Sunshine Coast Shortchanged: Labor’s BPIC Bloat Busted!
Sunshine Coast MP Andrew Wallace has launched a scathing rebuke of the Queensland Labor Government, accusing its ill-conceived "Best Practice Industry Conditions" (BPIC) policy of creating massive funding blowouts resulting in significant cuts to Sunshine Coast infrastructure.
"The bombshell BPIC expose reveals Labor's true agenda - lining the pockets of union mates while Queenslanders, particularly those on the Sunshine Coast, are left with scraps," Mr. Wallace declared.
"Double pay for rain? A month of extra holidays? These are just a taste of the outrageous perk's construction unions are enjoying under BPIC, funded by hardworking taxpayers who are already battling a cost-of-living crisis!"
Mr. Wallace pointed a finger directly at Labor's BPIC as the culprit behind the Sunshine Coast's infrastructure funding shortfall. The high inflationary affect of the BPIC is also driving the cost of housing through the roof as builders clamour for tradespeople.
"The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, yet the State Government's contribution to local road and rail has been utterly dismal," Mr Wallace said, adding, "If you live on the Gold Coast, or Brisbane, you're in for billion-dollar infrastructure windfalls. But if you live in regional Queensland communities like mine, it's all too hard for Labor. Labor just doesn't care about the regions."
The axing of crucial projects like the Heavy Rail extension to Maroochydore and the Mooloolah River Interchange further demonstrate that Labor favours the two big cities when it comes' road and rail.
"While construction fat cats feast on BPIC's taxpayer-funded buffet, Sunshine Coast residents are left high and dry without crucial infrastructure projects and high housing costs," Mr. Wallace blasted.
"This is Labor's idea of a 'fair go'!"
This blatant disregard for the Sunshine Coast could not be more patent when you consider Queensland Labor's bungled handling of the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade. The project, desperately needed to improve safety on a notoriously treacherous stretch of road, has seen its cost explode by a staggering 132%.
This blowout comes as no surprise considering the track record of the previous Transport Minister and the so called 'fresh and renewed' team under Premier Miles appears no better. Locals living in Mooloolaba have already witnessed the disruption caused by the resumption and demolition of 130 local homes in the middle of a housing crisis and now it appears that without Federal funding secured by the former Coalition government, the MRI upgrade now may not proceed at all.
At the same time, Federal Labor has slashed funding to the Caloundra Transport Corridor and delayed funding for the Southern Sunshine Coast Improvement Study, with concerns that the State Government's track record of blowouts and delays put the projects at risk. This comes after years of State Labor neglecting the congestion choking Caloundra Road and its surrounds.
Mr Wallace demanded an immediate and transparent review of BPIC, calling it a "disaster for Queensland taxpayers, particularly young people wanting to own their own home" and called on locals to make their voice heard to their State Members of Parliament.
"We need a government who will prioritise value for money and deliver infrastructure projects to benefit all Queenslanders, not just those living in the two big cities. The Sunshine Coast deserves better than Labor's scraps, and it's clear that change is needed to get the State and the country back on track."
