Welcome focus in Budget reply on infrastructure and cities

Welcome focus in Budget reply on infrastructure and citiesThe Opposition Leader has laid out plans in his Budget in Reply speech to significantly increase the role of Infrastructure Australia to stimulate investment and accelerate priority project delivery as part of a nation building agenda.The Property Council of Australia welcomes the Opposition’s support for infrastructure and better cities and looks forward to more detail on these policies.”The Opposition Leader has marked out cities and infrastructure as reform priorities and we welcome this focus,” said Chief Executive Ken Morrison.”It is very encouraging to see the role of the Commonwealth Government recognised as fundamental if we are to manage growth in our cities and make them more liveable, more productive and more sustainable.”Wholesale planning reform is urgently needed across all levels of government and it won’t happen without leadership at the federal level.”We believe that there is scope to take this further by offering incentives to the states and territories to progress planning reform.”We welcome Labor’s focus on deepening Infrastructure Australia’s relationship with state and territory governments.”Nation building infrastructure projects require certainty over the long term and any move to take the politics out of the prioritisation process is welcome.”Policymakers cannot ignore the fundamental role that the property industry has to play in shoring up the strength of the economy as it transitions from a decade-long reliance on mining.”Future economic growth and prosperity for all Australians can only be achieved if reform is pursued and policies put in place to unlock the full growth potential of the property industry.”We look forward to seeing additional detail and costings around the Opposition’s policies announced today.”Media contact: Fiona Benson | M 0407 294 620 | E [email protected]