Two days, Two Federal Ministers, No New Cash

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has been caught out today re-announcing funding for a joint State/Federal project but not revealing that the Queensland Government is contributing the overwhelming bulk of funds.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the Federal Government should stop playing games with infrastructure announcements.

“It’s embarrassing enough that Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile and Roads Minister Jim Lloyd came to Queensland this week with no new money and no new announcements,” Mr Lucas said.

“But for Mr Vaile to be caught out for trying to claim credit for a $113 million project when he’s only putting in $25 million of the cost is a bit rich – or maybe a bit poor in this case.”

Mr Lucas said the $113 million Acacia Ridge upgrade would eliminate the level a major level crossing bottleneck on Beaudesert Road.

“The Acacia Ridge level crossing, where the main interstate rail freight line meets busy Beaudesert road, will be crossed off the Brisbane urban map,” Mr Lucas said.

“A total of $88 million of the $113 million cost is funded by Queensland, with the remainder being provided by Canberra.

“I thank the Federal Government for its contribution but I think Mr Vaile is stretching his credibility when Queensland is outspending Canberra three-and-a-half to one on this project and his media release does not even mention any State Government contribution.

“We’re spending $100 million a week building and maintaining the highways, railways, busways and ports that keep Queensland moving.”

Mr Lucas said Mr Vaile was re-announcing the funding to hide the fact he had and Mr Lloyd had come to Queensland with no new funding commitments.

“For two days, we’ve had two Howard Government ministers here with no new funding for infrastructure projects.”

Mr Lucas said claims from Mr Vaile that Queensland had delayed the project were just as misleading as the funding details the Federal Government conveniently forgot.

“I wrote to Mr Vaile in May and again two weeks ago urging him to hurry up and approve funding for the project but he only approved it late yesterday – just in time for his media event this morning.”

Mr Lucas said Queensland motorists should compare the Federal Government’s approach with that of the Federal Opposition, which earlier this week announced a boost to road funding in Queensland.

“Labor’s Shadow Transport Minister Martin Ferguson went to north Queensland on Monday and put an extra $40 million into Bruce Highway funding that the Federal Government had ripped out,” Mr Lucas said.

“And the next day he announced a Federal Labor Government would commit to upgrading the Horn Island airstrip.

“But when Mr Vaile and Mr Lloyd come to town they just re-announce funding for an old project that Queensland taxpayers are footing most of the bill for.

“Mr Vaile’s credibility has been shot to pieces.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942

* Note to journalists – copy of Mr Vaile’s letter available on request