The Allan Labor Government has once again shown its complete disregard for rural and regional communities, with its roads minister seemingly in denial about the state of the Western Highway.
The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has made countless representations to the government regarding safety concerns with the highway, including community requests to lower speed limits in sections near Horsham and Dadswells Bridge.
Ms Kealy said the minister’s responses were astounding.
“In response to the Dadswells Bridge community’s request to lower the speed limit through town, the minister said there was limited activity in the area, and hence a speed reduction was not justified,” she said.
“For the minister to label the second-busiest highway in the nation as having limited activity is dreadfully ignorant and a slap in the face to everyone who relies on the Western Highway every day.
“The minister claims the government will continue to monitor the highway, but our communities know this is Labor code for ‘do nothing’. And despite Labor’s assertions, the conditions on the highway couldn’t be further from what road users expect and deserve.
“The highway connects our communities, brings tourists to our beautiful part of the state, and is a vital interstate freight link. But under Labor, it has become a patchwork of potholes and broken promises, and a safety risk to anyone who travels on it.
“Labor can’t manage money and can’t manage our roads, and Victorians are paying the price.
“It’s time for a fresh start, and only the Nationals and Liberals will make the necessary investments in our roads to make them safe.”
