At least the Howard Government is still trying to hold the line against a cut in the petrol excise. In a choice between two evils, it is better to spend money building roads rather than cutting the price of petrol. And if money must be spent on roads, it is far better spent on secondary country roads, where there are no alternatives. Australia has a history of unconstrained, uncoordinated, unexamined funding for roads.
Governments are as shortsighted as the motorists to whom they pander.
In the case of Melbourne, build another freeway by laying more bitumen down the water courses and parkways. Build a tunnel. The motorist's itch must be scratched, irrespective of the cost. Similarly, there is a lot of blah about transport policy. There isn't one, unless it is to encourage cars at all costs.