RAC has welcomed initiatives in the Federal Budget that fund WA transport projects and reduce taxes on electric vehicles, however clarity is needed over infrastructure funding in future years.
The Federal Budget includes $125 million in new funding for electric bus charging infrastructure in WA, the continuation of the Black Spot and Road to Recovery programs, and, according to media reports citing Transport Minister Catherine King, continued funding for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and Thornlie-Cockburn Link.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby welcomed these initiatives.
“It’s positive to see the Federal Government supporting the opportunity to transition to electric vehicles and maintaining important funding streams for long-running road safety programs and major WA transport projects,” Mr Golsby said.
“However, it appears WA will see a decline in infrastructure spending in future years – a decline that looks to be sharper than most other states and territories. We need clarity if this will change in the next Federal Budget in May 2023.”
“It’s crucial WA continues to have a pipeline of infrastructure investment over the years ahead, to save lives and stop serious injuries on our roads, combat congestion, and keep people moving via public and active transport.”
RAC is also seeking clarity regarding if and how the extension of the $3 billion national Road Safety Program, to mid-2025, will impact the timing of existing works, including the crucial WA Regional Road Safety Program.
“It is important the Regional Road Safety Program is delivered in full and continues to be rolled out as rapidly as possible,” Mr Golsby said.
“Fully funded and delivered, this program will save more than 2,100 people from being killed and seriously injured on our roads. It will also create hundreds of jobs over the life of the program.”
In addition to the immeasurable road safety benefits, the WA Regional Road Safety Program is expected to deliver more than $4 in benefits for every $1 spent.
“We appreciate governments are operating in a difficult economic environment, however road trauma costs the WA economy $2.4 billion every year, so ongoing investment makes both social and economic sense.”
RAC also welcomes funding for the Australian Automobile Association to establish a Real World Testing Program – an important initiative that will look at the environmental performance of Australian cars in real-world conditions and compare it to laboratory results.
ENDS
Media contact: Laura Gardiner, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
