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Tag Archives: infrastructure
LUKE FRASER. Good debt, bad debt: Poor infrastructure choices, no reform – and Lee Kuan Yew -A REPOST
In the Fairness, Opportunity, Security policy series and the resulting book, Dr Michael Keating AC and I wrote of Australia’s out-of-control transport infrastructure spending that: ‘It is scandalous that this investment escapes proper scrutiny, while at the same time the … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure
Tagged bad debt, Brisbane, Geelong Colac, good debt, infrastructure, Luke Fraser, Melbourne, Morrison, railway, WestConnex
2 Comments
JOHN AUSTEN: The Commonwealth is ‘meddling’ in NSW rail – at last!
There are indications the Prime Minister wishes to modernise infrastructure policy. Reports regarding rail to Badgerys Creek highlight the discomfort this causes to the NSW Government- and enormous benefits if the Prime Minister gets Commonwealth involvement right.
Posted in Infrastructure, Media
Tagged Commonwealth-State relations., infrastructure, John Austen
2 Comments
JOHN AUSTEN. Where to for Commonwealth infrastructure policy?
Legend has it that Charlton Heston flashed a Rolex wristwatch during a chariot race in the 1959 Ben Hur movie. Some recent Prime Ministerial comments could be considered flashes of a policy Rolex in an infrastructure discussion fitted to the … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure
Tagged budget, Commonwealth-State relations., infrastructure, John Austen
3 Comments
IAN MCAULEY. The budget – still tough on the young
The Commonwealth’s budget has a Keynesian boost for a sluggish economy, and is based on an optimistic, or even heroic, assumption that economic growth will deliver a fiscal surplus within a few years. We have heard similar claims from treasurers, … Continue reading
Posted in Economy, Housing, Infrastructure
Tagged budget, economy, housing, Ian McAuley, infrastructure, politics, superannuation, tax
2 Comments
MICHAEL KEATING. The 2017 Budget – A welcome change in direction. Part 2 of 2
Budget repair was never going to be easy. That is one reason why it has taken so long with quite a few false starts. While some of the individual decisions in this Budget are debateable, overall the quality of the … Continue reading
JOHN AUSTEN. NSW rail projects – a lot of explaining to do
Yet more questions arise about projects set off by former NSW Transport Minister now Premier Ms Berejiklian. This time about light rail. As for the port privatisations and metro, real answers are yet to come. The sooner a Commonwealth inquiry … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure, Politics
Tagged Gladys Berejiklian, infrastructure, John Austen, railways
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JOHN AUSTEN. The Premier and privatisation; selling silverware for transport tupperware?
Commentators on Premier Baird’s years focussed on short term matters such as money from privatisations or inconvenience caused by infrastructure building. The most important question, the merit of infrastructure built with sale proceeds, may take years to answer. NSW will … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure
Tagged infrastructure, John Austen, ports, privatisation, railways, roads, Sydney light rail, Sydney Metro, WestConnex
Comments Off on JOHN AUSTEN. The Premier and privatisation; selling silverware for transport tupperware?
JOHN AUSTEN. Roads – another year of congestion-causing deficits
We are spending enormous sums on roads and increasing our national debt. Communities are being seriously disrupted and the congestion is increasing. When will we put a stop to this nonsense?
Posted in Economy, Infrastructure, Politics
Tagged infrastructure, John Austen, Luke Fraser, Michael Keating, road congestion, road congestion pricing, road funding, roads
1 Comment
JOHN AUSTEN. Sydney, metro again: $10billion more to ‘build something later’?
John Austen suggests that the NSW government’s approach to railways is at least back-to-front and probably misconceived.
Posted in Infrastructure, Politics
Tagged Federal State relations, infrastructure, John Austen, urban rail
Comments Off on JOHN AUSTEN. Sydney, metro again: $10billion more to ‘build something later’?
JOHN AUSTEN. Sydney Metro – a disaster in store.
The public has been given no serious justification for why Sydney needs a separate, distinct and very expensive new rail system like Metro. All we have is a very big bill and more on the horizon. Sydney could spend almost … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure, Politics
Tagged Federal State relations, infrastructure, John Austen, urban rail
1 Comment
JOHN AUSTEN. Urban rail projects: property developers should be servants not masters
There is plenty of advice on how to plug the supposed infrastructure gap in Australia’s big cities. One popular idea is for passenger rail projects to be led and funded by property development. [1] The idea has intuitive appeal. The … Continue reading
Posted in Infrastructure, Politics
Tagged cities, development., infrastructure, John Austen, property, railways
Comments Off on JOHN AUSTEN. Urban rail projects: property developers should be servants not masters
Marion Terrill. Budget infrastructure spending serves mainly political gains.
Current Affairs Tony Abbott famously told Australians he wanted to be known as the infrastructure prime minister and in the 2013 election campaign committed to “retain and strengthen the role of Infrastructure Australia, to create a more transparent, accountable and … Continue reading
Posted in Economy, Politics
Tagged east-west link, infrastructure, Infrastructure Australia, Marion Terrill, northern Australia infrastructure, The Conversation
Comments Off on Marion Terrill. Budget infrastructure spending serves mainly political gains.
Michael Keating, Luke Fraser. Infrastructure: Improvement or Impoverishment?
Fairness, Opportunity and Security Policy series edited by Michael Keating and John Menadue. To paraphrase Paul Keating, right now every galah in the pet shop seems to favour more infrastructure spending. The current Prime Minister wants ‘to be remembered as … Continue reading
Posted in Economy, Politics, SERIES: Freedom, opportunity and security
Tagged Fairness Opportunity Security, infrastructure, MichaelKeating, Pearls and Irritations policy series, rail infrastructure, reform of road planning, road spending and debt, rural water infrastructure, uneconomic infrastructure
Comments Off on Michael Keating, Luke Fraser. Infrastructure: Improvement or Impoverishment?