In a prepared state­ment, Mr Holden said he will make transport safety and infrastructure a high priority.

“The Liberal Party want to talk about the sealing of Yorkey’s Crossing but they don’t want to actually commit to doing anything,” Mr Holden said.

“I am absolutely com­mitted to fighting for making the traffic challenges facing Port Augusta a higher priority for the federal and state governments.

“The $55 million price tag for sealing Yorkey’s Crossing, the redevelop­ment of the “new” $188 million Port Augusta bridge or safer entries and exits on to and off the Highway One bridge should be an election issue this March,” he said, responding to a story in The Transcontinental on October 28 which quoted Liberal Stuart candidate Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

“I, like so many Port Augustans, cross the bridge five or six times a day each week and have noticed the greater flows of traffic.

“This is from heavy transport vehicles, locals, tourists and the army with its increased presence at Cultana.

“It stands to reason that this may increase the likelihood of accident.

“The Liberal candidate has stated ‘The Labor Party is certainly not going to do anything about it’.

“How would he know?

“He can’t speak for the Labor Party.

“But I can. And I have been pestering Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Patrick Conlon for months to implore him to make the sealing of Yorkey’s Crossing a greater priority,” Mr Holden said.

“I am most definitely going to commit to seeking a meeting with the Federal Minister for Infra­structure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Anthony Albanese) to impress on him the need to address the transport bottle-neck across the Spencer Gulf.

“This isn’t just an election issue for Port Augusta but ultimately a regional, state and national concern.