Yesterday, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Senator Matt O’Sullivan, Rick Wilson MP, Senator Slade Brockman, and Hon Neil Thomson MLC attended the AGM of the Outback Way Council, bringing together local leaders to review progress and discuss practical next steps for this nationally significant project.
The Outback Way, known as Australia’s Longest Shortcut, stretches from Laverton in WA to Winton in QLD via Uluru and Alice Springs. It is a vital transcontinental freight and tourism link for regional communities, industries, and remote Aboriginal communities. In addition, it provides security and resilience during period of natural disaster by providing an alternative sealed route into Western Australia. Over 1,195km of the route remains unsealed, including 736km through WA.
In 2022, the former Morrison Coalition Government announced $678 million in federal funding to seal the Outback Way, including $400 million specifically for the Western Australian (WA) portion. The WA Labor Government also committed $100 million. However, three years later, very little progress has been made, and not a single kilometre of bitumen has been laid.
Following the meeting, Federal and State Opposition representatives criticised both the WA and Federal Labor Government for sitting on the project, despite strong cooperation from local traditional owners and councils. The four WA parliamentarians warned that until the Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) are finalised, sealing works cannot commence leaving WA years behind Queensland and the NT.
Senator Matt O’Sullivan said Federal and State Labor governments seemed to have lost the political will for this project; “The Outback Way is a nation-building project, yet Western Australia’s section has been left languishing. It’s more than a road; it’s a strategic corridor. Delays mean lost opportunities, unsafe journeys and fewer jobs. WA cannot afford to be the roadblock in this tri-state project. This project has lacked the urgency required, and the Albanese Government must step up and demand greater action.”
Federal Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson MP, expressed frustration that people in the regions have been waiting too long. “While the funding is available and the dozers are ready, federal and state Labor governments have been slow to act. Every additional delay results in unsafe roads, lost time for truckies, tourists bypassing outback towns, and economic stagnation for the region.”
Senator Slade Brockman said, “This project is far too important to be stuck in neutral.”
“While Queensland and the Northern Territory are getting on with the job, WA is at a standstill. Every month of inaction means lost opportunities for local economies and remote communities, who deserve better. The Outback Way isn’t just a road. It is a lifeline for remote towns, industries, and families. Western Australia must stop being the bottleneck in this important project,” said Senator Brockman.
Hon Neil Thomson MLC urged the State Labor Government to get on with completing this important project. “Instead of action we’ve seen shifting timelines and a complete absence of leadership. The Cook Government must finalise the ILUAs, remove bottlenecks and get the job done. Queensland and the NT are delivering; the WA State government is the weak link.”
All four representatives are calling on the WA Government and the Albanese Government to immediately prioritise approvals and remove bureaucratic delays so construction on the Outback Way can commence.
The group vowed to continue holding both State and Federal Governments to account until Australia’s Longest Shortcut is finally sealed. Western Australia deserves answers and action. The Outback Way is too important to be lost to bureaucracy and delay.