Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to update the House on the progress of Australia's most remote road infrastructure project, the Outback Way, Australia's longest shortcut. Connecting Laverton, in the northern goldfields of O'Connor, to Winton in north-west Queensland, through the iconic Red Centre, it will be the newest trans-Australian route. I give a big shout-out to the Outback Highway Development Council who are in the House this week. Chair, Pat Hill, is also the president of the Shire of Laverton. He's here with CEO Peter Naylor; Outback Way General Manager, Helen Lewis; Mayor Gavin Baskett of Winton; and Mayor Rick Britton of Boulia.

At 207,000 kilometres long, the Outback Way will almost halve the journey time for tourists travelling from the beaches of the golden west to the reef fringe of North Queensland. But this extraordinary journey is not just for tourists. Logistically, it provides a shortcut for the movement of mining equipment, fresh food, livestock and agricultural produce. It will reduce transport costs of around $20 million per year for tourists and over $2.5 million per year for the livestock industry. Economically, the Outback Way connects remote local government authorities who contribute $5.5 billion to Australia's GDP. In O'Connor, it is providing employment and training opportunities for some of my most remote constituents, with over 40 per cent of the man-hours worked in WA done by Aboriginal people. The Outback Way will also enhance remote health service delivery and see cheaper prices at community stores. I commend the Outback Highway Development Council for opening up Australia's interior and improving the quality of life for constituents like mine, living in the most remote part of Australia.