chicky_pie
POTATO HEAD ROXON
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The federal government could unlock billions of dollars worth of superannuation to invest in major projects to help protect the economy from the world financial crisis.
Fairfax newspapers report that federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese has held talks with the heads of superannuation funds this week to persuade them to invest in projects with the potential for commercial returns that would be fast-tracked by the government.
Mr Albanese said he had discussed with executives the prospect of freeing up superannuation dollars for "nation-building" projects but said the government could also fund projects itself if credit was short and the economy needed a further boost.
"The government has always said that it regards investment in infrastructure as not just a cost," he said.
"We are determined to pursue our nation-building agenda."
Congestion in ports and urban areas were likely to be the first targets of the infrastructure program, with projects selected based on a cost-benefit analysis by independent accounting firms, Mr Albanese said.
A priority list of projects will be considered in December, he said.
States would not get a set percentage of the funds, he said.
"We've made it clear that Infrastructure Australia's brief and the government's brief doesn't include a proportional response to the states," he said.
"This will be a national list based on the national interest."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=648574