Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2011-05-03
Can you please detail the government’s Infrastructure budget for 2011 and the strategy to deliver key infrastructure?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Let us start with the facts. Budget 2011-12 continues the Territory’s strong record of infrastructure spending. That has been outlined by the Chief Minister and the Treasurer in this House today. For a little statistical analysis, there has been a 300% increase since 2001 – 300%. It is all about building the Territory.
In this year’s budget as outlined by the Treasurer, there is $1.5bn to build the Territory’s opportunities - a massive spend. It is not only a massive spend, a strategic spend to deliver the real opportunities that are coming our way. When I say coming our way, it is about jobs and positioning our economy to get the best benefit out of our economic growth. We have been told by the Chief Minister and the Treasurer there will be 3000 jobs by upgrading key infrastructure, by strategic spending to leverage that private sector investment, and preparing the Territory for the opportunities that are coming with major projects in the private sector.
We are ensuring the Territory will get a benefit from that. Looking at some of the statistics about what we are doing, just this financial year, the Department of Construction and Infrastructure has managed a total of 2786 projects. That is a lot of cash and a lot of work. One of the stories that came out of last year’s budget was how you best protect jobs and feed an economy. If you feed the infrastructure budget, you feed the construction industry. The opposition continues to talk this down. However, that was outlined last year with a record infrastructure budget; this year, with a budget of $1.5bn.
If we look at the newspapers, as have been quoted on the other side, Deloitte Access Economics tips the Territory to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation over the next five years. This budget, positioning the Northern Territory to maximise those outcomes, does not happen by accident; it comes from hard work, planning, and a team effort on this side.
I highlight some of the important budget infrastructure commitments: $307m for roads - a 213% increase since 2001; $539m for housing; $143m to upgrade hospitals; $110m for education infrastructure; and $24m for land release.
An eminent economist mentioned today the balance between social and economic outcomes, strategic investment, a real plan - a plan I am proud of, as minister, and we are proud of …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Let us start with the facts. Budget 2011-12 continues the Territory’s strong record of infrastructure spending. That has been outlined by the Chief Minister and the Treasurer in this House today. For a little statistical analysis, there has been a 300% increase since 2001 – 300%. It is all about building the Territory.
In this year’s budget as outlined by the Treasurer, there is $1.5bn to build the Territory’s opportunities - a massive spend. It is not only a massive spend, a strategic spend to deliver the real opportunities that are coming our way. When I say coming our way, it is about jobs and positioning our economy to get the best benefit out of our economic growth. We have been told by the Chief Minister and the Treasurer there will be 3000 jobs by upgrading key infrastructure, by strategic spending to leverage that private sector investment, and preparing the Territory for the opportunities that are coming with major projects in the private sector.
We are ensuring the Territory will get a benefit from that. Looking at some of the statistics about what we are doing, just this financial year, the Department of Construction and Infrastructure has managed a total of 2786 projects. That is a lot of cash and a lot of work. One of the stories that came out of last year’s budget was how you best protect jobs and feed an economy. If you feed the infrastructure budget, you feed the construction industry. The opposition continues to talk this down. However, that was outlined last year with a record infrastructure budget; this year, with a budget of $1.5bn.
If we look at the newspapers, as have been quoted on the other side, Deloitte Access Economics tips the Territory to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation over the next five years. This budget, positioning the Northern Territory to maximise those outcomes, does not happen by accident; it comes from hard work, planning, and a team effort on this side.
I highlight some of the important budget infrastructure commitments: $307m for roads - a 213% increase since 2001; $539m for housing; $143m to upgrade hospitals; $110m for education infrastructure; and $24m for land release.
An eminent economist mentioned today the balance between social and economic outcomes, strategic investment, a real plan - a plan I am proud of, as minister, and we are proud of …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016