Greens protest pork barrelling on roads funding in Moreton

"Instead of a plan to address climate change, this election campaign is simply offering ad hoc expenditure on roads aimed at winning votes in marginal seats. Where is the funding for public transport?" asked Ms Waters.

As part of the multi-billion dollar spending spree on Queensland roads, both big parties have promised to spend $300 million to build an underpass at the junction of Kessels and Mains Road, claiming it will reduce traffic congestion.

"The $300 million for Moreton roads is more about buying votes than solving long term urban transport problems in Moreton and wider Brisbane.

"Numerous planning studies show that building new roads and tunnels makes congestion worse by encouraging car use. Pigs will fly before an underpass will reduce traffic. The $300 million would be better spent improving public transport in Moreton, and getting freight off the road and onto rail," said Ms Waters.

"Public transport in Moreton and wider Brisbane needs an overhaul. We need a light rail system like the Greens proposed in September this year, and more buses on routes that people use," said candidate for Moreton, Emma Hine.

"Fourteen per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions come from the transport sector, so it is time the federal government funded public transport, not just roads," Ms Waters said.

"In this age of serious climate change and rapidly rising petrol prices, we need to be encouraging public transport use, starting by providing safe, reliable and frequent services.

"If public transport was cheap, reliable and more widely available, it could alleviate the demand for new roads or tunnels.

"This is also an equity issue. As the price of petrol continues to soar, people in the outer suburbs of Brisbane and in rural areas will be paying more and more to get around. It is government's responsibility to provide those people with cheap and sustainable public transport options.
"In the Senate, I will fight for federal funding for public transport throughout Queensland," concluded Ms Waters.