Shorten commits to M1

BILL Shorten will today promise to match Malcolm Turnbull’s $1 billion pledge to widen two sections of the M1 – meaning the project will go ahead no matter who wins the next federal election.

The $1 billion commitment for the M1 will widen the motorway from Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill to eight lanes, as well as widening the road to six lanes from Varsity Lakes to Tugun.

The Labor leader, who visits Brisbane today, will also promise to make the Cross River Rail project a reality with a major funding commitment towards the $5.4 billion project.

The Opposition Leader’s $2.24 billion cash splash would guarantee the congestionbusting project and save Queensland taxpayers billions of dollars.

The funding pledge will relieve the Palaszczuk Government of $800 million during construction, and there would be a 50-50 split for the running of the line.