M1 FUNDS DISPARITY PUT DOWN TO NO ASSET SALES
A FEDERAL MP says the Gold Coast is getting less Commonwealth funding for the Pacific Motorway upgrade than NSW because the Queensland Government refuses to sell off assets.
McPherson MP Karen Andrews made the stunning admission after being asked about road funding during question time at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Hilton Hotel – and it has reignited a row with the Palaszczuk Government.
Ms Andrews was asked to explain why the Gold Coast stretch of the M1 was a 50-50 split in funding when it was an 80-20 arrangement for the national highway upgrade across the NSW border.
“You look at roads in New South Wales. It was an entirely different funding commitment in New South Wales,” Ms Andrews replied.
“A lot of that was because New South Wales sold assets. The Queensland State Government did not sell assets and they had access to an entirely different funding block.”
State Transport Minister Mark Bailey yesterday called on the Federal Government to stop punishing the Gold Coast after getting negative feedback about Ms Andrews’ remarks at the breakfast debate.
“All we want is our fair share. Queenslanders have voted twice on asset sales, that’s why the Palaszczuk Government put an end to the LNP’s asset sales plan in 2015,” Mr Bailey said.
“We know asset sales are in the LNP’s DNA but it’s time for Deb Frecklington and the Queensland LNP to say enough is enough.
“Queensland should be getting its fair share from Canberra, not punished by the LNP because we listened to Queenslanders and put an end to the Newman government’s asset sales.”
The Palaszczuk Government insists the funding arrangement for the M1 should be 80-20 with the Commonwealth providing the majority of money, after the State Government did the heavy lifting on stages one and two of light rail.
The State Government has committed more than $373 million for the M1 upgrade at Eight Mile Plains, $515 million for the Varsity to Tugun stretch and
$25 million for the Oxenford interchange upgrade.
The Federal Budget will provide $500 million for the upgrade of the notorious Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway stretch with the total funding package starting with $5 million in 2020-21, $105 million in 2021-22 and $203 million in 2022-23.
Ms Andrews yesterday defended her comments made at the breakfast, including saying Stage 3A of the light rail should be “rescoped’’ – that is, shorten the track by 700m – because the Commonwealth would not pitch in more than $112 million.
“I’m interested in making sure taxpayers get value for money, including for infrastructure projects,” she said.
“Getting Gold Coasters bang for their buck on the light rail is project management 101, and the Queensland Government and Mark Bailey need to demonstrate how they’re delivering this at the best possible price.”
QUEENSLAND SHOULD BE GETTING IT’S FAIR SHARE FROM CANBERRA, NOT PUNISHED BY THE LNP BECAUSE WE LISTENED TO QUEENSLANDERS STATE MINISTER MARK BAILEY