Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is willing to bring forward federal government funding to help fast-track infrastructure projects in the Canberra region.
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Mr Morrison has written to Chief Minister Andrew Barr, as well as other premiers and chief ministers, to express his desire to work with the states and territories on rolling out his 10-year, $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects "as quickly as possible".
Reserve Bank governor Phillip Lowe, the federal opposition and industry groups have been urging Mr Morrison to fast track infrastructure spending to help stimulate the stagnating national economy.
In his letter, Mr Morrison said the Commonwealth was open to bringing forward its contribution of jointly-funded projects - if the states and territories were ready to met key milestones and deliver the upgrades ahead of schedule.
He said priority would be given to local projects which could be "expedited" in 2019-20, had a "low delivery risk" and were likely to stimulate economic activity.
The federal government has pledged $20 million to duplicate William Slim Drive in Belconnen, as well as $100 million towards upgrades of both the Monaro and Barton highways.
The Kings Highway is also set for a $30 million upgrade.
The federal government will also spend $1.8 million to upgrade Southern Cross Drive as part of its 2019-2020 blackspot funding program.
Territory and federal Labor politicians have criticised the Coalition for shortchanging the ACT on infrastructure spending since it came to power in 2013.
The federal government has spent or pledged $725 million on projects across the ACT, accounting for just 0.7 per cent of its overall infrastructure spend.
An ACT government spokesman welcomed Mr Morrison's initiative, saying it was keen to progress infrastructure projects "where possible".
However, the spokesman said the territory had a "very small amount" of jointly-funded projects which could benefit from the offer.
He said planning was underway for the Monaro Highway upgrade, with tenders for work on part of the project to be released soon.
Asked if the territory had sought a Commonwealth funding commitment for the project, the ACT government spokesman said while it would welcome any money, it's primary objective was to secure parliamentary approvals for the expansion to Woden.
Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the federal government would consider any funding proposals from the ACT government.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
