Editorial: It is clear the Bruce Highway must be ‘finished’

Surely it is not too much to ask of our nation’s politicians that they stop treating Queenslanders like mugs and commit to “finishing” the one frustration that unites us all, writes the editor.

Surely it is not too much to ask of our nation’s politicians that they stop treating Queenslanders like mugs and commit to “finishing” the one frustration that unites us all: the Bruce Highway.

The Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney was “finished” in 2013 when all of its 840km was finally completed as dual carriageway.

The Pacific Highway between the Gold Coast and Hexham at Newcastle (and so Brisbane to Sydney) was similarly “finished” in 2021 after a 15 years of work to make it a four-lane divided road.

That project cut two and a half hours off the 657km drive and has led to a 70 per cent reduction in fatal crashes.

No government has yet pledged the same for the 1679km Bruce Highway that links Brisbane with Cairns, the closest being a promise to do so over 15 years at a cost of $33 billion by the state opposition at the 2020 election that it lost.

This should change. Dual carriageways are safer. They save lives and cut travel time.

The Courier-Mail’s Help Our Highway campaign, in conjunction with our regional mastheads, was prompted by the fact this is an issue that unites Queensland.

Today we call on the politicians to be bold and commit to doing what has already been done for motorists in Victoria and NSW.

Yes, the Bruce Highway is much longer than both the Pacific and Hume highways – and yes, the population centres it links are not as large. But surely it is not too much to ask for a commitment – in the long term – to such a vision.

Such a commitment is required for political reasons, too. The challenge we have at the moment is that upgrades to sections the highway are too often prioritised based on what the local political situation is – with marginal or target seats getting the attention.

Instead, funding should be allocated based on a program of need. Treating the highway as one big project underpinned by sections means the trouble spots can be dealt with accordingly.

This is why it is a good thing that state transport minister Bart Mellish has promised to make public crucial data that rates each small section of the highway on the same criteria.

This AusRAP data is currently hidden from public view and so the scrutiny is limited. Having it out in the open will help guarantee that decisions are being made for the right reasons.

A commitment to “finish” the Bruce is top of the list for our Action Plan that we publish today after a week of reporting that has set the scene for us to spend the next few months shining a light on the highway as the state and federal elections near.

To guide that promise we will be highlighting ongoing delays in the development of the strategic vision recommended by the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council.

Both state and federal governments need to boost funding commitments for the highway between now and 2030.

We think there should also be an audit of rest stop areas to ensure there are enough that are fit for purpose.

And we have compiled a list of quick fixes that are needed right now to improve safety in the problematic areas.

This is a chance for politicians at state and federal level to look after themselves, too.

A renewed focus on the Bruce Highway would be popular at the state election in all the regional communities that both sides will be wooing.

Federally, Labor will have to pick up some Queensland seats to win a majority at the next election. A big, bold commitment to the state would certainly help.

It is clear that Queenslanders care.

A new survey of motorists for NRMA Insurance for this campaign found three-quarters of us have been held up by an accident on the highway and one in three have avoided it altogether when deciding where to go for family holidays.

Again, the Bruce unites in more ways than one.

A commitment to work towards fixing it properly is well overdue.

BABY STEP ON HEALING PATH

It was an unthinkable tragedy that rocked the nation, but finally there is some good news following the horrific Bondi Junction stabbings.

Baby Harriet was released from hospital in Sydney on Sunday, more than a week after the attack that claimed the life of her mother Ashlee Good and five other innocent people.

Harriet is still undergoing treatment, but her miracle recovery after suffering stab wounds to the abdomen is a welcome glimmer of hope amid so much anguish.

The nine-month-old’s release came as members of the Bondi community gathered last night for a candlelight vigil at the beach.

Inspector Amy Scott, the hero police officer who shot dead Joel Cauchi to end the rampage, was in attendance alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and thousands of residents determined to show support for the victims and their families.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here