Bruce Highway Upgrades at risk under Labor’s infrastructure razor gang

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Delivery of the Bruce Highway Upgrades from Bracken Ridge to Pine River, including the Dohles Rocks Rd on/off ramps, Linkfield Rd Overpass and the Beams Rd Overpass, have been put at risk by the Albanese Labor Government’s decision to have a razor gang review funding for Queensland infrastructure projects.

Member for Petrie, the Hon Luke Howarth MP said Labor is demonstrating it doesn’t have a plan for the sustainable growth of our cities and regions or the safety of our roads by threatening to cut local infrastructure projects.

“The Albanese Labor Government are trying to pull a con job with the people of Queensland. They promised delivery of these infrastructure projects and now we’re seeing typical Labor Government who have no integrity in their word. They can’t even keep their own election promises. Labor’s inaction, poor planning and delays only results in more stress for the people of my electorate and across Queensland” Mr Howarth said.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the Albanese Labor Government has threatened more than 120 congestion-busting, productivity-enhancing and lifesaving projects across Queensland.

“Labor’s infrastructure razor gang has been given the grim task of reviewing at least 124 Queensland projects worth $16.2 billion, all of which had been identified as priorities by the former Coalition Government,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The full list of Queensland projects at risk may be even bigger as Labor has failed to guarantee that uncontracted future stages of projects currently under construction will be exempted from the razor gang process.

Senator McKenzie said the Government is making a terrible budget mistake by seeking to pay for Labor’s increased spending by cutting productivity-enhancing infrastructure.

The Hon Luke Howarth MP said the Palaszczuk Labor Government has rolled over and silently accepted these funding cuts from their friends Canberra.

“The State Government should have some guts and stand up for the interests of Queenslanders and the people of Petrie. Annastacia Palaszczuk is too busy focusing on her own political survival and playing groupie for her mate Anthony Albanese rather than focusing on what’s right for the people of Queensland.”

“I call on the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey to raise the importance of these local projects with the Premier and guarantee it will not fall victim to Federal Labor’s razor gang.”

END.

CONTACT:

Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie – Olympia Cover | 0407 876 497

The Hon Luke Howarth – Danielle Rossetto | 0421 105 795