Media Releases

TUMBARUMBA ROAD OVERPASS OPENS TO TRAFFIC

The Rudd Labor Government's $1.8 billion plan to convert all the remaining two-lane sections of the Hume Highway in southern NSW to four lanes by the end of 2012 has taken another step forward.

CERTAINTY AND FAIRNESS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS MISLED BY FORMER GOVERNMENT

The Rudd Labor Government will provide certainty for up to 86 not-for-profit and local government projects which were granted approvals but did not have formal contracts under the previous government's Regional Partnerships program.

HIGH LEVEL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AVIATION DELEGATION TO INDIA

Yesterday at a meeting with India's Minister for Civil Aviation, Hon Shri Praful Patel, we discussed the possibility of a high-level aviation and infrastructure delegation to India either later this year or early in 2009.

ASIA PACIFIC NATIONS TARGET AVIATION EMISSIONS

The nations of the Asia Pacific region have joined together to tackle aviation's growing carbon footprint, agreeing to set up a new high-level taskforce to advance pragmatic ways of limiting the industry's greenhouse gas emissions.

DELIVERING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE: ALSTONVILLE BYPASS

The Australian and NSW Ministers responsible for delivering new road infrastructure today inspected the Alstonville Bypass site on the Bruxner Highway following the federal Budget announcement of funding to start construction.

PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE DELIVERING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

The Australian and NSW governments today reaffirmed their commitment to the joint upgrade of the Pacific Highway during a Ministerial inspection of major construction work on the Coopernook to Herons Creek upgrade at Kew.

BALLINA BYPASS: DELIVERING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

The Australian and NSW governments today re-affirmed their commitment to the joint upgrade of the Pacific Highway with the official announcement of the start of preliminary site work on the Ballina bypass project.

GREAT DEAL FOR SA AS EXPRESSWAY GETS GREEN LIGHT

A fly-over interchange with Port Wakefield Road, a new interchange at Penfield and a 23-km bike lane will be delivered as part of the $564m Northern Expressway under a contract awarded today.

MEMBERSHIP OF INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

Today I'm announcing the eleven members of Infrastructure Australia - the new national body tasked with developing a blueprint for fixing and modernising the nation's transport, water, energy and communications infrastructure.

REVIEW TO DEVELOP NEW REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

The Rudd Labor Government today welcomed the House of Representatives Standing Committee's inquiry into our new regional infrastructure program.

$20 BILLION FOR NATION-BUILDING PROJECTS

The Rudd Labor Government has used its first Budget to make a substantial down-payment of its pledge to fix and modernise the nation's infrastructure.

TACKLING URBAN CONGESTION AND PLANNING

The Rudd Labor Government will partner with the states as part of its plan to unclog the roads of Australia's big cities, making them an easier place to live, a better place to do business and a healthier place to raise a family.

NEW DIRECTION FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

The 2008-09 Budget delivers a new direction for regional Australia, with a $176 million Better Regions program and up to $74 million for the Regional Development Australia network.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES SHARE $1.86 BILLION IN GRANTS

The Rudd Labor Government will deliver nearly $1.86 billion to Australia's local governments through financial assistance grants in 2008-09.

DOUBLE BOOST FOR TASMANIAN TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES

Programs to encourage growth and development in Tasmania are being increased and extended as part of the Rudd Government's 2008-09 Budget.

HELP FOR LEARNER DRIVERS AND PARENTS

The 2008-09 Budget will deliver $17 million over five years to an innovative road safety program which will provide more than 200,000 free driving lessons to learner drivers and their parents.

$20 MILLION GETS INFRASTRUCTURE REFORM ROLLING

The 2008-09 Budget allocates $20 million over four years to Infrastructure Australia to develop a strategic blueprint for easing bottlenecks and addressing the nation's long-term infrastructure needs.

$78 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Rudd Government will invest $78 million in nation-building road projects in the Northern Territory - including nearly $9 million to make an early start on election commitments.

$104 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TASMANIA

The Rudd Government will invest $103.8 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Tasmania-including $19 million to make an early start on election commitments.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR WA TOPS $402 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest $402.3 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Western Australia including $164 million to make an early start on election commitments.

FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOPS $277 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $277 million in nation-building road and rail projects in South Australia - including $86 million to make an early start on election commitments.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR QUEENSLAND TOPS $826 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $826 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Queensland - including more than $63 million to make an early start on election commitments.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR VICTORIA TOPS $497 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $497 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Victoria - including $51 million to make an early start on election commitments.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR NSW AND ACT TOPS $925 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $925 million in nation-building road and rail projects in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory - including $157 million to make an early start on election commitments.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT OF $3.2 BILLION DRIVES AUSTRALIA'S PROSPERITY

The Rudd Government will invest $3.2 billion in nation-building road and rail projects across the country including over half a billion dollars to make an early start on election commitments.

AUSTRALIA PARTNERS WITH EAST TIMOR ON AVIATION SECURITY

From today the governments of Australia and East Timor will work in partnership to improve aviation security in our region.

MORE MONEY FOR SECURITY UPGRADES AT REGIONAL AIRPORTS

I have agreed to provide more than $92,000 from the Regional Airport Funding Program for projects that will strengthen security at Burnie Airport and Illawarra Regional Airport.

MINISTERS SIGN OFF ON A NEW BEGINNING FOR TRANSPORT

The nation's transport ministers have agreed to put in place a single national registration and licensing scheme for Australia's 375,000 heavy vehicles by 1 July 2009.

NEW FIGURES: MOTORCYCLISTS 23 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED ON THE ROAD THAN CAR DRIVERS

Motorcyclists now account for almost 15 per cent of all road deaths despite making up only 4.5 per cent of registered vehicles in Australia, according to new official statistics.

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE LEARNER DRIVER TRAINING

The Rudd Labor Government will provide funding of $17 million to an innovative road safety program which over the next five years will deliver more than 200,000 free driving lessons to learner drivers and their parents.