“Labor’s policy to force a quota on apprentices for Commonwealth funded infrastructure projects is another example of harmful red tape,” says Evan Mulholland from the free market think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs.
Last year’s Australian Infrastructure audit has found that demand on many key urban road and rail corridors is already projected to significantly exceed current capacity by 2031.
“Australia simply cannot afford to add more red tape on Commonwealth infrastructure projects. Labor’s policy will only place an additional handbrake on growth.”
“This is in addition to current red tape on government infrastructure construction, such as local content provisions,“ said Mr Mulholland.
In 2011, the cost of delays on roads in the six largest capital cities was $13.7 billion. This figure is projected to grow by around 290% to $53.3 billion in 2031. This cost is demonstrated in recent IPA research which revealed that red tape costs the Australian economy $176 billion each year in foregone economic output.
“In order the for Commonwealth to keep up burgeoning demand for infrastructure our leaders must map out policies to cut red tape. Reducing red tape is the only way to deliver the economic growth, job creation and prosperity that our country desperately needs,” said Mr Mulholland.
