Hundreds of ‘press release’ infrastructure projects across Australia risk the axe under new 90-day review

Hundreds of projects in Australia's $120bn infrastructure investment program will be reviewed for value and significance, with the Albanese government accusing the Coalition of leaving them as "fiscal timebombs" in the budget.

The infrastructure minister, Catherine King, said the infrastructure pipeline had been clogged with "press release projects" that had been announced but were "unable to be delivered".

Every construction project that has not commenced will be under the microscope, with unsuitable projects facing cuts or being scaled back.

"This review will put confidence back into the investment pipeline, benefiting the states and territories and the communities we all serve," King said.

"Australian government funds will be spent in accordance with Australian government values, with longer-term sustainable spending based on the national interest."

Former public servants and infrastructure experts Reece Waldock, Clare Gardiner-Barnes and Mike Mrdak will conduct the 90-day review, which will start shortly and report around August. Hundreds of the more than 735 projects in the infrastructure investment program will be up for scrutiny - but Labor election commitments will not be among them.

Instead, King said the focus would be on commitments from the previous Coalition government, many of which she claimed cannot be delivered.