Liberals leave sea walls in limbo.

Media Release.

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

The Torres Strait sea wall project remains in limbo with the Abbott Government again refusing to provide funding certainty. The previous Labor Government committed up to $12 million to deliver the critical infrastructure. Queensland Labor Senator Jan McLucas raised the concern in Senate Estimates which occurred last week in federal parliament. "The government was still unable to confirm if the Federal Government's funding contribution to the sea wall project would be honoured," Senator McLucas said. "This leaves Torres Strait Islanders in limbo." After being elected in September, the Abbott Government froze payments of infrastructure grants allocated from the Regional Development Australia Fund - $5 million of which was for the sea wall project. "Two months later, we're still waiting to hear if the money for the Torres Strait community still exists," Senator McLucas said. "The sea wall project is ready to go. Departmental officials during Senate Estimates confirmed the project was 'close to finalisation' back in September. "All that is needed is a signature, and then the project can get going." "It would be hugely disappointing if the project did not get the backing of the Abbott Government given all the work that has occurred to date." Senator McLucas said the uncertainty is compounded by the fact that Leichhardt MP, Warren Entsch and the responsible Minister, Warren Truss are saying conflicting things to the community about the status of the sea wall funding. Minister Truss has previously said that uncontracted projects under the Regional Development Australia Fund, like the sea walls, will have to go through another funding application and assessment process – the Coalition's National Stronger Regions program. There is no guarantee funding would be forthcoming under this competitive grants program. "Even if the project was successful, this outcome would be disastrous for the Torres Strait community as the Coalition's National Stronger Regions program doesn't start until 2015-16," Senator McLucas said. While Minister Truss says one thing, Mr Entsch is telling people another. "Mr Entsch has said he was confident that construction would start before Christmas 2013. "While I sincerely hope work can start next month, Mr Entsch's comments are at odds with his government. "The people of the Torres Strait need this cleared up as a matter of priority." "The fact is there is federal funding allocated for this project so I can't see any reason why this government would stop it." "We know climate change is real and the rising sea levels in the Torres Strait are putting island communities, people's homes, infrastructure and grave sites at real risk of inundation." "The money is in the budget so I call on Tony Abbott and Warren Entsch to get on with the job."