Google AI
The Times Australia

Times Media Advertising

Letter to the Editor - Hon Darren Chester MP

  • Written by: The Times
Darren Chester MP


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.

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.

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.

Australia

Darren Chester criticises ABC for 'one-sided coverage' of the Australian timber industry

The Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Darren Chester has slammed the ABC for its 'one-side...

First Past the Post: Would It Work in Australia?

Every federal election brings renewed debate about Australia's voting system. Most Australians have grown up wit...

Can Australia Grow Faster Than It Can Build?

Australia has long relied on population growth to expand its economy. New migrants bring valuable skills, fill ...

Times Magazine

Offshore vs Inshore Centre Console Boats: Which One Should You Buy?

Centre console boats have become one of the most popular choices among modern anglers. Their open ...

Why Australian Enterprises Are Rethinking Their Core Communication Technologies

The corporate landscape in Australia has undergone a permanent structural shift over the past few ...

Road safety risk: New data reveals almost 2 in 3 Australian drivers are letting car maintenance slide as cost of living pressures bite

Australians are putting off vehicle maintenance and new research released on the eve of National R...

Technology

Why Australian Enterprises Are Reth…

The corporate landscape in Australia has undergone a permanent structural shift over the past few ...

Local News

QLD Day

On Saturday 6 June, parkrun events across the state will be a sea of maroon, with communities  str...

Culture

How Your Oral Health Impacts Daily Energy Lev…

We all know that a good night of sleep is the foundation of a productive day. Yet, for many Australi...

Travel

Sri Lanka: An Island Adventure That Delivers …

For Australian travellers looking for a destination that combines tropical beaches, ancient histor...

The Times Features

Sri Lanka: An Island Adventure That Delivers Outstandin…

For Australian travellers looking for a destination that combines tropical beaches, ancient histor...

Build Your Business on Land You Own

Why every startup should own its website, domain name and customer relationships Starting a busin...

How Your Oral Health Impacts Daily Energy Levels and Sl…

We all know that a good night of sleep is the foundation of a productive day. Yet, for many Australi...