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| Title: |
A transport plan for Australia |
| Article Date: |
15 Feb 2008
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The federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese has written to the NTC requesting urgent advice on a national transport policy framework, including a national infrastructure plan, to support the establishment of Infrastructure Australia.
A national policy framework will be essential to keep people and freight moving efficiently as the transport task grows, National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos told a Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) business function today in Melbourne.
Mr Dimopoulos identified capacity constraints, climate change, safety, congestion, social mobility and skills shortages as key issues. A National Transport Policy Framework will ensure government policy levers for regulation, planning and infrastructure investment and pricing are all working together nationally to address those challenges.
“These are hard issues. There are no silver bullets. It will take genuine cooperation between States and the Commonwealth to make a difference,” he said.
“If we are to overcome the tyranny of distance, and support the sustainable growth of our cities, Australia’s road, rail, air and sea transport system – for passenger and freight – must be planned and operated as integrated networks.
Mr Dimopoulos said he was also encouraged by COAG’s commitment to address the nation’s infrastructure challenges.
“A lot has already been achieved in transport reform without a national policy and plan. Just imagine what we could achieve if we had one,” he said.
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