Scott Morrison’s most recent efforts to tackle traffic congestion in South East Queensland represent a case of too little too late.
We welcome the Morrison LNP Government’s belated acknowledgement that traffic congestion is a significant challenge, acting as hand brake on productivity and eroding people’s quality of life.
However, the various announcements from Mr Morrison are piecemeal and completely overlook the critical role public transport plays in keeping our major cities moving.
In the case of South East Queensland, the number one infrastructure project for dealing with congestion remains Cross River Rail.
But six years after withdrawing the funding allocated to this project by the former Federal Labor Government, the current LNP Government in Canberra still has not committed a single dollar to help the Queensland Government deliver this vital project.
By contrast, Federal Labor has been leading from Opposition.
Not only have we announced that in government we will establish a $300 million National Park and Ride Fund, but we will also invest $2.24 billion in Cross River Rail, a project that will transform the way people move around Brisbane and across South East Queensland.
When it comes to our Park and Ride Fund, we have already announced plans to upgrade parking facilities at train stations at Northgate, Geebung, Mango Hill and Narangba.
The Coalition has had two terms in office to act on traffic congestion in South-East Queensland. It has failed.
Now, just months before an election, Mr Morrison is playing catch-up.