PM Transcripts

Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts

Queensland continues to benefit from the Liberal and Nationals Government’s record infrastructure investment, with funding for major new projects to be announced in this week’s 2021-22 Budget, securing Australia’s recovery.

Key projects to be funded include:

• $400 million for the Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) Upgrades
• An additional $400 million for Bruce Highway Upgrades
• $240 million for the Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication
• $178.1 million for the Gold Coast Rail Line Capacity Improvement (Kuraby to Beenleigh) – Preconstruction
• $160 million for the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Packages 1 and 2)
• An additional $126.6 million for Gold Coast Light Rail – Stage 3
• $35.3 million for the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road Intersection Upgrade; and
• $10 million for the Caboolture – Bribie Island Road (Hickey Road-King John Creek) Upgrade.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said these projects will make Queensland roads safer, improve public transport, reduce travel times and support thousands of jobs across the state.

“From continuing upgrades on the Bruce Highway, to increasing our investment in rail on the Gold Coast - these projects will support more than 2,800 direct and indirect jobs across Queensland,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“Our record funding commitment is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this Budget demonstrated the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to investing in generation-defining projects right here in Queensland.

“These initiatives will enhance transport connectivity, underpin economic growth and help Queenslanders get home sooner and safer,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“We are backing Queensland jobs, we are backing Queensland businesses, we are backing Queensland to keep being its best self as the State helps drive our economic recovery.

“Our $400 million investment for the Inland Freight Route will transform the way freight moves across the State, all the way from Mungindi to Charters Towers, increasing productivity right through the Queensland economy.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects to map the economic road back from the pandemic, building the economy and providing certainty for business over the long term.

“The Australian Government will continue to invest in the Queensland economy in the coming years, through projects such as $178.1 million for capacity upgrades along the Gold Coast Rail Line from Kuraby to Beenleigh and $10m for the Caboolture – Bribie Island Road Upgrade,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Major projects delivered over the past year include the Mackay Ring Road – Stage 1 ($398 million federal investment) and the M1 Pacific Motorway – Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes Upgrade ($195 million federal investment).”

The Australian Government looks forward to working constructively with the Queensland Government to deliver this infrastructure, supporting jobs and businesses right across Queensland.

For more information on investments in Queensland visit Infrastructure Investment Program

^*Allocation of existing funding