Show Me The Money!

Willcox Drives Funding For The Bruce

I was excited when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, announced in January that the Labor government would fund $7.2 billion towards the Bruce Highway. However, the celebrations for Dawson were short lived, when it was discovered not a cent had been allocated for the region until at least 2028.

Senate estimates revealed that of the announced funding only $432 million had been costed over the next three years and that money is not making it to Dawson.

This figure is lower again than the $488 million Labor removed from the 2024 budget, set aside by the previous Coalition government. In January the Coalition without hesitation matched the $7.2 billion announced, and it now appears only a change of government will deliver any of these funds for North Queensland in the near future.

Under Labor this important corridor that stretches right through Dawson has gone backwards. Labor’s flashy billion dollar announcements are worthless. The money is not allocated, certainly not for North Queensland, and under Labor our region won’t have access to these funds until at least 2028.

Coalition governments have a record of providing the funds and delivering on necessary improvements to the Bruce Highway.

The last time the Federal Coalition were in government, funded and executed projects in Dawson included; the Mackay Ring Road, flood mitigation works, safety improvements with more overtaking lanes and widened sections right along the Bruce. Labor stopped the momentum of these projects, a trend I am passionate about reversing.

If elected, a Dutton/Littleproud government will fully restore the 80:20 funding split for the Bruce Highway. Meaning the federal government takes a greater funding responsibility, picking up 80% of the tab, while the State Government is left to pick up a more manageable 20%.

In 2023, the Albanese government downgraded the Federal contribution to 50%. When the federal government share is less, it puts a higher burden on the State Government to finance projects, which in turn means there is less money flowing to projects the State Government are trying to achieve.

Labor’s promises are just sexy sound bites to win votes. The Bruce, especially in regional Queensland, is just not a priority for Labor.

North Queensland needs a government to get on with the job. Road users of Dawson need the money delivered now, not just flashed around as a maybe, sometime, never.

If the Coalition wins the upcoming federal election on May 3rd, a Coalition government will also be aided by having a strong ally in the recently elected Crisafulli LNP State Government.

Together, with a LNP State Government that also values a better Bruce Highway, North Queenslanders will see a new era of positive cross government collaboration with the right and fair funding model to back our Bruce.

To join me in ‘Backing Our Bruce” sign my petition to get the wheels in motion. www.andrewwillcox.com.au/back-our-bruce

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says funding is vital to fix the Bruce Highway. Photo supplied

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