Libs federal election 2025 promise to duplicate Bass Highway

The Liberals plan for motorists to see double on a major Tasmanian highway in a cash splash for the state’s north.

A truck travels along Tasmania's Bass Highway.

The Bass Highway is set for another cash splurge with an $80m pledge from the Coalition to duplicate the road between Launceston and Deloraine.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the funding, which would be part of a state and federal government deal, restores money cut by the Albanese government.

“We need a federal government in Canberra which understands Tasmania, backs Tasmania, and makes decisions which are in the best interests of Tasmania. And that’s exactly what Tasmanians will get under a Dutton Coalition government,” Mr Dutton said.

Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton. Picture Thomas Lisson / NewsWire

“The Bass Highway is a key freight link in Tasmania’s North West which provides a critical connection to ports industries and the community.

“The Albanese Labor government cancelled, cut and delayed more than $30bn worth of infrastructure projects over the past three years, including cutting $80m funding from the Bass Highway which was budgeted by the former Coalition government.

“We will restore that funding in order to deliver a continuous, high quality duplicated highway through to Deloraine, and get the Bass Highway upgrade back on track.”

Liberal Lyons candidate Susie Bower said the project was an important step to providing the necessary safety, growth and connectivity for the community.

“The Tasmanian state government has a 10-year Bass Highway Corridor strategy to duplicate the Bass Highway from Launceston to Devonport. Being able to secure the funding to upgrade around 50km of this plan is just fantastic,” she said.

“The project will duplicate the Bass Highway in Tasmania to a consistent, four-lane dual highway between Launceston and Deloraine, including intersection upgrades and additional vehicle rest areas and overtaking lanes.”

The Bass Highway which runs through key marginal electorates of Bass, Lyons and Braddon, has regularly attracted funding from both side of politics.

Originally published as Libs federal election 2025 promise to duplicate Bass Highway