THE Australian Government has delivered on its $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery programme, a key funding stream that benefits road users all around Leichhardt, says Federal MP Warren Entsch.
“The Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill 2014 passed the Senate last week and as a result, councils across Leichhardt will get their first payments this month – on time and in full,” Mr Entsch said.
“The main intent of this legislation is to enable local councils to get on with the road and street work needed in local communities. Importantly, it is councils that choose the road and street projects they want addressed.
“The $2.1 billion from the passage of the Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill 2014 will enable councils to deliver the better, safer and more reliable local roads and streets our communities need.”
Mr Entsch said that Labor and the Greens had put up roadblocks for five long months, without being able to point to a single issue in the legislation they oppose.
“Labor left Roads to Recovery in limbo and local councils stranded, with this vital funding program terminating on 30 June this year,” he explained.
“Labor had previously voted against the legislation in the House of Representatives that guarantees the $2.1 billion for local roads and streets. In a bizarre twist, on Thursday (28 AUG) they waved it through in the Senate.
“It makes the uncertainty local councils have endured these last few months absolutely unnecessary and shows Labor and the Greens are more interested in playing cynical games than fixing the problems facing people and businesses in our community.”
