One of the first things Kevin Rudd did when he became leader of Federal Labor last year, was to fly to Townsville and announce a $95 million dollar funding pledge to get the Port Access Road underway. 

This announcement was a result of lobbying from Federal Labor Candidate for Herbert, George Colbran, after Liberal MP Peter Lindsay said it wasn’t on his radar, opting instead to lobby for an upgrade to the southern entrance to Townsville. 

Days after Kevin Rudd made the announcement he was attacked by the Government, with Nick Minchin saying: “It was an irresponsible promise that would damage Australia's reputation as a stable and well-managed economy.” Nick Minchin Press Release 19/12/07 

Now after 11 years of neglecting Townsville and Thuringowa and just five minutes before an election, the Prime Minister has decided that Kevin Rudd and George Colbran have got it right.  

“The families of Herbert have every right to feel cynical about this tricky flip-flop from Mr Howard,” said Mr Colbran. 

“Families in Townsville and Thuringowa have been abandoned by the Howard Government for eleven years. 

“It’s significant that Mr Howard has decided to follow Federal Labor’s approach to fund the Port Access Road rather than support Peter Lindsay’s plan for a southern entrance upgrade. 

“Once again this shows how out of touch Peter Lindsay is and how little influence he has,” said Mr Colbran.