Road report cover up
30th June, 2010
The Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese will not release the key report used by the Labor Government to justify its decision to alter the route for the upgrading of the Bruce Highway around the Traveston Crossing Dam.Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, sought the release of the report on the social and financial considerations used in making a decision to build Section B of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade of the Bruce Highway on an eastern alignment.
The report has been used by Mr Albanese to justify overturning the community’s chosen route for the project and building the upgraded highway on alignment that is longer and more expensive.
Mr Truss said the State government has said that it cannot release the report without approval from the Federal Labor Government. “But when I asked Mr Albanese in a Question on Notice in the Federal Parliament when the report will be released, he refused to provide a relevant answer,” Mr Truss said.
Mr Truss said the local community is concerned that the Government ignored the results of the long and consultative route selection process and is now building the road on an alignment that had been previously rejected.
Affected landholders had made decisions about their future on the assurance that their properties would be safe from the highway realignment. Now without any consultation the Government is ripping up their neighbourhoods.
“I have again asked a direct Question on Notice to Mr Albanese asking him when the report will be released.
“It is impossible to come to any other conclusion other than the Federal and State Labor governments are trying to cover up the report. Their only possible reason to cover it up is because it does not justify their claims.”
Mr Truss said the road construction is now so far advanced that it cannot be returned to the route the community had chosen. The Government should however be accountable for its decision and end the cover up.
Mr Albanese’s refusal to answer Parliamentary questions and his determination to hide this key report is typical of the Federal Labor Government’s arrogance and disregard for community concerns.
