A WORTHLESS PROMISE

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk, on her first visit to the Gold Coast since the election was called, has announced no real solution to the choked-up M1 that threatens to cripple the State’s fastest-growing city.

While the LNP has, with support from the Federal Government, promised to deliver a second M1, the Premier has pledged a band-aid to the existing nightmare. Worse, it’s a band-aid that won’t ever be unwrapped.

A media statement from the Labor campaign office — possibly cobbled together on the Premier’s long drive from Brisbane — offered several convenient ambiguities along with a $206 million “commitment” to the Gold Coast’s highest priority problem.

This $206 million is not what the project will cost — the government haven’t revealed that — rather, their pledge will “help” with their 20 per cent “part of” the project.

Sifting through the campaign rhetoric, just one thing is clear — their entire plan is kaput unless the Federal Government comes up with at least another $800 million.

There’s a snowflake’s chance in Southport that will happen.

Yesterday’s announcement from the Premier was an embarrassingly half-baked promise and a promise is all it will ever be.

It does not deliver a solution to the snarling traffic that is strangling our lifestyle and productivity.

It does not deliver anything but another lengthy stoush with Canberra, and more opportunities to talk about how the Feds should pay 80 per cent. That tactic didn’t work out for the Government or the Gold Coast last time.

The same stand-off saw six-laning from Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes delayed for two years, with the State forced to stump up their half of the project cost anyway.

Study after study have shown the M1 is already a hair’s breadth from capacity and another two years of political back-andforth is a dire economic risk.

If they want to gain any traction with Gold Coast voters, the Premier, and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, need to take themselves back up the M1 to Brisbane and think of a better idea.

With a clear run they might get there in under two hours.