Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has committed to provide $112 million to help build Stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, and $200 million for Canberra Light Rail Stage 2.
With under nine weeks until the federal election, Shorten made the light rail commitments as part of Labor’s plan to tackle congestion.
“The Coalition has been more focused on its internal battles than on delivering the services that make life easier for people,” Shorten said on Monday. “We will invest in the rail and road projects that will help people get out of traffic jams and home sooner to their families.”
Stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project would see the existing line extended south from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.
Stage 2 of the Canberra Light Rail program would build a link from Civic, in Canberra’s centre, to Woden, a town centre to the south.
Shadow transport and infrastructure minister Anthony Albanese said the investment would be crucial to managing traffic congestion he said not only erodes quality of life, but the economy.
“It’s acting as a hand brake on productivity and economic growth,” Albanese said. “To build a stronger economy we need to reduce traffic congestion right around the nation and supporting better public transport to get cars off the road is a critical part of that.”