WARD CALLS ON GOVT TO RESPOND TO PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY AND ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today said that the NSW Government can’t afford to drop the ball when it comes to safety on our country roads and has urged the Minister to respond to the Parliamentary inquiry and its key policy recommendations.

“I am calling on the NSW Government to respond to the recommendations outlined in the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety (Staysafe) ‘Speed limits and road safety in regional NSW’ report tabled in December 2022, which outlines several key policy recommendations for the government to consider,” Mr Ward said.

“The NSW Minister for Regional Roads needs to get on with her job and respond to the Parliamentary inquiry as has also been pointed out by my independent colleague, Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr.

“In 2023 to date, 331 lives have been lost compared with 263 at the same time last year. These statistics are very alarming and concerning to say the least.

“The time for glossy brochures and photo opportunities is over, we need to see some real policy reform from this government.

“As somebody who has secured record levels of investment into upgrading our Princes Highway along the Illawarra and South Coast, I would simply encourage the NSW Government and the Minister for Regional Roads to stop the delays and respond to recommendations designed to make our country roads safer,” Mr Ward concluded.