The Federal Government last week continued its neglect of Western Australia’s regional areas by snubbing key regional road projects and safety initiatives for Commonwealth funding.
Despite a three-day visit to the State, Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave no commitment for key regional projects such as the Albany Ring Road and Karratha-Tom Price Road.
The McGowan Government has committed $35 million towards the Albany Ring Road and $50 million towards the completion of Karratha-Tom Price Road, with record funds for regional road projects and maintenance in 2018-19 alone.
Karratha-Tom Price Road was recently considered a national priority in Infrastructure Australia’s Infrastructure Priority List, which is also assessing a business case for the Albany Ring Road.
This is in stark contrast with former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Darren Chester who worked with the State Government to achieve the right outcomes for metropolitan and regional WA.
The State Government again calls on the Federal Government to re-prioritise regional areas by funding key projects such as the Albany Ring Road and Karratha-Tom Price Road.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The State Government has allocated its share for the Albany Ring Road – it’s now time for the Morrison Government to do the same.
“The Federal Government’s regional members seem to have gone missing on this project.
“Federal Cabinet and Government members from the Federal Coalition have so far secured nothing towards these projects.
“The McGowan Government is the first and only government to put money on the table for the Albany Ring Road and Karratha-Tom Price Road. We need the Federal Government to come to the party.”
