Danny O’Brien – Labor can’t manage money and our roads are suffering
Friday 12 July 2024
The Allan Labor Government is plunging our already crumbling roads into further disrepair, with a massive cut in the preventative maintenance program.
Figures provided to State Parliament show that the money spent on resurfacing and resealing contracts in the 2023/24 financial year was just 18 per cent of the previous year, dropping from $201.4 million to just $37.6 million across the state.
This dramatic drop in spending is symptomatic of the government’s neglect of basic road maintenance while it wastes $40 billion on cost blowouts on mega-projects in the city.
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O’Brien, said while road surfaces across the state are already bad, this dramatic drop in basic maintenance will condemn Victorians to worse roads in future.
“These figures just highlight the drastic budget cuts that have seen our roads deteriorate dramatically over the past few years to a point where the government’s own survey last year revealed 91 per cent of roads were in poor or very poor condition,” Mr O’Brien said.
“What’s worse is that this dramatic reduction in road resurfacing and re-sealing work will lead to worse roads in the coming years.
“Re-sealing protects the road network against water penetration that causes potholes and damaged roads. By not doing this essential preventive maintenance, Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister Melissa Horne are creating a maintenance time bomb that will explode on Victorians in coming years.
“Not surprisingly, the government has confirmed that almost 1200 Victorians have lodged claims for damage caused by dodgy roads last financial year alone.”
“Labor can’t manage money and it’s Victorian motorists who are paying the price.”