THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Leader of The Nationals
Federal Member for Maranoa
22 October 2025
Dropping speed limits is not the solution to Maranoa’s poor roads
The Albanese Labor Government’s plan to slash speed limits on rural roads in poor condition is a lazy solution to a serious issue facing cars and trucks across regional Queensland.
Federal Labor Minister Catherine King is proposing reducing speed limits on dirt, gravel or sealed roads in need of repair, in response to the worsening national road toll under her government.
This ‘solution’ will only halt regional productivity and not address one of the root causes of the problem – Labor’s cuts to abysmal road funding.
Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has slammed the plan, calling it a disingenuous approach to road safety reform.
“Across Maranoa poor road conditions remain one of the most prominent issues that locals are facing, with plenty of roads in desperate need of repair,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Local councils and shires would love to upgrade their roads to a safe standard, but they simply can’t get all the necessary work done due to a lack of resources.
“The solution to help make our rural roads safer is to maintain and upgrade the roads themselves, not to slow down regional productivity.”
Mr Littleproud is urging local transport operators, small business, farmers and councils to make submissions to the Government’s consultation before the 27 October closing date about how their communities would be impacted by speed limit reductions on rural, regional and remote Australian roads.
“Regional Australia’s economy is on the line here. Government has an obligation to protect the lives of every Australian, so they should get on with it and fund rural roads.”
To make a submission go to:
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/regulatory-impact-analysis-reduce-open-road-default-speed-limit
