Month: March 2019

The Morrison Government will be getting the people of Perth home sooner and safer with a $96 million congestion-busting package that will transform parts of the city.
The infrastructure overhaul includes upgrading three road bottlenecks at Hazelmere, Alkimos and Kewdale; further widening of the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways and Smart Freeway infrastructure; and funding toward construction of a train station at Lakelands on the Mandurah Line.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the important thing was that people were spending less time on the road and more time with their loved ones.
“That is why we are investing in public transport infrastructure and removing pinch points and bottlenecks will make a real difference to the lives of people living in fast-growing suburbs,” the Prime Minister said.
”This will help families and businesses get back valuable time.”
The projects are funded through the Liberal and Nationals Government’s $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund and includes:

• $20 million toward extending Lloyd Street in Hazelmere to ease congestion caused by limited freight access to the industrial areas of Hazelmere and Midlands.
• $13.25 toward upgrading a three-kilometre stretch of Abernethy Road to tackle congestion caused by population growth and more heavy vehicles servicing nearby industrial areas in Kewdale.
• $10 million toward construction of Lakelands Station on the Mandurah Rail Line, filling a 23-kilometre gap in the urban rail network in order to ease pressure on the city’s roads.
• $2.5 million to bust congestion at the Shorehaven Boulevard/Marmion Avenue intersection at Alkimos, improving peak-period travel times and safety for Perth’s growing northern suburbs.
• $50 million to roll out the next section of widening of the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways and to implement Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to monitor and control traffic flows.

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said congestion was a growing problem across Perth and the Morrison Government’s Urban Congestion Fund would deliver a solution.
“The Urban Congestion Fund is designed to eliminate congestion issues where they are hurting the most – not only the major freeways but the local pinch points which can provide daily headaches to commuters,” Minister Tudge said.
The funding injection builds on the Government’s $11.2 billion commitment between 2013–14 and 2027–28 toward transport projects across Western Australia.
This includes $2.3 billion for METRONET projects, a $944 million investment in the Perth Congestion Package, and $560 million toward Stage 2 and 3 of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road.
Minister Tudge said the investment in the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways would build on the Government’s existing commitment to widen and implement ITS on the Kwinana Freeway between Canning Highway and Narrows Bridge, which is currently underway.
“These investments are about managing the flow of vehicles onto, through and out of the freeway corridors to maximise the network’s performance,” Minister Tudge said.
Other key projects supported by the Morrison Government include various METRONET projects, upgrading the Tonkin Highway, extending the Mitchell Freeway and widening the Kwinana Freeway.

The Liberal National Government is providing $50 million for nationally co-ordinated medical research to improve the recovery of patients with a traumatic brain injury.
More than 20,000 Australians are hospitalised with traumatic brain injury every year.
In an Australian-first, our Government is providing dedicated funding for research into traumatic brain injury. The funding, over 10 years, is through the Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Mission will seek to better predict recovery outcomes after a traumatic brain injury, develop new technologies and identify the most effective care and treatments.
This nationally coordinated approach will bring together paramedics, emergency physicians, intensivists, neurotrauma specialists, neurologists, psychiatrists, neuroscience researchers, neuropsychologists and advocacy representatives from all states and territories to translate research into new treatments that work for traumatic brain injury, from mild to severe trauma to the brain.
This funding will give those injured and their families hope for the future.
There is a desperate need for options to better chart the patient journey following traumatic brain injury.
By addressing the unmet needs in traumatic brain injury research, we will be able to improve the lives of thousands of Australian children and adults.
Traumatic brain injury can arise from a range of circumstances – including concussion from sport, to more serious injury following a road accident or an elderly person having a fall.
Symptoms span a spectrum of severity, such as deficits in cognition through to vegetative states.
Patients can also experience lack of emotional control, poor mental health, disrupted balance and sleep disturbances. This can have long-lasting impacts on both patients and their families.
Some patients recover quickly and completely and others do not. This mission will examine factors including what interventions can improve the chances of recovery.
The lifetime cost of each traumatic brain injury in Australia is estimated at $2.5 million for moderate and $4.8 million for severe injuries.
This funding is further demonstration of our Government’s commitment to health and medical research – and how the Medical Research Future Fund is enabling unprecedented support to the Australian research community.
Our researchers already punch above their weight internationally, and the Medical Research Future Fund is ensuring that our best and brightest can continue their valuable work.
The Medical Research Future Fund will double Australia’s investment in health and medical research and further enhance our global reputation for research excellence.
Our Government’s strong economic management ensures we continue to invest record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.

The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments will ensure the Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport has a metro rail line in time for its opening.
The Prime Minister said his Government’s $3.5 billion rail package commitment would help bring the vision to life, alongside the commitment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government.
“Working together our governments are going to get this done,” the Prime Minister said.
“For years people have talked about backing the Western Sydney International Airport. For years people have promised more rail links in the western suburbs. We’re going to deliver both.
“Our plan for a stronger economy means we can make record infrastructure investments in Western Sydney unlike the Labor Party who would need to prop up their Budget with $200 billion of higher taxes on housing, retirees, incomes, electricity and small and family businesses.
“This project and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will drive economic growth for Western Sydney, boost jobs and housing and make it into a key hub of our city all as part of our Western Sydney City Deal.”
The rail overhaul is set to begin with the first stage of the North South Rail Link from St Marys to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis via Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The Morrison Government’s $3.5 billion commitment kicks off with $61 million for the Elizabeth Drive Overpass, an essential piece of early enabling infrastructure to ensure the airport is rail ready. The Morrison Government is fully funding Western Sydney International Airport with $5.3 billion, and has committed $2.9 billion to the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the construction of the rail line would bring together rail, road and airport infrastructure, all in time for the commencement of operations at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport in 2026.
“This will provide a crucial north-south rail connection for the people of Western Sydney and create a new way of travel for the community,” Minister Tudge said.
“It will contribute to the success of the airport and the businesses in the Aerotropolis in helping to bring Western Sydney to the world.”
The business case for the project is being jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments and is expected to be delivered to the Australian and NSW governments by the end of this year.

Thousands more people will spend their tourism dollars in the Geelong and Great Ocean Road regions thanks to an agreement between the Federal and State Government that unlocks the region’s visitor economy.
The $355 million Geelong City Deal is a ten-year partnership to revitalise the city and the broader regional economy.
The agreement follows a further $45 million joint investment in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan and Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Deal will turbo-charge the economic potential of the tourism industry, boost emerging businesses and ensure Geelong remains a great place to live and visit.
“The City Deal will be a game-changer for hard-working families in Geelong and the rest of the region, by generating an extra $1.1 billion into the economy and delivering nearly 1000 jobs every year.
“This is what locals have been advocating for – infrastructure that delivers jobs and supports business.
“I am pleased to have been able to work together with Sarah Henderson and Premier Andrews to reach agreement and get this deal done.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the agreement had locked in the delivery of the 1000-seat Geelong Convention Centre.
“We’ve fought long and hard to secure the remaining funding for the Geelong City Deal since we backed it a year ago.
“The Geelong City Deal will transform Geelong and the Shipwreck Coast, creating thousands of new jobs and attracting visitors from right around the country – and we’re proud to have led the way in delivering it.”
Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said he looked forward to further working with the local councils to deliver on the commitments under the City Deal.
“Today’s announcement supports the continued transformation of Geelong by leveraging the strengths of the city and the region,” Mr Tudge said.
“It means all three levels of government will continue to work together to align planning, create jobs and stimulate urban renewal.
“This will help make Geelong and the broader region an even better place to live in the future.”
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the Convention Centre would bring $350 million to the regional economy during construction and about $50 million each year once it is operating.
“The Convention Centre will support 270 jobs, boost tourism and drive new business growth in the region,” he said.
“The Deakin University waterfront car park site is set to be transformed to a valuable asset for Geelong and all of Victoria.”
The additional funding of $45 million brings the total Federal Government contribution to the Deal to $183.8 million with the Victorian Government providing $172 million.
More information is available at https://citydeals.infrastructure.gov.au/geelong.

Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) is set to become a reality, with the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments formally signing off on the project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the signing of the Heads of Agreement today, which sets out the strategic objectives, governance arrangements and information sharing processes for the $10 billion joint commitment.
Mr Morrison said the people of Melbourne and Victoria had been waiting far too long for the rail link to become a reality.
“For decades Victorians have talked about a train line to the airport. We are delivering it. In last year’s Budget we made a $5 billion investment in the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, it was the biggest infrastructure commitment in the Budget.
“Melbourne is truly a global city that deserves world class infrastructure. The Rail Link is part of our plan to bust congestion across the city, and get people home faster and safer.
“I’d like to thank the Premier and Minister Tudge who have worked constructively with me to land this agreement and bring the project closer to fruition.”
A project team will be established to drive the development of a full Business Case for the project, which will not only connect Melbourne Airport to the rail network for the first time, but also integrate it with the Metro Tunnel and the future Suburban Rail Loop, and pave the way for fast rail to the regions.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the Victorian Government is not wasting a minute leading the planning work for an Airport Rail Link that delivers for all Victorians.
“The Melbourne Airport Rail Link has been talked about for far too long – we’re doing the detailed planning and development work to make it a reality,” Mr Andrews said.
“By choosing the Sunshine route, we are ensuring all Victorians can benefit from the rail link, including people living in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. As we complete the business case, we’re also doing the work needed to deliver fast rail to the regions.”
Melbourne Airport is a key part of Victoria and Australia’s economic growth. In 2016/17, it handled more than 35 million passenger movements and by 2038, it is expected to almost double to more than 67 million, as Victoria’s population continues to grow and demand increases.
Melbourne Airport Rail Link will alleviate congestion on the main road connection to the airport, the Tullamarine Freeway, and unlock capacity for the growing population in Melbourne’s north-west.
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said following the successful widening of the Tullamarine Freeway, the airport link would bust congestion for generations to come.
“This is a critical project for Melbourne. It will make it easier for residents and make our city more attractive to visitors,” Mr Tudge said.
“When complete, someone in Pakenham, Frankston or Ringwood will be able to get onto the train and be at the airport in the time it would have taken to drive, but without having to worry about parking.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said this is part of the Victorian Government’s unprecedented pipeline of major transport projects.
“We’re building the Metro Tunnel, removing dangerous level crossings and getting on with the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.”
“This is not just about getting from the airport to the city – it’s about better connecting our suburbs and regions, so people have better services wherever they live.”
Planning and development of the MARL Business Case is already well underway. Rail Projects Victoria has engaged expert technical and commercial advisers for the project and ecological, traffic and geotechnical investigations have begun.
Early market engagement on the MARL attracted submissions from more than 100 local and global organisations. Further market sounding will be undertaken to assess equity partners, private sector involvement, financing arrangements and other matters.
A reference group including community, industry and local government representatives will be established to provide guidance and feedback to the project team as the Business Case is developed.
The State and Federal Governments have committed up to $5 billion each to deliver MARL. The total cost of the project is estimated to be in the range of $8-13 billion, with construction to take up to nine years and due to commence in 2022.
The Business Case will be delivered by 2020 and will assess station and procurement options, value capture and creation opportunities, and economic analysis of the recommended solution.

Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has claimed the publication of draft terms of reference for public consultation on a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect as a win for the disability rights movement and the greens, but said certain key elements are still missing.
This is not a moral awakening, but a government bowing to community pressure.Less than a month ago this Government voted against a Royal Commission again; today they have published a draft terms of reference which embody some of the key demands of disability advocates.
Senator Steele-John said he had expected redress would be explicitly mentioned in the terms of reference to provide future certainity for survivors, as it had been for Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“A clear pathway forward for survivors of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect must be included in any Royal Commission including prosecution, investigation and most importantly, redress,” he said.
The following line was included in the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission and similar language must be included in this terms of reference: ‘What institutions and governments should do to address, or alleviate the impact of, past and future child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts, including, in particular, in ensuring justice for victims through the provision of redress by institutions, processes for referral for investigation and prosecution and support services.’

“Now is the time for this government to engage with and listen to the community so that the terms of reference and execution of this Royal Commission are what disabled people need it to be, not what politicians want us to have.

“Finally, this government must stop treating disabled people as a financial burden.

“They must commit to covering the full cost of this investigation fromm the budget so that it can get underway before the election is called. Justice for disabled people must not be kept waiting whilst the government haggles over who will fit the bill.”

Submissions can be made here: https://engage.dss.gov.au/royal-commission-into-violence-abuse-neglect-and-exploitation-of-people-with-disability/