Bruce Highway upgrade delays risk lives, says Dawson MP Andrew Willcox

A North Queensland MP has accused the federal government of ‘playing politics with people's lives’ over delays in $7.2bn of Bruce Highway upgrades across some of the deadliest stretches.

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox with Amanda Camm and Brent Mickelberg. Picture: Supplied.

A North Queensland MP has slammed the federal government for “dragging their feet” over the $7.2 billion promised to upgrade the deadliest stretch of the Bruce Highway.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said the federal government is taking the region “for fools” accusing them of playing politics with people’s lives.

He said the stretch from Mackay to Townsville, which runs through his electorate, was identified as the deadliest part of the entire highway.

Picture: 7News

“More than 40 lives were lost on the Bruce last year, yet the Albanese Government is still dragging its feet,” Mr Willcox said.

“Some 43 lives in 12 months, that’s not a statistic, that’s families torn apart. The people of Dawson deserve action, not excuses, and they deserve it now.”

Describing the Bruce as “more than just a road”, Mr Willcox said the highway was the “backbone” of product supply to and from the bigger cities.

Dawson MP Andrew Willcox with Amanda Camm and Brent Mickelberg. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Willcox said the Albanese Government had “already cut $108.2 million” from Bruce Highway upgrades this year compared to previous budgets.

“Senate estimates revealed that their funding commitment stands at just $432 million over three years, less than the $488 million they cut from their own budget in May last year,” he said.

“They are taking our region for fools. The figures simply don’t stack up, and it raises serious questions about the sincerity of Labor’s commitment to keep Bruce Highway commuters safe.”

At a recent on-site inspection with Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg, Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm and other TMR officials, Mr Willcox highlighted several sections of the highway in desperate need of upgrades.

These include the Farleigh-Habana Road intersection, the 100km street between Bowen and Home Hill, Goorganga Plains and Plantation Creek.

He said he found it “insulting” that Treasurer Jim Chalmers gloated at how it was a “budget for the Bruce” when the government “continually ignores” rural and regional Queensland when it comes to the Bruce Highway.

“It’s unfortunate that the treacherous Bruce Highway was weaponised for votes, with no immediate action for improvement, while risking the lives of those who live and work in our part of the country,” he said.

Bruce Highway. Picture: Supplied

A spokesperson from the Australian Federal Government said they have made the “single largest investment in the Bruce ever.”

“with an additional $7.2 billion for safety upgrades, between Gympie and Cairns. These works are being delivered by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, with the Queensland Government investing $1.8 billion, taking the total commitment to $9 billion,” the spokesperson said.

“This brings the Australian Government’s total investment in the 1,673 km long road to more than $17 billion.”

They advised work is underway on the Safety Package, with the announcement in March of the release of $300 million for an early works package to fast-track 16 priority projects north of Gympie, of which construction started in June.

“The Government is working with the Queensland Government and stakeholders through the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to guide the work on the project, and our funding is being made available in line with the Queensland Government’s capacity to deliver the work,” the spokesperson said.

“The Coalition spent a decade in Government, but instead of investing in the Bruce they filled up the infrastructure pipeline with dodgy local carparks and underfunded press releases.”

Originally published as Bruce Highway upgrade delays risk lives, says Dawson MP Andrew Willcox