Fed Govt. awards $1.3B in infrastructure spending to WA

• The Federal Government has announced $1.3 billion in infrastructure spending has been earmarked for WA as part of its upcoming 2021-22 budget
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the funding package on Tuesday, with State Premier Mark McGowan welcoming the support
• The PM said the additional funds would help the state economically recover from COVID-19 by creating new construction jobs
• The full federal budget will be handed down by the Treasurer on Tuesday, May 11, with several policies already announced
• The Morrison Government announced on Sunday it would spend $1.7 billion to top up childcare subsidies for families with one or more children

The Federal Government has earmarked $1.3 billion in infrastructure spending for Western Australia as part of its upcoming 2021-22 budget.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the funding package on Tuesday, stating the additional funds would help the state economically recover from COVID-19.

“From upgrading the Great Eastern Highway and building METRONET, to improving roads and rail lines that are crucial to our grain growers and farmers in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt, these projects will support more than ,000 direct and indirect jobs across WA,” he said.

“Our record funding commitment is boosting businesses and communities as part of the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan,” The Prime Minister added.

WA went into its third lockdown since the pandemic began late last month, following a COVID-19 outbreak in hotel quarantine spread to the community prompting restrictions to be reapplied.

Meanwhile, State Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the recent commonwealth support, stating the funding will be spent on a mixture of metro and regional rail and road projects designed to boost employment.

“This program has something for the city and regions, targeting major congestion pinch points in the eastern, northern and southern suburbs which are currently experiencing major population growth,” the Premier said.

“With nine METRONET projects under construction, as well as more than 50 major road projects, we’re building the major infrastructure for tomorrow as well as creating the local jobs for today,” he added.

The Federal Government’s full 2021-22 budget will be handed down by the Treasurer on Tuesday, May 11, with several policies already announced.

These include today’s infrastructure spend, as well as Sunday’s announcement of a $1.7 billion childcare package designed to help working families with one or more children.