The Minns Labor Government has again shown where its priorities lie – and it’s not with regional NSW. During Budget Estimates today, the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads refused to even acknowledge the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria, which has left western NSW cut off and motorists stranded. 

Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said it is clearer now more than ever where the Minister’s priorities lie.

“This Minister needs to change her title to Metro Roads, because regional roads clearly aren’t on her radar,” Mr Toole said.

Serious traffic disruptions have now dragged on for days after the Great Western Highway was closed indefinitely at Mount Victoria, crippling freight movements and leaving thousands of motorists stuck in gridlock.

During the hearing, Member of the Legislative Council Nichole Overall pressed the Minister on why she had not even made a public statement five days into the crisis.

The Minister dismissed the question, claiming it was simply “an operational matter”.

Yet the same Minister had no hesitation turning up to a photo opportunity in Sydney on Monday for the M12 motorway.

Mrs Overall said the contrast showed exactly how the Labor Government treats regional communities.

“This is a disgusting display of inequality between the city and the bush,” Mrs Overall said.

“If this road was in Newcastle, Sydney or Wollongong we would have received constant updates and every resource would be thrown at reopening it.”

“The state is effectively cut in half and the Minister is refusing to provide updates or even a timeline for the hundreds of thousands of people affected.”

Mr Toole said the situation is even more frustrating because warnings about the fragility of the historic Convict Bridge were raised months ago and ignored.

Mitchell’s Causeway also known as Convict Bridge where the damage has occurred was built 194 years ago for horse and cart usage. Now the same hand-built bridge is carrying modern freight loads of up to 50 tonnes along with thousands of vehicles every day. The Blackheath and District Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Department and the Minister on 19 December 2025, calling for a full structural investigation into the durability and remaining life of the nearly 200-year-old bridge.

The letter warned Transport for NSW must “acknowledge the real possibility of failure” given the structure was never designed for modern traffic loads. The request went unanswered.

Mr Toole said regional communities deserve transparency and leadership.

“The NSW Labor Government is leaving regional communities high and dry,” Mr Toole said.

“There is no timeline, no clear communication and no accountability.”

“Regional communities rely on this highway every single day and they should not be ignored.”