Albanese: Voters' poor Hwy deal

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said that Coffs Harbour's elected members are guilty of passing the buck regarding Pacific Hwy funding.

Poll

Do you think the duplication of the Pacific Hwy will be completed by 2016?

This poll ended on 18 February 2012.

Yes

10%

No

89%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Related links

• A divided highway
• Oakeshott challenges Coffs MP
• Fraser pleased with Hwy report

WHILE responding to a question without without notice during Wednesday's sitting of the lower house, federal minister Anthony Albanese pointed to a history of passing the buck regarding Pacific Hwy funding by Coffs Harbour's local members.

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport referred to past statements made in parliament by federal Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker and state Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser to make his point.

Mr Albanese said that when Mr Hartsuyker was the member for Cowper while in government from 2001 to 2007, he didn't believe that Pacific Hwy funding was the responsibility of the federal government.

"At that time - when they (the Federal Coalition) were in government - they said the Pacific Highway was a "state road"," Mr Albanese said during question time.

"They called upon the NSW Labor government to do more.  The Member for Cowper for example, said in this place: It is a state road. NSW refused to commit one extra dollar of State government funding to a road they are responsible for."

The federal minister then went on the attack regarding the state member's stance on the highway while he was part of the opposition quoting a Mr Fraser statement made in state parliament.

"The Pacific Highway is a state road," Mr Fraser was quoted as saying.

"I pay credit to the Federal [Labor] Government for increasing the funding arrangement. I damn and condemn this State government. The State government should pour the money in."

Mr Albanese added that he was amazed that Mr Fraser's stance on contributions toward the project by the state government has changed now that the coalition is no longer in opposition.

"But now, when in government, only yesterday (Tuesday) Mr Fraser was saying in the NSW Parliament that they cannot afford to pay their share," he said.

Questioned over the government's ability to complete the duplication of the Pacific Hwy by 2016, Mr Albanese said that the Labor government is more committed to the project than the Howard government ever was.

"This side of the House (Federal Labor) are absolutely committed to fulfilling the duplication by 2016, which was first promised by the Howard Government in 2004," he said.

"They promised it but did not put any dollars into it.

"They contributed $1.3 billion over 12 years and during that time the State [Labor] Government committed $2.5 billion."