M1 CASH ‘A JOKE’
Premier lashes bulk of Budget post 2021-22 a ‘joke’
THE bulk of the Federal Budget funding to fix a notorious M1 bottleneck north of the Gold Coast will not kick in for at least another two years.
The Palaszczuk Government has branded the Coalition’s M1 funding commitment “a joke”, while Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said Queensland had only been given “the crumbs” on infrastructure funding.
THE bulk of the Federal Budget funding to fix a notorious M1 bottleneck north of the Gold Coast will not kick in for at least another two years.
The Palaszczuk Government yesterday branded the funding commitment “a joke”, maintaining forward estimates showed little commitments until after 2021-22.
But the LNP provided documents which show the timeline for an additional $2.6 billion for priority Queensland regional and urban transport infrastructure including $500 million for the Daisy Hill to Logan Mwy M1 upgrade.
The total funding package begins with $5 million in 2020-21, $105 million in 2021-22 and $203 million in 2022-23.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said the funding was only “onwards” after 2022-23.
“This a joke,” she said. “This is the M1 for the next four years, Scott Morrison’s commitment. It’s a blank. If I was the LNP I would be so embarrassed today.”
The State Government had committed more than $373 million for an upgrade at Eight Mile Plains, $515 million for the Varsity to Tugun stretch and $25 million for the Oxenford interchange upgrade, Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We are putting the money in, they haven’t got a plan for the M1. It’s embarrassing.”
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad told Parliament yesterday that the State had been given “the crumbs” on infrastructure funding compared to southern capitals with no money again for Cross River Rail.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said no funding was provided for the dive site on the Gold Coast.
“Once again, there is a lot of talk about a dive site for the Gold Coast by the LNP, but once again it will come down to the Mayor and our government to actually deliver that,” she said.
Mayor Tom Tate yesterday welcomed the $112 million in federal funding for light rail, and tax cuts for workers and small business.
He said he would write to Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham to ensure the city featured prominently in a planned international marketing campaign, headed by Tourism Australia.
The Federal Budget has increased the budget for Tourism Australia by $5 million to $175 million, and a major international marketing campaign was planned to lure overseas tourists.
“I will be on the front foot with correspondence to the Federal Minister before tomorrow, urging him to ensure Australia’s tourism epicentre features heavily in the campaign,’’ Cr Tate said.
“We have two international airports servicing the Coast, both within a 90km radius. Further, we are achieving record international visitor numbers and we are renewing our tourism products.
“It would be remiss not to ensure the Gold Coast was the leading drawcard in any new campaign.’’
Mayor Tate said he would also again ask the Commonwealth to relocate Tourism Australia’s headquarters, from Sydney to the Glitter Strip.
“Southport is the prime location as it is our recognised CBD,’’ he said. “If they don’t agree to TA being relocated, I want to at least see a satellite office established. For decades, we have led the country as the number one destination. Now is the time for the Federal Government to show their support with a Coast head office.’’