States ready to pull the trigger on 'shovel-ready' projects

"We are completely focused on delivering and I know that even through we've got a great track record here in our state, the government bureaucracies can get in the way of fast tracking these processes," Mr Perrottet told an infrastructure summit last week.

"We've given extra powers to the Planning Minister who can move some of these projects forward as quickly as possible... We will look at the sequencing of projects."

Mr Stokes said the fast-tracking of assessments was to "keep people in jobs, boost the construction pipeline and keep our economy moving".

Victoria will bring forward the construction of new schools and kindergartens for three-year olds and implement a maintenance program for existing schools and kindies.

The Andrews government will also boost the number of level crossing removal projects beyond 40 already due to be completed this year and look to accelerate work on contested projects such as the $15.8 billion North East Link road project and a rail link to Melbourne Airport, as it seeks to kickstart the economy and help the state recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Reflecting a similar move to stimulate privately-funded construction projects in the state, Victorian Transport Infrastructure minister Jacinta Allen will next week chair the first meeting of a consultative panel comprising contractors, unions and the state’s Major Transport Infrastructure Agency.

The meeting will help the industry keep working safely and continuing the state’s existing $70 billion pipeline of 119 road and rail projects.

The Palaszczuk government has called for public and private projects in Queensland to be put forward for fast-tracked funding.

State Development and Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick said all projects were on the table, with an infrastructure industry steering committee being established to short-list projects.

"The Palaszczuk government is examining all shovel-ready projects across the state that could be fast-tracked or moved forward to support the Queensland economy," Mr Dick said.

"It's essential that infrastructure projects continue to be prioritised during the COVID-19 crisis."

Infrastructure experts, such as Customer Stewardship Australia co-founder Garry Bowditch warned about politicians choosing expensive nation-building projects for economic stimulus.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chief executive Adrian Dwyer said smaller projects (worth less than $500 million) were the best bet and wouldn't stretch existing capacity.

“In the menu of options available to governments, maintenance and smaller capital projects across transport, health, education, and social housing offer the best bang for stimulus buck because they are labour intensive," Mr Dwyer said.

“For these types of projects, approvals could be sought almost immediately and planning work can be progressed even with current lockdown controls in place.

“Smaller-scale projects under $500 million can also be quickly deployed because they require a different tier of skills and wouldn’t put a major strain on existing capacity."