Brumby to fast-track key projects

Summaries - Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 21/1/2009 Page: 1

Victorian Premier John Brumby says the government may use its discretionary planning powers to fast-track capital works, saying 'this is not a period in time in which we would want projects to be unnecessarily delayed.' Mr Brumby also said the government would push to make the state the carbon trading hub for the nation.

The push to host the national carbon market regulator and registry for permits is likely to face strong opposition from NSW, which is home to the Australian Securities Exchange. Unemployment in Victoria is slightly above the national average at 4.6%, and Access Economics recently said that the coming recession is likely to hit Victoria than all other states except NSW. Premier Brumby is also facing political challenges, and he, along with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, recently sanctioned the reconstitution of Victoria's Labor Party factions in a bid to prevent fighting over preselections.