Peter Dutton pledges $600m to upgrade crucial freight routes to WA’s agriculture, resources and farming industries

The Coalition has vowed $600m to upgrade agriculture and resource routes in an attempt to regain crucial seats lost in the bloodbath 2022 election.

Peter Dutton has vowed $600m to upgrade key freight routes in WA. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Peter Dutton will pledge $600m to upgrade key roads to upgrade crucial freight routes used by the agriculture, resources and farming industries, in an attempt to win back seats crucial to the Coalition’s path to victory in the upcoming May 3 federal election.

The Opposition Leader is currently in Perth, where the Coalition are trying to reclaim some of the seats they lost in the 2022 federal election bloodbath, which installed Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister.

Overall the state recorded a 10.44 per cent swing against the Coalition.

Among the most marginal are Curtin, held by teal independent Kate Chaney on a 1.3 per cent margin, Tagney (held by Sam Lim on a 2.4 per cent margin), Hasluck (held by Tania Lawrence on a 6 per cent margin), as well as the newly created seat of Bullwinkel (nominally Labor).

The $600m funding commitment to be delivered over four years will establish a Ag Mining Roads program to help transport produce, meat, livestock and minerals and will be identified in collaboration with trucking, farming and mining industries.

Peter Dutton has campaigned hard on industry in the first week of the campaign (pictured in Newcastle, NSW). Picture Thomas Lisson/NewsWire

Mr Dutton described Western Australia as a “powerhouse of the national economy,” and said the decisions coming out of Canberra need to “play to Western Australia’s strengths, not work against it”.

“Unfortunately, crucial industries like mining and agriculture are under threat from an Albanese Labor government that is more interested in appeasing inner-city Greens activists, than the prosperity of our nation,” he said.

“Australia relies on the strength of our mining and agricultural sectors – but they can’t operate at full potential when the roads connecting them to markets are not up to scratch.

“That’s why this announcement is so important to WA infrastructure and investment.”

The Coalition’s spokesman for infrastructure, transport and rural development Bridget McKenzie also stressed the importance of the state, and said they did not take the “sacrifices you make to put food on our tables or turn on our lights” for granted.

The Coalition Leader said Australia’s critical industries were “under threat” in a Labor government. Picture Thomas Lisson / NewsWire

“This is why it is important to upgrade our regional freight routes to help get product to domestic and export markets quicker and safer,” she said.

“We will invest in productivity and efficiency enhancing upgrades to regional roads and highways to support local industries and jobs and strengthen the national economy.”

Appearing at an event on Wednesday night in Pearce, held on a 9 per cent margin by Labor’s Tracey Roberts, Mr Dutton also pledged $1m to fund a business case for a hospital in the suburb of Yanchep to support the fast-growing community of Wanneroo.

Mr Dutton said the infrastructure was needed due to the record ambulance ramping at the nearest Joondalup Health Campus, and claimed bulk billing rates in Pearce had fallen by 20 per cent – the highest across Australia.