Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

An upgrade to the Mount Crosby interchange on the Warrego Highway is critical to the lives, lifestyle and livelihoods of the people of Ipswich. Last night, I was appalled to hear media reports that the Queensland LNP government is proposing in this week's budget to cut funding for the Mount Crosby interchange in my electorate. On last assessment, nearly a decade ago, 58,000 vehicles a day go through that interchange. In 2004, the then state Labor candidate for Ipswich West, Wendy Bourne, now the state member for Ipswich West, and I secured fifty-fifty funding from the Albanese Labor government and the former state Labor government for this vital upgrade—$138.5 million each, for a total of $277 million.

In a sneaky budget move, it looks like the Crisafulli LNP government is proposing to shelve the project by stealth. It's not good enough. Media reports are saying that the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads' capital program concerning this interchange is being reduced by $170.7 million. It's time for the Queensland Premier to explain to the people of Ipswich what's happening to the money and what he proposes to do with this much needed upgrade for the Ipswich region. I'm looking forward to the Queensland budget this week, and I hope they deliver the funding we need.

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