Transport Minister Rita Saffioti plays down threat to WA as Feds prepare to axe infrastructure projects

The Cook Government remains confident WA’s infrastructure pipeline will emerge unscathed as the Federal Government prepares to cancel and delay road and rail projects across the country. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has confirmed that transport projects are on the chopping block amid fresh warnings that major budget blowouts are adding to inflation. Ms King said the Commonwealth’s $120 billion infrastructure pipeline was “just not sustainable” after a review uncovered at least $33 billion worth of cost overruns. The list of specific projects under threat is a mystery as the review’s findings remain secret. The independent review — announced in April — was targeting projects that were still in the “planning phase” and which were not Labor election promises. Former premier Mark McGowan repeatedly talked down the implications of the review on WA, claiming to have received a personal assurance from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the State’s projects were not at risk. The West understands the State Government has yet to receive the final outcomes of the review, which has now run 100 days over its original 90-day time frame. However, Transport Minister and Treasurer Rita Saffioti is confident that WA is better placed than other States as the Commonwealth weighs up where to slash costs. Ms Saffioti said infrastructure projects in WA had not suffered the type of cost blowouts seen on the Eastern States, with construction costs already starting to come down. She said the State Government had worked with the Albanese Government to “smooth” its infrastructure pipeline to ensure it was “sustainable and achievable”. “Western Australia is the fastest growing state in the country — and with an incredibly strong economy, we need to continue investing in infrastructure that will support our population growth and create jobs,” she told The West. “We’ve always taken pride in working with industry to provide certainty about our infrastructure pipeline — and certainty to workers about their jobs. “Many of the projects being delivered in Western Australia will help unlock more private sector investment and that means more company tax and royalty revenue for the Federal Government.” Ms Saffioti would not be drawn on whether the State Government had identified local projects that it would be comfortable cancelling or delaying in order to save money for the Commonwealth. WA Opposition Leader Shane Love said taxpayers needed more than Ms Saffioti’s “bland assurances” to be confident the State’s projects were safe. Mr Love challenged the claim that WA had escaped the budget blowouts seen on the east coast, pointing to a recent audit report which uncovered $2bn in cost overruns for major State projects. Ms King’s comments followed a blunt message from Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Sunday that “difficult decisions” would have to be made on infrastructure spending amid the ongoing fight to contain inflation. The International Monetary Fund last week urged the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to deliver infrastructure at a more “measured and coordinated pace” to avoid undermining the Reserve Bank’s attempts to curb inflation. Ms King again pinned blame on the former Coalition government for clogging up the infrastructure pipeline after it grew from roughly 150 to 800 projects during its near decade in power. “Really, from my point of view, since we took the portfolio there’s been evidence that this infrastructure pipeline has not been managed and not been managed well,” she told ABC radio. WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash said any cuts or delays to WA projects would be “proof” that Albanese Government did not care about the State. “Many of the infrastructure projects are directly aimed at busting congestion on our roads and making those clogged roads safer for motorists,” she said. “What’s the plan to keep motorists safe and get them to and from work on time? Why isn’t the WA Labor team standing up for jobs in our State and safety on our roads?”