Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know the Albanese Labor government is sick of hearing me talk about the Bruce Highway. However, the issues are not going away, and neither am I. The Bruce is a national disgrace. Fifty per cent of the entire Bruce Highway is failing basic safety standards. In my electorate of Dawson, the road has a two-out-of-five star rating for road safety. As Australia's longest highway, it has developed a reputation for potholes, delays and, most of all, fatalities. Much-needed funds for upgrades simply disappear.

I've started a petition, and I'm presenting some of the real-life experiences from my constituents to be placed on the Hansard record. Trevor Haller travels from Ayr to Townsville and experiences near misses every time, every day. Michael Botto's story is this: north of Calen, a car and caravan hit a rough area and started to sway badly. They ended up off the road with no major damage. It just scared the life out of them. I just went to Brisbane and back this week, and I cannot believe how bad the Bruce has become from Gladstone North. It has been left too long and is truly a disgrace. Wayne Gower says that, constantly, the roads are trash. Overtaking lanes are few and far between, and many drivers are taking risks. Just fix the damn highway. It stretches some 1,600 kilometres, takes 18 hours straight to drive, crosses over 26 rivers and is touched by almost every city in Queensland. For most along the coast, it is the only road to go north or south. Narelle Haworth from the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland says there are sections where it doesn't look like a highway anywhere else in the developed world. She also stated that none of the Bruce is rated a full five-star rating—none.

If you're driving on the Bruce Highway you are five times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash compared to those driving on the Hume Highway. This year alone, in 11 short months, 30 people have lost their lives on the Bruce. In the last 10 years, over 150 people have lost their lives. This cannot keep happening. In true Labor style, this one-term Albanese Labor government cut the funding agreement for the Bruce from an 80-20 federal-state split to a 50-50 split. This is a serious funding cut if ever I've seen one. This was an historical arrangement agreed to by both sides of the House. However it's been ripped up without a care in the world.

At least now Queenslanders have some direction under the new leadership of David Crisafulli and the LNP. The Queensland government has committed to working with the federal government to reinstate the 80-20 funding arrangement, and the Queensland LNP will re-establish the Bruce Highway advisory council. In seven short days under Premier Crisafulli, more positive movement has taken place than in the whole time under former premier Steven Miles. It's no wonder Queensland voted for a fresh start. In more good news the Dutton led coalition has made a commitment to restoring the funding arrangement back to the original 80-20 split.

We know there are challenges. Queensland has more tarmac than any other state in Australia. We have fewer people to pay for upgrades, and many different types of vehicles use the Bruce. But do you know what? We also deliver billions of dollars of mining royalties to both state and federal governments, and we help feed the nation. It's about time that's recognised and some money comes back to the regions. To the truck drivers who drive the Bruce daily, to the tourists, who are essential to our economy, to the food producers, who deliver much-needed fresh produce to our supermarket and our miners who travel to work, and to the families who are taking their kids to school or going on a holiday that they've saved up for, I give you my word: I will not give up fighting to make sure that you have a safe road to drive on.

Every Queenslander needs a commitment from the Albanese Labor government for a 10-year upgrade and maintenance plan. Do you think we'll get this from the government? Probably not. What I do know is that the coalition will do it. We understand how important it is, and we want our truckies and families to get home safely.