With ACT debt repayments heading towards $2 million a day, Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee wants see the businesses cases for the $8.5 billion in infrastructure promises from the chief minister. 

The Liberal Leader says Andrew Barr has committed to build Light Rail Stage 2B, a new northside hospital, a new Bruce Stadium, a new Canberra Theatre expansion, a new convention centre, as well as other major infrastructure projects estimated to cost more than $8.5 billion.

“There have been no businesses cases, estimated completion dates or plan for funding released to Canberrans as part of these announcements, and it is time for Andrew Barr to be upfront with Canberrans,” she said.

“When pressed about funding for these projects, Andrew Barr has indicated that he plans to pay for them through 50/50 funding agreements with the Federal Labor Government but there appears to be no firm commitment by the Albanese Labor government to stump up 50 per cent of the cost of any of these projects.

Lee is calling on Barr to report to the Assembly by the last sitting in June whether the federal government has agreed to 50/50 funding and to publish a full list of delayed projects for each region in the next edition of the Our CBR Newsletter.

“Debt in the ACT is anticipated to exceed $18 billion in the forward estimates with interest repayments alone to cost Canberrans almost $2 million a day; it is incumbent on Andrew Barr to be upfront with Canberrans about how he intends to pay for all his promises; some that were made over 15 years ago,” she said.

“During recent budget review hearings, Andrew Barr revealed that increases to own-source revenue, which means taxing Canberrans more, will be considered to fund his spiralling debt costs and to avoid further credit ratings downgrades. Canberrans have every right to know if they will be slugged with more taxes and what they will get for it.”