Kirner bid for federal funds attacked

February 19, 1992
Issue 
44

Kirner bid for federal funds attacked

By Peter Boyle

MELBOURNE — The state government's call for $3 billion to be spent over the next three years on various infrastructure projects in Victoria has been criticised by community activists as offering more to corporate interests organised in the Committee of Melbourne than to the unemployed.

On February 13, Premier Joan Kirner listed several projects requiring government funding. These included building a standard gauge line from Melbourne to Adelaide, upgrading the South Dynon container terminal, building the Western Ring Road, improving Melbourne airport, building a city-airport rapid transit link and building southern and western bypasses.

According to Joan Doyle of the newly formed People's Committee for Melbourne, there are serious environmental, social and political objections to many of these projects. In addition, many conceal a privatisation agenda and are padded by huge incentives to corporate interests.

"Most of these projects could be carried out cheaper by the public sector", she said. The People's Committee for Melbourne was investigating the scale of transfers to corporate interests. A public conference on these issues will be held in Melbourne on March 28 and 29.

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