Media Releases

NEW ENTRANT ON THE AUSTRALIA-US AIR ROUTE

I welcome today's announcement by Delta Air Lines that it will commence direct services between Australia and the United States - a development only made possible thanks to the 'Open Skies' agreement successfully negotiated by the Rudd Labor Government earlier this year.

EXTRA LANES ON BRUCE HIGHWAY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Motorists are experiencing safer and more efficient travelling conditions on the Bruce Highway north of Innisfail due to the completion of additional overtaking lanes just in time for the busy holiday season.

DISTRESS BEACONS SAVE LIVES!

With the holiday season underway, it is timely to remind you that if you are venturing into remote waters, or participating in recreational activities on the water, you must carry a distress beacon.

DOUBLE DOSE OF RELIEF FOR M1 CONGESTION AT MUDGEERABA

Premier Anna Bligh today announced funding approval for two congestion-busting, job-creating projects for the Pacific Motorway.
(Media release issued by the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh.)

AUDIT OF THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE RELEASED

Infrastructure Australia has now completed its preliminary audit of the nation's vital economic assets and compiled the infrastructure proposals for prioritisation.

EARLY FINISH FOR INGHAM FLOOD IMMUNITY UPGRADE

As north Queensland prepares for the wet season, Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today inspected the flood immunity improvements on the Bruce Highway at Ingham.

NEW AVIATION TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAM TARGETS RURAL AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIANS

A new $2.8 million facility will be established to train the highly skilled workers necessary for maintaining Australias state-of-the-art air traffic control equipment.

NEW C.E.O. FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

Today I announce the appointment of Mr John McCormick as the new Director of Aviation Safety and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

COASTAL PILOTAGE REVIEW RECOMMENDS TOUGHER SAFETY RULES

A review of coastal pilotage services in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef has recommended measures that will better protect these environmentally sensitive waters, including tougher rules for pilots and improved navigational services.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia is set to benefit from the Rudd Labor Government's $2 billion plan to invest in our national road and rail networks over the next 18 months and support jobs, families and business during the global financial crisis.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia is set to benefit from $2 billion that the Rudd Labor Government is investing in our national road and rail networks over the next 18 months.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW SOUTH WALES

New South Wales is set to benefit from $2 billion that the Rudd Labor Government is investing in our national road and rail networks over the next 18 months, including a $1 billion boost to double capacity on the Hunter Valley rail network.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $12.4 MILLION TO BRING FORWARD BRIGHTON BYPASS

The Rudd Labor Government will deliver $12.4 million in 2008-09 for the Brighton Bypass in Tasmania to allow this critical project to start in March 2009 or six months earlier than the previous schedule of late 2009.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN QUEENSLAND

Queensland is set to benefit from $2 billion that the Rudd Labor Government is investing in our national road and rail networks over the next 18 months.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS FUNDING BOOST TO ROAD AND RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN VICTORIA

Victoria is set to benefit from $2 billion that the Rudd Labor Government is investing in our national road and rail networks over the next 18 months.

$4.7 BILLION NATION BUILDING PACKAGE

The Rudd Government today announced a $4.7 billion nation building package to strengthen the Australian economy and create Australian jobs.
(Media release issued by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.)

ALGA CONSTITUTIONAL SUMMIT RESOLUTION

The Rudd Government has welcomed the resolution passed at the Australian Local Government Association Constitutional Convention, which concluded in Melbourne today.

BETTER AND MORE TIMELY INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AIRPORT COMMUNITIES

Residents living around the nation's busiest airports can now see in near 'real time' the exact location of inbound and outbound flights as well as the noise being emitted by those aircraft.

PACIFIC HIGHWAY SAFETY WORK AT SHARK CREEK NOW COMPLETE

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, and NSW Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, today welcomed completion of the Pacific Highway safety upgrade at Shark Creek near Grafton.

RUDD AND BRUMBY KICK-START WORK ON WESTERN RING ROAD UPGRADE

Six months ahead of schedule, the Prime Minister and the Premier of Victoria turned the first sod on the $2.25 billion upgrade of Melbourne's Western Ring Road.

PARLIAMENT APPROVES LEGISLATION THAT DELIVERS MORE RESTS STOPS, SAFER ROADS

I welcome Parliament's approval of legislation that will ensure all trucking operators pay their fair share of road construction and maintenance costs as well as fund measures which will improve safety for all road users.

GOVERNMENT REDUCES REGULATION FOR MARINE ENGINEERS

Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese today announced streamlined licensing requirements for marine engineers working on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

QANTAS

The Australian Government believes in an Australian-based and majority Australian-owned Qantas.

PLANS TO SECURE AUSTRALIA'S AVIATION FUTURE

New measures to preserve public confidence in the safety and reliability of air travel are at the heart of the Aviation Green Paper which I've released today.