Rudd is a dud — Labor steals funding from Bruce Highway
13th November, 2007
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, today hit out at Federal Labor’s decision not to match the Coalition’s $800 million funding for the Bruce Highway through Wide Bay.Mr Truss said Labor has announced today that only $200 million will be provided for the Cooroy to Curra bypass between now and 2013.
“Labor says its funding will go towards ‘a bypass of the most dangerous section of the Bruce Highway’ but this paltry offer will barely start the project,” Mr Truss said.
“A re-elected Coalition Government has committed $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, and $40 million to four lane two extra sections through Gympie.
“In comparison, Labor is offering more than $500 million less! How many more lives will be lost while these vital projects are stalled?
“Labor is a disgrace. Rural sections of the highway carry up to 15,000 vehicles per day, while the section within Gympie carries up to 20,000 vehicles per day.
“The $700 million commitment to the Cooroy to Curra upgrade from the Coalition is the largest project to be funded by the Australian Government under its new $2 billion commitment to the Bruce Highway. If elected, Labor would take all but $200 million of this money away and spend it in the cities.”
Mr Truss said the Bruce Highway’s importance to Queensland cannot be overstated — it is the transport backbone of this state.
“The Howard/Vaile Government will deliver a vital piece of south-east Queensland road infrastructure as part of Coalition’s 2020 plan for Australian’s Transport Future.
“Labor is only offering a small start for the job,” he said.
NO LABOR FUNDING FOR GYMPIE FOUR LANING
Mr Truss said Labor has also failed to mention the four laning of the Bruce Highway through Gympie.
“The Howard/Vaile Government has already spent $30 million on stage one of the project and recently committed another $40.2 million to complete the project.
“Does Labor’s silence on the Gympie four laning mean this work is also under threat if Mr Rudd gains power?”
Mr Truss said Labor has dismally failed to match the Coalition’s commitment to road funding and programs such as the Strategic Regional, Roads to Recovery, Black Spots and the Development Roads initiative are also in doubt.
“Mr Rudd’s announcement opens up another clear difference between Labor and the Coalition for the people of Wide Bay. A vote for Labor would mean at least $500 million less spending on roads in the electorate,” Mr Truss said.
ENDS
