Friday, March 7, 2008
CMV Group's Bill Lane (left), Memorial Driver of the Year winner Ross Migga, his wife Elaine and SARTA president Gemma Gordon
Year winner Ross Migga,his wife Elaine and
SARTA president Gemma Gordon (Macklin Transport)
Give us our fair share: Conlon
Give us our fair share: Conlon
February 18, 2007 12:15am
THE State Government will demand a hefty portion of the Federal Government's reported $19 billion road funding package this week, claiming SA has been chronically underfunded in the past.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon will send a letter of demand, jointly signed by industry groups including the SA Road Transport Association (SARTA) and the RAA, outlining priorities for the federal funding.
However, Mr Conlon said he feared the package could be used for "pork-barrelling marginal seats in the eastern states" during a federal election year.
Federal Cabinet is expected to approve the $19 billion, five-year Auslink II package this week.
Much of the initial spending is expected to be done in Queensland, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's home state and a crucial election battleground.
Speaking at the SARTA annual conference at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre yesterday, Mr Conlon said he would lobby hard for a large cut of the cash.
"If there is any justice in the world, we would get a large proportion of it because we have been underfunded year on year," he said. "My fear is with an election looming, the eastern states will be in there consuming it in marginal federal electorates.
"It is imperative it does not go towards pork-barrelling in marginal seats in the eastern states.
"The Commonwealth will hear the same list of priorities being argued by SA industry groups as well as us, so speaking with one voice will give us a very good argument."
Mr Conlon said SA was set to be an engine room of the national economy with its massive defence and mining projects.
"They will need substantial investment in infrastructure, and it is time the Commonwealth made a proper investment in this part of the world because it will give them a return in national growth," he said.
The focus of the SARTA conference was the challenges presented by the forecast that the volume of road freight would double in the next decade.
Several delegates took Mr Conlon to task over the lack of maintenance of minor and rural roads, while SARTA president Gemma Gordon called on the Government to release a transport plan. Mr Conlon said many people did not realise the extent of transport spending underway.
"We have the biggest infrastructure rollout in the state in its history now underway," he said.
"There are $30 billion worth of major projects on the go or on the horizon, with defence and mining being big new parts of the picture.
"Add grain, aquaculture and wine, and there are undoubtedly major challenges and opportunities in front of us.
"In 2006-07, we are spending $370 million, including $74 million on road maintenance, and if we had more, we would spend it."
Opposition infrastructure spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said a Liberal government would work with industry to produce a 20-year infrastructure plan – but it would not be released until after it had been elected.
"We will be consulting with stakeholders on priorities and will have a general outline for the election, but you can only put together the details of such a massive undertaking with the resources of government," he said.
Mr Conlon and Mr Hamilton-Smith clashed several times. "It's a bit like having a chihuahua biting at your ankles," Mr Hamilton-Smith quipped as Mr Conlon goaded him into supporting the Government's plan to have the Riddoch Highway declared a candidate for federal Auslink funding.
February 18, 2007 12:15am
THE State Government will demand a hefty portion of the Federal Government's reported $19 billion road funding package this week, claiming SA has been chronically underfunded in the past.
Transport Minister Patrick Conlon will send a letter of demand, jointly signed by industry groups including the SA Road Transport Association (SARTA) and the RAA, outlining priorities for the federal funding.
However, Mr Conlon said he feared the package could be used for "pork-barrelling marginal seats in the eastern states" during a federal election year.
Federal Cabinet is expected to approve the $19 billion, five-year Auslink II package this week.
Much of the initial spending is expected to be done in Queensland, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's home state and a crucial election battleground.
Speaking at the SARTA annual conference at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre yesterday, Mr Conlon said he would lobby hard for a large cut of the cash.
"If there is any justice in the world, we would get a large proportion of it because we have been underfunded year on year," he said. "My fear is with an election looming, the eastern states will be in there consuming it in marginal federal electorates.
"It is imperative it does not go towards pork-barrelling in marginal seats in the eastern states.
"The Commonwealth will hear the same list of priorities being argued by SA industry groups as well as us, so speaking with one voice will give us a very good argument."
Mr Conlon said SA was set to be an engine room of the national economy with its massive defence and mining projects.
"They will need substantial investment in infrastructure, and it is time the Commonwealth made a proper investment in this part of the world because it will give them a return in national growth," he said.
The focus of the SARTA conference was the challenges presented by the forecast that the volume of road freight would double in the next decade.
Several delegates took Mr Conlon to task over the lack of maintenance of minor and rural roads, while SARTA president Gemma Gordon called on the Government to release a transport plan. Mr Conlon said many people did not realise the extent of transport spending underway.
"We have the biggest infrastructure rollout in the state in its history now underway," he said.
"There are $30 billion worth of major projects on the go or on the horizon, with defence and mining being big new parts of the picture.
"Add grain, aquaculture and wine, and there are undoubtedly major challenges and opportunities in front of us.
"In 2006-07, we are spending $370 million, including $74 million on road maintenance, and if we had more, we would spend it."
Opposition infrastructure spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said a Liberal government would work with industry to produce a 20-year infrastructure plan – but it would not be released until after it had been elected.
"We will be consulting with stakeholders on priorities and will have a general outline for the election, but you can only put together the details of such a massive undertaking with the resources of government," he said.
Mr Conlon and Mr Hamilton-Smith clashed several times. "It's a bit like having a chihuahua biting at your ankles," Mr Hamilton-Smith quipped as Mr Conlon goaded him into supporting the Government's plan to have the Riddoch Highway declared a candidate for federal Auslink funding.
Hi Gemma
Just in the process of writing a letter for you to read!
The letter will be private & confidential as this would be in your best interest.
The letter will be private & confidential as this would be in your best interest.
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