Media Releases

UPGRADE TO F5 FREEWAY MOVES INTO TOP GEAR

Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, and Federal Member for Werriwa, Chris Hayes, today announced construction work has started on the final stage of the F5 Freeway upgrade near Campbelltown.
(Joint media release issued by Chris Hayes, Federal Member for Werriwa and Michael Daley, NSW Minister for Roads.)

V AUSTRALIA TAKES VIRGIN FLIGHT TO THE US

Today I was pleased to be part of the celebrations for V Australia's inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, marking a new, more competitive era on routes between Australia and the United States.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $1.3 MILLION TO BUILD LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced more than $1.3 million for ready-to-go infrastructure projects on the Sunshine Coast, including a NEW walkway along the Noosa River, and upgrades to the main streets of Nambour and Maleny.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $720,000 TO BOOST LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR QUEANBEYAN AND JERRABOMBERA

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced more than $720,000 for ready-to-go local infrastructure projects for Queanbeyan and Jerrabombera, including upgrades to the Queanbeyan Showgrounds, Riverside Oval and the David Madew Oval.

FIRST SECTION OF WESTERN RING ROAD UPGRADE ANNOUNCED

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas today announced that the first major section to be upgraded in the $2.25 billion Western Ring Road project will be between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $5.7 MILLION TO BUILD COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN REGIONAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced $5.7 million to build community infrastructure across regional Western Australia - part of our investment to support local jobs and boost the local economy.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $4 MILLION FOR DARLING DOWNS COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced nearly $4 million to build community infrastructure in Toowoomba, Dalby and across the Darling Downs part of our investment to support local jobs and boost the local economy.

NEW AMSA BOARD APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCED

Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Lachlan Payne to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Board.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $5.7 MILLION TO BUILD COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN REGIONAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced $5.7 million to build community infrastructure across regional Western Australia - part of our investment to support local jobs and boost the local economy.

CONCRETE SLEEPER PRODUCTION A BOOST FOR JOBS IN GEELONG

New concrete railway sleepers are now rolling out of Geelong thanks to the Rudd Labor Government's $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network.

CONCRETE RAILWAY SLEEPERS FROM WAGGA A BOOST TO LOCAL JOBS

New concrete railway sleepers will continue rolling out of Wagga Wagga thanks to the Rudd Labor Government's $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network.

CONCRETE SLEEPERS FROM MITTAGONG A BOOST TO LOCAL JOBS

New concrete railway sleepers will continue rolling out of Mittagong thanks to the Rudd Labor Government's $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network.

CONCRETE SLEEPERS FROM GRAFTON A BOOST TO LOCAL JOBS

New concrete railway sleepers will continue rolling out of Grafton thanks to the Rudd Labor Government's $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $4.8 MILLION TO BUILD COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN REGIONAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced $4.8 million to build community infrastructure across regional South Australia - as part of our investment to support local jobs and boost the local economy.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES INQUIRY INTO MARITIME PIRACY

I have asked the Inspector of Transport Security, Mr Mick Palmer AO APM, to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into international maritime piracy.

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD & FIRE AFFECTED COUNCILS

Victorian and Queensland councils devastated by recent natural disasters will receive almost $74 million in Financial Assistance Grants (FAG) three months early.

V AUSTRALIA READY TO FLY THE TRANS-PACIFIC

I am pleased Australia's second international long-haul airline, V Australia, has obtained all its necessary regulatory approvals to commence its planned services between Australia and the United States from next Friday, 27 February 2009.

MITCHELL MAIN STREET COMPLETED

The finishing touches to the upgrade of Mitchells main street on the Warrego Highway have now been completed, delivering much-needed improvements for road users in south-west Queensland.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $659,000 TO BOOST LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN BROKEN HILL

The Rudd Labor Government has today signed off on $659,000 to build a stormwater retention basin, which will help contain water overflow during flash flooding in Broken Hill.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $4 MILLION TO BOOST COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN SYDNEY'S SOUTH-WEST

The Rudd Labor Government has today approved more than $4 million to build and upgrade community infrastructure in Sydneys south-west - as part of our investment to support jobs and boost the local economy.

ADELAIDE RAIL FREIGHT MOVEMENTS STUDY - SELECTION OF CONSULTANT

The Australian Government has appointed GHD Pty Ltd to examine rail freight movements to and through Adelaide and surrounding regions.

SOUTH ROAD NORTHERN PLANNING STUDY APPROVED

The Australian Government has given the go ahead to start a $4.5 million planning study to identify the preferred route for the north-south corridor along South Road between the Port River Expressway and Grand Junction Road.

CONSTRUCTION SET TO COMMENCE ON GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY

Work to widen and upgrade a 25 kilometre section of the Great Northern Highway will start next month - part of a $76 million plan to tackle traffic congestion in Perth's northern suburbs.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $1 MILLION TO MAKE MACKAY PLAYGROUNDS SUN SAFE

The Rudd Labor Government has today announced more than $1 million to upgrade and install shade structures in playgrounds in and around Mackay - as part of our investment to support jobs and build infrastructure in the region.

NEW MULGRAVE RIVER BRIDGE TO OPEN NINE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

The new $48 million Mulgrave River bridge should be open to traffic by April this year, nine months ahead of schedule, Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt announced today.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $899,000 TO BOOST LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN CAIRNS

The Rudd Government has today announced $899,000 for ready-to-go local infrastructure projects across the Cairns region, including playgrounds, community halls, and swimming pools.

ROAD UPGRADE TO BOOST SAFETY AND IMPROVE ACCESS SOUTH OF MACKAY

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister has joined Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt in Mackay today to turn the first sod on an $14.4 million project that will boost safety and improve road access on Mackay's southern entrance.

MAJOR WORK UNDERWAY BUNBURY PORT ACCESS ROAD

The multi-million dollar Bunbury Port Access Road is well underway, with work on the new road from the Bunbury Inner Harbour to the outskirts of the city reaching the major construction stage.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $1 MILLION FOR TOWNSVILLE LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The Rudd Labor Government has today approved more than $1 million to build community infrastructure in Townsville - as part of our investment to support jobs and boost the local economy.

RUDD GOVERNMENT GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO V8 SUPER CARS

The Rudd Labor Government has today approved $10 million to build a new V8 Super Car Precinct in Townsville.

RUDD GOVERNMENT DELIVERS $237,000 TO UPGRADE INGHAM CBD

The Rudd Labor Government has today approved $237,000 to improve and upgrade the main streets of Ingham.

UPGRADE OF DADDOW ROAD IN KEWDALE: WORK STARTS

A solution to the traffic congestion in and around the Kewdale/Welshpool industrial estate is now within sight, with construction set to start this week on a major realignment of Daddow Road.

MUDGEERABA INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS BEGIN

Construction on the $47 million Mudgeeraba interchange upgrade project started today (February 16), Australian Government Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese and Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt announced today.

ROUND 3 OPEN FOR AIRSTRIP UPGRADES IN REMOTE AUSTRALIA

Applications for funding under the third round of the Rudd Labor Government's Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP) are now open.

RUDD GOVERNMENT SECURES EXTRA $500 MILLION FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE - NO THANKS TO LIBERAL AND NATIONAL PARTIES

Today, the Rudd Labor Government has secured the passage of the $42 billion National Building and Jobs Plan which includes an additional $500 million for community infrastructure like sports grounds, swimming pools, community centres and town halls.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE NSW GRAIN FREIGHT REVIEW

The Rudd Labor Government's plans to create a more reliable and efficient grain transport network in NSW have taken another step forward with a call for submissions into the NSW Grain Freight Review.

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO STRENGTHEN SAFETY OVERSIGHT OF AIRLINES

Parliament has been asked to consider new measures that will strengthen the nations two key aviation safety agencies and their oversight of the airlines.

PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR SAPPHIRE TO WOOLGOOLGA UPGRADE

Planning approval has been granted for the major upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Sapphire and Woolgoolga.

SEALED ROAD LINK OPENS SOUTH WEST TO MOTORISTS

A major milestone has been reached for motorists travelling from Quilpie to Cunnamulla, with a $1.8 million project to seal the final seven kilometres of road to the Eulo turnoff on the Quilpie-Thargomindah road now completed.

ARRIVAL of V-AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AIRCRAFT

Today I welcomed to Sydney V-Australia's first plane: a brand new 777-300ER aircraft named Didgeree Blue.

$60M SOLAR FACILITY GIVEN MAJOR PROJECT FACILITATION STATUS

I have granted Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status to a planned $60 million solar manufacturing facility which has the potential to be the largest supplier of solar cells in the Southern Hemisphere.

VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS WILL KEEP DRIVERS ALERT TO CONDITIONS

Installation of an innovative project aimed at improving safety on the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Gympie will start this month.

KEY ROADS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL ROAD NETWORK

Seven key roads have been added to the National Land Transport Network.

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE FOR 8 MILE INTERSECTION

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese and Queensland Main Roads Minister, Warren Pitt, today announced that vital safety improvements at the 8 Mile intersection near Warwick would be completed this week after nine months of construction.

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS FOR PORT MACQUARIE

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, and NSW Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, today announced new traffic lights will be operational at the intersection of Gordon and Grant Streets in Port Macquarie from next Monday, February 9.

DARWIN AIRPORT TERMINAL EXPANSION APPROVED

Today I have approved the proposed $60 million expansion to Darwin Airports terminal.

BRISBANE AIRPORT DOMESTIC TERMINAL EXPANSION APPROVED

Today I've approved a half a billion dollar upgrade of Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal, a major infrastructure project that will create 6,000 jobs during construction.

AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Today, the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG) Steering Committee met for the first time to advance the partnership between the Rudd Government and local government and tackle the challenges facing local and regional communities.

TACKLING CONGESTION ON THE SYDNEY RAIL FREIGHT NETWORK

Today I advised Parliament that construction work has commenced on the 36 km Southern Sydney Freight Line, a project that will help clear the single largest bottleneck on the interstate rail network.

HOWARD GOVERNMENT SLASHED ROAD FUNDING IN ITS FINAL YEAR

New official figures reveal that the Howard Government slashed road funding during its last full year in office, despite record tax revenues from the mining boom and worsening traffic congestion within our big cities.

BLACK SPOTS, BOOM GATES, REGIONAL ROADS AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

The Rudd Government today announced $890 million to support Australian jobs by improving community infrastructure and safety on the nations roads.

VEALES ROAD INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Motorists using the busy Veales Road intersection north of Townsville are enjoying the benefits of a recent safety boost, thanks to the $48 million Woodlands to Veales highway upgrade project.

STUART BYPASS SITE OFFICE COMMISSIONING

Preliminary design is now finalised for the Stuart Bypass and construction of stage one will be completed by the end of the year, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt announced today.

NATIVE WILDLIFE ENCOURAGED AT TOWNSVILLE RING ROAD

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt planted a native tree today at the Townsville Ring Road project site to acknowledge the multiple environmental initiatives incorporated into the design of the landmark project.