News | 20 October

Update from CCF National CEO, Chris Melham

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the 2020-2021 Budget earlier this week, and it contained some significant announcements for the civil infrastructure sector. 

Ongoing CCF National advocacy and our pre-budget submission resulted in $7.5 billion worth of new infrastructure investments, taking the total Federal Government commitment to $14 billion since the outbreak of COVID-19.

In addition the Federal Government has retained its existing $100 billion rolling 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline.

CCF National has been engaged in a constructive dialogue with relevant federal ministers on the 2020-2021 Budget in recent months, including with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Michael McCormack MP and the Minister for Population Cities and Urban Infrastructure, the Hon Alan Tudge MP.

In our advocacy, we have argued for significant and sustained civil infrastructure investment to support Australia’s economic recovery efforts.

We submitted to Government a comprehensive pre-budget submission which put forward a number of practical policy proposals aimed at: harnessing the economic capacity of the civil infrastructure sector; boosting the economy and supporting jobs during this worsening economic climate; strengthening industry’s foundations to put it in a stronger and more sustainable footing. I am pleased to advise that the budget announcements broadly reflect CCF’s policy.  We will, however, continue to monitor and pressure government to ensure they follow through on the Budget announcements. 

We will continue to advocate for procurement reform, and to ensure funds are spent in a transparent manner and not used for ‘pork barreling’ in the lead up to respective State elections.

This special CCF National Federal Budget update contains further information on the infrastructure announcements, as well as details on the skills and apprenticeships initiatives unveiled by the Government on Budget night. 

2020-2021 FEDERAL BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The Federal Government announced an additional $7.5 billion for road and rail infrastructure projects in the 2020-2021 Budget.

Click here to download a CCF Member Brief for a state-by-state break down of new and additional funding commitments.

The $7.5 billion investment includes new projects in each jurisdiction as well as additional funds for existing projects, and in most cases, requires matching funds from the respective State or Territory Government. 

They include: $560 million for the Singleton Bypass on the New England Highway in New South Wales; $528 million for the Shepparton and Warrnambool Rail Line Upgrades in Victoria $750 million for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector (Coomera to Nerang) in Queensland; $88 million for the Reid Highway Interchange with West Swan Road in Western Australia; $200 million for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade in South Australia; $150 million for the Midway Point Causeway (including McGees Bridge) and Sorell Causeway as part of the Hobart to Sorell Roads of Strategic Importance corridor in Tasmania; $120 million to upgrade the Carpentaria Highway in the Northern Territory; and $88 million for the Molonglo River Bridge in the ACT. The Government also announced: an additional $2 billion investment in road safety measures as part of a new Road Safety Program. an additional $1 billion under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program in addition to $500 million announced in June 2020. $2 billion in new funding to build water infrastructure including dams, weirs and pipelines. The Government also unveiled a $1.2 billion package to support the hiring of apprentices. The package is in addition to the previously announced $2.8 billion Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy to help employers to retain their apprentices and trainees.

Under the package employers will be eligible for 50 per cent of the wages for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter. The subsidy will be available to employers of any size or industry, Australia-wide who engage an Australian apprentice or trainee from 5 October 2020 until the 100,000 cap is reached.

CCF NATIONAL IN THE NEWS

To download the CCF press release, click here.  

To read CCF National CEO Chris Melham’s CCF’s comments on the federal budget in The Australian Financial Review, click here. 

Chris also appeared in several industry trade news publications and online media this week including Roads and Infrastructure  and Australasian Transport News.

Chris Melham
Chief Executive Officer
Civil Contractors Federation National 

don’t miss the ccf online masterclass: advocacy in action (webinar) – 26th november 2020. registrations will open on the ccf victoria website soon!

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