NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam, Shadow Treasurer Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Greg Pearce today visited Liverpool Railway Station to highlight Labor’s failure to deliver infrastructure projects on time and on budget. 

“Labor’s failure to manage the delivery of infrastructure is a major reason why taxes and charges in NSW are the highest in Australia,” Mr Debnam said.

When Labor released the State Infrastructure Strategic Plan in 2002 it promised 88 infrastructure projects worth $11.4 billion. By the middle of last year the cost of these projects had blown out by around $1.7 billion, with completion delays totalling around 40 years.

“The Rail Clearways Project is a direct example of Labor’s failure to properly manage infrastructure delivery. When this project was first announced back in April 2004, costs were estimated at $1.018 billion, with completion by 2010,” he said.

“In December 2005 the Government was forced to admit the cost of the project had blown out by nearly $500 million.

“Labor then announced an expansion of the proposed project in November 2006 with an associated increase in costs to $1.8 billion.

“And Labor’s infrastructure failure continues. $25 million was paid to the developers of the Lane Cove Tunnel to delay road closures until after the election, even though the tunnel now won’t even be open before the election.

“This is yet another clear demonstration of Labor’s inability to deliver major infrastructure projects on time and on budget.

“After 12 years of Labor, it’s also why taxes in NSW are so high and the economy is heading towards recession.

“People and families in NSW pay the highest state taxes in Australia.

“There’s a reason for this – over the last twelve years Morris Iemma and Michael Costa have failed to control the state budget and manage major infrastructure projects.

“Whether it’s the Cross City Tunnel, the Lane Cove Tunnel, the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link or the rail clearways project, Labor consistently fails to meet its own budget and timescales.

Mr O’Farrell said people and families in NSW have every right to ask where has all the money gone?

“Like the Cross City Tunnel before it, the Lane Cove Tunnel has become a symbol of Labor’s failure to manage Sydney’s traffic problems and deliver large infrastructure projects,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“This is why NSW is in a budget and economic crisis and Labor says it can’t afford tax cuts or boosts to vital frontline services.

“If Labor managed its finances better, NSW would not the heading in the direction it is today – towards recession.

Mr Pearce said the project we stand near today – the Liverpool Turnback and Platform – was due to begin in 2005 and completed by 2008.

“This vital piece of infrastructure for the residents Western Sydney has blown out by 12 months and isn’t due to completion until 2009,” he said.

Mr Debnam said the choice for the people of NSW on 24 March is simple.