Ballarat MP Catherine King was yesterday confirmed as the new Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
King had been the ALP shadow minister in the opposition under now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese since 2019 and held the job of parlimentary secretary in the infrastructure and transport portfolio from 2010-13 under the Gillard/Rudd government.
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been sworn in as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government," King said.
"As a regional person myself, I understand how much this portfolio can mean to the lives of Australians across our great country. Good infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity.
"Resilient and reliable transport is the backbone of the nation, and local government is the closest level of government to the community, delivering the services that Australians rely on.
"From the city to the country, I am determined to see this key economic portfolio play its role in helping to build a better future for all Australians.
"I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues in the states, territories and across local government to deliver the projects and the reforms that will make a real different to the lives of all Australians.
"Now, the hard work starts."
King was also a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 2008-10.
In the lead-up to the Federal Election last month, King was critical of the Morrison government's Aviation Recovery Framework saying that it didn't go far enough and reiterated the ALP's policy of creating a new aviation white paper.
"To continue the recovery of Australian aviation, and plot the opportunities for future growth, an Albanese Labor Government will follow in the footsteps of the last Labor government in creating a new Aviation White Paper," King said last March
"This new White Paper will consider as a priority:
- how to maximise the aviation sector’s contribution to achieving net zero carbon emissions, including through sustainable aviation fuel and emerging technologies
- the economic reforms needed to improve productivity across the sector, including addressing skills shortages, competition between airports and airlines, and charting a course out of the pandemic
- how to support and regenerate Australia’s general aviation sector
- better mechanisms for consultation on and management of issues like aircraft noise, airport development planning and changing security requirements."
King was first elected to parliament in 2001, having been an ALP member since 1993. She has been re-elected to the seat of Ballarat seven times.