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A new national road safety campaign ‘don’t let a car change who you are’, funded by the Albanese Government, has launched across Australia today.

Driver behaviour is critical to improving safety on our roads and the campaign message of “Safer driving starts with you” encourages drivers to think about their own behaviour behind the wheel and reinforces the importance of driving safely.

The campaign reminds drivers that behaviour that is not considered extreme, like tailgating, speeding and mobile phone use while driving, all contribute to motor vehicle accidents and deaths on the road.

Improving road safety and achieving zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050 is a collective effort. That’s why this campaign is designed to build on the efforts of states, territories and local governments and encourage drivers to do their part in keeping our roads safe.

Road safety is always a priority and that is why the Albanese Government has been increasing funding for local roads since 2022 and acted on long-standing calls for better safety data.

We have moved to double funding for Roads to Recovery to $1 billion a year and since then over 2000 projects have been approved, 1390 will have started by the end of December and more than 690 are due to be completed by the end of this year.

That means more potholes are being fixed, more kerbs are being replaced, more roads are being resealed, and more grading and drainage is being done.

We are also increasing the Black Spot program to $150 million per year, and revising it so more projects are eligible, and at least $200 million per year is under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

The $2.9 billion Road Safety Program continues to deliver over 1800 projects, improving the safety of over 1,910 kilometres of Australia’s road network.

We have also reversed the previous Coalition Government decision in 2014 to freeze road maintenance funding for national highways, not only permanently indexing it but also back-paying the amount lost by the freeze.

Through our latest funding agreements with the States and Territories, we are increasing the road safety data collected in order to better inform responses to road trauma and the concerning increase in road deaths.

The Albanese Government will continue to prioritise road safety and hope that at this time of year, everyone will do their part by driving responsibly to ensure that everyone can enjoy time with family and friends.

The campaign and an executive summary of the research that informed it can be found at saferdrivingstartswithyou.gov.au.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Every driver has a responsibility to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on our roads.

“I urge anyone behind a wheel these holidays to reflect on their driving behaviour, and make changes to contribute to road safety.

“My Government is committed to investing in fixing local roads and will continue to make road safety a priority.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“We want families and friends gathered around dinner tables or picnics these holidays, not worried about loved ones on the road.

“That’s why the Albanese Government has increased investment in fixing roads because each dollar spent on a road is a dollar spent on road safety.

“We can each invest in our own safety by driving carefully, making the difference between getting to where we want to go safely or not getting there at all.”

Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm: 

“Any death on our roads is one too many, but unfortunately, we’ve seen an increase in deaths on our roads over the last 12 months.

“Our road safety campaign and the Albanese Government’s record investments show we’re committed to improving safety on our roads, but solving this challenge is a collective responsibility where we all play an important role.

“We’re all committed to reducing road trauma by investing in safer infrastructure and prioritising the collaboration between governments, industry, and experts, as we work towards keeping Australians safe on our roads.”

PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

The Australian Government can confirm that Australian citizens, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia.

The five men committed serious offences, serving over 19 years in prison in Indonesia.

We would like to convey our deep appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for its cooperation to facilitate the men’s return to Australia on humanitarian grounds.

This reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia.

The Australian Government has consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families.

The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.

We ask that the media respect the privacy of the men and their families at this time.

The Australian Greens have responded to Prime Minister Albanese cosying up to multinational salmon farming corporations on Tasmania’s west coast, saying he should ensure that salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour ends. 

“The PM and Peter Dutton are in a race to the bottom of Macquarie Harbour where they will find the Maugean skate on the edge of extinction,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Senator Nick McKim said.

“The big winner will be the profits of foreign salmon farming corporations and the big loser will be the environment and in particular the ancient Maugean skate.”

“Silly political games like this are driving an ancient species into extinction and destroying the marine ecosystem of Macquarie Harbour.”

“This is extinction politics, and Tasmanian salmon is extinction salmon.”

“Foreign salmon farming corporations are chasing ever bigger profits and Labor and the Liberals are falling over themselves to deliver, no matter what the cost to nature.”

“These are the same greedy corporates who now want to expand around Storm Bay and in other Tasmanian coastal waters, and plunder a recently discovered massive population of sardines to feed their toxic fish factories.”

“Salmon farming needs to be booted out of Macquarie Harbour and transition support given to the small number of workers impacted.”

Australians face soaring energy costs, record levels of hardship, small business insolvencies, and growing uncertainty under Labor’s renewables-only energy plan.

The latest analysis from Frontier Economics reveals the Coalition’s balanced energy mix, including zero-emissions nuclear power, offers a cheaper, cleaner, and more consistent alternative, delivering massive savings for Australian families and businesses.

The Coalition’s energy plan will save Australians up to $263 billion compared to Labor’s renewables-only approach – a 44 per cent saving for taxpayers and businesses.

Cheaper Energy Costs

Labor’s energy plan comes at five times the cost Australians were initially promised. This excessive burden is already being felt by families and businesses, with energy bills rising by up to 52 per cent and more than 25,000 businesses forced to close their doors in part due to skyrocketing energy costs.

In contrast, the Coalition’s approach integrates zero-emissions nuclear energy alongside renewables and gas, delivering a total system cost significantly lower than Labor’s. This means reduced power bills for households, lower operating costs for small businesses, and a stronger, more resilient economy.

Anthony Albanese promised Australians a $275 cut to their power bills, but instead, families are paying up to $1,000 more under Labor’s costly and chaotic energy policies.

Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ experiment is costing Australians five times more than originally promised, driving energy prices higher and small businesses to the brink.

Over 25,000 small businesses have already closed, and families are entering hardship arrangements with their energy providers at the rate of 560 per week. Australians can’t afford Labor’s costly energy policies.

Cleaner Energy Mix

Nuclear energy is the key to achieving net-zero emissions sooner. Under the Coalition’s plan, Australia will meet net zero emissions by 2050 – one year earlier than Labor – while generating fewer emissions beyond 2050.

By avoiding Labor’s unnecessary overdevelopment on pristine landscapes and farmland, the Coalition ensures a more sustainable and responsible shift from coal to zero emissions nuclear.

Under Anthony Albanese, emissions are higher now than when the Coalition left office, proving that Labor’s chaotic renewables-only agenda isn’t just expensive, it’s ineffective.

Our plan responsibly integrates renewables, increasing large-scale solar and wind capacity while protecting regional communities from overdevelopment. At the same time, zero-emissions nuclear energy and gas provide the reliability that Labor’s plan fails to deliver.

Consistent Power Supply

Labor’s plan will see 90 per cent of Australia’s 24/7 baseload power forced out of the system by 2034, leaving the grid vulnerable to blackouts and instability.

In contrast, the Coalition’s approach ensures retiring coal plants are replaced with reliable, zero-emissions nuclear energy, supported by renewables, gas, and storage. By 2050, our plan will deliver up to 14 GW of nuclear energy, guaranteeing consistent and stable electricity for all Australians.

A Better Path for Australia

Frontier Economics’ analysis leaves no doubt: Australians will be better off under our plan. We will avoid hidden costs, reduce unnecessary infrastructure expenses, and lead to lower energy prices.

Labor’s chaotic plan burdens Australians with a system that costs five times more than they were promised. The Coalition’s plan ensures Australians are not overburdened by unnecessary expenses or reckless policies.

Nuclear energy is at the heart of our plan, providing the “always-on” power needed to back up renewables, stabilise the grid, and keep energy affordable. Advanced economies worldwide are expanding nuclear programs to meet their energy and emissions goals, and Australia must not be left behind.

Only the Coalition’s energy plan delivers a cheaper, cleaner, and consistent future for Australian households and businesses while protecting our environment and securing the energy Australians rely on.