Lucas welcomes Federal Labor commitment to Bruce Highway

A commitment by the Federal Opposition to return $40 million to vital flood works on the Bruce Highway was a massive win for North Queensland motorists, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said an announcement today by Federal Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism Martin Ferguson showed Labor was serious about upgrading the Bruce Highway – Australia’s worst national highway.

“This is a win for north Queensland and a win for common sense,” Mr Lucas said.

“It means that if elected, Federal Labor will put $40 million back into Bruce Highway flood works, that Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay managed to convince Canberra to take out.

“It’s a clear demonstration that the Federal Labor Opposition is serious about addressing Canberra’s infrastructure go-slow, which has left north Queensland stuck in the mud.”

Mr Lucas said it had been Queensland’s view all along that both the work between Woodlands Shopping Centre and Veales Road, and the flood works originally agreed to under a $220 million memorandum of understanding should be undertaken.

“We signed an MoU in the middle of last year making these flood works a priority. Unfortunately Mr Lindsay got his way and Canberra ripped $40 million out of the $220 million to fund the work at Mt Low Parkway,” Mr Lucas said.

“It’s a disgrace that the Howard Government’s approach to funding pits communities against each other to fight for pieces of a road funding pie which is way too small.”

“Here’s a Federal Government with a massive tax take and a record surplus and they couldn’t find $40 million for important works and had to take the money away from projects already agreed to.

“We need federal members who want to take the fight up to Canberra no matter who the government is.”

Mr Lucas said pressure was now on the Federal Government to match the commitment.

“Federal Labor has stepped up and is delivering extra dollars for the Bruce Highway. It’s time for Mr Howard and Mr Costello to do the same.

“North Queensland motorists pay more than $163 million in fuel tax to Canberra every single year, its high time we got a better return on our investment.”

Mr Lucas urged North Queensland motorists to continue the pressure on the Federal Government to match Labor’s promise.

“Ideally, we’d have promises from both sides of politics to fix this issue,” Mr Lucas said.

“I urge north Queensland motorists to put the hard word on the Howard Government to match this commitment so that work can get underway sooner.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942