The Albanese Government has been forced into a backflip on its “lazy” plan to slash the default speed limit on non-signposted regional roads across the country to as low as 70km/h.
A regulatory impact analysis on the reduction of speed limits outside of built-up areas was proposed by the Federal Government in a bid to reduce the national road toll and trauma in regional and outback Australia.
Submissions to the proposal were due to close on October 27, but were given an 11th-hour reprieve when the deadline was extended to November 10.
Under the proposal, speed limits for sealed and unsealed roads were proposed to range between 100km/h and 70km/h — figures that drew the ire of the road industry who said road safety would be better improved through upgrades and maintenance.
A communique from the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers meeting acknowledged widespread concern across the Country and the jurisdiction held by states and territories in setting speed limits.
Over 11,000 submissions were made in response to the proposal.
O’Connor MP Rick Wilson lauded the “nonsensical” plan, which was scrapped on November 21, as a forced retreat by the Federal Government.
“The volume of public backlash pointed out how lazy, outrageous and economically damaging the proposal really was,” he said.
“Road conditions — not speed limits — are the true threat to safety on rural roads.
“This proposal was an effort to distract from the state of our regional road networks and avoid the costs associated with repairing them.”
The proposal would have had significant impacts to the O’Connor electorate, which is estimated to have a road network covering more than 20,000km.
“Our Prime Minister must restore regional road funding to keep O’Connor constituents and visitors safe as they travel the vast distances of my electorate for work, education and play.”
“That is where the Prime Minister’s focus should be — not on slowing down regional Australians to meet ideological targets.”
In 2024, 1291 road deaths were recorded across Australia — the highest annual toll in 12 years.
In October Federal Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain said the proposal was designed to ensure safety for all road users.
“We want to make sure that every time someone uses our roads, they make it to their destination safely,” she said.
“Whether it’s a truckie on a long-haul journey, or a parent picking up the kids from school.”
Durack MP Melissa Price said the Federal Government was “crab walking away from an idea it should never have entertained.”
Ms Price said rather than conducting analyses of increasing road safety through lower speeds, more money should be invested in the upgrade and maintenance of regional and outback roads.
“Reducing a speed limit doesn’t fill a single pothole or strengthen a single bridge,” she said.
“Shifting the burden onto road users won’t solve anything.”
