MEDIA STATEMENT: Labor’s $6.7 billion road and transport blowouts laid bare

Published Friday, 14 March, 2025 at 09:35 AM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Brent Mickelberg

Labor’s $6.7 billion road and transport blowouts laid bare 

  • Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program had a staggering $6.7 billion in project blowouts under Labor. 
  • Years of Labor’s budget mismanagement and delays have led to the major cost blowouts.
  • The Crisafulli Government is disclosing Labor’s true cost to Queenslanders with a commitment to restore respect for taxpayers’ money.  

The former Labor Government was sitting on $6.7 billion of secret project blowouts across Queensland’s road and transport pipeline, which they failed to disclose before the election.  

Despite promising transparency, the former Labor Government allowed every single project in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program to secretly run-up additional costs for Queenslanders.   

Labor didn't disclose the project blowouts to Queenslanders prior to the election, including one road in the Mackay region that is estimated to be running more than $1 billion over budget. 

The projects span the program of road, rail, maritime, public transport and active transport infrastructure across Queensland’s freight, commuter, and recreational networks. 

Nineteen projects remain under commercial negotiations. 

Minister Brent Mickelberg said after a decade of Labor’s failures, the Crisafulli Government was restoring respect for taxpayers’ money. 

“It’s important for Queenslanders to know the true cost of Labor’s failures, and we are laying it bare for all to see as we forge a path forward,” Minister Mickelberg said. 

“The full QTRIP is estimated to cost an additional $6.7 billion to complete, which Labor failed to disclose before the election. 

“If you want another example of Labor’s neglect, incompetence and deceit, here it is. 

“The Crisafulli Government is acting fast by pausing Labor’s CFMEU Tax that’s been driving up costs for Queenslanders and driving down productivity.  

“Already we have secured 80:20 funding with the Federal Government for a $9 billion jointly funded program for safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway to ensure Queenslanders get their fair share.  

“I have a clear focus to deliver projects on time and on budget by improving business case estimates and risk assessments, improving design accuracy and engaging industry early for a collaborative approach to projects. 

“The Crisafulli Government will continue to be transparent. Labor was not transparent, they blew their budget by billions, and it’s costing every Queenslander. 

“We are committed to delivering the road and transport infrastructure needed to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer at the end of a long day.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Sophie Cassidy 0484 620 899