Liberal members arrive in Narrogin with concern over Wheatbelt infrastructure project and regional freight

Liberal Party members met with transport and freight stakeholders in Narrogin this month to share their concerns over the future of infrastructure project funding in the region. The concern comes as the Federal Government tries to curb inflation by cancelling or pausing infrastructure projects around Australia after a review into the Commonwealth’s $120 billion infrastructure pipeline revealed a $33 billion blowout. Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said the group was worried about the future of the Tier 3 Rail recommission study after Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King declined to announce which WA projects would be delayed or scrapped on November 7 in Perth. “Narrogin is a freight hub and a lot of projects are up in the air at the moment including the $72 million that has been allocated to the Tier 3 rail project,” Mr Wilson said. “The main concern I have is that we’re hearing from Minister King that these projects are under review. “That $72 million which has been allocated by the previous government is being held in abeyance by the State Government while they do a business plan and I have great fears that it might be clawed back.” Agricultural Region MLC Steve Martin said that getting shadow minister for infrastructure and transport Tony Pasin and Mr Wilson out to meet with local regional road and rail infrastructure stakeholders in Narrogin had been important. “Our road and rail networks transport our people and freight and we need to get people safely to their destination and our produce to markets as efficiently as possible; any cuts to funding will put that at risk,” he said. “The State Government have been messing around and now the Albanese Government is desperately looking to make cuts to road and rail funding. “It would be a wasted opportunity to improve returns to growers if this productivity improvement is not delivered.” Mr Pasin said that the pause on infrastructure spending needed to be lifted. “Approximately 200 days ago, Minister King announced a 90-day review into infrastructure projects in Australia and we’re still waiting on the review,” he said. “Two hundred days later, not a single new dollar has been announced for an infrastructure project anywhere across our nation. “This Government is looking to cut infrastructure spending at a time when we should be increasing expenditure to drive productivity and drive down the cost of living.” A spokeswoman for Ms King said the Tier 3 study would receive ongoing investment as part of the Package 1 WA Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements Program. “We have undertaken significant reform of infrastructure investment to deal with the mess we were left by the Coalition,” the spokesperson said. “It is ironic for the Coalition now to be expressing concern about the rail lines and the study made necessary by their parties’ decision to close the rail lines. “Mr Pasin might like to read up on some basic economics, including the drivers of inflation, and history, before he undertakes interstate travel again.”