Media releases

Additional fuel excise relief for month of July The Albanese Government will extend fuel excise relief for another month, making petrol and diesel 16 cents per litre cheaper versus normal prices for July, saving Australians around $11 per tank.

Levee wall to provide major flood protection boost for Mackay The construction contract has been awarded for major upgrades to the Pioneer River Levee system to improve flood protection for Mackay residents and businesses (on Queensland's central coast).

Upgrades coming to Bruce Highway and Buxton Road Intersection Work will soon be underway to deliver important upgrades to the Bruce Highway and Buxton Road intersection at Isis River, south of Bundaberg.  

$600 million boost fast-tracks major western Sydney road upgrades The Minns Labor Government is investing an additional $300 million in the 2026-27 NSW Budget to fast-track critical upgrades to Elizabeth Drive and Fifteenth Avenue, accelerating delivery of two of Western Sydney’s most important road projects.

Reappointments to High Speed Rail Authority The Albanese Government has reappointed Ms Jill Rossouw as the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) Chair, and Mr Ian Hunt and Ms Dyan Perry OBE as HSRA Board members. 

Electric truck fleet leads the charge for cleaner heavy haulage Australia’s biggest private logistics company is rolling out a fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks across Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide cutting diesel use, emissions and running costs on some of the country’s busiest freight routes.  

Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility progressing with expressions of interest The Cairns Common User Facility is a step closer after the Albanese and Crisafulli governments today opened registrations for expressions of interest from the private sector to co-invest in the facility’s delivery and operation.

$15 million uplift for regional airports Regional airports and aerodromes can now apply for grant funding through Round 5 of the Regional Airports Program, with $15 million available for vital safety and accessibility upgrades.

Newcastle Inner City Bypass fully connected in major project milestone Motorists travelling through Newcastle are a step closer to bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights and reduced peak travel times, with the Newcastle Inner City Bypass now fully connected between Rankin Park and Jesmond for the first time.

Brisbane Airport Master Plan approved I have approved the Brisbane Airport Master Plan 2026, paving the way for the next stage of the airport’s development.

It’s official – Western Sydney to open to passengers on 25 October and freight on 26 July 2026 After 15 years of planning, seven years of construction and a year of testing; Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first passengers on 25 October 2026.

Bruce boost: project milestones hit and 52 new tenders to be released The rubber is hitting the road along the Bruce Highway with major milestones from Gympie to Cairns as one wave of projects now underway and an additional 52 new tenders set to open.

Work powers ahead on Ballarat Freight Hub Work is underway on the $55 million Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub, a major project which will move more freight by rail and help reduce emissions while driving jobs and economic growth in the region (northwest of Melbourne).

Continued leadership for National Intermodal and Inland Rail boards The Albanese Government has reappointed Ms Erin Flaherty as a Non–Executive Director (NED) and Board Chair for the National Intermodal Corporation, as well as NED for Inland Rail Pty Ltd (IRPL).

New Bass Highway upgrades to start between Wynyard and Waratah Key parts of the Bass Highway are being made safer and more efficient, with work set to start on two projects at Detention River and Flowerdale in Tasmania’s northwest.