$28M Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program

Written on the 14th of April 2009 by Australian Labor Party

The Australian Government will provide $28 million over two years for stage four of the Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the funding will provide much needed infrastructure projects in the region, including water treatment and storage, and roads and drainage projects.

  The Major Infrastructure Program has been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments since 1998. "The program has been essential in improving the health and wellbeing of Torres Strait Islanders," Ms Macklin said. "More than 60 environmental health infrastructure projects have been delivered over the past ten years. 

"This has been instrumental in significantly reducing the level of infectious diseases in the region. "The program is an example of how a concerted and cooperative commitment by the three levels of government can deliver real and sustainable outcomes."

 The Torres Strait Regional Authority has successfully administered this program.Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Desley Boyle welcomed the Australian Government's commitment to Queensland, which matches the State's contribution of $28 million over the next two years.

"This combined funding will help communities across the Torres Strait deliver important water projects, drainage and sewerage infrastructure that will improve environmental and health outcomes for these communities," Ms Boyle said."What today's announcement represents is the federal, state and local governments working in partnership to deliver real outcomes in some of our most remote communities."

 The Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, said the continuation of the Major Infrastructure Program will allow Torres Strait communities to have improved facilities."The Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program provides major health benefits, boosts economic development and provides training and employment opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders," Mr Turnour said.

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