That's the height of the safety railing at the Melrose Drive crossing of the Hume Freeway.

It offers little protection to a passing pedestrian from the 12-metre fall to the freeway below.

It offers even less to an unwary cyclist.

And sadly, as I have learnt personally, it won't deter anyone from taking their own life.

It is the only shared traffic and pedestrian crossing of the freeway on this side of the river and the only one in Albury/Wodonga that does not have a barrier limiting access to passers-by.

On August 15, 2018 Carolyn Wright drove from Thurgoona along the Hume Freeway until she reached the Melrose Drive overpass. Her husband Ken believes she was looking for the easiest access to a bridge over the freeway.

The outcome was tragic.

I'm aware of a young woman in a situation of hopelessness, suffering domestic difficulties and battling mental illness, who also attempted to jump from the overpass bridge.

On this occasion, it was only through the devotion of a support worker and a Good Samaritan that prevented another suicide.

I've spoken with police, mental health experts and people affected by these tragedies and many other near misses.

All agree barriers are needed to protect vulnerable individuals or even those who may be up to mischief - whether that's throwing rocks or other missiles at traffic on the freeway below.

A section of freeway that sees 30,000 vehicles every day.

It has the potential for a catastrophic accident with devastating and long-lasting trauma for all those involved.

I first raised this issue at a meeting in the Victorian Parliament last September with VicRoads and a ministerial adviser.

I was assured the matter would be investigated, that I would be kept in the loop.

There was silence.

By January, I asked the newly appointed Roads Minister to provide an update.

Again nothing.

In mid-February I provided the Minister with details of the most recent near tragedy.

In March I asked again, through the proper channels, for answers. We phoned her office and was told it was among their priorities.

There are still no answers.

I would have expected more from this Minister.

In Victoria in 2017 more than 600 people died by suicide, more than double the state's road toll.

It is a horrendous number.

More than double the state's road toll in the same year.

In 2012, similar concerns united the Albury community.

The NSW government, council, mental health workers and road and rail authorities bankrolled the installation of safety barriers at six similar bridges.

Collectively, those barriers cost $2.2 million to design, build and install.

In the greater scheme of things, this seems to be a trifling amount of money if it prevents another such tragedy.

But my fear is this Labor Government has run out of money.

That they have deferred their State Budget until after the federal election to protect their party's national campaign - to hide their woeful mismanagement and city-centric spending.

There will be precious little for our region.

All the cash has gone to Melbourne - to underground tunnels and pipe dreams.

This week on the parliamentary floor I called on the Minister to act decisively, to make this a priority.

It's not my way.

I prefer to work behind the scenes.

I believe you catch "more flies with honey than you do with vinegar".

In frustration, I told her that I'm tired of being stonewalled on this issue.

Last September the then VicRoads regional bosses suggested any decision on the future of the Hume Freeway and its bridges, entrances and exits was a two-year process.

I didn't accept that then and this week I told the Minister that I won't accept that now.

I don't accept that after repeated letters I still don't have a reply.

I told her this is one bridge.

One modest investment in regional Victoria that will save lives - that could have prevented the loss of a life only last year.

I will continue to rail against this Labor Government and its road authority over their lack of action but I want you to come with me on this journey.

I need your support. I want your ideas and collective support to bring about change.

Together we can make this happen.