State government: Albanese’s sensational funding call risks lives on Qld roads

Queensland lives could be put at risk if the federal government goes through with potential plans to cut $5bn from its share of funding for highway upgrades, the state government says.

Queensland lives could be put at risk after an extraordinary funding retreat by the federal government for future Bruce Highway upgrades, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declaring she was “not happy”.

A cloud now hangs over $5bn worth of federal cash on the table for highway upgrades along “Queensland’s spine” through to 2032, after the shock decision by the Albanese Government to withdraw the longstanding 80:20 split on major road and rail projects.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said funding splits greater than 50:50 would now only be considered on a case-by-case scenario with the states.

But Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Albanese Government’s deviation from the previous funding agreement – which had supported 460 upgrades since 2015 – would “unfairly disadvantage regional Queenslanders”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“Every Queenslander knows the Bruce Highway is the backbone of this state,” he said.

“By walking away from the existing 80:20 funding arrangement for regional transport infrastructure, the Federal Government is putting Queensland lives and livelihoods at risk.

“Walking away from the Bruce puts at risk a pipeline of needed and planned upgrades along the highway, in construction, design or planning.

“Queensland has already been subject to more infrastructure cuts from the Federal Government than other jurisdictions.”

Ms King confirmed she would release Labor’s long-awaited infrastructure review this week, which was expected to include cuts and delays to reign in a national cost blowout of $33 billion.

But Queensland was also expected to be hit hard by the cuts under the review – with Deputy Premier Steven Miles urging the federal government last week to scrap tax cuts for the wealthy rather than much-needed projects.

The Premier told Queensland parliament on Tuesday she had already written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to express her fury over the change in funding arrangements.

“Cutting large infrastructure projects in a growing state like Queensland would only increase inflation by lowering productivity,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’m calling on the federal government to do what’s right.

“Right now, Queensland needs more infrastructure – not less.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey. Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Bailey said previous updates to the major highway linking Brisbane with Cairns had cut the number of fatalities.

“From strengthening and widening, surfacing, duplications, improving flood resilience and lane separations, these projects are essential to keep our state growing and moving safety, efficiently and productively,” he said.

“These upgrades have also cut the number of fatalities on the Bruce over the past decade and more.”

Ms King said the new funding arrangement was to ensure states and the federal government were “equal” investors, sharing both the benefits and the risks of major projects.

She said the change would not apply to projects the Commonwealth had already agreed to provide 80 per cent of funding to.

“ (50/50) is for projects going forward,” she said.

“Projects that are already in the pipeline will stay where they are.”