Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (11:55): My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, or whoever might want to be responsible for this. Since their very recent installation the wire rope barriers along the centre of Fyansford-Gheringhap Road have been hit at least seven times. As we head into harvest season, large machinery and vehicles will inevitably continue to hit these barriers on this narrow country road. Will we only do something when a life is lost? Two days ago a four-wheel drive hit a wire rope barrier in Queensland tragically killing two children. These barriers cost lives, stifle agricultural enterprise and have cost the Victorian taxpayer half a billion dollars and counting. I ask the minister, whoever it is: when can we abandon the obsession with wire rope barriers and stop installing them on Western Victoria roads where they are clearly not fit for purpose and indeed dangerous?