It’s amazing how a little misinformation can completely distort the facts. A case in point is that contained in “Brakes on highway upgrade is a death wish: MPs’, Independent April 5.
The Howard Government failed to honour its end of the 2004 agreement with the NSW State Labor Government to share the funding of the Pacific Highway upgrade on a 50:50 basis. It only contributed $60 million per annum compared to the State’s $100 million; a 38:62 sharing.
The State National Party’s claim that the funding split was 84:16 when the Coalition camp to power in NSW in 2011 is incorrect. The actual split was 89:11 and remains so to the present. The NSW Coalition government’s recent promise to increase their five year contribution to $465 million, if honoured, will raise the funding split to 84:16, but don’t hold your breath. Since the O’Farrell came to power in early 2011 there has been a smoke and mirrors hue to a lot of their funding promises. Remember the $75 million promised contribution to the PMBH completion project. Where did it go? Where has the $1 billion gone that Leslie Williams said was promised towards the Pacific Highway upgrading in the 2011-12 State Budget?
Achieving an 80:20 funding split can only be achieved by the O’Farrell government deciding to pull its weight. This will require an increase in the State government’s five year contribution to $625 million. That’s an extra $32 million per year for five years.
Mike Dibbs
