Labor's shameful road maintenance legacy

The release of the Auditor General's Report, 'Maintaining the State Road Network' gives the people of Western Australia their best insight yet into Labor's legacy of wasted opportunity.

Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has demanded that former Treasurer Eric Ripper and former Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan explain to the people of WA why they under invested in the State's road network during the boom years.

"Day by day, month by month this State Government is finding where the former government shirked its responsibility to the people.  We now know that they were all spin and no substance," Mr O'Brien said.

The Auditor General's Report also found that:

• Roads are at increased risk of structural failure because levels of planned maintenance have declined over the past 10 years - resurfacing by 30 per cent and rebuilding by 80 per cent. Delaying planned maintenance will have long-term cost implications.
• The estimated cost of eliminating existing overdue maintenance may exceed $800million.

"The Auditor General's report has shown that ongoing road maintenance - one of the major contributing factors to road safety - was neglected by Labor, leaving a legacy that will impact on Western Australians for years to come," the Minister said.