Australia is investing in a superfast broadband network that will help transform the Australian economy and allow us to take advantage of the global recovery. The network, built in partnership with the private sector, will be the single largest nation building infrastructure project in Australian history.
The Government is stimulating economic activity through increased investment in critical social infrastructure. An additional $17.9 billion is being spent in the areas of health and education. This builds on the Government's investment in social housing and local community infrastructure. These initiatives will support jobs today as well as build economic capacity and improve amenities for future generations.
Investing in healthcare
In 2008‑09, the Government established the Health and Hospitals Fund to provide for capital investment in health facilities. This Budget will make the first investments from the Fund.
In all, the Government is committing $3.2 billion in hospital infrastructure, cancer care and translational medical research.
This package will improve health infrastructure and lead to improved health outcomes. By focusing efforts on infrastructure investment, the funding will support increased employment and increased economic activity.
Building the Education Revolution
The Government has announced a $14.7 billion long‑term investment in Australian schools as part of the Nation Building and Jobs Plan.
Social housing
The Government is investing $6.4 billion in social housing for the construction of 20,000 new social housing dwellings and repairs to existing public housing. This is in addition to the $400 million provided under the National Partnership on Social Housing.
The Government is also providing an additional $1.9 billion over 10 years (a total investment of $5.5 billion including existing resources) in the Remote Indigenous Housing National
Partnership to address overcrowding, homelessness and poor housing conditions in remote Indigenous communities.
Local community infrastructure
The Government will invest $800 million over 2008‑09 and 2009‑10 to improve local community infrastructure.
Through the Community Infrastructure Program, the Government is improving job opportunities in regional Australia and enhancing the amenity of local communities and regional centres.
$250 million of the total funding has already been shared between all local councils in Australia.
Additional investment in social and community infrastructure