Labor puts brakes on $1.75B Roads to Recovery boost
THE Australian Government’s $1.75 billion five-year funding extension of the Roads to Recovery Programme is at risk of being blocked in the Senate.
Legislation to extend Roads to Recovery funding for the next five years (from 2014-15 to 2018-19) passed the House of Representatives yesterday but was opposed by Labor and the Greens.
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP is concerned Labor and the Greens will vote against the legislation in the Senate to terminate the programme.
“Given Labor and the Green’s position on this Bill Logan City Council stands to lose $2,285,247 and the Gold Coast City Council will lose $1,633,033.”
“That’s a lot of bitumen for a lot of much-needed work on our local roads and streets. Our community cannot afford to lose this vital investment.
“Labor is playing the basest of political games and it is local councils and local roads users who will pay the price.
“Our $1.75 billion commitment is designed to help local governments to address the backlog of local road maintenance, to improve safety and transport efficiency, and stimulate economic development across the country.
“Local Governments are desperate for Roads to Recovery funding, but now Labor and the Greens are threatening the very future of the Programme.”
“Our local community, our businesses and our entire economy desperately need this $1.75 billion injection of funding for local roads now.
“I urge local councils to petition Labor and the Greens to allow this funding to be passed.”
ENDS
