Call for bipartisan effort to vital infrastructure funding
As Tasmania continues to grapple with high levels of road trauma, RACT, the state’s peak road safety advocate, is urging both state and federal governments to reach an agreement that continues to support the overall investment and commitments to road infrastructure funding in Tasmania.
RACT Group Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mugnaioni, called for swift action to end the stalemate between the state and federal governments. “Given these are four-year agreements, it is very disappointing that a new agreement has not been reached before the old one expired” Mr Mugnaioni said.
"Improving road infrastructure is crucial to reducing the trauma on our roads. We urge both state and federal governments to collaborate and support current funding commitments and increased investment in this area.
“On behalf of our 217,000 members, we’re concerned about the Federal Government's proposed changes to the infrastructure funding model, which could see federal government contributions to vital infrastructure reduced from 80:20 to 50:50. This leaves smaller states at a disadvantage and needs to be resolved to provide planning certainty.
“We need both state and federal governments to continue to negotiate in good faith to arrive at a fair model for infrastructure funding investment that delivers the best outcomes for Tasmanians and puts lives ahead of politics.”
Mr Mugnaioni emphasised the importance of data-driven decisions in infrastructure planning, something the RACT and Australia’s automobile clubs have been advocating for.
“Part of this agreement must include the need to share consistent road crash data across all jurisdictions to ensure infrastructure projects are informed by data and focused on safety, rather than politics.”
"The only way to achieve meaningful progress is for all parties to come together, focusing on the well-being of our community. We believe that prioritising road safety over political agendas will yield the best results for everyone.”