Parramatta, NSW – April 4, 2025
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Melissa McIntosh, has pledged a significant $1.7 billion investment into road infrastructure across the region, promising much-needed relief for residents facing chronic traffic congestion and rising living costs.
Speaking from Parramatta on radio with 2GB’s Mark Levy, Ms. McIntosh criticised the Albanese Government for cutting around $2 billion in infrastructure funding for Western Sydney, describing it as a “betrayal” of the community.
“People in Western Sydney are sitting in traffic every day on pothole-ridden roads, just a year out from the opening of the new airport,” she said. “This funding is about restoring what was taken from us and delivering the infrastructure people need now.”
The announcement includes upgrades to key arterial routes, such as Pennant Hills Road, Old Windsor Road in Blacktown, and critical roads around the new Western Sydney International Airport. It also includes an upgrade to Rouse Hill Hospital.
Ms. McIntosh, who was born and raised in Western Sydney, said the funding is part of a broader plan to address the cost of living crisis hitting local families hard.
“We’re proposing practical policies — cutting the fuel excise in half to save families 25 cents a litre, and reducing energy costs to support struggling manufacturers and households,” she said.
In response to concerns over population growth and its impact on local infrastructure, Ms. McIntosh linked the road announcement to rising migration levels, saying, “It’s all interconnected. We need infrastructure to match our growing population. And yes, Peter Dutton has made it clear we’ll ease migration pressures.”
On her role as Shadow Minister for Communications, McIntosh commented on the future of the ABC, after its chair, Kim Williams, called for more government funding.
“I’ve already had a constructive conversation with Kim Williams,” she said. “If we’re in government, I’ll ensure our public broadcaster delivers fair and balanced journalism and is accountable for every dollar it receives.”
While not committing to funding cuts for the ABC, Ms. McIntosh noted that scrutiny of all government spending — including the ABC’s $1.1 billion annual allocation — would be a priority.
As the federal election draws near, Western Sydney has emerged as a key battleground for both major parties. Ms. McIntosh’s announcement aims to appeal directly to voters in one of Australia’s most populous and politically significant regions.
“We’ve got to build more roads, more homes, and bring down the cost of living,” she said. “This is about delivering for the people of Western Sydney who’ve been left behind for too long.”
