Oakeshott admits time’s up on Gillard’s Pacific Hwy promise
24/01/12
The Hon Warren Truss MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Will Rob Oakeshott muster some Wilkie-esque integrity and withdraw his backing for Labor now that he concedes the Prime Minister’s promise to duplicate the Pacific Highway by 2016 cannot be met?
“If he’s fair dinkum Rob Oakeshott will withdraw his support for this government immediately,” Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Warren Truss insisted today.
“If he does not hold the Gillard government to full account for this latest failing, Mr Oakeshott will just confirm to his electorate and beyond that he is a Labor lackey.
“Completing the Pacific Highway upgrades between Sydney and the Queensland border was a key commitment from the Prime Minister to woo Mr Oakeshott’s backing to form government in September 2010.
“So much so that Mr Oakeshott put the issue on the public record seeking Ms Gillard’s guarantee during Question Time on 21 October 2010, to which the Prime Minister responded:
‘I can very much commit to him that the Government is committed to duplicating the Pacific Highway by 2016’.
“Rob Oakeshott has now conceded that won’t happen.
“Whether it’s a promise to the nation delivered down the barrel of a camera, a written agreement with Andrew Wilkie or an unequivocal commitment to Rob Oakeshott in the House of Representatives, this Prime Minister proves the only certainty of her government is it cannot be trusted.
“That Julia Gillard betrayed her own by knifing Kevin Rudd and dumping much-respected Speaker Harry Jenkins for her own political ends speaks volumes. This illegitimate government is led by a Prime Minister devoid of conviction or integrity.
“But what of those who give this government life? They must share responsibility for its failings. Rob Oakeshott can put things right by following his fellow Independent and withdrawing support for Julia Gillard and Labor.
“I urge him to do the right thing by walking away from this shameful, incompetent government and allowing the people decide its fate.”