Hope fades for regional SA road projects as Labor remains silent on infrastructure review

The Opposition is calling on Labor to reveal the future of crucial regional road and infrastructure projects that were subject to a 90-day review which ended this month.

The review was announced by the Albanese Labor Government on May 1 - but nearly four months on and neither Anthony Albanese nor Peter Malinauskas have revealed if the projects will proceed, causing anxiety in the community.

The Hahndorf Bypass Project, the Truro Freight Route and Princess Highway Upgrades are some that remain under threat and if cut, could further compromise the safety of regional roads and force job losses during the cost of living crisis. 

Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Vincent Tarzia, said Labor must release the findings of the review and confirm if South Australian projects have been cut.

"We know Peter Malinauskas and his Labor team have a city-centric attitude - but that doesn't mean our regions should be left high and dry," Mr Tarzia said.

"The former Liberal Government had a proud record of investing in state-building infrastructure including much-needed highway upgrades and bypass projects.

"We need these projects to boost safety on our regional roads and the communities who are desperate to see these builds go ahead deserve some much-needed certainty. Peter Malinauskas and Anthony Albanese need to come clean on the future of these crucial projects now."

Shadow Minister for Regional Roads, Adrian Pederick, said Peter Malinauskas has turned his back on investment in regional roads at a time when it is needed most. 

"As regional roads crumble across the state, we've seen an almost 30 per cent increase in lives lost in rural areas this year," Mr Pederick said.

"There has been a tragic 900 per cent increase in lives lost in the Murray Mallee alone and we must be doing everything we can to save lives, including rectifying Labor's $3 billion road maintenance backlog. 

"Peter Malinauskas' city-centric Budget left just $14.5 million a year to be spread across a vast road network over the next four years in our regions and that is not acceptable." 


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  • Adrian Pederick