The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s decision to cancel its 2020 Budget will delay road infrastructure projects and destroy jobs, the LNP said today.
Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said Labor’s refusal to present a State Budget will throw the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) into chaos.
“Labor has cancelled the Budget because it wants to dodge scrutiny before the next state election,” Mr Minnikin said.
“Labor’s refusal to present a Budget is bad for democracy and it will be dire for Queensland’s roads program too.
“The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) cannot continue indefinitely without a Budget.
“Contractors will not consider projects which are unfunded and the Commonwealth will not provide co-funding without State Budget approval.
“We have Budgets for a reason. Governments cannot function without them.
“Labor’s arrogant and unjustified decision to cancel the Budget will cause chaos for contractors, lead to road projects being delayed and will worsen congestion.
“Most damagingly of all, cancelling the Budget will also cost jobs.
“Labor has no plan and no Budget for Queensland, right in the middle of a jobs crisis.”
As well as delaying road upgrades, Mr Minnikin said the disruption to QTRIP would cause the state’s huge road maintenance backlog to increase further. More than $5.4 billion of road maintenance work is now overdue in Queensland, including:
The Palaszczuk Labor Government is the only state or territory government in Australia to cancel its State Budget in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Government is also committed to presenting a Budget this year.
“Labor has made major cuts to road investment and now that limited investment is at risk too,” Mr Minnikin said.
“Congestion is getting worse because Labor has refused to invest in our roads.
“Queensland needs a four-year plan to invest in new roads and upgrades across the state.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government must hold a Budget and come clean with Queenslanders about our state’s financial situation.
“It is damaging for Labor to have No Budget and no plan and Queensland.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP has a plan to build a stronger economy.
“We will build new roads and dams across Queensland – including the visionary New Bradfield Scheme.
“Only the LNP has an economic plan to get Queensland working again.”
