ALBANESE LABOR GOVERNMENT ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL ON ROAD SAFETY

TONY PASIN MP

MEMBER FOR BARKER

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

MEDIA RELEASE

ALBANESE LABOR GOVERNMENT ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL ON ROAD SAFETY

Member for Barker and Assistant Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tony Pasin MP says the Labor Government’s infrastructure objectives are failing to take the road safety task seriously.

Mr Pasin said the Policy Statement released on Wednesday fails to adequately address the need for data while the subsequent announcement regarding funding for road safety initiatives on local roads failed to make any substantial funding increase or address administrative issues as Government spin doctors claim.

“The nations road toll continues to rise and so far, all the Labor Government has done is cancel or delay life-saving infrastructure projects,” Mr Pasin said.

The Coalition and the Australian Automobile Association have been calling for improved data collection to inform policy and investment into roads to achieve the road safety commitments outlined in Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.

The former Coalition Government was committed to establishing a National Data Sharing Agreement with the states and territories to establish consistent metrics and reporting formats.

“It has been disappointing to see the current Government’s lack of action on this matter. The Infrastructure Policy Statement released last week only allocated one sentence to the issue of data, with no commitment to compel the States to share and report nationally consistent data as a condition of funding.

Mr Pasin said yesterday’s announcement framed as “…significant increases in funding and changes to programs to reduce the administrative burden on local councils,” was simply an exercise in spin.

“Labor’s idea of a “significant increase” equates to only $5 to $7 million per year in total above current funding levels for the new generalised Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program which comes into existence as a result of discontinuing two existing road safety programs specifically designed to improve first and last mile initiatives.

“The Government is also crowing about increasing the Black Spot road safety funding while not making any adjustments to the program to increase applications. The 2023-24 allocation of $120 million has at least $16 million left unspent. There’s no point in increasing the available funding pool without fixing the red tape and administrative burden that is preventing applications, leaving funding unspent,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Albanese Labor Government is asleep at the wheel when it comes to achieving significant road safety outcomes. After waiting 18 months to understand the Government’s direction on road safety what we have been presented with is a huge disappointment. Australians expect more to address the climbing road toll,” Mr Pasin said.

Data shows 1,247 people died on Australian roads in the 12 months to 31 October 2023 – a 6.5 per cent increase on the preceding 12-month period.

There has been dramatic annual increases in road deaths in South Australia (up 47%), NSW (23%) and Victoria (8%). Nationally, road deaths also rose significantly among pedestrians (8.5%) and cyclists (24%).

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730