Highway funding: Task force rejoices; Saffin: another promise broken
The Pacific Highway Taskforce is rejoicing after the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that $2.4 billion will be spent on upgrading the Pacific Highway.
However, Labor candidate for Page Janelle Saffin says it’s time to put an end to the broken promises on the Pacific Highway, and get on with the job of working to complete the dual carriageway from Woolgoolga to Ballina.
The Taskforce – made up of 18 North Coast councils and the NRMA Motoring and Services – says it has been campaigning since 2005 for more highway funding.
Taskforce Chair Ernie Bennett said the funding announcement was a great fillip for the campaign for a safer highway and would save many lives.
“This is the quantum leap in funding we have been calling for,” he said.
“It’s a very positive injection of funds – not enough to finish the job, but another piece of the puzzle towards delivering dual carriageway.
“If matched by the State Government it will provide the funding necessary to finish about 80% of the Pacific Highway to safer dual carriageway standard.”
Cr Bennett said he was now looking forward to seeing Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd’s policies on highway funding.
“We recognise there is an election on – and we hope that both sides of politics can see their way clear to making this leap forward for funding for the Pacific Highway,” he said.
Cr Bennett said he was confident a suitable funding arrangement between the State and Federal Government for the Pacific Highway would be resolved over time.
Ms Saffin said: “On the eve of calling the election, John Howard has made a flying visit to Grafton, his first in many years, to repeat his 11-year old broken promise on the Pacific Highway.
“Mr Howard announced his 10-year plan for upgrading the Pacific Highway in 1996. After 11 long years locals are still waiting.
“The seat of Page has been the forgotten land when it comes to Federal Government investment in infrastructure. “The Howard Government has lost touch with local working families. Our community in Page has been taken for granted for too long.
“We’ve have seen 11 long years of broken promises from Mr Howard on the Pacific Highway, and now on the eve of calling the election he expects us to believe him.”
Ms Saffin said it was time to end the blame game on the Pacific Highway.
“I want to see more investment in our roads, and I’ll work with anyone to make sure that happens,” she said.
“Of course I will continue to make strong representations about the Pacific Highway. A Rudd Labor Government will end the blame game by working co-operatively to get on with the next stage of upgrading the Pacific Highway.
“It’s time to put an end to the broken promises on the Pacific Highway, and get on with the job of working to complete the dual carriageway from Woolgoolga to Ballina. Only Kevin Rudd and Labor have a plan to end the blame game, end the broken promises and actually get this done.”
