Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to confirm the coalition government's $800 million commitment to the Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra section D project is rock solid. As Deputy Prime Minister McCormack has confirmed, our funding to start construction on section D is available to the Queensland government now and it's ready to go. This is a project that will save lives by transforming one of the deadliest sections of the highway into one of the safest. The project is being managed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. The sooner the Queensland government negotiates milestones and lets TMR start the tender process, the sooner the construction will be begin. TMR has advised it will take approximately three years to complete construction.

The Queensland government hasn't said yet when it wants construction to start, but I hope they are as impatient as I am. I want section D started and finished as soon as possible. The state budget will be brought down soon and Queensland Labor must deliver on their election commitment to supply 20 per cent of the funding to get this life-saving project up and going. The Queensland government must ensure that local suppliers and contractors are used wherever possible to ensure the economic and employment benefits of this billion-dollar investment stay within the seat of Wide Bay.

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