PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Mr GOSLING (Solomon) (17:11): Our government is building safer and more connected communities that are making it easier and cheaper for Australians to get around. We have a big nation. There are a lot of roads.

There are a lot more people taking bikes, which is a healthier option when it is an option for people in their communities, and I commend people who are doing that. But we need to make sure that the arteries going through our country work for communities, for industry and for every Australian. We are committed to improving road safety so that, when people are on our roads, they get home to their families safe and sound.

We are creating more connected and liveable communities whilst also reducing emissions. In the budget just gone, there was an additional $500 million delivered for the Active Transport Fund, bringing the total investment in active transport by the Albanese government to $600 million. That is nothing to sneeze at, given that the broader objectives are reducing transport emissions; improving those public health outcomes; easing congestion, particularly in the cities; and creating safer, more connected and more sustainable urban and regional communities.

There are two cities in my electorate—small cities by the big-city standard. But this is important not only to people that live in Darwin and Palmerston but to people that live in the regional communities of the Northern Territory as well. The projects funded through the ATF aim to improve safety for all road users by separating cyclists and pedestrians from traffic whenever possible and providing safer street crossings.

Labor recognises the important role that our local governments, our councils, play in identifying local infrastructure priorities and delivering projects that do improve community wellbeing and connectivity. The budget delivers an ongoing investment, and applications for the next round will be open to local, state and territory governments very soon. I encourage the local councils of Darwin and Palmerston, who are, in fact, visiting this House today, to apply for those rounds.

The Australian government is investing over $120 billion over 10 years in the infrastructure investment pipeline to improve productivity, resilience, safety and liveability for communities around the country. In the time remaining, I just want to quickly reflect on the importance of road safety in my community, Darwin and Palmerston. It is really essential.

We are doing a lot of work, particularly on Bagot Road, to address it. Thanks very much. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Aldred ): The time allotted for this debate has expired.

The debate is adjourned, and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.