Australian Capital Territory: Infrastructure spending pushes ACT towards deficit

The new Budget from Andrew Barr's government in ACT will spend over $3 billion in infrastructure works. However, this is expected to deliver a deficit of $89 million. More on this story in our report from Canberra.

Labor's federal loss means the ACT will have a bigger budget deficit to pay for infrastructure. (AAP) Source: AAP

Information on the new Budget for the Australian Capital Territory, large amounts of money will go to:

-Hospital programs

-Building new schools and upgrading old ones

-Upgrading the transport system

-Housing for people financial or social difficulties

-Emergency services

The cost of these investments is expected to exceed 3 billion dollars in the next 4 years.

Due to this, it is calculated that there will be a deficit of 89 million for the year 2019-2020. The ACT government said it was a «calculated choice» to ensure a better future for Canberra.

The Opposition argued that the new Budget forces the Territory’s people, to give the government more money without receiving much in return.  

Press Play to hear the full report in Greek. 

You can read more in English here. 

Canberra City Centre, View from Mount Ainslie, Australian Capital Territory Source: Getty Images