THERE were no near-crashes like Tony Abbott's infamous trip down the Princes Highway in February, but shadow treasurer Joe Hockey experienced enough of the risks of driving from Warrnambool to Geelong yesterday to convince him it needed attention.
THERE were no near-crashes like Tony Abbott's infamous trip down the Princes Highway in February, but shadow treasurer Joe Hockey experienced enough of the risks of driving from Warrnambool to Geelong yesterday to convince him it needed attention. Mr Hockey, who travelled as a passenger after a series of meetings in Warrnambool on Tuesday night, said he would push for more overtaking lanes to be made a priority and a long-term commitment to more duplication from Winchelsea when the party formulated its election policies.
He told Liberal candidate for Wannon Dan Tehan, who was at the wheel, the deteriorating highway showed the government had got its priorities wrong. "It was a very interesting trip;' MrTehan said. "Joe was able to see the need for more overtaking lanes and could see the grooves where water channels in heavy rain. He now has first-hand idea of what our priorities are in this region:' He passed a narrow section near Winchelsea where Opposition LeaderTonyAbbott's vehicle was almost hit by a passing truck during an inspection two months ago.
Liberal candidate for Corangamite Sarah Henderson also emphasised the need for further duplication of the highway as she accompanied Mr Hockey to a community forum at Belmont and to Avalon Airport where Ms Henderson called for it to be made an international link. "Mr Abbott has already indicated he would consider putting the highway duplication as party policy," she said. The condition of the highway between Geelong and the South Australian border has long been a sore point with south-west residents and councils as traffic volumes increase. Labor and Coalition federal governments have refused to acknowledge it as a major freight route under the Auslink funding program. In recent years state and federal money has been allocated for several more passing lanes and duplication from Geelong to Winchelsea.
Winging in: Joe Hockey, centre, with retiring member for Wannon David Hawker, left, and Liberal candidate for Wannon Dan Tehan before a Liberal Party fund-raising dinner.
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