The $12 billion North West Metro is not expected to survive in its current form, and four big Rail Clearways projects worth $1 billion, promised by the New South Wales Government but not yet built, are also at risk. It is also possible the Government might defer the $1.37 billion South West Rail Link from Glenfield to Leppington.

After the bids are lodged in November the Rudd Government’s seven member expert panel will consider the tender documents and make a recommendation to the Government around February. Following this Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, with the assistance of the Communications Department, will finalise a recommendation for Cabinet which will then make the final decision.

News of the Government’s push to merge its infrastructure policy with its ambition of reducing indigenous disadvantage came as Kevin Rudd told business lobby the Australian Industry Group his Government was embarking on the biggest infrastructure project in the country’s history as part of the Labor tradition of nation-building.

The poll comes at a time when the Government is forging ahead with several controversial infrastructure projects, such as the north-south pipeline, the desalination plant and the dredging of Port Phillip Bay. It has also been caught out badly on providing sufficient public transport for rapidly growing Melbourne.