The Labor Government has cut $230 million from road safety programs across the past two years at the same time it failed on its own targets to fix the road network, a Parliamentary inquiry heard.
Evidence tendered to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) this week revealed that $150 million was cut from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funded Safer System Road Infrastructure Program.
In another alarming revelation, the marketing and road safety spend of TAC also fell $81 million short of its budget in the past two financial years.
This comes as Victoria is facing another horror road toll, with road deaths already 20 per cent higher than the same time last year.
It was also revealed that road pavement resurfaced or rehabilitated was 30 per cent below the Government’s target, which Gippslanders are seeing directly in the appalling state of our roads.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O’Brien said his office is regularly contacted by road users who have faced near-miss accidents and suffered vehicle damage due to unacceptable road surfaces.
“Labor’s road safety cuts and a 45 per cent reduction in road maintenance spending since 2020 is endangering lives, especially those traveling in regional areas like Gippsland,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Premier Jacinta Allan can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and is failing to fix our roads.
“Our roads are in a dire state and the Government admits it’s not keeping up, yet it continues to fail to provide the funding needed to fix up the mess.
“The fact that it also cut safety funding is a serious concern at a time our road toll is rising.
“It’s not surprising that public servants at the hearings ducked for cover and pointed the finger directly at Labor Ministers for the lack of funds.”
Mr O’Brien said he had launched a petition calling on the Government to do the right thing and provide the necessary funding and maintenance to fix our roads.
“We have more lives being lost on our roads, we have thousands of motorists experiencing vehicle damage annually due to potholes and dodgy roads and yet Labor continues to cut road funding.
“I recently launched this petition at the Sale Agricultural Show where it was overwhelmingly supported, and I will be doing the same at the upcoming Yarram and Foster Shows.”
Mr O’Brien said those wanting to sign his petition online can do so at https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/funding-and-maintenance-to-fix-our-roads/.