The Australian Government has announced $70 million in additional funding towards upgrading Avoca Drive on the New South Wales Central Coast.

The additional funding comes on top of the Albanese Government’s $30m election commitment, bringing the total Australian Government funding to $100m.

The Australian Government will partner with the NSW Government to deliver the project.

The project will improve safety and reduce congestion on Avoca Drive, including widening the section between Carrak Road and Killuna Road intersections.

KYLE SANDILANDS, HOST: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, good morning.

JACKIE O, HOST: Morning.

KYLE: Nice to hear you. How are you, buddy?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy New Year to you both.

KYLE: You too.

JACKIE O: You too. Well, it was big news yesterday with the New Zealand Prime Minister resigning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Look, can I welcome you here very much. We haven't met before. But I've admired your work and your contribution, not just financially, but in raising debates, including the need to deal with health issues. We've just been through the pandemic, but we need to prepare for future health challenges, and the work that's being done on eradicating malaria and other diseases in our region is very important. And of course, climate change, my government was elected on the platform of taking climate change seriously.

HOST: It's the 500th episode of the Waterboys. Brent Costelloe, Blair Brownless and Cam Brown with you. And we've had some big name guests join us over our 500 episode journey. But we've arguably saved our most important for today. He's been part of our country's Federal Parliament since 1996 and last year became the 31st Prime Minister of Australia. It's my pleasure to announce that Anthony Albanese is joining us on the Waterboys. Prime Minister, good morning, and thanks so much for celebrating our special milestone with us.

MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: PM, good morning and happy Lunar New Year to you.

NATALIE BARR, HOST: Good morning, and welcome to Sunrise for the first time in 2023.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.

BARR: What exactly will Australians be voting for in the referendum?

BEN FORDHAM, HOST: Well, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is joining us live on the line for the first time in 2023. Prime Minister, good morning to you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.

JAMES VALENTINE, HOST: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us this morning. It is eight months since Labor won the Federal election and Anthony Albanese became the 31st Prime Minister of Australia. Lots of people texting us already with questions we want to raise. So, we'll get straight into it. Anthony Albanese, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.

VALENTINE: Good to be with you. We were just pointing out that it's the Year of the Rabbit in the Lunar New Year this year.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.

It is a solemn honour to be with you today. Even with the passage of 46 years, the anniversary of the Granville Train Disaster sits so heavily in the soul of the nation.

Six years after the NSW Parliament made its apology to the victims, survivors and first responders, I am grateful to have this moment to extend my sorrow and regret to everyone whose life was changed utterly and tragically that day.

One of New South Wales' most historic roads is set for an overhaul, with the Australian Government committing $100 million for safety works on Bells Line of Road.

The funding will allow for safety upgrades, such as overtaking lanes, making for a safer journey for the thousands of locals and tourists who use the scenic route between the Blue Mountains and Richmond each day.

Stretching from Richmond in the east to Bell in the west, the road was heavily impacted by extreme weather in March 2021 and subsequent bouts of record rainfall.