Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan was joined by Shadow Minister for Regional Development Darren Chester to call on the Albanese Labor Government to reinstate their funding cuts to the Bruxner Highway safety upgrades.
Late last year, Labor released a review of infrastructure projects and axed 50 across the country, despite the increase in deaths and serious injuries on regional roads.
“These cuts included a project to improve safety on the Bruxner Highway between Sneaths Road in Wollongbar, and Kadina Street in Goonellabah,” Mr Hogan said.
“This section has a fatal and serious injury crash rate that is more than eight times higher than similar roads across the State.
“Labor doesn’t care about our community or the safety of people in the 9,000 vehicles who use that stretch of road every day.
“They should be ashamed of themselves – this stretch of road has a terrible history.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Development Darren Chester established the National Office of Road Safety during the term of the Coalition Government and has accused the Albanese Government of giving up on road trauma.
“At a time when regional NSW continues to experience a high level of deaths and serious injuries, it is unconscionable for the Labor Party to cut funding for road safety projects,” Mr Chester said.
“Tragically, road deaths in the year to June 2024 in New South Wales were 358 which is an increase of 67 from the previous 12 month period. Every road death has a ripple effect throughout our communities: impacting families, loved ones and first responders.
“Labor’s failure to take action on our roads shows they have given up on road trauma and they don’t understand how safer regional roads can save lives.
“It’s another example of a city-focused Labor Party deserting our regions – they aren’t doing anything to make our roads safer, they do nothing about cost of living, and they don’t do anything to keep our country safe.
“Unfortunately, it is becoming a consistent theme of this government – regional Australia is going backwards, and our residents are worse off.”
