The Federal Government has announced a $3.56 billion injection into the Nation Building Program, which, if matched by the NSW Government, could see the completion of the full duplication of the Pacific Highway by the end of 2016.

 

Federal Minister for Infrastrucrue and Transport Anthony Albanese said the Federal Government is willing to match whatever spending the NSW Government makes on the project.

 

“We are simply asking the NSW Government to fulfil the commitments they gave prior to last State election and to honour the funding arrangements originally put in place in 1996 and reconfirmed in 2007 by former Prime Minister John Howard,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.

 

Federal Labor is prepared to step up and match any new funding which the NSW Government allocates to this vital nation building project on a dollar for dollar basis up to a limit of $3.56 billion. Getting this job done will require an equal partnership between both levels of government.

 

The announcement comes after the NSW Roads and Maritime Services estimated an additional $7.1 billion will be required to complete the works.