STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT TO THE SHADOW MINISTRY

STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT TO THE SHADOW MINISTRY

It has been a privilege to serve as Assistant Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport for the past two and a half years and I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to now serve as Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety in a Dutton led Shadow Ministry.

The Coalition entered Government in 2013 committed to building the roads of the 21st century and over the ensuing nine years invested record sums into infrastructure projects right across the nation helping to drive economic growth and prosperity. The Coalition left Government handing over a 10-year $120 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects. 

Unfortunately, the Albanese Labor Government has not had the same level of commitment to Australia’s infrastructure needs and has cancelled, cut and delayed almost $30 billion in infrastructure funding since 2022.

Our roads have deteriorated significantly under Labor, stifling productivity and exacerbating safety concerns. In fact, Australia’s road toll now sits at well over double the target set in 2021 under the National Road Safety Strategy.

Australia needs strong national leadership and renewed focus on roads and road safety. We need better insight into road trauma to ensure that road safety initiatives and infrastructure funding is being directed where it is needed to address the road safety crisis that has been unfolding on Australian roads.

As someone who drives over 100,000 kms a year and who, as a local member representing primary industries who rely so heavily on road freight, I understand how important Australia’s 880,000 kms of road network is to safely connect people and goods for our nation’s economic prosperity.

Labor is failing Australians on the efficiency, productivity and safety of our roads. 

It’s time to get our roads and our country back on track.