This week we've received a response from the Greens to the nine points raised in our Joint Infrastructure Statement and the Opposition has announced its Infrastructure Policy ahead of the election this Saturday.
The Joint Infrastructure Statement was a strong call to all political parties to make a commitment to maintaining long-term infrastructure spending, address the growing infrastructure shortfall and improve national productivity and I was pleased to see the Greens respond to each of the concerns raised in the statement and offering their broad support of the statement. You can read the full response at this link.
The signatories of the joint statement included ALGA, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, Planning Institute of Australia, Australian Logistics Council, Urban Development Institute of Australia, Property Council of Australia, National Farmer's Federation and Green Building Council of Australia.
Labor also announced its Infrastructure Policy, which addressed key issues raised in our Joint Infrastructure Statement. One of the issues identified in the Joint Infrastructure Statement was the need for additional infrastructure investment in our major cities to address rising congestion and transport challenges, reduce barriers to economic growth and provide better links between housing and employment. Labor's Infrastructure Policy states that, if elected, the party will invest in the productivity, sustainability and liveability of Australian cities with a particular emphasis on the elimination of traffic congestion in the growth areas on the edges of Australian cities.
For its part, the Coalition remains committed to its previously-announced infrastructure initiatives such as Inland Rail, the Gold Coast Light Rail and metropolitan rail projects in Sydney and Melbourne although it has not specifically responded to the Joint Infrastructure Statement.
It is likely that by the end of tomorrow we will know who will form the next Federal Government and, regardless of the party that wins this election, local government will continue to stand strong as the representative level of government that is closest to communities and will be ready to work with the 45th Parliament to continue to deliver the services that our communities expect and deserve.
Mayor Troy Pickard
ALGA President