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Roads | November 27, 2023

Labor's funding cuts puts lives at risk

The Labor Government has cut $230 million from road safety programs across the past two years and has failed to meet on its own targets to fix the road network, a Parliamentary Inquiry has heard.

Evidence tendered to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee has revealed $150 million was cut from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funded Safer System Road Infrastructure Program.

In another alarming revelation, the marketing and road safety spend of TAC also fell $81 million short of its budget in the past two financial years.

It was further revealed that road pavement resurfacing and rehabilitation was also 30 per cent below the Government's target.

The revelations come as Victoria faces another horror road toll, with road deaths 20 per cent higher than last year.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said Labor's road safety cuts and a 45 per cent reduction in road maintenance spending since 2020 were endangering Victorian lives, especially those in regional Victoria.

“There is no doubt that the appalling state of our roads is due to Labor's road safety cuts and a 45 per cent reduction in road maintenance spending since 2020. This is endangering lives, especially those traveling in regional areas,” Ms Kealy said.

"Premier Jacinta Allan can't manage money, can't manage projects and is failing to fix our roads.

"Our roads are in a dire state and the Government admits it's not keeping up, yet it refuses to provide the funding needed to fix up the mess.

"The fact that they have cut road safety funding at a time when our road toll is rising alarmingly is also a serious concern.

"We have more lives being lost on our roads, we have thousands of motorists experiencing vehicle damage annually due to potholes and dodgy roads and yet Labor continues to cut road funding.

"Labor is on a road to nowhere and must immediately reverse their cruel cuts to the roads budget, fix our country roads and make them safe.”