FEDS: WE’LL WORK WITH LNP ON M2

THE Federal Minister who torpedoed State Labor’s megabucks new M1 fix has committed to working with LNP to deliver its proposed second highway.

“The LNP proposal to develop an alternative to the M1 certainly did not come as a surprise to the Federal Government, unlike Labor’s statement on Varsity Lakes to Tugun,” Federal Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher (above) yesterday said.

“The LNP has proposed a 50:50 funding split which is consistent with the funding of previous M1 projects under both federal Coalition and Federal Labor Governments — in contrast to Queensland Labor’s suggestion that somehow the Federal Government should reverse past practice on the M1 and fund 80 per cent of the cost.” Mr Fletcher’s one caution on the LNP’s M2 proposal — which has attracted criticism for a low-ball cost — would need its business case assessed by independent Infrastructure Australia because it was seeking over $100m. “We look forward to working through this planning process should (the Queensland LNP) form government.”