SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
6 January 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
LABOR BACKFLIPS ON BRUCE HIGHWAY AFTER FUNDING CUTS COST LIVES
The Albanese Labor Government is finally following the Coalition’s commitment to restore 80 per cent federal funding to the Bruce Highway.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie said Liberal National Party Members in Queensland have led the way in campaigning for upgrades to the Bruce Highway.
“While the Coalition welcome today’s announcement, years of cuts and delays by Labor have cost lives, including 43 lives last year and two lives already this year,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The question has to be asked of Labor given the importance of the Bruce Highway, why wasn’t additional funding identified as a government priority following Labor’s six month, be all and end all, infrastructure pipeline review in 2023?
“Years of crucial roadworks have been delayed and tragedies have occurred because Labor didn’t think Queensland’s most dangerous highway was a priority.”
In 2023 Labor cut the 80-20 funding model to regional Bruce Highway projects, making many future upgrades unaffordable to the Queensland State Government.
Senator McKenzie said the Coalition is committed to fixing the Bruce Highway, which has an average two-star rating.
“It is thanks to the relentless campaigning from Coalition MPs that has seen the Albanese Government backflip on funding cuts for the Rocky Ring Road and Bruce Highway and the restoration of the 80-20 funding model for its Bruce Highway announcement,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Coalition announced last September it would restore the historic 80 per cent funding for Bruce Highway projects in the regions, which was stripped away by Labor.
“Labor inherited from the Coalition a program of more than $10 billion of works to upgrade and make the Bruce highway safer but have continued to cut and delay projects since being elected, as part of the $31.4 billion in infrastructure cuts, cancellations and delays since the election of the Albanese Government.
“In the May Budget, the Prime Minister unbelievably cut $488 million from the Bruce Highway over the Budget forward estimates.
“As a result of those cuts, $108.2 million less will be spent on Bruce Highway upgrades this financial year under Labor.
“Today’s announcement appears disingenuous from a Prime Minister who has ignored concerns about the Bruce Highway for years,” Senator McKenzie said.
“It has taken the relentless campaigning of LNP members in Queensland for the Prime Minister to finally act.
“Now Labor need to release the full details of today’s including the timing of those proposed upgrades.”
END.