Region. Funding sought for four major projects

The Australian Financial Review reports speculation that Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who has identified Western Sydney as a priority area, will announce major initiatives for the region before the election. Projects for consideration include the $4 billion duplication of the M5 tunnel and the $11 billion M4 east, which would help commuters from the south-west and west respectively. Rail projects requiring funding are the $6.7 billion North-West Rail Link and the $4.5 billion Western Express. The federal seats of Lindsay, Macquarie, Parramatta and Macarthur are vulnerable at the election due in the next six months.