CANBERRA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed to a major boost in infrastructure spending if re-elected in May.
Morrison on Monday announced that his Coalition will spend an extra 17.9 billion Australian dollars (13.4 billion U.S. dollars) on road and rail projects over the next 10 years if it wins at the May general election.
The package includes an additional 3.1 billion Australian dollars (2.3 billion dollars) for the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal for new freight terminals to service inland rail routes, 2.2 billion Australian dollars (1.6 billion dollars) for South Australia's north-south motorway corridor and 2.8 billion Australian dollars (2.1 billion dollars) for rail extension and upgrade in the state of Queensland.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Photo: AP)
The funding will be included in the federal budget for financial year 2022/23, which will be handed down by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday.
Several key budget spending measures have already been revealed by the government including health spending, tax relief for small and medium-sized businesses and a boost for defense spending.
"With the unemployment rate already at an equal 48 year low, the measures in this budget will create an additional 40,000 jobs across Australia, building on our world-leading economic recovery," Frydenberg said on Monday.
"By enhancing transport connectivity, we're strengthening our supply chains against challenges such as COVID-related disruptions and the impact of natural disasters," he said.
The Opposition Labor Party is expected to deliver its budget reply later ahead of the election.
