Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to raise concerns in relation to road funding and in particular the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale. A tragic accident occurred near Lakes Entrance on Thursday evening where a 10-year-old boy and a 20-year-old lady from Lakes Entrance both lost their lives. Tragically, this is not the first time we have experienced road fatalities and serious accidents on those approaches from both the western end and the eastern end of Lakes Entrance.

I am concerned by the lack of funding being allocated to upgrades of the Princes Highway in the area east of Bairnsdale. I have raised these issues with the state government and I bring them to the attention of the House tonight. Obviously, at a time like this our thoughts and our prayers are with those who have lost loved ones. I have spoken to the father of the young lady who passed away on Thursday night, and his primary concern, looking forward, is that some good will come of this tragedy, in that there might be extra funding allocated to that particular stretch of the Princes Highway—and I will be working with the state and federal governments to make sure that happens.

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