Albanese Kicks Off Election Year With $7 Billion Highway Pledge

The announcement comes as polling suggests ailing support for Labor.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to media during a doorstop event in the Gympie Region in central Queensland in Australia on Jan. 6, 2025. AAP Image/Russell Freeman

The Albanese Labor government has pledged $7.2 billion (US$4.4 billion) for upgrades along the Bruce Highway, a long highway network that covers the majority of the Queensland coast.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the promise on Jan. 6, saying the latest round of funding would bring the total Australian government outlay to $17 billion.