Regional MPs condemns Federal Governments proposal to cut regional road speed limits

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has criticised the Albanese Government’s proposal to lower default speed limits on unsigned rural roads, describing the move as “a surrender” of the government’s responsibility to maintain regional infrastructure.

The federal government this week extended consultation on the controversial proposal, which could see limits reduced to potentially as low as 70 kilometres per hour on many country roads. The consultation period has been extended by a further 14 days, with submissions now closing on Monday, November 10.

Speaking on The Country Viewpoint, Mr Pasin said he was “in disbelief” upon learning of the proposal, accusing the government of trying to disguise its failure to properly maintain Australia’s regional road network.

“This is a government that has basically surrendered its obligation to maintain our road network. Instead of fixing unsafe roads, they’ve decided to simply reduce the speed limits. Honestly, my initial thoughts were of disbelief — I couldn’t believe what I was reading," said Mr Pasin.

He warned that such reductions would have a devastating impact on regional productivity, particularly for farmers and transport operators who rely on unsealed rural roads to move goods to market.

“These unsealed roads are effectively the network that allows farmers and people in rural communities to get their product to market. We’re living through a cost-of-living crisis, and making it more time-consuming and expensive to transport goods is exactly the opposite of what the government should be doing," said Mr Pasin.

The Barker MP argued that the government’s focus on lowering speed limits “misses the point,” insisting that the real solution lies in investment, not restriction. “Drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles roadworthy,” Mr Pasin said.

“Government should be responsible for making sure the roads we drive on are car-worthy — and right now, they’re simply not.”

Agricultural advocacy group GrainGrowers also welcomed the extension of the consultation period, but echoed concerns that blanket speed reductions fail to address the root causes of road trauma. In a statement, the organisation said lasting safety outcomes require a multi-pronged approach, including greater investment in safer road design, maintenance, and driver behaviour programs.

In a follow-up statement issued after the extension was announced, Mr Pasin urged regional Australians to take part in the consultation process.

“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," he said.

Submissions to the government’s Regulatory Impact Analysis on rural road speed limits can be made via the Department of Infrastructure’s website until November 10.