Media Release - Liberal MP Abolishes Truth in Advertisement

LIBERAL MP ABOLISHES TRUTH IN ADVERTISEMENT  

Liberal Member for Stirling Vince Connelly has been caught out misleading constituents over claims construction of an unfunded road project is set to start “soon”.

In an advertisement to his electorate during the WA State Election campaign, Mr Connelly claimed planning was underway and construction was starting soon on a Reid Highway-Erindale Road interchange.

Evidence provided to Senate Estimates last night by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications revealed the funding allocated by the Liberal Government was solely for an as-yet-started business case, with no funding or timeframe set for construction.

Senator Murray Watt: The Member for Stirling has previously suggested that in advertising that the “planning is underway and construction is starting soon”. So how soon will construction be starting?

Departmental Official: Currently, the Australian Government has only made a commitment to the business case, so the business case has been approved, and should commence later this month. The business case is due to be completed around September, October this year, to enable a decision of whether construction should proceed. There's no funding currently for construction.

Indicative figures provided by the department suggest that completing the project will cost up to $200m.

Does the Prime Minister plan to actually deliver on these promises, or does he just want to pretend that he has?

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King said that this is indicative of a Government that has spent just $284m of $4 billion promised through the Urban Congestion Fund since it was announced in 2018/19 Budget.

“Of $70.9m promised for WA through the Urban Congestion Fund last financial year, the Government delivered only $14.4m.”

“You can’t drive on a press release and you can’t fix urban congestion with empty promises.”

Shadow Assistant Minister for Western Australia Patrick Gorman said the Liberals had given up on Western Australia.

“The Liberals have resorted to making up funding for projects in Western Australia in order to win votes.

“Perhaps the Liberals have taken too much from Clive Palmer’s approach to advertising.”

TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 2021