It was revealed in Estimates Hearings today that despite forecasting a total infrastructure spend of $1.34 billion only $845.5 million was spent in 2021/22.

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee said the ACT Labor-Greens government continually falls short of its forecast infrastructure spend despite setting its own targets.

“This recent underspend comes on the back of $708 million of a promised $913 million being spent on infrastructure in 2020/21 and over $250m being underspent in 2019/20,” Ms Lee said.

“What we see time and time again is this Labor-Greens government not being able to deliver on its promises to Canberrans.

“An infrastructure underspend of almost half a billion against forecast expenditure is significant and highlights the continued failure of this Labor-Greens government to deliver projects on time. It is simply not good enough and this government needs to be held accountable.

“Canberrans are still waiting for the hospital expansion promised over a decade ago and just last week the Transport Minister could not say when light rail will be delivered to Woden.

“With rising interest rates and inflation impacting households and businesses across the ACT, a shortfall capital spend by the ACT Labor-Greens government has a material impact on aggregate demand in the economy and will be noticed.

“Whether it is aggregate expenditure across the government or capital works spend by Major Projects Canberra, there is clearly a forecasting crisis within the ACT Labor-Greens government,” Ms Lee concluded.