Labor’s Road Safety Plan Hits a Dead End

Federal Member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Andrew Willcox, says Labor’s plan to drop regional speed limits leaves regional Australia stuck in the slow lane.

The ‘roadblock to regional progress’ proposal would reduce the default speed limit on unsigned roads outside of built-up areas, which is currently 100 km/h, down to as low as 70 km/h.

“Slashing speed limits isn’t road safety reform, it’s a lazy fix. Instead of patching potholes, Labor wants to punish the people who drive on them,” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox said Dawson communities are firmly opposed to the Government’s plan, describing it as a “Canberra solution to a regional problem.”

“Country people want the Government to invest in fixing our roads, not let them deteriorate to the point where speed limits have to be reduced, and later forcing councils and state governments to pick up the tab when proper investment could prevent this.”

Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has cancelled, cut, or delayed more than $30 billion in infrastructure funding, leaving many regional projects in limbo.

Mr Willcox said the Government’s claims of restoring the 80:20 funding split for regional road upgrades were misleading.

“People think the 80:20 funding model has been restored, but that’s just smoke and mirrors. It only applies to the money pledged to the Bruce Highway, and we haven’t seen those funds flow to regional areas either,” he said.

“The Prime Minister has targeted regional roads for spending cuts, reducing the Commonwealth’s contribution from 80 per cent under the Coalition to just 50 per cent for many upgrade projects.”

Mr Willcox said the proposal would only hurt regional productivity and safety.

“Out here, roads aren’t a luxury, they’re lifelines for farmers, truckies, and small businesses. Lowering speed limits just slows regional Australia down,” he said.

“Locals don’t want slower roads, they want safer ones.

“Fund the repairs, back our councils, and stop treating regional Australia as an afterthought.”

He said Labor’s plan had even drawn criticism from within its own ranks.

Labor Senator Glenn Sterle told ABC Radio: “Absolutely no way do I support this. It is a nonsense. It is just a nonsense that we would even entertain or put up something like this.”

“If the Government won’t even listen to one of its own senators, why would we believe it will listen to feedback from rural communities?” Mr Willcox said.

“It’s time to make it clear, this plan must be scrapped.”

ENDS

Caption: Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox urges the Government to fix deteriorating regional roads in Dawson rather than imposing a 70 km/h speed limit.

Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
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