The former Labor Government in Queensland was sitting on $6.7 billion of secret project blowouts across the state’s road and transport pipeline, said Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg.
Mickelberg said Labor didn’t disclose the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) project blowouts to Queenslanders prior to the election.
According to the LNP government, Labor’s biggest overspend was on the 9.5km Mackay Port Access Road, which has increased from $350m to $1.49bn – an increase of 327 per cent.
Building stage five of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor increased $373m to $598m while the Cairns Western Arterial Road project jumped $338m to $638m.
The bill for nine projects has increased by more than $100m while 73 others, including a guide to establish local walking networks, increased by $1m or less.
In all, 19 projects remain under commercial negotiations, he said.
Mickelberg said that after a decade of Labor’s failures, the Crisafulli government was restoring respect for taxpayers’ money.
“It’s important for Queenslanders to know the true cost of Labor’s failures, and we are laying it bare for all to see as we forge a path forward,” Mickelberg said.
“The full QTRIP is estimated to cost an additional $6.7 billion to complete, which Labor failed todisclose before the election.
“If you want another example of Labor’s neglect, incompetence and deceit, here it is.”
He said the Crisafulli government is acting fast by pausing Labor’s CFMEU Tax that’s been driving up costs for Queenslanders and driving down productivity.
“Already we have secured 80:20 funding with the Federal Government for a $9 billion jointly funded program for safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway to ensure Queenslanders get their fair share.
“I have a clear focus to deliver projects on time and on budget by improving business case estimates and risk assessments, improving design accuracy and engaging industry early for a collaborative approach to projects.
“The Crisafulli government will continue to be transparent. Labor was not transparent, they blew their budget by billions, and it’s costing every Queenslander.”
Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish accused Mickelberg of whinging and gearing up to cut projects.
“Brent Mickelberg hasn’t turned a sod or cut a ribbon on one single transport project since becoming Transport Minister, but he has had more than 10 press conferences complaining about how hard his job is,” he said.
“But there is no sympathy for him from Queenslanders sitting in traffic who are all thinking the same thing, just do your job mate.
“He clearly doesn’t understand the difference between a budget allocation and a cost estimate.
“Most of these projects are in the planning stages, including the Mackay Port Access Road which is going through the early stages of a business case.”