Locally based Senator Paul Scarr launched a blistering attack in the Senate on the Albanese Labor Government diverting $2.2 billion of taxpayers’ money to a controversial rail project in Melbourne, while critical infrastructure needs in Ipswich are neglected.
Senator Scarr’s comments followed the release of a Commonwealth Audit Report into the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop which has received a funding commitment from the Albanese Labor Government of $2.2 billion. The report quoted Victorian government documents which indicate that the case provided for the Victorian rail project ‘did not support informed investment decisions’ and that the Victorian Government ‘did not demonstrate the economic rationale for the entire project’.
In his statement to the Senate, Senator Scarr stated: ‘What about Ipswich? What about Ipswich’s infrastructure concerns? What about the roads and bridges and rail that the good people in the greater Ipswich region need and require?”
Senator Scarr then listed how the $2.2 billion of funding being directed to the heavily criticised Melbourne rail project could be used in Ipswich. This included fixing the Amberley and Mount Crosby Interchanges, providing a second river crossing and progressing the Ipswich to Springfield public transport corridor.
Senator Scarr said: I say to the Albanese Labor government: ‘What about Ipswich? Where’s Ipswich’s fair share of infrastructure? Where’s Ipswich’s fair share of the rail, roads and bridges that they deserve as a community? Where’s Ipswich’s fair go?’
A full copy of Senator Scarr’s statement is attached.
Appendix 1
Full Statement made by Senator Paul Scarr in the Senate on 19 September 2024 Ipswich: Infrastructure
Senator SCARR (Queensland) (13:30): I rise today in this place to say: ‘What about Ipswich? What about Ipswich’s infrastructure concerns? What about the roads and bridges and rail that the good people in the greater Ipswich region need and require?’
I was absolutely mortified to read the scathing ANAO report with respect to the Albanese government contributing $2.2 billion to a Melbourne railway loop that is going to have a cost of somewhere north of $200 billion. It is absolutely extraordinary. I have my office in the greater Ipswich region—a wonderful region in my home state of Queensland—which desperately needs that infrastructure. It’s one of the fastest-growing areas of
Australia, and it’s expected to carry the load in terms of population growth.
In the greater Ipswich region, we need to fix the debacle that is the Amberley interchange. It is an absolute deathtrap. We could fix that for the $2.2 billion. We could also assist in giving Ipswich a second river crossing, which it desperately needs because of the increase in population and the health and safety concerns that arise during floods. We’ve had a lot of tragic floods in Queensland over the last 20 years, so Ipswich needs a second bridge crossing. We also need to fix the Mount Crosby Road interchange. We could do all of that with that $2.2 billion. At the same time, we could also progress the public transport corridor between Ipswich and Springfield, which, again, is desperately needed.
I say to the Albanese Labor government: ‘What about Ipswich? Where’s Ipswich’s fair share of infrastructure? Where’s Ipswich’s fair share of the rail, roads and bridges that they deserve as a community? Where’s Ipswich’s fair go?’
