Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Once again I stand here to talk about the Nicholson Road and Garden Street intersection in Canning Vale. You would remember Labor's campaign slogan in 2022, which was 'building Australia's future'. Well, we know that they are not serious about that at all.

Under the Albanese and Cook Labor governments, the Nicholson Road and Garden Street overpass has suffered delay after delay and nothing has been built. A project committed to by the previous coalition government was expected to start in May 2023 with a completion date of December 2024. However, we were told at recent budget estimates that work is now expected to start in 2026—and who knows if it ever will start? Under these two Labor governments, this project has been delayed by over three years.

Because this project is so badly delayed, Labor is now attempting to rewrite history. Well, here are the facts. This project was funded by the coalition government but, since taking office, Labor has consistently delayed it. In the 2023 Senate estimates, we were told cars would be driving on it by late 2024. Then earlier this year, during budget estimates, we were told the timeline had shifted, with construction expected to begin in January 2025. Two weeks ago, at supplementary estimates, the goal posts moved yet again. Now we're being told early works 'might start' in early 2025, but the main construction has been pushed back to early 2026.

Each day that Labor don't get on with the job is a day that this intersection is heavily congested and unsafe, with traffic incidents occurring and putting road users at risk. When will those opposite just get on with the job, including the member for Burt, including the member for Tangney? When will they actually stand up and demand more?