LNP Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington

March 13, 2020

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has called on the State Government to immediately release an extra $500 million for road projects to create new jobs in regional Queensland.

Mrs Frecklington said the coronavirus outbreak was set to inflict major damage on the Queensland economy and regional areas needed an urgent stimulus.

“Coronavirus is the biggest threat to Queensland jobs since the global financial crisis,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“Regional economies have already been hit by the downturn in tourism and they need help as soon as possible.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has scandalously allowed a $5.4 billion road maintenance backlog to grow over the last five years, leaving regional roads in a dire state.

“Now is the time to get working on that maintenance backlog.”

A recent LNP question-on-notice revealed the extent of the maintenance backlog:

  • Far North Queensland – $308 million
  • North Queensland – $831 million
  • South-East Queensland – $2,445 million
  • South-West Queensland – $894 million
  • Central Queensland – $940 million

“The LNP is calling on Labor to immediately release half-a-billion dollars to bring forward road maintenance work and create new jobs,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“We cannot let a health crisis become a jobs crisis because Queensland already has the worst unemployment in Australia.

“The LNP is calling for action because we cannot afford to lose even more jobs.”

The Auditor-General has forecast the current $5.4 billion road maintenance backlog will blow out to $9 billion by 2027 unless the State Government takes action.


 

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