Minister queries Opposition’s credentials on capital works

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has queried the Liberal National Party’s capacity to manage Queensland’s record $3.2 billion road construction program in the wake of revelations about Fraser Coast Regional Council’s massive capital works underspend.

Mr Pitt told Parliament this week that he feared for the vital jobs created by Main Roads’ construction program if the Liberal National Party was elected.

He said reports that the capital works programs of the councils that formed Fraser Coast were underspent by $35 million, or 45 per cent, in 2007-08, were alarming.

“That means that local jobs in that area have gone begging and local contractors have missed out on work,” Mr Pitt said.

Even more concerning was the fact that the Liberal National Party candidate for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorensen, was mayor of Hervey Bay City Council at a time when the capital works budget was underspent.

“That is the sort of management of capital works that one would expect from a new National Party government if they ever were to get into power,” Mr Pitt said.

“Of course, the last time they were in power we had the ridiculous capital works freeze. Under them, unemployment rose to nearly nine per cent. Now we have them … taking on board new candidates who have a proven track record in underperformance.”

Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government in general, and Main Roads in particular, had a very good track record in completing major infrastructure projects.

“Over the past three years, Main Roads has spent its full budget allocation – we made a commitment to do that and we have delivered,” he said.

“We are on track again this year to deliver a roads program totalling $3.2 billion – the biggest in Queensland’s history for Main Roads.

“Labor is committed to continuing our infrastructure investment to maintain jobs and

boost our economy in these dire economic circumstances, and we will continue to deliver.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s office 3227 8819