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Lack of infrastructure focus worsens by Albanese Labor government endangers lives of Gippslanders

Minister's underwhelming performance is evident in the budget's omission of 'infrastructure.' A 90-day review, excluding Labor pledges, delays crucial funding, as communities grapple with neglected infrastructure amid rising road trauma.

By news@gippsland - 25th September 2023 - Back to News

The Albanese government is putting lives at risk on our local roads because of stalled safety projects and a failure to deliver the funding our communities have been promised. Halfway through the Albanese government's term, local council and community groups have no idea if vital road safety and infrastructure projects will ever proceed, thanks to an incompetent Minister.

Albanese government neglects road safety funding, risking lives. Minister King's infrastructure lapse and 90-day review hinder vital funding during road trauma crisis

Funding disappointment

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King has been a huge disappointment for local councils which rely heavily on federal government grants to help fund major projects. If you see a grader, a bulldozer, or a crane at work on a major public project anywhere in Australia today, you can be sure of one thing, the current Federal Minister had absolutely nothing to do with providing the funding.

Should we be surprised about this failure to deliver any new projects given this year's budget speech didn't contain a single mention of the word 'infrastructure'? Instead of guaranteeing funding for projects, Minister King announced a 90-day review of the Infrastructure Investment Program but conveniently excluded all Labor election promises from the process.

Delayed funding review

More than 150 days later, we still haven't heard the outcomes of the review and communities are waiting to find out whether the funding which was promised, and included in the previous government's budgets, will ever be delivered.

Nothing is getting cheaper by waiting, and when the Minister finally makes some decisions, there's no doubt that local council community projects will need to be re-scoped, and less road safety initiatives will be undertaken. So we are in limbo as Australia experiences a spike in road trauma, and motorists endure pot-holed roads, while the responsible Federal Minister ponders her review.

Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia.
• Darren Chester honours all who served, remembering lives lost, wounded, and the enduring impact on Darwin’s community
  Australia marks Bombing of Darwin Day on February 19, honouring more than 240 killed in 1942 and recognising wartime sacrifice, resilience, and the ongoing need to properly resource Defence personnel.
• Tim Bull says Victoria can’t manage current parks, criticising government plans to further expand network
  Tim Bull says expanding Victoria’s national parks is irresponsible, arguing existing parks are neglected, understaffed and overrun by pests, weeds and feral animals, with reduced funding making effective land management increasingly impossible.
• CFMEU corruption report exposes organised crime links, $15B project blowouts, prompting Melina Bath to demand Labor accountability
  The ‘Rotting from the Top’ report exposes serious CFMEU corruption, links to organised crime, and $15 billion in project blowouts, prompting Nationals MP Melina Bath to demand Allan Labor government accountability.
• Six-year Thurra River campground closure triggers renewed demands for urgent government action before summer
  Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening.
• Baw Baw Shire Council adopts 2025 - 2029 Road Management Plan, updating registers for safe, sustainable, community-focused roads and footpaths
  Baw Baw Shire Council has endorsed the 2025-2029 Road Management Plan, updating public road and footpath registers, removing recreational Walhalla Road sections, and ensuring safe, sustainable local road management.
• Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
  The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project.
• Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
  The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs.
• Peri-urban councils warn Gippsland housing crisis threatens productivity and federal economic ambitions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria warns soaring prices and falling approvals are hurting productivity, urging federal and state governments to fund infrastructure reforms to unlock peri-urban housing supply and ease affordability pressures.
• Bass Coast Shire Council endorses Quarterly Performance Report, showing progress, achievements, and positive financial outlook for December 2025
  Bass Coast Council’s Quarterly Performance Report shows strong progress on 2025–26 Action Plan, key projects advancing, and a $2 million operating surplus, reflecting strategic achievements and responsible financial management.
• Latrobe City welcomes proposed $10B Morwell data centre boosting economy, jobs, and industry
  Latrobe City Council welcomes Keppel’s proposed $10 billion Morwell data centre, Australia’s largest, leveraging existing energy infrastructure to create jobs, support workforce transition, and drive long-term economic and industrial growth.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• East Gippsland Council advances regional projects, improving facilities, accessibility, resilience and growth
  East Gippsland Council is delivering major regional projects, upgrades, improving accessibility, supporting resilience, and enhancing infrastructure across towns including Bairnsdale, Buchan, Mallacoota, Cann River, and Paynesville.
• Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years
  The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members.
• Danny O’Brien criticises ongoing social housing maintenance delays leaving vulnerable Gippslanders waiting far too long
  Danny O’Brien warns ongoing delays in social housing maintenance leave vulnerable Gippslanders waiting months, highlighting a vacant Foster property and urging timely repairs and better decision-making to address shortages.