The Minns and Albanese Labor Governments are claiming credit for the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace that was planned and funded by previous Nationals Governments.
NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the $2.1 billion project has been in the works for years.
“The NSW Nationals secured federal funding for this project in 2021, before announcing the successful contractors for the design and build the following year, so the fact that Labor is trying to make out that this is their work is absolutely appalling,” Mr Farraway said.
“The extension will transform travel in the Hunter region by moving 25,000 vehicles away from key congestion areas, allowing motorists to shave valuable time off their journey.
“It will also be a game changer for the transport industry, supporting freight that services the mining sector in the Hunter Valley, as well as the Port of Newcastle and interstate.
“The fact is that we pushed for this visionary project to become a reality, we did the planning, and we got the Federal Government to put their funding on the table and Labor had nothing to do with it.
“Labor is happy to take credit for our projects, while at the same time ripping funding out of future vital infrastructure projects.”
Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has called for clarity around the Muswellbrook bypass.
“I have been calling on the Federal Minister for Infrastructure to end the delays and fund construction of the Muswellbrook Bypass for months now,” Mr Layzell said.
“Originally, we were told to for wait the federal government’s infrastructure review, but that review has come and gone, and we still don’t have any details around when the funding will come through so the design and construction phase can begin.
“This vital project was being discussed since before the 1996 election, but here we are in 2023 and Muswellbrook is still waiting. Enough is enough, the wait needs to end now.”
