Natalie Ward and Andrew Constance respond to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit

Natalie Ward and Andrew Constance respond to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit on Tuesday, January 14, 2024.

Transcript

00:00Time and time again the neglect of the Labor Party on local roads and on the Princess Highway.

00:11We stand here at Narra Bridge where they're spending $20 million on a walkway when the

00:15entire local road network has fallen to pieces.

00:19The Princess Highway projects that were initiated under the Liberal, Federal and State Governments

00:24have not been followed up, not delivered, and are years off in the never never when

00:29it comes to delivery.

00:30It wouldn't matter if it's an hour of bypass or another dollar bypass.

00:34And of course the local road network, particularly in Shoalhaven, is in such disrepair and hasn't

00:41even had the much promised funding delivered in terms of roadworks that it's now at a point

00:47where the community have just said enough.

00:49The point that I would make is that roads and cost of living are the number one issues

00:54facing our region at this time.

00:57We have to see the investment in the roads, we have to see the delivery in the roads.

01:01And given the record that I've delivered in terms of the Princess Highway, in terms of

01:07the key projects for the Matters Albion Park through to Batemans Bay Bridge and a lot of

01:11upgrades in between, we need to ensure that these roads are upgraded for safety purposes.

01:18The cost of doing business, courtesy of the Roads Network, has gone up massively.

01:23So we will get on and build.

01:25It's curious that Anthony Albanese would be here with the local member just before an

01:29election to make promises when for years this community has been crying out to hear from

01:35Labor about what they will actually deliver.

01:37The last time a bypass was delivered, it was under Andrew Constance and the Coalition of

01:42Australian States and Federals put together to provide over $200 million of funding for bypasses.

01:48The Milton-Aladela bypass needs to happen and the curious announcement from Labor about

01:54a piece of paper and planning is not shovels in the ground.

01:58That doesn't deliver an upgraded roadway, which we need not only in the good times when

02:02we have the summer traffic but also in emergency services.

02:06It's curious that $20 million has been committed by the Labor members when we are hearing from

02:12the local community that $20 million could be better spent on local roads with potholes,

02:18with upgrades needed, with curbside issues, $20 million goes a long way, $1 million on

02:2520 local roads is what the community tells us they want.

02:29We're committed to actual delivery.

02:31We're committed to ensuring that the community is listened to and it's not last minute announcements

02:36by a desperate government trying to cling on to announcements and not actual delivery.

02:41We want to see shovels in the ground in this community.

02:44We love this community and it's a delight to be here and visit once again.