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Friday, 21st May 2010

Tony Abbott Ditches His Midland Highway Promise


Tony Abbott has abandoned his promise to spend $400 million upgrading Tasmania’s Midland Highway, yet again exposing the duplicitous nature of anything he says.


During a scripted address to a community luncheon in Launceston on 18 February – just three months ago – Mr Abbott unambiguously said:



“…a future federal government will spend the $400 million that will be needed to duplicate the Midland Highway all the way from Hobart to Launceston.”



He repeated the promise that very same day, this time while standing beside the Highway:



“…a Coalition government will fund the upgrade of the Midland Highway to the tune of $400 million over ten years, starting in 2014. This is a very important road in the state and really, nationally. This road is at the very heart of Tasmania.”



But this $400 million promise is not contained in the costings document released this week by Mr Abbott’s Shadow Finance Minister. In fact, there’s no mention of the highway at all.


Mr Abbott’s February promise has disappeared, proving that even when he makes a Gospel truth, written down and fully scripted promise it simply cannot be trusted.


Under the leadership of Mr Abbott, the Liberal and National parties are treating Tasmanians like mugs: telling them one thing to their face while doing the complete opposite when they think no one is looking.


For our part, the Rudd Labor Government has more than doubled to $800 million Federal spending on Tasmania’s road and rail infrastructure, with $190 million of this funding earmarked for projects along the Midland Highway.


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Electorate Office

334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 02 9564 3588

Parliament House Office

Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 7700

Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

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