By Victoria Stone-Meadows
FEDERAL Member for Holt Anthony Byrne along and Shadow Transport Minister Anthony Albanese have hit back at the Prime Minister’s Victorian Roads Package, claiming it ignores the Cranbourne growth area.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Tuesday 15 November a $3 billion agreement with the Victorian State Government to help fund 40 road and rail projects.
The agreement sees the federal and state governments each contributing $1.5 billion to projects such as the Monash Freeway upgrade and various road upgrade packages across the state.
However, Shadow Minister for infrastructure, transport, cities and regional development Albanese said the funding announcement didn’t address issues in the booming South Eastern suburbs.
“The Turnbull Government’s road announcements this week copied Labor’s election policy on projects like the O’Herns Road upgrade but it should also commit to Thompsons Road,’’ he said.
“Labor remains committed to upgrading Thompsons Road,’’ Mr Albanese said.
Member of Holt Anthony Byrne said the roads package announced by the Prime Minister showed the government was not in tune with localised roads issues.
“The upgrade to Thompsons Road is a key priority,’’ Mr Byrne said.
“It is clear that the Coalition is not committed to easing congestion for people living in Cranbourne who use Thompsons Road each day.’’
However, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said federal funding of the Thompsons Road upgrade had not been ruled out.
“My colleague, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, and I are keen to make further investments in infrastructure in Victoria and we’re committed to working with the State Government on future projects,” he said.
“I expect the Thompsons Road upgrade will be one of the projects discussed.”
The funding announced on Tuesday also includes a $1 billion funding boost to the Monash Freeway upgrade that is shared equally between the federal and state governments.
Mr Chester said the money for the Monash would be used to best reduce congestion on the freeway.
“The Australian and Victorian governments have also agreed to develop a comprehensive business case for the Monash Freeway upgrade to investigate and consider options to reduce congestion,” Mr Chester said.
“This will be oversighted by a joint Australian and Victorian government steering committee.”
