Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien claims Labor won’t build four lanes at Tiaro

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien claims a deadly stretch of the Bruce Highway won’t be fixed as promised should Labor win the federal election but his local rival has quickly returned fire.

Llew O‘Brien claims a change of government on May 21 would spell the end of a hard-fought-for, four-lane bypass at Tiaro.

It comes after a longstanding battle between the Wide Bay MP, his own colleagues and Queensland’s Road Minister last year over plans for a two-lane bypass ended with a change of heart in Canberra and an agreement from both levels of government to push forward with four lanes instead.

Speaking to reporters at Tiaro, in the wake of the Federal Election announcement, Mr O’Brien, who fought with his own government as well as Labor for the project, claimed a vote for an Albanese Government would be a death sentence for the project.

“A vote for Labor is going to kill four lanes around Tiaro,” Mr O’Brien said

However, he promised to continue to fight for his community and the safety of roads and infrastructure around the Wide Bay region regardless of who took power.

“I don’t care who is in parliament, if something needs doing, I will do it,” he said

Member for Wide Bay Llew O'Brien and Senator Matt Canavan speak about the Tiaro Bypass.

“I didn’t go into parliament to not fight with every fibre of my being to make sure we have appropriate safe infrastructure, whether that be a Labor or Coalition Government.

Mr O’Brien has been known to go against his own party on the topic of infrastructure.

Before entering parliament, he was an accident investigator and says it has made him passionate about having safe roads for the community.

While the Tiaro bypass is the priority, he wants the whole stretch between Curra and Maryborough to be four lanes.

“As a former accident investigator, I know what happens when two cars going 100 km/h collide head-on, and it’s a terrible thing,” he said

“Road safety is important everywhere, and we need to do more here.

“There is still 30km of road that needs to be upgraded.

“This is still a death road and we are having people dying on this road.”

Senator for Queensland and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Matthew Canavan, who was also at the Tiaro press conference, said Mr O‘Brien’s fighting spirit for his community had made roads better for not only his local community but all of Queensland.

“The investments Llew O’Brien has made for this region have made life easier for all of us,” he said

“The roads have become safer, quicker and easier for all Queenslanders thanks to Llew O’Brien.”

A recent street poll showed the Wide Bay region was likely to support another Coalition Government when Australia heads to the voting booth next month.

Maryborough State MP Bruce Saunders dismissed claims a Labor Government would not fulfil the four-lane promise, labelling Mr O’Brien a “liar”.

“He’s under extreme pressure because he knows he’s done nothing in his term,” Mr Saunders said.

“I’d put his record up against mine any day, he’s achieved diddly squat.”

Originally published as Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien claims Labor won’t build four lanes at Tiaro