The Abbott Government brought their usual bag of tricks to our region yesterday re-announcing Labor’s $404 million investment to duplicate the Western Highway from Ballarat to Stawell.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said she was surprised to see the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs claiming credit for major local infrastructure previously opposed by the Coalition.
“Labor in government through our Nation Building Program delivered $404 million towards duplicating the Western Highway from Ballarat to Stawell,” Ms King said.
“Duplicating the Western Highway will provide major economic benefits to this region improving access to local and interstate travellers in addition to delivering major safety upgrades benefiting all road users.
“Whilst I welcome the Abbott Government’s support for the project, it is misleading for the Assistant Minister to take credit for a project his party threatened to vote against in parliament.
“The previous Labor Government delivered record investment to our regions, more than doubling annual infrastructure spending from $89 to $201 per Victorian.”
When Labor took office, Australia was 20th on the list of 25 OECD nations in terms of infrastructure spending as a proportion of GDP.
Australia now sits at the top of that list.
“Mr Abbott needs to stop misleading people and come up with his own plans to support regional communities,” Ms King said.