The federal government announced $80 million this week for upgrades to the highway and several other roads in the south-west. It immediately challenged the state government to match the funding. The Labor state government responded by saying "we won't be lectured by Prime Minister Scott Morrison's minority federal Liberal government".

The state government then listed how much it is spending on road maintenance in the region without making any reference to funding an upgrade to the dangerous and dilapidated highway on which nine people have died and 109 have been seriously injured since 2012.

Politics giveth the opportunity and it seems 'pure' politics in the lead-up to the federal election in May taketh away.

Politics saw the highway upgraded from Geelong to Colac because it was a marginal seat the then-federal government was desperate to hold.

The Member for Wannon Dan Tehan brokered this week's $80m announcement on the eve of the upcoming federal election for the same reason, although pundits tip he'll be one of the few of the current crop of Coalition pollies in Canberra to avoid a thorough thrashing at the ballot box.

Given that, the Labor state government was never going to over-reach political logic and match Mr Tehan's cash and give him a win so close to the federal poll. A fact Mr Tehan knew full well when he made the announcement. And so here we are then, no closer to an upgrade of what is a goat's track, a threat to life and limb, a retardant for business and freight and a national embarrassment.

What can be done?

While The Standard will continue to campaign for the upgrade, residents of the south-west must write, email or phone their federal and state members and the Premier Daniel Andrews. A tidal wave of community concern is needed to wash away the stench of politics in this space.