The federal government expects to make an announcement on the future of the "black-spots" program before the end of this year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport John Anderson, who addressed the National Press Club today, says the government has just received a report on the program "that vindicates out decision to reinstate it after it was abandoned by Labor".
"In light of the report, the government is now considering the future of the program beyond June 2002. In the interests of certainty, I expect to make an announcement on this before the end of this year," he says.
At the same time, Anderson says the government is "pushing ahead" with rail reform and will continue to work towards developing "an efficient interstate rail system".
"Rail now accounts for almost 80% of the freight across the Nullarbor, and our goal now is to increase the success of rail along the east coast," says Anderson, who used the address to launch the
Stronger Regions, a Stronger Australia package aimed at providing an economic boost to the regions.
Anderson adds that the inland rail proposal is an "exciting vision" for rural Australia, given the market access and transport benefits it will bring for Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
"We will continue to provide a key facilitating role in the development of this important infrastructure project," he says.
Anderson claims the government already has reduced the costs faced by exporters, with its tax-reform package reducing costs by $3.5 billion a year, transport costs at their "lowest level ever in real terms", and the waterfront "no longer an international disgrace".
To read more detail on the
Stronger Regions, a Stronger Australia package, click
here.