MICHAEL CLARKE [HOST]: You might remember last year that the federal government announced $9 billion for the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, looking at those particularly concerning areas of the highway where we're seeing high accident rates and major problems with traffic getting through. But you might be wondering what's happened with those various projects. Well, an update today from the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, who's in Townsville today. Senator, welcome to the show.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Good to be with you, Michael, and your listeners.

MICHAEL CLARKE: Tell us, what is the latest stage? I know that we've got a number of contracts being announced today.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: We do, and it's just the continual progression of that $9 billion that we're spending with the state government. So, it's a $7.2 billion contribution from the federal government, with $1.8 coming from the state. And this is about identifying those areas of the Bruce Highway that need the most urgent attention. So, I'm on my way out now to the Cape Cleveland-Bruce Highway intersection, which I understand has been one of those ones that's already underway. So I look forward to seeing progress of that, but also highlighting the fact that there is going to be 22 new contracts, and five of those are for construction and the other 17 are for design. So, it just shows you the ongoing work as we identify the areas of priority of where the Bruce Highway needs upgrades. So that money is a lot of money to be spent on the Bruce Highway, but the work is happening now and I think that's what locals want to hear most importantly.

MICHAEL CLARKE: Yes, it is a long list, and a lot of those projects are centred around the North Queensland area, and when I say North Queensland, I'm talking basically between Mackay and Cairns. A lot of those very specific, whether we're talking about replacement of bridges or we're looking at wide centreline treatment and pavement strengthening. The fact that we're just seeing design contracts at this stage, does that mean it's going to be a long wait for those projects to actually be done?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Well, it is about sequencing these and ensuring that we've got the labour supply and the businesses that are ready to do this. But it's also important to note that so far as part of this money, eight projects have been completed. There's 17 currently under construction, with more expected to start this year. So it is part of that ongoing work, and as the state identify the projects with the support group that they have in identifying which areas are of most need, we'll continue to be there as part of the federal government, providing that money. So, things are already happening, but it's important we keep that pipeline so that we're continually improving the Bruce Highway, because we know how important it is for north Queenslanders.

MICHAEL CLARKE: Of course, and these are areas that are so important for us to travel. They're long distances, as you know, as you travel around Queensland. It is a big state and transport is so essential, but it's also coming at a time, Senator, where we're wondering if we're able to do as much travel as we could in the past with the fuel concerns. And even today in the news, builders are warning that increasing diesel prices could see the cost of major public infrastructure projects blow out by millions of dollars, and they've included roads in that concern. Is that something that the government shares?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Obviously we're watching, like all Australians are, what's happening in the Middle East and seeing the impact that it's having at home. So, we understand that whether it be business, whether it be family thinking about the Easter holidays, the impact that this is having. The government is working around the clock to manage the challenges that we're facing. We've got another National Cabinet meeting coming up on Monday where we try and work constructively with the states. But we certainly understand the significance of this and the impact it's having right across the community. And as that conflict in the Middle East continues, we know that those effects are going to be spread right throughout the community. So, we want to do our best to manage them and work with industry, business and government to do that.

MICHAEL CLARKE: So, we're being a little bit - I mean, do we need to be realistic when we're looking at programs like the ones you're talking about today as to how they'll get done and when they will be completed?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Well, obviously, the current process that we've been going through has been working successfully. There's obviously a panel of tenderers that are ready to go for projects like this. So, I'm sure that we'll be doing our best to ensure that it's delivered in a cost effective way, because we want to see more work done on the Bruce Highway and we're getting as much value for money as possible. But we understand those cost pressures are going to be significant right across business at the moment, and it's something that the federal government are working around the clock to ensure we're getting the supply into the right areas and giving the power to crack down on those who are seeking to take advantage of the current challenges.

MICHAEL CLARKE: And when we talk about these 22 new contracts, with that being announced today, does that use up all of the $9 billion, or is there still more money to focus on other projects along the highway that will need to be done in the coming years?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Yeah, absolutely. This will be something that we'll be doing for years to come, so I thank people for their patience if they are caught up in roadworks. I understand how frustrating that can be, but we also know that improving the safety is so important for families, for business and for those people use the roads. So, it will be part of ongoing work for years to come, but we know that the Bruce Highway is obviously the beating heartbeat of regional Queensland, and we want to assure it's safe for generations to come.

MICHAEL CLARKE: We appreciate your time this morning, and welcome to north Queensland.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Thanks very much, Michael. Good to be with you.

MICHAEL CLARKE: Having a chat there with Senator Anthony Chisholm, who's the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and is on the ground in Townsville today talking about those 22 new contracts as part of the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program announced last year. But an update on a number of those works, and plenty of on the list. It is a very long list that involves areas around Bowen through to Ayr, Ayr to Townsville, Bowen through to Ayr as well, around Bluewater to Yabulu, Mutarnee to Helens Hill, lots of different areas where you're going to see work occurring over the next little while, design contracts being announced today for a number of those projects.