Riverway Drive: Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper threats with Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ infrastructure cuts

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper has threatened to walk away from politics if his valued project doesn’t go ahead.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk watches on as Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper announces the official competition of Stage 5 of the Ring Road. Mr Harper said he had worked hard to deliver funding for Townsville infrastructure projects, and he warns the Federal Government not to pull away from commitments such as the Riverway Drive project. Photo: Chris Burns

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper has threatened to step away from politics if the Federal Government refuses to fund the second stage of the Riverway Drive project.

On social media Mr Harper angrily reacted to the Federal Government’s announcement that $33bn would be cut in infrastructure investments.

Riverway Drive Stage 2 will improve safety and traffic congestion between Allambie Lane and Dunlop Street.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said “difficult decisions” would be made following an audit into $120bn of infrastructure projects to ease budgetary pressure caused by inflation.

The project was expected to be funded through an 80:20 split between the federal and state governments.

Mr Harper wrote, “back off! North Queensland always comes first.

“Riverway Drive Stage 2 … will go ahead … better be on your ‘to do’ list Jim, or I have to go it alone … and I will active Plan B from the State.

“Seriously if the Feds walk away from co-funding Stage 2 then I am out, I will walk.”

Mr Harper did not elaborate on what plan b would be.

He said he worked to secure to secure $20m for the project as well as a further $33m to relocate the water pipeline from Ross Dam to the Douglas Water treatment plant.

“Those who know me will understand that I worked bloody hard, doorknocked the entire Upper Ross in 2015-20, to secure support for funding to deliver not only Stage 1 Gollogolly-Allambie Lane but also for Stage 2 Allambie-Dunlop Street.

“No funding equals I walk.

“Find yourself another three term candidate.”

Earlier this year, Mr Harper said it was “scaremongering” for federal Herbert MP Phillip Thompson to suggest the project would not go ahead.

Mr Thompson said the former LNP government had budgeted for the project since 2020.

“We fought hard for this funding while in government because we knew the benefits not just to easing congestion but improving safety for residents and schoolchildren in the Upper Ross,” he said.

Mr Harper was reached for comment to further clarify his position, but he had been in a meeting in Normanton, about 850 kms north west of Townsville.

When asked about Mr Harper’s threats to walk, Mr Thompson said he’s always believed Aaron Harper should walk away from politics - and retire.

“If Aaron Harper had any influence in politics, he would be on the phone with the Labor Party right now instead of whinging on Facebook,” Mr Thompson said.

The Herbert MP said it was clear Labor was looking to cut costs to balance their bottom line.

Originally published as Riverway Drive: Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper threats with Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ infrastructure cuts