The 2011-12 Budget continues the rollout of the Gillard Labor Government’s record capital works program which is renewing and expanding the State’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure.

This coming financial year alone, we will be providing $585.4 million to progress a long list of large and smaller scale projects.

During 2011-12, work will continue on the following major projects (Commonwealth contribution shown):

• Constructing the South Road Superway – Federal contribution: $430 million;

• Targeted safety upgrades, including additional overtaking lanes and rest stops, along the Dukes Highway – Federal contribution: $80 million;

• Modernising and electrifying the Gawler Rail Line – Federal contribution: $293.5 million;

• Extending the rail line from Noarlunga to Seaford – Federal contribution: $291.2 million.

We will also continue funding a range of initiatives designed to make our highways and local roads safer:

• $4.7 million to eliminate another 25 dangerous black spots on local roads;

• $5.0 million for rest stops and the other roadside facilities used by truck drivers.

The 2011-12 Budget also provides $84.1million to assist South Australia’s councils maintain and upgrade their local roads.

Since being elected, this Labor Government’s infrastructure priorities have been about positioning the State to take full advantage of the next resources boom.

In a little over three years, we have successfully reversed the neglect we inherited and begun putting in place the modern, well-planned infrastructure critical to making South Australia even more prosperous and its economy even more productive.