Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray reported later that WA Premier Colin Barnett said the project would go ahead — after pressure from him and the Opposition Leader Eric Ripper.

“However, I have heard it before and I’ll no doubt hear it again,” Mr Murray said. “I’ll believe it when I see the first earthworks occurring on the road.

“Despite repeated int-erjections from me, no firm information was forthcoming from the Government.

“Mr Barnett hasn’t explained why the funding for the project was removed from the previous Labor government’s forward estimates, nor has he explained the timing of the upgrade or where the funding will come from,” he said.

A spokesman for Transport Minister Simon O’Brien later said Mr Murray’s claims that Labor had previously set money aside in its forward estimates for the project were wrong.

“There was no capital works funding for Coalfields Highway in Lab-or’s last budget and forward estimates,” he said.“I am sure the former treasurer Eric Ripper has a copy of his 2008-09 budget he can share with Mr Murray.

“Coalfields Highway was clearly not on Labor’s agenda. Mr Murray should come clean with the people of his electorate and apologise for Labor’s eight wasted years and lack of investment in regional WA.”

The Liberal-National Government would honour its Coalfields Highway commitment, he said.