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

First off, I'm going to give a huge shout-out to Howard Ong, our Liberal candidate for Tangney, for leading the charge for better infrastructure in his community. Sadly, though, when the Treasurer handed down the budget last night we saw that there was nothing in it for Western Australia. Western Australia has been shortchanged by this government and Tangney has been completely ignored.

Since I've mentioned Tangney and infrastructure, you probably know exactly where I'm heading, and that is, of course, the Shelley Bridge. I've spoken on this issue several times in this place because it's such a critical issue that matters to people in Tangney. And, right now, thousands of cars and trucks are squeezed into just two lanes on the Shelley Bridge, creating delays, rat runs and safety risks. It's a daily challenge for thousands of residents, commuters, parents on their school runs and students heading to Curtin University. The failure of the state and federal Labor governments to deliver Roe 8 and Roe 9 has only made this worse. We need alternative solutions, and widening Shelley Bridge is one of the best options.

Howard Ong is currently running a petition to gain community support for the widening of Shelley Bridge, and I encourage everyone to sign it. Last week, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Peter Dutton, visited Shelley Bridge to see the congestion and the delays firsthand and to listen directly to the residents who are experiencing the daily frustrations of this vital transport link. Mr Dutton is committed to leading a government that listens to communities and delivers the infrastructure that they need so that people can get home faster and safer. Howard Ong is the only candidate in Tangney fighting for the widening of Shelley Bridge, and only a Dutton led government can be trusted to deliver vital projects like this. Let's make this happen by getting behind Howard Ong. (Time expired)