Black Spots Programme • $300 million for the new Bridges Renewal Programme • $100 million for the mobile phone Black Spots Programme • $314 million for important capacity building projects across the nation under the Community Development Grants programme • $320 million in drought relief measures including $280 million in drought concessional loans, $12 million for emergency water infrastructure, $10 million for pest management in drought affected areas and $10.7 million in social and mental health support • $100 million extra for applied agricultural research and development • $15 million to help small exporters with costs • $8 million to improve access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals • $20 million to build a stronger biosecurity and quarantine system • An extra $9 million for fisheries, including more support for recreational and commercial fishing bodies, support for these groups to meet maritime standards, and a review of invasive marine pests
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 10:11:25 +0000
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