Anthony Albanese’s $350 million pledge to ease congestion on Kwinana Freeway in Perth’s south

Drivers often stuck on the Kwinana Freeway are the target of a pre-election pledge from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who is putting up the other half of the $700 million cost of an upgrade to ease congestion. But the other congestion-busting project promised by Premier Roger Cook last week — an upgrade of the Erindale Road-Reid Highway intersection — has so far missed out. Mr Albanese will announce funding for the widening of the Kwinana Freeway on Monday, declaring the project a priority to support future industry, including defence assets to support AUKUS and the future Westport project. “We’re working with the Cook Labor Government to build Western Australia’s future,” Mr Albanese said. “WA is an economic powerhouse, and we want to make sure we are investing in future job creating projects like Westport, while still delivering the immediate congestion benefits for commuters now. “This project will support jobs, improve safety and ease congestion for the 100,000 commuters who use the Kwinana Freeway each day.” An extra 20,000 vehicle movements are expected by 2031, but WA Labor has projected the extra lanes would add round 50 per cent capacity and could save drivers more than 10 minutes per trip. Mr Cook’s public request for an 80 per cent funding deal, pledged for Queensland’s Bruce Highway, has previously been rejected. On Sunday, Mr Cook said he would continue to ask for 50 per cent funding — at least — for Erindale Road in Perth’s northern suburbs, which has been labelled WA’s worst congestion hot spot. “Absolutely we’ll be asking them to do what they usually do, which is to provide equal funding for these road networks,” he said. “That’s the way our road funding arrangements have been for many years now.” Mr Albanese had promised to visit WA at least three more times before a looming Federal election, with growing speculation the poll could be held in April to avoid handing down a budget deficit. Asked on Sky News about the timing, Mr Albanese said: “The Budget’s scheduled for March 25.” Pushed on whether the Government intended to deliver it, Mr Albanese hedged his bets. “Well, it’s scheduled. We’re working through, the ERC met this week. We’re working through the proposals that will form a part of that budget,” he said. Both the PM and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are in Perth on Monday, and the Premier took the opportunity to press WA’s case and called on Mr Dutton to rule out any changes to mining taxes or the GST. “He needs to rule out that there will be no new taxes or royalties in terms of mining, he also needs to make sure that he rules in WA’s fair share of the GST,” Mr Cook said. “He’s the only person who was in the Scott Morrison cabinet who opposed WA getting its fair share of the GST.” Mr Dutton will stay in Perth to launch Liberal candidate Tom White’s campaign, aiming to win back the seat of Curtin from teal independent Kate Chaney.