Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Bruce Highway, spanning the state of Queensland, is predominantly two lanes. It's not safe and it's not fit for purpose when the purpose is bringing the country out of the COVID-19 recession. The Bruce Highway needs to be four lanes to efficiently transport livestock from the farms to the processors to the supermarkets, to transport goods from manufacturers to market and to ensure that our tourist industry is vibrant and people can travel safely on our roads.

It needs to start by making the Tiaro Bypass in Wide Bay four lanes. Unfortunately, the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, says there's no issue with gridlock or hold-ups on this section of highway, and he refuses to bring a plan forward to the Commonwealth to four lane the highway. This is in great contrast to the experience of people living in the area who suffer the daily traffic jams that are imposed upon them by this highway.

I welcome the LNP's commitment for four lanes from Curra to Cairns. This will improve the state both economically and in terms of safety. If you want the four-lane bypass around Tiaro, I say vote for your LNP candidate, Denis Chapman, in the seat of Maryborough.