Anne Urquhart (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

After a decade of neglect and underinvestment by the former coalition government, the Albanese Labor government is delivering record infrastructure investment to rebuild our regions and make our roads safer for all Australians. We're not just talking about change; we're actually delivering it. We understand that safe, reliable infrastructure is the backbone of thriving communities. That's why the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is undertaking a comprehensive consultation process, engaging with road safety experts, industry leaders, local governments and, of course, everyday Australians. We've committed to a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline that exceeds $120 billion, the largest and most sustainable infrastructure investment in our nation's history. This pipeline supports a program of nationally significant transport infrastructure projects across each state and territory, with a strong focus on regional Australia. As part of the 2025-26 budget, we allocated $8.6 billion under the infrastructure investment pipeline towards 22 new major projects that will directly benefit regional communities.

In Tasmania, we are investing $2.3 billion over the next decade to deliver transformative infrastructure upgrades across the state. This includes $628.8 million for the new Bridgewater Bridge, which officially opened in June 2025 and is already improving travel times and safety for thousands of Tasmanians who travel that every day, and $363.2 million for upgrades to the East and West Tamar highways, the Bass Highway and the Ridgley Highway.

When I talk about highways, I also talk about these roads that are in regional Tasmania. Many of them are in the area that I represent. There is $150 million to duplicate the Tasman Highway causeways, easing congestion and improving safety; $100 million for safety improvements to the iconic Great Eastern Drive; $82 million to expand the bulk minerals export facility at the Burnie port, supporting regional export and jobs; $80 million for bridge and road pavement replacements across the state; and $80 million for safety upgrades to the Lyell Highway, a vital route for those commuting to the west coast communities. In addition, the 2025-26 budget committed a further $345.2 million to seven new projects, which include improvements to the Ridgley Highway, another corridor to the west coast of Tasmania.

We're also backing Braddon's communities and industries by increasing support through the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, our highway to the mainland. The Albanese Labor government has boosted TFES assistance by 25 per cent, delivering additional funding over the next two years. This targeted investment will help reduce freight costs for local producers, manufacturers and exporters, making it easier for Braddon businesses to compete, to grow and to create jobs.

In the electorate of Braddon, which I represent, we're seeing real results on the ground. Under phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, eight local councils in Braddon received over $4 million to deliver priority road and community infrastructure projects: Central Coast Council, nearly $800,000; Circular Head Council, over $800,000; the city of Burnie, almost $500,000; Devonport City Council, over $500,000; King Island Council, over $400,000; Latrobe Council, over $300,000; Waratah-Wynyard Council, over $500,000; and the West Coast Council, over 300,000. These are rural, regional and remote areas in north-west Tasmania. Through the Black Spots Program, we're delivering $685,000 to improve dangerous intersections in Braddon and, under the Better Active Transport grant program, we're funding $1.27 million for stages 3 and 4 of the Spreyton connector in Devonport and $192,000 for the Wynyard to Smithton shared user trail feasibility study, supporting active transport and tourism.

Across the country, we are delivering for regional Australia. We have increased the Black Spot Program to $150 million annually, and created the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program with $200 million per year to improve safety and productivity on local roads. We're investing in safer roads, stronger communities and a better future for Tasmanians and for regional Australia. We're listening to locals and delivering on our commitments.

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