Michelle Landry MP, Colin Boyce MP, and Senator Matt Canavan have called on the federal government to return the funding for the Queensland Beef Corridors before Beef Week.
It was revealed in additional Budget Estimates in February that the announced $400 million of federal funding that had been committed to the Beef Corridors in Central Queensland had pushed back the start date of the upgrade from the 2025/26 financial year until 2027/28 financial year.
The project had been a joint proposal, presented at the 2021 Beef Week, from seven Central Queensland Councils to improve the safety and efficiency of key roads that are critical to our beef industry.
Mr Boyce said the Labor Government continually bites the hand that feeds it.
"Over the last couple of months, we've seen the Labor Government delay funding for the Beef Corridors, introduce a bio security tax on Australian farmers and propose a ute tax," Mr Boyce said.
"I've spoken to local residents like Matt Paine who find the Labor Government's decision to delay funding for the Beef Corridors a kick in the guts for regional communities.
"I urge the Labor Government to get on and build the Beef Corridors as soon as possible to address the critical infrastructure needs of our regional communities. The sealing of these roads will not only improve industry's ability to get products from paddock to plate but will also improve the overall quality of life for residents."
The funding had been announced and committed to in 2022, and had been supported by both the LNP Government and then Labor Opposition prior to the 2022 federal election.
Ms Landry said despite farmers within the Beef Corridors Road region contributing $1.7 billion to the economy, they're given the raw end of the deal for upgrades to their network of roads.
"I recently took the time to drive the rural roads our farmers have to take and I was appalled.
"These farmers contribute enormously to our economy through their hard work and yet their safety is at risk every day when they move cattle, take their kids to school and go to town for their shopping.
"Labor pushed out the Beef Corridor funding into the never-never, such is their disregard to our producers but they're happy to swan into Beef Australia next month to show support for our farmers. If they supported them, they would fix these roads."
The Queensland Beef Corridors Project would see 457km of unsealed arterial roads sealed and improved.
Senator Matthew Canavan said that it's time to show that the Labor Government is committed to supporting our agricultural sector.
"There will be a lot of Labor Politicians in Rockhampton for beef week, and they'll put on their big hats and talk about how important the agricultural industry but without the commitment to return the funding to these vital roads it's all just smoke and mirrors from the Labor Government." Senator Canavan said.
"These roads are in shocking condition, unsealed, and littered with potholes and the Labor Government is just expecting the farmers, families, truckies, and miners that have to drive along these roads to continue to risk their lives for even longer."
Roads that were assigned to be sealed include Clermont - Alpha Rd, May Downs Road, Kilcummin - Diamond Downs Road, Alpha - Tambo Rd, Dawson Developmental Rd, Fitzroy Developmental Rd (Bauhinia - Duaringa), Fitzroy Developmental Rd (Taroom - Bauhinia), Duaringa - Apis Creek Rd, Glenroy Road Corridor (incl. Crossing).
