SENATOR PERIN DAVEY
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE NATIONALS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
GROUNDHOG DAY FOR EDEN-MONARO AS LABOR CUTS AGAIN
Residents in Eden-Monaro have yet again been snubbed by the Albanese Government with more infrastructure cuts and delays following the outcome of Labor’s Infrastructure Review.
Documents released to the Parliament have revealed the extent of cuts and delays resulting from Labor’s shambolic Review that saw hundreds of projects being put on ice for more than six months.
Senator for New South Wales, Perin Davey, said Eden-Monaro had fallen victim to Labor’s mismanagement of the infrastructure pipeline.
“We learned last November the Albanese Government cut $100 million for Jindabyne’s Southern Connector funding that had been committed to by the previous Coalition Government.
“Further analysis of their infrastructure review shows around $600 million worth of road projects across Eden-Monaro has been cut in the forward estimates including for upgrades to Dunns Road, phase 2 of the Barton Highway upgrade and the Princess Highway corridor.
“Labor’s Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain has clearly failed to represent the needs of her electorate within her caucus.
“Worse still, she is supposed to be the Minister for Regional Development, yet in her own electorate it appears as though she’s happy for funding to be diverted to the big cities,” Senator Davey said.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie said after cancelling 50 projects in November, the Albanese Government have followed up by ruthlessly cutting funding for more projects to the tune of $8.8 billion over the forward estimates.
“The Albanese Government have been incredibly sneaky in their bundling of individual projects into road corridors, which has left the full extent of cuts and delays to projects along key highways and freight routes still in doubt,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Labor so far have refused to release the figures on allocation of funding on road corridor projects and fess up on which projects they plan on cutting to deliver the corridors.
“Since coming to office, the Albanese Government have caused chaos and uncertainty to the infrastructure pipeline with repeated budget cuts, despite bringing 1.5 million more migrants into the country.
“Australians are living with increased congestion and deteriorating roads as a result of Labor’s failure to invest in the road upgrades our communities need,” Senator McKenzie said.
ENDS