Labor will not do the hard work on the Bruce Highway
11th October, 2007
Labor’s lukewarm response to the Australian Government’s $2 billion Bruce Highway announcement suggests Wide Bay residents have much to be concerned about with a Rudd government, the Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, said today.“Nowhere within the statements made by Kevin Rudd, his transport spokesman Martin Ferguson, and the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh do we find confirmation that Federal Labor Government would put anywhere near this amount of money into much needed upgrades for the Bruce Highway,” Mr Truss said.
“All we have heard from State Labor is mealy-mouthed commentary and weak explanations as to why they have not spent existing funding.
“When it comes to Federal Labor, I have looked in vain for the magic words: ‘$2 billion for the Bruce Highway’. I am still looking.”
The Bruce Highway’s importance to Queensland cannot be overstated — it is the transport backbone of the state, stretching from Brisbane to Cairns.
The Coalition Government’s plans include $700 million to extend the four laning north from Cooroy, with more funding to follow. Another $50 million will be provided to upgrading priority sections between Brisbane and Cooroy.
“None of this would be happening without strong economic management. Good management allows such a large sum of money on the Bruce Highway as part of the national transport plan AusLink. Queenslanders should expect nothing less.”
ENDS
