Investing in Australia's future

Infrastructure is critical to building the nation we all want and the Albanese Government’s Budget investments in infrastructure deliver the best outcome for the Australian people now and into the future.

The Albanese Government wants infrastructure that leaves a lasting legacy. Our first Budget will honour the pledges we made to voters, while also managing the economy in an uncertain global environment.

The Budget takes an important first step in ensuring the Commonwealth’s infrastructure spending is responsible, affordable and sustainable.

We are delivering on our election commitments which takes the total investment in transport infrastructure in every all state and territory in this Budget at $55 billion over the forward estimates for new and existing projects.

Investment in NSW includes:

$300 million for the Western Sydney Roads Package
$5.25 billion for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport
$1.6 billion for the M12 Motorway

Investment in Victoria includes:

$2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop
$5 billion to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link
$447.7 million to the Gippsland Rail Line Upgrade

Investment in Queensland includes:

$586.4 million for a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway through Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs
$1.07 billion for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang)
$395.6 million for Gold Coast Light Rail – Stage 3

Investment in Tasmania includes:

$540 million to upgrade the Bass Highway, the Tasman Highway and the East and West Tamar Highways
$629 million for the New Bridgewater Bridge
$150 million for the Midway Point and Sorell Causeway

Investment in South Australia includes:

$60 million to construct on and off ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Road, which will reduce traffic on Brighton Road
$4.9 billion for the North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington
$164 million for the Strzelecki Track Upgrade – Sealing

Investment in Western Australia includes:

$125 million toward electric bus charging infrastructure
$1.002 billion for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (stages 2 and 3)
$3.7 billion for the Perth METRONET

Investment in the Northern Territory includes:

$740 million towards the Tanami Road and Central Arnhem Road
$332 million of funding for the NT Strategic Roads Package

Investment in the ACT:

$218.4 million for Canberra Light Rail – Stage 2A
$5 million for the Garden City Cyle Route to encourage active travel

The Albanese Government is spending $1.5 billion on the Freight Highway Upgrade Program to seal the Tanami Track in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as well as upgrade other nationally significant freight routes, including the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta Highways in South Australia and Central Arnhem Road in the Northern Territory.

The Government will continue to invest in the Outback Way in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, maintaining a total investment of $1 billion.

The Government will continue to partner with state and territory governments to roll out life-saving projects under the Road Safety Program, with the delivery of total nationwide funding of $3 billion to continue through to mid-2025.

The Government is also committing $26 million towards specific road safety grants over three years from 2022-23, addressing priorities identified in the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.

The Budget also delivers $500 million for the corridor acquisition, planning and early works of a Sydney to Central Coast and Newcastle High Speed Rail project following the introduction of legislation to establish the High Speed Rail Authority.

MODERN TRANSPORT FOR A STRONGER NATION

The Budget provides $60 million to deliver on our election commitment for a substantial runway upgrade to Hobart Airport and a further $55 million towards upgrading international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport, bolstering air transport links and economic opportunity for Tasmania and the Hunter.

We are also committing an additional $80 million to deliver Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas nationwide, supporting our hard-working truck drivers who keep Australia moving

In addition to progressing Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Government is taking action to reduce vehicle emissions. This includes:

Euro VI noxious emission standards for new trucks and buses, estimated to save the Australian community $6.4 billion over 25 years from fewer premature deaths and chronic illnesses associated with air pollution.
$14 million over four years for the Australian Automobile Association to test the on-road fuel consumption and emissions of cars, SUVs and utes sold in Australia from 2023 to 2026 to give consumers clearer information on how much a new vehicle will cost to run.

ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC FLEET

Australia is dependent on seaborn trade and many of Australia’s regional-based industries rely on shipping to move large volumes of cargo both domestically and internationally.

The Albanese Government will establish an Australian maritime strategic fleet that will strengthen our economic sovereignty and improve national security, made of up to 12 Australian-flagged and crewed vessels.

The Budget funds the taskforce which has been appointed by the Government to provide advice to guide its decision-making on establishing the fleet.

CONTRIBUTING TO REPAIRING THE BUDGET

Our first Budget takes an important step to make our infrastructure pipeline more sustainable and to ensure we don’t further strain a sector already facing labour constraints, inflationary pressures and cost increases due to supply chain challenges.

After discussions with the states and territories, some spending has been moved into future years when the market will have greater capacity to support elevated levels of investment.

The Government is also closing down the Urban Congestion Fund and cancelling a number of the Coalition’s most egregious commuter car park projects.

Opportunity and connection come from good infrastructure. Making good decisions now is critical to making sure no one is held back and no one is left behind.