PRIME MINISTER: It’s great to be here in Queensland with Premier Palaszczuk, her colleagues and the Deputy Prime Minister and our federal colleagues to be talking about a great partnership to deliver $1.3 billion of additional and brought-forward expenditure by the Commonwealth, together with over $600 million from the state government, to put a real boost into the Queensland economy. And what’s good for the Queensland economy is good for the national economy.
PRIME MINISTER: It’s great to be here in Queensland with Premier Palaszczuk, her colleagues and the Deputy Prime Minister and our federal colleagues to be talking about a great partnership to deliver $1.3 billion of additional and brought-forward expenditure by the Commonwealth, together with over $600 million from the state government, to put a real boost into the Queensland economy. And what’s good for the Queensland economy is good for the national economy.
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government has put commuter safety and reducing congestion at the forefront of its infrastructure agenda by announcing it will contribute an additional $46.3 million to upgrade the M1 Pacific Motorway at Exits 41 and 49.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government had committed $96.3 million to upgrade both exits under the $4 billion nationwide Urban Congestion Fund.
“Today’s announcement is another example of this Government working to bust congestion and deliver safer roads,” the Prime Minister said.
The WA economy will receive a $940 million boost from additional Federal and State infrastructure funding over the next four years.
A $868 million injection of Federal funding will increase total federal infrastructure investment in Western Australia from about $4.5 billion to about $5.4 billion over the next four years.
The Morrison and McGowan Governments have been working together to get more projects underway to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
DEBORAH KNIGHT: Live from Brisbane, from the River City, good morning to you, PM.
PRIME MINISTER: G’day, Deb.
KNIGHT: Now, before we look at the infrastructure spend, I want to ask you about the release of Australian Professor Tim Weeks, held hostage by the Taliban for more than three years. An enormous relief for his family, knowing he's being freed. Is he in good health?
A $1.9 billion road and rail package will boost the Queensland economy and drive more jobs, while getting people home sooner and safer.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hailed the historic deal which fast-tracks spending on a host of road and rail projects all over the State.
The Morrison Government will bring forward nearly $650 million in funding and provide more than $680 million in new funding, with the Palaszczuk Government committing $606 million.
SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE: Prime Minister, good morning, welcome.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, a beautiful day here in Brisbane.
ARMYTAGE: I'll bet it is. We don't have much, we don't have any of the detail yet on the exact projects, but we understand they are existing infrastructure projects that will be brought forward. Is this a sign that the economy is in a pretty bad state?
We are profoundly pleased and relieved that Tim Weeks and his US colleague, Kevin King, who were held hostage since August 2016, have been released by their kidnappers today in Afghanistan.
The Australian Government offers its deepest appreciation to President Trump and the United States for their immeasurable assistance and cooperation, without which we would not be able to welcome Tim back today.
We also convey our deepest appreciation to the Government of Afghanistan, led by President Ghani, for its invaluable assistance with this case over the past three years.
NICOLLE FLINT MP, MEMBER FOR BOOTHBY: Well, good morning. I'm the Nicolle Flint, Federal Member for Boothby and I am delighted to have many colleagues here with me this morning. Of course, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister Alan Tudge, Minister Mark Coulton representing the Deputy Prime Minister, the Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall, my state colleague Stephan Knoll the Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport, and James Stevens Member for Sturt, my colleague from Sturt.
Thank you Brendan for that introduction and in particular for honouring Brett, and remembering Bree.
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Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon Scott Morrison MP