Why the LNP made a remarkable u-turn on M2
THE LNP backflip which saw the party commit to building the M2 if returned to government occurred because Gold Coast MPs lobbied leader Tim Nicholls – and he listened to them.
Three years ago the LNP’s Jeff Seeney, as Deputy Premier, wrote to Mayor Tom Tate noting 18 changes after the Government’s review of the draft City Plan.
In the April 2014 directive, the council had to remove the IRTC or M2 from a Strategic Framework Map for integrated transport.
The council in its transport strategy 2031 had listed the IRTC as its third major goal in improving road performance.
Two months later in another letter, Mr Seeney advised Councillor Tate: “As you are aware, the IRTC is not a gazetted future state controlled road and, as such, is not a state interest matter ...
“Until such time as the IRTC has been fully investigated, approved by the Queensland Government for protection, and gazetted accordingly, it will not be considered a relevant State interest.”
The Bulletin on Saturday revealed the LNP would build the highway at a cost of $500 million after broking a deal with the Federal Government.
Coast MPs yesterday had a consistent line when asked how the LNP had completed a U-turn on funding the highway.
Albert MP Mark Boothman told the Bulletin: “I think the main thing is the members have been very, very passionate about infrastructure for a long, long time.
“And that was whether was in the community or it in (party) meetings. The thing is it just shows you that Tim (Nicholls) actually listens.
“The position was ‘yes there’s a major problem on the M1 motorway, that’s really important (to the Gold Coast)’. Tim is very consultative, he considers issues and looks at it. He can see why residents are upset. And he’s a doer. “
Coomera LNP MP Michael Crandon added that there was a mantra about fixing the M1.
Told about Mr Boothman’s version, he replied: “That’s pretty much it ... at the end of the day, Tim listened to us down here.
“One of the commitments we made at the start of the campaign was to do something about the M1.
“We built (in government) the M1, and now we’re going to fix it.”
Gaven MP Sid Cramp said the lobbying began in late 2015 and involved all Coast LNP MPs with Ray Stevens in Mermaid Beach and Jann Stuckey at Currumbin offering strong voices.
“We did lobby hard,” he said. “I can tell you that every MP on the Coast has been fighting for M1 improvements since I came in.”