Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (12:59): In South-West Coast we are furious. The condition of our roads has deteriorated to the point where they are no longer safe to drive on at night or in heavy rain. For years I have been warning the Allan Labor government that road maintenance was grossly inadequate. For years the response has been, ‘There’s no problem.’ Now we are ropeable, and now we are witnessing exactly what we said would happen. Rain is not the cause of this crisis; rain falls every winter. What has changed is the road conditions have gone too far. The Allan Labor government is delusional. Police tell us to drive to conditions, but heavy rain and darkness are simply too dangerous and too deadly now. After last night’s heavy rain multiple vehicles were left stranded again. A young woman struck a pothole on the Princes Highway at Panmure in darkness and pouring rain with a semitrailer behind her. The road damaged her car, and she struggled to maintain control – what a terrifying ordeal. With just one year of driving experience, it is a miracle she was not killed. She waited for 3 hours on the roadside in the dark and rain for assistance and a tow truck. At what point does the responsibility shift to the government? Does it take a tragedy to get attention? It is too late for proper fixes. Winter is here, and the opportunity for meaningful maintenance has been missed. I am sick and tired of saying this: please fix the roads properly come spring.
Sitting suspended 1:00 pm until 2:02 pm.
Business interrupted under standing orders.