Coronavirus economic recovery: Scott Morrison to outline 'shovel-ready' projects

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled some of the first infrastructure projects he says will help revive the post-COVID economy, while also flagging more action on deregulation.

"I am committing a further $1.5 billion to immediately start work on small priority projects identified by the states and territories," he is expected to tell the CEDA State of the Nation summit on Monday.

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"As part of this package, $1 billion will be allocated to priority projects which are shovel-ready, with $500 million reserved specifically to target road safety works."

Mr Morrison said joint assessment teams would work on accelerating the projects worth more than $72 billion in public and private investment, and supporting more than 66,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The priority list of projects includes the inland rail project from Melbourne to Brisbane; the Marinus undersea electricity link between Tasmania and Victoria; the Olympic Dam extension in South Australia; emergency town water projects in NSW; and road, rail and iron ore projects in Western Australia.

Further announcements on specific projects will be made soon.

"Our number one priority is getting people back into jobs, And they need to be real, productive jobs. Jobs that produce goods and services that people want," he will say.

But he is also calling on the states to cut red tape and unions and businesses to work together to increase productivity.

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"All levels of government, business and the community must rethink how these systems can better contribute to our recovery from the pandemic," Mr Morrison will say.

"We need to bring the same common sense and cooperation we showed fighting COVID-19 to unlocking infrastructure investment in the recovery."

It comes after NSW and Victoria announced at the weekend their plans to ease a tranche of restrictions. 

NSW will scrap a 50-person limit at indoor venues, including pubs and restaurants, from July 1 and move to the one person per four square metres rule.

The state's cap on funeral attendances has been lifted, effective immediately. 

Health authorities are meanwhile continuing to investigate how a teacher at a southern Sydney primary school contracted coronavirus.

Laguna Street Public School has been shut until June 24, with all of its students told to learn from home and self-isolate.

In Victoria, patrons will be able to drink in pubs and clubs without having to order a meal from this week. 

The venues will be allowed to host up to 50 people, as will cafe and restaurants. 

Meanwhile, border restrictions have altered in the Northern Territory, with interstate arrivals now allowed to quarantine for a fortnight at a place of their choice instead of government-run facilities.

– Reported with AAP

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