Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

MAJOR BUILDING PROJECTS MISSING FROM BUDGET

News Release - Tuesday, 15 May, 2001

The State Budget has failed to provide any new major building projects to keep up the momentum established by the Kennett Government, Shadow Major Projects Minister, Robert Clark, said today.

"With Kennett Government major projects such as the new Museum, Federation Square, and State Library refurbishment completed or well underway, now is the time the Labor Government should be identifying and committing to potential new major projects of economic or social benefit to Victoria," Mr Clark said.

"Why hasn't the Budget provided for the refurbishment of the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, to ensure the Show will continue to benefit and be enjoyed by both country and city Victorians in the years ahead?

"The Coalition Government pledged $50 million to this refurbishment and provided $1m for a master plan in the 1999-00 budget, yet 20 months later all the Bracks Government can do is provide $2 million towards essential works and further planning.

"What has happened to proposals to expand the highly successful Melbourne Exhibition Centre and to construct a 5000 seat plenary hall, as the state's convention industry has repeatedly called for?

"There has been more than 18 months' delay in any progress on revitalising the north bank of the Yarra, a project for which a lot of preparation was done under the Kennett Government, and which Premier Bracks foreshadowed at the time of the first anniversary of his Government.

"The Budget hasn't even provided the $4 million needed to demolish the Flinders Street overpass over Kings Way, so as to get the Northbank revitalisation underway ? something the Opposition called for in December last year.

"This would have been a far better investment of taxpayers' money than the almost $4 million per annum being spent on providing more staff for Government Ministers.

"To date it has been all talk and no action ? a lot announced, but very little actually happening. There has not been a single new major building project committed to by the Bracks Labor government since coming to office.

"The government's failure to attract private sector capital to its rail projects has meant taxpayer funds have had to be poured in to fill the gap, forcing cutbacks in other capital works, including major construction projects.

"The lack of major construction projects in the Budget will open up a gap in the industry and make it that much harder to try to come from behind later to revive the Victorian construction industry in a downturn ? something the industry, including construction unions, have been trying to make the Government realise.

"It makes good sense for taxpayers, as well as the Victorian economy and jobs, for the Government to schedule worthwhile major projects when the construction industry has spare capacity."