Shadow Minister for Road Safety Hon Julie Freeman MLC has welcomed the latest funding for the Regional Road Safety Program (RRSP) but says the Cook Labor Government’s $125 million commitment falls far short of what road safety stakeholders say is needed to address dangerous regional roads.
A RAC-led business case, developed with WALGA and Main Roads, identified 439 priority roads covering 8,208 kilometres and estimated that $552 million was required to deliver the necessary safety treatments.
“These projects are welcome, but the Government cannot pretend that $125 million over five years is an adequate response to a $552 million problem,” Ms Freeman said.
“Labor’s commitment provides less than one quarter of the funding identified as necessary to treat the priority network, leaving thousands of kilometres of regional roads without these proven safety upgrades.”
Ms Freeman said the shortfall was made worse by the Cook Government’s continued failure to secure funding from its federal Labor colleagues.
“Labor promoted a $250 million extension of the Regional Road Safety Program to local government roads at the 2025 State Election, comprising $125 million from the State and an intended $125 million contribution from the Commonwealth,” she said.
“More than a year later, the Cook Labor Government has still not secured a single dollar of funding from the Commonwealth Labor Government.
“Labor controls both governments. The Premier and the Transport Minister need to explain why they promoted a $250 million program without first obtaining a funding commitment from their own federal colleagues.”
“In 2024, 61 per cent of Western Australia’s road fatalities occurred in regional areas, despite only around one-fifth of Western Australians living outside Perth.
“That demands far greater urgency and a far greater investment than Labor has offered.”
Ms Freeman called on the Cook Government to increase its contribution and guarantee the full $250 million program if Commonwealth funding could not be secured.
“Regional road safety cannot be allowed to fall into the gap between two Labor governments,” she said.
