Queensland premier accuses former Labor government of $494 million blowout
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has accused Labor of hiding a $494 million blowout to the Cross River Rail project just before the election.
Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg revealed the figure at a media conference today.
"I've been advised that it was signed off in September and it relates to surface works and integration works in relation to Cross River Rail," Mickelberg said.
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The Queensland Premier has accused Labor of hiding a $494 million blow out to the Cross River Rail just before the election. 9News
Labor disputed the allegations and said while it had committed an extra $170 million, the additional $494 million was just being kept in reserve
"You don't show your hand publicly because you may end up costing taxpayers more money," shadow treasurer Cameron Dick said.
"That may very well be the case with what David Crisafulli has done today.
"We set money aside in case it cost more."
The new figures came a day after the LNP revealed the cost of the Gold Coast light rail had increased by $350 million, as the premier promised a crackdown on the CFMEU would stop costs from rising on future projects.
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Labor disputes the allegations and said while it had committed an extra $170 million, the additional $494 million was just being kept in reserve 9News
Crisafulli said he would take a "very different approach" to signing contracts.
"Contracts will be honoured. And I'll come back to what I said before the election, the greatest impediment to the delivery infrastructure in Queensland is productivity," he said.
However Labor is pointing to massive blowouts on the Brisbane City Council's metro project as evidence that keeping costs down is easier said than done.
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