Media Statement - 3rd November 2007
A Rudd Labor Government will establish an Office of Northern Australia with offices in Darwin and Townsville as part of plan to make sure the top end of Australia shares in national prosperity.
It will have an overarching role in coordinating policy across government departments and agencies to ensure Northern Australia is properly represented in government decision-making.
The Office of Northern Australia will help to ensure that a Rudd Labor Government’s policy framework:
- Encourages sustainable economic development to create jobs and support small and medium-sized businesses;
- Ensures environmental protection, securing the unique quality of life in Northern Australia;
- Improves the quality of life for families in Northern Australia; and
- Provides vital infrastructure to attract investment and create jobs for Northern Australia’s future, including through Regional Development Australia.
As part of its focus on the North, a Rudd Labor Government will also upgrade key transport routes in the Northern Territory and the North of Western Australia and Queensland including:
- $74 million for the completion of Tiger Brennan Way and $50 million over the next four years in community, beef and mining roads in the Northern Territory;
- $2.2 billion to upgrade the Bruce Highway in Queensland, including a significant investment for the Sarina to Cairns section of the road, which is the lifeline of North Queensland; and
- $160 million to deliver a $200 million upgrade of roads vital to the Pilbara mining and pastoral export hub of Port Hedland.
Federal Labor’s plan for Northern Australia also includes funding for important health, child care and community projects such as:
- Investing an additional $15 million in remote primary health and new renal services throughout the Northern Territory; and
- Establishing new child care centres in Darwin, Palmerston, Townsville and Gladstone – as part of our commitment to build up to 260 new child care centres across Australia in areas of need and on primary school and community grounds.
Too often, Northern Australia is forgotten by Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne; Federal Labor will change that view.
Pure and simple – this is about representing the people of Northern Australia and making sure they get their fair share.