ROLL OUT THE PORK BARREL FOR THE BRUCE HIGHWAY, SAYS WALLACE

The Howard Government should “roll out the pork barrel” and spend $2 billion of its $17.3 billion surplus on fixing the Bruce Highway in North Queensland, Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace, who is Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland, said Peter Lindsay and the Howard Government had not brought home the bacon for the Bruce Highway.

“We need the $2 billion now before Howard Government members make pigs of themselves and squander the Budget surplus trying to buy themselves back into government.

“Unfortunately, under the Howard Government, pigs might fly first.

“Until we get the $2 billion, I will be squealing like a stuck pig about the neglect of our national highway.”

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello yesterday announced a Budget surplus of $17.3 billion due in large part to the mining boom.

The Howard Government is likely to use the surplus for pre-election pork barrelling instead of using it for major infrastructure projects such as the Bruce Highway.

North Queensland mayors have released a $2 billion plan listing 15 priority Bruce Highway road upgrades that must be done urgently.

In the past 10 years, North Queensland motorists have paid $2.05 billion to the Howard Government in petrol tax – we now need to get this back in concrete and bitumen for the Bruce Highway.

“Until we get our funding, I make no apologies for hamming it up in support of a better Bruce Highway,” Mr Wallace said.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, 0407 131 654.