Abbott to pledge $25m for Great Ocean Road OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott will pledge $25 million to upgrade Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road. A coalition government would provide $25 million in federal funds to be matched by $25 million from the Victorian government, to fund upgrades to prevent road closures that hurt the region's $2 billion tourism industry. "It's one of the most scenic roads in our country, an iconic piece of local infrastructure, and it urgently needs upgrading in order to boost the local economy and improve safety for motorists," Mr Abbott told the Herald Sun. The 243km road runs through the electorate of Corangamite, the country's most marginal seat. The Liberal party is hopeful candidate Sarah Henderson will defeat Labor's Darren Cheeseman. Mr Abbott has pledged road work to begin before Christmas if the coalition wins the September 7 election.