LIBERALS COMMIT $600 MILLION TO AG ROAD FUNDING PROGRAM

LIBERALS COMMIT $600 MILLION TO AG ROAD FUNDING PROGRAM

An elected Dutton Liberal Government will support primary producers in Barker through a new agricultural roads funding program, investing in the road infrastructure needed to get food and fibre from farm to markets safer and more efficiently, said Member for Barker and Shadow Minister for Road and Road Safety, Tony Pasin MP.

“Every Australian has a higher standard of living because of the wealth generated by selling the food and fibre grown in the regions,” said Mr Pasin.

“It stands to reason that the sectors making this happen should be equipped with the road infrastructure required to do so safely, efficiently and productively.

“That’s why, to support our farmers, fishers and foresters to grow jobs and opportunities for all Australians, an elected Dutton Liberal Government will invest $600 million to establish a new Ag & Mining Roads program.

“This will make it easier to transport products from regions like Barker to the processors, supermarket shelves or to port for export overseas,” Mr Pasin said.

An elected Dutton Liberal Government will work with representatives of the trucking and primary industries sectors to identify the priority roads to be upgraded to remove barriers to regional growth.

In contrast, the Albanese Labor Government has cancelled, cut and delayed more than $30 billion worth of infrastructure projects across Australia.

Labor has abolished infrastructure programs that were established to assist our trucking industry in their freight task including:

• Roads of Strategic Importance
• Bridges Renewal Program
• Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program

“By investing in the new Ag & Mining Roads program, a Liberal Government will build on our record of investing in critical regional freight routes,” Mr Pasin said.

The program will be delivered over four years and will invest in sealing, widening and strengthening roads, highways and bridges, building flood immunity and resilience upgrades.

Mr Pasin said roads such as Dog Fence Road in the Mallee could be an example of a route that might be upgraded as a result of such a program. 

“Transporters have told me upgrading around 30 kms of Dog Fence Road between Karoonda Highway and Rollbusch Road to accommodate B-Double and Road Trains would give a boost to the local freight task. It’s great examples like this of roads across the country that could be upgraded to boost the productivity and efficiency of our agriculural freight,” Mr Pasin said.

“This $600 million investment into Ag and Mining Roads across Australia will strengthen the economy through increased productivity,” said Mr Pasin.

A strong economy will drive down inflation, drive down interest rates, and improve Australians’ standard of living.

Only a Dutton Liberal Government will strengthen our regions, strengthen our economy, and get Australia back on track.