Secret project blowouts to the tune of $6.7 billion have been discovered by the Queensland Government.
Claims have arisen that the previous Labor Government had failed to disclose road and transport projects which had far exceeded their budgets in the lead up to last November’s state election.
According to a media release issued by the current Liberal Government on Friday, Labor had allowed every single project in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program to secretly run-up additional costs for taxpayers.
The Liberal Government said that one road in the Mackay region is estimated to be running more than $1 billion over budget.
The projects span the program of road, rail, maritime, public transport and active transport infrastructure across Queensland’s freight, commuter, and recreational networks.
Nineteen projects remain under commercial negotiations.
“It’s important for Queenslanders to know the true cost of Labor’s failures, and we are laying it bare for all to see as we forge a path forward,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said.
“The full QTRIP is estimated to cost an additional $6.7 billion to complete, which Labor failed to disclose before the election,” he said.
Overnight fresh allegations surfaced against the CFMEU in relation to its involvement in Victoria’s multi-billion-dollar Big Build scheme as Channel 9’s 60 Minutes and The Age newspaper reported that taxpayer funds had been funnelled to organised crime groups.
Minister Mickelberg said the current Queensland Government had paused what he called “Labor’s CFMEU Tax” that had been driving up costs and driving down productivity in the state.
“Already we have secured 80:20 funding with the Federal Government for a $9 billion jointly funded program for safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway to ensure Queenslanders get their fair share,” he said.
“I have a clear focus to deliver projects on time and on budget by improving business case estimates and risk assessments, improving design accuracy and engaging industry early for a collaborative approach to projects,” continued Mickelberg.
“The Crisafulli Government will continue to be transparent. Labor was not transparent, they blew their budget by billions, and it’s costing every Queenslander.
“We are committed to delivering the road and transport infrastructure needed to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer at the end of a long day.”
In other news, illegal animal activism recently resulted in extensive damage to livestock vehicles.
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