Backbencher

It appears that Australia suffers many of the same ills as government in the US does. This news article (National News) states that 200,000 dollars has been diverted from Victoria's roads where it was originally allocated to other recipients. Sometimes that seems to be the only function of government, to take money from one groups pockets and redirect it into another groups pocket. Needless to say, there is a great deal of public outcry, any roadwork done will have to be paid for anyway, and the benefactors of the redirection of finance aren't the ones who expected it. The money has largely been reallocated to projects outside of Victoria, both road and rail projects alike. The general outcry seems to be that residents of Victoria are being punished over a broken promise by some political entity that tolls should not be imposed on roads. Western Australia, Queensland, and NSW are all scheduled to be benefactors of the reallocation of funds.

Transport Minister Warren Truss is refusing to comment, citing that it is innapopriate for him to do so. Politically unpopular with somebody or else another no matter which side he takes, I can readily see why he would choose to say nothing.