Australian PM unveils US$4.5bil highway upgrade as polls loom

Bumpy road: Albanese gestures during a press conference in Sydney. The PM says the highway funding is the single-largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway, which supports around 62% of passengers, freight and tourists across Queensland. — AP

BRISBANE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a A$7.2bil (US$4.5bil) funding to upgrade a highway in opposition-controlled Queensland, fuelling speculation that national elections may be announced soon.

The funding is “the single-largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway”, which supports around 62% of passengers, freight and tourists across Queensland, Albanese said in a joint media release with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.