Queensland pledges $55.9 billion for transport projects despite credit rating cut

The Queensland transport minister says neither a credit rating cut nor a potential slashing of overseas migration will get in the way of his government delivering the infrastructure it has promised.

The state will spend $55.9 billion on transport projects over the next three years – some of which, such as Cross River Rail, are already drastically behind schedule and billions over budget.

Speaking on Monday after Queensland had its credit rating downgraded last week, transport minister Brent Mickelberg said he was focused on delivering what he had promised.

“It’s written in my charter letter in black and white: On time and on budget,” he said.

“We’ll continue to focus on delivering the infrastructure that Queenslanders need and Queenslanders deserve.”

Treasurer David Janetzki blamed the former Labor state government and the current federal government for S&P Global’s downgrade on Friday, but said the government would not back away from its goals.

“Although S&P would have preferred Queensland to raise taxes, reduce services and stop building, those are decisions we are not willing to make,” Janetzki said in a statement.

The ratings downgrade came amid a fresh debate about immigration policy, and warnings that federal cuts could limit the amount of skilled workers needed for already promised construction on transport, Olympic and housing projects.

One Nation announced a plan on Monday to cut migration to 130,000 migrants per year, reducing overall migration to 2017 levels, and student visas to 2015 levels.

Party leader Pauline Hanson said skilled migrant visas sponsored by employers would not be capped. But One Nation planned to heavily restrict workers’ ability to bring their families to Australia, should they come to power.

“Temporary skilled migration will no longer operate as a sham family migration pathway,” Hanson said.

Last week Queensland deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie said the state needed migrants to achieve its dreams.

“We will be working with the federal government, absolutely, for skilled migrants,” he said.

“I see a big immigration debate federally at the moment, but the reality is, the developers and builders and construction companies in Queensland need skilled migration to cater for the lack of builders we have in the future.”

On Monday, Mickelberg echoed that sentiment, but said One Nation’s policy was a matter for that party, and migration was a federal issue.

“I have to work within the constraints that I’ve got, and those questions on migration are ultimately questions for the federal government,” he said.

“My message would be to ensure that we take calm, methodical and pragmatic positions that acknowledge the important role that both temporary skilled workers, but also long-term arrivals to Australia provide to the Queensland economy.”

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