Michael McCormack MP - Acting Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Leader of The Nationals
Senator Matt Canavan - Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
Keith Pitt MP - Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister
Joint Media Statement
The Australian Government will deliver another $160 million to seal and widen priority sections of the iconic Outback Way, continuing its commitment to nation building and improving regional connectivity.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the additional investment builds upon a long-standing commitment to progressively upgrade the route, which links Laverton in Western Australia with Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory.
“A better Outback Way means better links between Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, improved travel times and operating costs, better flood immunity, improved access to remote communities and mining operations and a safer road,” Mr McCormack said.
“This latest funding builds on the important upgrades already completed or underway thanks to the Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government, including the Government’s $100 million 2016 election commitment, and a further $28 million committed under the Northern Australia Roads Program.”
“The Liberal-Nationals Government’s strong economic management is enabling us to make crucial investments in infrastructure such as this that will grow our economy and create jobs. Today’s funding follows the announcement of nation building projects already announced in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales in recent weeks.”
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said upgrading priority sections of the route would tackle reliability and safety issues, especially for heavy freight vehicles, while delivering jobs for local communities.
“This investment is about supporting vital industries such as mining, tourism and agriculture across the North, and the communities these industries help sustain,” Senator Canavan said.
“The Government will continue to work with the three northern jurisdictions to identifty sections of highest priority for upgrades, as we continue our commitment to develop the North and drive economic growth.”
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Keith Pitt said the Government was committed to investing in the North in order to increase freight efficiency, improve road safety, reduce business costs and ensure businesses were able to get their goods to market quickly and reliably.
“Today’s Ministerial Forum on Northern Development in Kununurra is an excellent opportunity to discuss future priorities for supporting the North’s growth,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Government’s ongoing infrastructure investment in projects such as the Outback Way are just one plank of a broader strategy covering priorities such as water policy, supporting Indigenous employment and driving economic innovation.”