Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For years motorists in Perth's northern suburbs have been calling for action on one of the state's most dangerous and congested intersections: the junction of Erindale Road and Reid Highway in Balcatta. Yet, despite repeated warnings, petitions and even a $2½ million business case with funding from the previous coalition government, Labor has done what it does best: delay and deliver only when an election is in sight. Main Roads Western Australia has identified this intersection as the worst in the state for crashes, with 263 incidents over the past five years. That's more than 50 accidents per year—one every single week. It's also one of the most congested roads in WA, with delays costing the economy an estimated $21.3 million in lost productivity. But Labor has ignored these glaring issues for eight years, only announcing funding in a last-minute attempt to secure votes.

For me, as a northern suburbs local and as patron senator for Perth's northern suburbs, this is personal. I know these roads and the frustration sitting in gridlocked traffic is causing local residents. I see firsthand the concerns of local businesses and the risks families face every day when navigating this dangerous intersection. It's also personal for our local Liberal candidates—for Scott Edwardes in Kingsley, for Felicia Adeniyi in Cowan and, in particular, for those who are fighting for this vital upgrade, such as Liam Staltari in Carine and Vince Connelly in Moore.

A couple of weeks ago the WA Liberals announced a Liberal government would invest $225 million in the project. People know—voters know—that the Liberals will not play politics with road safety and will not wait until the next election to get this matter fixed.