I am pleased to say that by the time you read this column, you will still have time to make a submission on Labor’s plan to slash regional speed limits, by default, from 100 kilometres per hour to as low as 70 km/h.  The Coalition secured an extension of time for 2 more weeks to Monday, 10 November after embarrassing the Albanese government into a more reasonable consultation timeframe.

The Albanese Labor Government’s preference to make regional roads safer was to quietly lower the speed limits in a short consultation they did nothing to publicise. This is called a Clayton’s consultation.

Fortunately, out in regional Australia, The Nationals were vigilant, we listen to locals and we know what terrible roads we drive on.

As federal Shadow Minister for Local Government, I am not critical of councils’ road maintenance effort.  Regional shires manage 77 per cent of the nation’s roads but certainly do not get their fair share of funding to make the roads safe. In fact, Labor have reduced road funding across the nation.

To make matters worse, come 1 July the Albanese Labor Government will shut down the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program that underpin councils’ work on local roads.

It’s not hard to make our roads safer – improved road markings which newer vehicles detect the lines, making and repairing road shoulders so they don’t crumble away, installing rumble-strips on the sidelines and centre lines, clearing vegetation at corners and intersections – and let’s not forget, filling potholes!

We see Labor governments falling over themselves to invest in the capital cities, such as the Suburban Rail Loop project, raiding regional Australia of funding that would make our roads safer. Many of us in the regions do not have public transport options, the road is our only option - and the roads have become incredibly dangerous in Mallee under Labor.

If you don’t think slashing the default speed limit is the road safety silver bullet, or have other thoughts on genuine road safety reform, please make a submission at the infrastructure.gov.au website ‘Have your Say’ section, also at https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/regulatory-impact-analysis-reduce-open-road-default-speed-limit before Monday 10 November.