Pasin claims speed limit drop victory

A SENIOR local politician says a decision to extend consultation regarding the lowering of speed limits in regional areas will help protect the efficiency of travelling in the Riverland.

Mr Pasin has been vocal on regional radio across South Australia in recent days and publicly called on (Federal) Minister (for Infrastructure) Catherine King to extend the consultation. The Government has now added another 14 days after initially allowing just 28.

“The government hoped no-one would notice their plan to slash speed limits on country roads,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Minister didn’t even issue a media release, despite promoting other consultations. But regional Australians have woken up to it and while we have forced an extension of the consultation period, people must now use this extra time to speak up.”

Mr Pasin said reducing speed limits from 100km/h to as low as 70km/h is an “outrageous, lazy solution” that will hurt regional productivity rather than fix the real problem.

“Across Barker and across regional Australia, poor road conditions are the issue — not the speed limits,” Mr Pasin said.

“Local councils want to make their roads safer, but they’ve been starved of funds. Instead of fixing potholes, shoulders, intersections and line markings, Labor wants to put up a new speed sign and pretend that’s safety. It’s absurd.”

Mr Pasin said regional Australia must now speak with one voice.

“I strongly encourage every farmer, every truckie, every small business owner and every country motorist to make a submission. Tell this Government to fix the roads — don’t punish regional communities for their own funding failures.”

The consultation now closes Monday, November 10.

Submissions can be made by visiting the website (www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/regulatory-impact-analysis-reduce-open-road-default-speed-limit).