A Deal Is A Deal, Mr Costello: Pakenham Bypass Must Be Delivered Now

Media Statement - 21 October 2003

Labor calls on Treasurer Peter Costello to come back to Pakenham and personally explain why he has ratted on his promise to fund half the cost of the Pakenham Bypass.

Two years ago the Treasurer, Peter Costello, stood on the Princes Highway and made the unequivocal promise that "we will fund half of the cost of the Pakenham Bypass".

But the Howard Government has ratted on that promise to the tune of $21 million by capping their contribution at $100 million, stopping construction proceeding.

"A deal is a deal," Martin Ferguson said today during a visit to Pakenham with McMillan MHR Christian Zahra.

"This is not about politics. It's about the Treasurer, Peter Costello, saying one thing in front of the cameras here in Pakenham then doing another thing back in Canberra."

"He must stop the games and deliver on his promise to share the funding for the Pakenham Bypass equally with the State Government."

"The people of Pakenham need this bypass built now and its up to the Howard Government to put its full 50 per cent funding allocation on the table."

Christian Zahra said he was sick and tired of the Howard Government using road funding as a political football and playing games with the people of Pakenham.

"The Treasurer clearly said the Federal Government was committed to a fifty-fifty deal with the State Government. Why is he holding out on $21 million?" Christian Zahra said.

"Peter Costello should find his way back here and stand in the same spot he did two years ago and explain to the people of McMillan exactly why his Government has broken its promise."

"The Pakenham Bypass is a key infrastructure project for the development of this region and the Howard Government is not treating it seriously," Christian Zahra said.