❓ Question regarding the Mitchell Freeway widening project's impact on commute times, job creation, and alignment with the government's road improvement record. The Minister's answer defends the project, contrasting it with the previous Liberal government's inaction and highlighting congestion reduction and job creation.
AnsweredQoN 916Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MITCHELL FREEWAY —
WIDENING
916. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's $400 million investment in Perth's freeways,
specifically the Mitchell Freeway widening project.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the construction of this project will improve
journey times for commuters and support local jobs?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this project builds on this government's
record of road improvements across Western Australia?
WIDENING
916. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's $400 million investment in Perth's freeways,
specifically the Mitchell Freeway widening project.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the construction of this project will improve
journey times for commuters and support local jobs?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this project builds on this government's
record of road improvements across Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Balcatta for that question,
because, unlike the Liberal Party, we are concerned about reducing
congestion across the network—in the northern suburbs and in regional Western
Australia— and improving road safety.
The Liberal Party's unhealthy obsession continues, as was demonstrated
by the question to the Premier today. The Liberal Party somehow claimed
that it was not resoundingly defeated on the weekend when its number one person
got defeated, given it was a referendum on Roe 8 and 9. That is what that
council election was.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Liberal
Party wrote to every constituent, telling them that because these people signed
the pledge, they should vote for them. The two chief proponents were Ben Morton
and Russell Aubrey. Ben Morton endorsed Russell Aubrey and he lost. Every time
this issue has been tested at an election, it has lost.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Dr M.D. Nahan : Bring it on!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Why did the
member for Riverton not bring it on in eight and a half years? Why did he not
build it? Members opposite were warming up and working it out for eight and a half
years.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members,
please. I want to hear this answer.
Mr F.M. Logan : Riverton did
well, didn't he?
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Members
opposite did nothing in eight and a half years and now they say that we have to
build Roe 8. We are reducing congestion on our freeways. Mitchell Freeway is
just an example. It is a great project that was announced yesterday. A lane
will be added to that freeway to reduce congestion and improve safety. There
have been over 800 accidents in that area over the past five years. We estimate
that adding an additional lane between Hutton
Street and Cedric Street will reduce congestion back to Powis Street because of
the bank-up. There will be an additional exit out to Cedric Street to
combat what I call the IKEA effect, which is the significant build-up of
traffic that impacts the flow on the existing freeway. This great project will
create more jobs in Western Australia. These projects across the freeway system
are being built because we redirected the funds from Roe 8 and 9. They would
not be happening under the Liberal Party. The northern suburbs and the southern
suburbs would not be getting these projects. We are absolutely keen and
committed to reducing congestion and improving the operability of the entire
network. We will continue to roll out these projects, and there are many more
to come. They will employ thousands of Western Australians, reduce congestion
and improve road safety across the state.
because, unlike the Liberal Party, we are concerned about reducing
congestion across the network—in the northern suburbs and in regional Western
Australia— and improving road safety.
The Liberal Party's unhealthy obsession continues, as was demonstrated
by the question to the Premier today. The Liberal Party somehow claimed
that it was not resoundingly defeated on the weekend when its number one person
got defeated, given it was a referendum on Roe 8 and 9. That is what that
council election was.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Liberal
Party wrote to every constituent, telling them that because these people signed
the pledge, they should vote for them. The two chief proponents were Ben Morton
and Russell Aubrey. Ben Morton endorsed Russell Aubrey and he lost. Every time
this issue has been tested at an election, it has lost.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Dr M.D. Nahan : Bring it on!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Why did the
member for Riverton not bring it on in eight and a half years? Why did he not
build it? Members opposite were warming up and working it out for eight and a half
years.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members,
please. I want to hear this answer.
Mr F.M. Logan : Riverton did
well, didn't he?
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Members
opposite did nothing in eight and a half years and now they say that we have to
build Roe 8. We are reducing congestion on our freeways. Mitchell Freeway is
just an example. It is a great project that was announced yesterday. A lane
will be added to that freeway to reduce congestion and improve safety. There
have been over 800 accidents in that area over the past five years. We estimate
that adding an additional lane between Hutton
Street and Cedric Street will reduce congestion back to Powis Street because of
the bank-up. There will be an additional exit out to Cedric Street to
combat what I call the IKEA effect, which is the significant build-up of
traffic that impacts the flow on the existing freeway. This great project will
create more jobs in Western Australia. These projects across the freeway system
are being built because we redirected the funds from Roe 8 and 9. They would
not be happening under the Liberal Party. The northern suburbs and the southern
suburbs would not be getting these projects. We are absolutely keen and
committed to reducing congestion and improving the operability of the entire
network. We will continue to roll out these projects, and there are many more
to come. They will employ thousands of Western Australians, reduce congestion
and improve road safety across the state.
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