Media Releases

COUNCILS RECEIVE $441 MILLION FROM THE RUDD LABOR GOVERNMENT

Councils and shires across Australia have received $441 million of federal funding for services and infrastructure in local communities, with around two-thirds of the grants going to rural and regional councils.

BETTER PROTECTION FOR AIRCRASH VICTIMS, LESS RED TAPE FOR BUSINESS

The Rudd Labor Government has been successful in its efforts to provide better compensation to the families of air crash victims, while also cutting red tape for industry.

GOVERNMENT DELIVERS ON COMMITMENT FOR TASMANIAN ISLANDS

The Government is delivering on its election commitment to extend the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to King Island and Flinders Island for intrastate sea freight.
(Media release issued by Chris Bowen, Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government)

TENDERS CALLED FOR LOWER HUNTER TRANSPORT NEEDS STUDY

Tenders have been called for a comprehensive study into the transport needs of the Lower Hunter Region.
(Media release issued by Chris Bowen, Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government)

NEW AIR SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES

New air services arrangements with the Republic of South Africa and Kenya will improve access to the African continent for Australian travellers and freight exporters.

CHANGES TO DOMESTIC SHIPPING PERMITS

Today I released revised Ministerial guidelines for granting licences and permits to ships that transport goods interstate between Australian ports.

REPORT OF THE AVIATION REGULATION REVIEW TASKFORCE

Today I have released the Report of the Aviation Regulation Review Taskforce.

$45 MILLION TO MAKE PRINCES HIGHWAY SAFER

The Rudd Labor Government will provide $10 million to fix another notorious section of the Princes Highway - the vital road linking the regional economies of southern Illawarra, Sapphire Coast and Eurobodalla.

NATION'S RAIL NETWORK ENTERS 'DIGITAL AGE'

A significant bottleneck on the main Brisbane to Sydney rail line caused by long outdated technology has been fixed, while new figures confirm the east-west rail corridor is going from strength to strength.

COUNCILS RECEIVE $441 MILLION FROM THE RUDD LABOR GOVERNMENT

Councils and shires across Australia have received $441 million of federal funding for services and infrastructure in local communities, with around two-thirds of the grants going to rural and regional councils.

APPOINTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATOR

Today I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Michael Deegan as the inaugural Infrastructure Coordinator.

AUSTRALIAN MARITIME RESCUE TEAM WINS INTERNATIONAL COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

I am pleased to announce six Australians have been honored with a prestigious international commendation for their involvement in the rescue of crew from the Pasha Bulker, which was stranded off Newcastle's Nobbys Beach in June 2007.

TRANSPORT: AUSTRALIA'S $46 BILLION INDUSTRY

Today I addressed the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics' (BITRE) 8th Annual Transport Colloquium and released the Australian Transport Statistics 2008 pocket guide.

BIG RISE IN COMPENSATION FOR THE VICTIMS OF OIL TANKER SPILLS

Today I introduced legislation into Parliament which will increase the maximum amount of financial compensation available in the event of a major oil spill from an oil tanker.

AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE START 'OPEN SKIES' TALKS

European transport ministers have approved a mandate for the European Commission to negotiate with the Rudd Labor Government on a potential 'open skies' agreement between Australia and the European Union (EU).

LAUNCH OF NEW AVIATION TRAINING STANDARDS

Today I launched the new Aviation Training Package which delivers for the first time Australia-wide standards and qualifications for pilots and other aviation workers.