The Palaszczuk Government supports road workers

The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to support RoadTek, Queensland’s vital frontline road workers who deliver key transport infrastructure across the state, after the previous LNP Government slashed RoadTek jobs.

While in Rockhampton on Friday, Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey visited Rockhampton’s Midgee RoadTek depot to thank staff for their hard work.

“There are around 1,160 RoadTek staff across Queensland who are out there delivering essential road and transport infrastructure and maintenance works across our vast road network,” Mr Bailey said.

“Around 80 workers are based here in Rockhampton and it was great to talk to them this morning about their important work restoring our roads after disasters such as Cyclone Debbie and building new roads to support growing communities.

“The LNP didn’t respect the critical role RoadTek play including partnering with regional and indigenous communities to enhance training, development and employment opportunities.

“When in government with a record majority the LNP outsourced Roadtek work, and cut 700 jobs from RoadTeck across regional Queensland – as well as 1000s of jobs in Transport and Main Roads, reducing their staff by a shocking 22.4% overall.

“If the LNP had their way they would have got rid of Roadtek altogether.

“As Treasurer, Tim Nicholls ratted on regional roads slashing roads and transport funding by $600 million over the LNP’s three years and stalling road infrastructure projects across Queensland, while spending up big secretly preparing to sell off Queensland’s assets.

“They wasted more than $30 million of road and transport funding preparing for asset sales and contestability instead of investing that money in much needed regional road upgrades.

“Not only did they gut RoadTek, they cut 14,000 front line public servants, including more than 4000 health workers, 500 teachers, and 225 child safety officers.

“Whether or not you believe Tim Nicholls when he says there will be no forced redundancies under a future LNP, the fact is he hasn’t ruled out taking another axe to frontline workers through natural attrition of police offices, nurses and teachers.

“Only the Palaszczuk Government will continue to support our road workers, our front line staff and our regional communities.”

ENDS

Media contact – Amy Hunter 0423 651 484