OPINION PIECE
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is renewing his desperate calls for the Federal and State Labor Government’s to fix the Bruce Highway.
Following the recent fatal tragedy on the weekend near Gumlu, Mr Willcox said Labor’s decision to slash funding to the Bruce Highway in his electorate of Dawson is despicable.
“While the investigation into the cause of this accident is still ongoing, any life lost on the Bruce Highway is one life too many, and we desperately need investment into this road to ensure there are no more victims of the Bruce Highway,” Mr Willcox said.
“The stretch of highway that runs through my electorate, from Mackay all the way up to Townsville has the worst safety rating out of the entire Bruce Highway.
“While Labor is busy investing millions of dollars in the southeast corner to secure votes, innocent lives are being lost, and frankly, it’s disgusting.
“This isn’t about politics or political agendas; this is about the safety of my people and the safety of the people travelling through our region.”
The Department of Transport and Main Roads data of the 15 deadliest lengths of road between 2015 to 2024 shows that 9 of these are located in the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday and Townsville areas.
Mr Willcox explained that the previous Coalition Governments prioritised funding to upgrade the Bruce Highway during their time in office, and yet the State Labor Government has been sitting on this funding.
“I have called on the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, many times to look at funding for this section of highway, I have even invited the Prime Minister and his Ministers to come and see it for themselves,” Mr Willcox said.
“Instead, they pulled millions out of our region and injected it into the southeast corner, all while slashing the funding model from an 80:20 split to a 50:50 split.
“This government is playing with the lives of every person who travels the Bruce Highway, and it needs to stop.
“We deserve better.”
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
