Labor is finally following the Coalition’s commitment to restore 80 per cent of federal funding to the Bruce Highway.
Leader of the Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said while the Prime Minister’s announcement is welcome, years of cuts and delays by Labor have cost lives, including 43 lives last year and two lives already this year.
“Too many tragedies have occurred under Labor’s watch, with years of crucial roadworks being delayed because Labor was deaf to Queenslanders’ concerns about the priority of this dangerous highway,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Unfortunately, the Albanese Labor Government has a history of cutting and delaying funding to the Bruce Highway.”
The Coalition announced last September we would restore the historic 80 per cent funding for Bruce Highway projects in the regions, which was stripped away by Labor.
Mr Littleproud said Labor inherited from the Coalition a program of more than $10 billion of works to upgrade and make the Bruce Highway safer but has continued to cut and delay projects since being elected.
“In the Budget last year, the Prime Minister cut $488 million from the Bruce Highway funding over the next four years,” Mr Littleproud said.
“As a result of those cuts, $108.2 million less will be spent on Bruce Highway upgrades this financial year.
“The question has to be asked of Labor given the importance of the Bruce Highway, why wasn’t it identified as a priority for further funding following Labor’s infrastructure pipeline review in 2023?
“Why has it taken two and a half years for the Prime Minister to start listening to community concerns about the Bruce Highway?”
“It is thanks to the relentless campaigning of the Coalition that has seen the Albanese Government forced to backflip on funding cuts for the Rocky Ring Road and restoration of the 80 per cent funding for the Bruce Highway announcement.”
ENDS
