FEDERAL ROAD CASH SLASHED BUT COSTS GO UP

Road crews maintaining Queensland’s federally funded national highways are being forced to do more with less.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said the Federal Government had ripped $3 million from the money it allocates to Queensland to maintain 5,000 kilometres of national highway.

“Canberra has slashed the maintenance budget for its own road network to $63 million, down from $66 million, at a time when construction costs are rising by up to 15% a year.

“We still have the same 5,000 kilometres of national highway and a growing number of potholes but now there’s even less money to fix them.”

Mr Lucas said Federal MP for Leichhardt Warren Entsch had been caught out.

“He wants more tenders for maintenance on the Bruce Highway to be given to private companies.

“Main Roads’ RoadTek crews are experts at road maintenance, particularly when the work is done under traffic.

“But let’s be clear, it doesn’t matter whether it’s RoadTek, the private sector, or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir doing the work.

“The core of the problem is the Federal Government has cut road maintenance spending.

“I’m more than happy to have a debate with Mr Entsch about who does the work when Canberra produces more money, not less.

Mr Lucas said Mr Entsch had insulted the people of North Queensland by dismissing the $2 billion the region’s mayors want from Canberra to upgrade the Bruce Highway to national standard.

“He insists the Federal Government has already handed out enough money for the Bruce Highway.

“Rather than getting more money for the Bruce Highway, Mr Entsch criticises mayors, he criticises the State Government and presides over a reduction in road maintenance dollars.

“He provides no solutions only red herrings – Mr Entsch is clearly tired in the job and doesn’t want to continue.

“The voters of the Far North deserve no less than somebody who has solutions.

“Even Brisbane’s Liberal Lord Mayor Campbell Newman knows the Federal Government doesn’t spend nearly enough on the national highway in Queensland.

“Earlier this month he drove home the inequity by comparing what’s spent on Victoria.

“They get 22% of the national road funding pie but account for just 13.5% of national vehicle kilometres travelled.

“Yet Queensland receives only a 23% share despite accounting for almost 30% of kilometres travelled on the national highway.

“The respected Macquarie Bank has also blown the whistle on the Federal Government by reporting net payments to the states are at a three decade low despite Canberra being awash with surplus cash,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566.