Ciobo calls for M1 test

GOLD Coast Federal Minister Steve Ciobo is laying down a challenge to Labor’s likely first State MP in years Meaghan Scanlon: front up on the M1.

Miss Scanlon, 24, holds a slight lead in Gaven and is set to give Labor a Coast foothold for the first time in five years.

But Mr Ciobo is already calling her out on whether she’ll push for urgent M1 fixes or kowtow to Labor leaders.

The Bulletin revealed on Saturday full Labor costings for promised M1 fixes including upgrading a Varsity Lakes to Tugun stretch would not be provided until after 2021.

“With respect to what appears to be the most likely outcome, that Meaghan Scanlon gets up in Gaven, is she going to stand up for the community she represents or capitulate to her bosses – the M1 will be the litmus test for showing this,” Mr Ciobo said.

“She either stands up for her community and delivers M1 upgrades in the next 12 months or waves the white flag as a puppet for her Labor bosses and defends nothing happening for three or four years.”