The Budget isn’t leaving all the responsibility of economic recovery to businesses and households, there was also an additional $7.5 billion spending for new national-level infrastructure projects. This funding is in addition to the $100 billion infrastructure fund (over ten years) announced in previous Budgets. In addition, $3.5 billion has been allocated for upgrades to the NBN roll-out to deliver more Fibre to the Premises connections.
In addition, almost $700 million has been allocated to the duplication of the rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.
Small businesses are also likely to benefit from the additional $1 billion for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. This is for smaller, local projects to help councils to deliver immediate upgrades of local roads, footpaths and street lighting.
For small businesses to benefit from infrastructure projects, three things need to happen. Firstly, small businesses need to be sub-contractors for these projects. Secondly, the government must enforce the requirement that its payment terms are also reflected through to subcontractors. Finally, the government must mandate the use of e-invoicing to simplify and speed up payments through supply chains.