Election road warfare

Kim Waters
Duplication of the Princes Highway between Winchelsea and Colac has become a political football, with both sides of federal parliament accusing each other of failing to fund the project.
The Labor Government this week accused Liberal Corangamite candidate Sarah Henderson of “abandoning” a pre-election promise to duplicate the stretch of highway.
But Ms Henderson said the attack demonstrated how Labor was desperate to mislead voters in its bid to hold the marginal seat.
Labor Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said shadow finance minister Andrew Robb released documents this week confirming the Liberals had yet to commit funding for the duplication.
Mr Albanese said the document proved the party had “discontinued” its interest in the highway.
He accused Ms Henderson of a “sham” interest in the road.
Mr Albanese said the Liberals’ “repeated failure to put their money where their mouth is” was further proof that “Phoney Tony’s gospel truth” on road funding was unbelievable.
“For our part, the Rudd Labor Government pledged $110 million to duplicate the road between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea – a commitment that’s being matched dollar for dollar by the Brumby Labor Government.”
Ms Hendersen hit back, accusing Mr Albanese of “a complete fabrication”.
“The Coalition has not yet made all of its road funding announcements,” she said.
“As the Liberal candidate for Corangamite, I am continuing to work very hard and continuing to fight tooth and nail for funding for the duplication of the Princes Highway between Winchlesea and Colac.”
Ms Henderson said Mr Albanese had launched a “desperate attempt” to mislead voters.
“The story here is that the Rudd Government has failed to fund the duplication of this road and that is a disgrace.”
Mr Robb released a statement to the Independent saying the proposed duplication was still “under serious consideration”.
“Mr Albanese has issued a number of misleading and disingenuous media statements making completely false allegations regarding supposed Coalition commitments,” Mr Robb said.
“This worthy project, like many across the country, is still under serious consideration by the Coalition against the backdrop of the Rudd Labor Government’s billions of dollars of waste and mismanagement, continued reckless spending and massive debt.”
Labor holds Corangamite with a margin of less than one per cent after winning the seat from the Liberals at the 2007 election.