M1 funding delays a ‘con job by Labor’
THE Opposition has accused the Palaszczuk Government of a con job over promised funding for upgrading the Pacific Motorway.
In response to questions in State Parliament, Transport Minister Mark Bailey has said the upgrade from Varsity Lakes to Tugun will cost $1.03 billion, with the State Government providing $5 million in 2018-19 and $15 million in 2019-20.
But the Opposition estimates more than 95 per cent of State Government funding will not occur until July 2020 – just before the next state election due on October 31.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington told the Bulletin: “This is nothing more than an M1 con job by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor.
“Queensland motorists are fed up with the political games. They just want the M1 upgraded. That’s why the LNP has a plan to not only fix the M1 but get on and build a second motorway as well.’’
But Mr Bailey said the Federal Coalition Government had agreed to the latest time frames for construction.
“We have always said that heavy construction of the third and fourth major M1 projects should follow completion of the current two projects at the Gateway Merge and from Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes,” he said.
Palaszczuk Government funding began from this year for detailed design for the Tugun to Varsity Lakes M1 upgrade, ramping up to a start to heavy construction in 2020, he said.
“The majority of Palaszczuk Government funding for Varsity Lakes to Tugun flows from 2020 because that’s when the earliest heavy construction work can commence,” Mr Bailey said. “The fact is the vast majority of federal funding – $845 million – doesn’t flow until 2022-23 and without the Palaszczuk Government’s upfront funding from this year, motorists would be waiting at least two more years for work to start.’’
Mr Bailey said the State Government had delivered more than $2.3 billion in new M1 investment on top of funding for light rail stage two and duplicating the Helensvale to Coomera rail line.
The LNP is furious about the funding forward estimates because Labor criticised the Commonwealth’s commitment at the May Budget.
A day after the Federal Budget, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad described the Commonwealth’s $1 billion M1 fix-it plan as a “joke and a hoax” because of the delayed funding.