Roads Minister needs a position
ROADS Minister Luke Donnellan has become known in some quarters for his colourful turn of phrase.
This became particularly apparent when he told Corangamite mayor Jo Beard her shire’s slice of road funding was “better than a kick in the d--k” — later apologising for causing offence.
In our report today, Mr Donnellan cautions his Opposition equivalent against listening to “Bgrade kooks like (South Barwon Liberal MP) Andrew Katos.”
The comments emerged amid a growing push for the speed limit on the Princes Highway between Geelong and Werribee to be raised to 110km/h as it is on other regional highways like the Hume and Calder.
In telling the Opposition to listen to experts on 110km/h (the TAC oppose it, the RACV are for it) Mr Donellan appears to be opposing the speed rise.
But he’s actually not. Instead he’s having a bet each way saying it’s the subject of a review. But 10 months later and Mr Donnellan is still sitting on the fence.
Maybe government MPs have read the comments from Addy readers and have seen how popular the 110km/h push is among Victorians.
Mr Donnellan has now — without giving a date — linked the timing of the completed review to the rollout of wire barriers due to be complete mid-year.
If he is true to his word then we shall know Labor’s position on our highway a few short months before the November state election.
The fight for Geelong’s heart and vote is heating up ahead of that.
The Andrews Government is pledging a lot of money on studies and infrastructure. We hope the studies on rail and the new hospital flourish into actual works.
But the Opposition has carved out an interesting point of difference with its policy of a Minister for Geelong and its commitment to making the highway 110km/h — neither of which should cost millions.