Scott Morrison has “fast-tracked” approval processes for 15 major projects, but only one in Queensland and none are north of Brisbane.

This dud announcement was a missed opportunity for the Federal Government to fast-track investment in critical transport infrastructure in regional Queensland.

Instead Scott Morrison prioritised eight projects in New South Wales alone.

While projects like the Cairns Ring Road and Captain Cook Highway upgrade have been approved, not a cent will be spent on them for at least another 12 months and the LNP’s $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is moving at a snail’s pace.

The only “fast-tracked” project in Queensland was Inland Rail, which runs through Victoria and New South Wales before it reaches Queensland.

This project was begun under the last Labor Government, and after seven years of LNP Government the final route for Inland Rail is still yet to be finalised.

Cairns-based Labor Senator Nita Green said Scott Morrison was more interested in getting a headline than delivering for Queenslanders.

“Like many of Scott Morrison’s announcements this is heavy on spin and light on substance,” Senator Green said.

“Scott Morrison would rather deliver fast-tracked funding for projects in metropolitan Sydney and Perth while Cairns misses out again.

“Regional economies have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and need a plan for jobs but Scott Morrison has let us down again.”

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