Damning evidence in Senate estimates has shown Labor’s funding commitment for lethal Bruce Highway stands at a disappointing $432 million over three years and is less than the $488 million cut from Labor’s Budget in May 2024.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said the Prime Minister is weaponising the treacherous national highway for votes.
“Labor cut $488 million from their own Budget in May last year, so what they are promising in repairs to the Bruce Highway are tens of millions of dollars less than what was cut in the Budget.
“They are taking our region for fools. These figures raise serious questions about the sincerity of Labor’s commitment to keep commuters of the Bruce Highway safe,” Ms Landry said.
Department of Transport and Main Roads data shows the four out of 15 deadliest sections of the Bruce are within Capricornia. Concerning data from the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) showed almost 50 per cent of the Bruce Highway only ranked two stars out of five. In contrast, no electorate in the southeast of Queensland had sections rated below three stars.
“This government inherited a $10 billon funding pipeline to fix the Bruce. Instead of continuing this legacy, they took the axe to it and commuters are paying the price for their political games.
“Labor’s recent announcement regarding the Bruce Highway is nothing more than an election stunt rather than a genuine effort to address the needs of our national highway.
“We need solutions, not a political stunt. Only a Coalition Government who has committed to an 80:20 funding model and $7.2 billion in Bruce Highway upgrades can deliver on this promise,” Ms Landry said.
ENDS
