Australia is a wealthy nation. The Australian Progressives believe that there is enough national will and wealth to develop a national infrastructure program.
Energy supply
- The Australian Progressives support increased funding to alternative energy research and development.
- The Australian Progressives support the restoration of rebates for domestic solar energy fed back into the grid.
- The Australian Progressives support means tested subsidy of solar hot water systems up to 25% of the total cost for new consumers with incomes less than $80,000 p.a and up to 50% for concession card holders.
- The Australian Progressives support negotiated industry subsidies for the establishment of solar and wind turbine farms established in regional Australia
- The Australian Progressives support policies to encourage the uptake of compressed Australian natural gas and the development of the natural gas industry to gradually replace petroleum-based fuels and to back up the transition period to 100% clean, green technologies.
- The Australian Progressives support the transitioning of coal out of the economy to be gradually replaced with green energy systems with natural gas back up.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to fund research into waste incineration technologies and systems for energy creation purposes
- The Australian Progressives commit to a review on Australian legislative bans on Nuclear and Related Technologies, and assessing the evidence regarding the inclusion of Nuclear Power in the Australian energy market.
Water supply
- The Australian Progressives support the exploration of options to build a water pipeline(s)/infrastructure from northern Australia to agricultural production areas of south eastern Australia and other parts of the mainland as appropriate.
- The Australian Progressives support the development of options to construct sea water purification facilities in each capital city
- The Australian Progressives support policies to subsidise the purchase and installation of domestic rainwater tanks in households earning less than $80,000 p.a. up to 25% of the purchase price
- The Australian Progressives support policy to invest in smart technologies research to improve water consumption for domestic and commercial applications
- The Australian Progressives support programmes that provide education and training for primary sector producers in efficient and effective water management
Agricultural development
- The Australian Progressives will enact the recommendations from the South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin System.
- The Australian Progressives support a renegotiated Murray Darling Basin Agreement to enforce tighter provisions to private water access and improved river flows.
- The Australian Progressives support the establishment of national education programs and producers for farmers on sustainable agricultural and water management practices.
- The Australian Progressives support an additional water consumption levy imposed on the Cubbie Station and similar sized water consumers to be used for improved water management practices.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to boost regional telecommunications and internet infrastructure to allow farmers to access and utilise innovative agricultural technologies.
Regional development and enhancement
- The Australian Progressives support the relocation of viable industries out of the cities and into regional locations.
- The Australian Progressives support the development of improved national transportation systems.
- The Australian Progressives support the establishment of a local government grants scheme up to $100m p.a for local government to bid for one off infrastructure programs, projects and services.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to ensure that mining profits are shared with rural areas via an allocation from a sovereign wealth fund.
Transport Infrastructure
- The Australian Progressives support the development of a new single-gauge national rail loop system, centred on a High-Speed Rail loop connecting all Australian Capitals: Brisbane-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne-Adelaide-Perth-Darwin-Brisbane.
- The Australian Progressives are committed to working in conjunction with State and Territory governments to align a national rail loop system with secondary rail development projects.
- The Australian Progressives support the expansion of a cohesive national roads system, the maintenance of existing roads, and the subsidisation of local and regional governments road maintenance programmes.
- The Australian Progressives support a significant increase in Commonwealth investment in urban public transport.
- The Australian Progressives oppose the privatisation of transport infrastructure and public transport.
- The Australian Progressives support the re-nationalisation of public transport previously sold off.
- The Australian Progressives support efforts to prioritise Public Mass-Transit.
- The Australian Progressives support the introduction of a congestion charge during peak hours in high congestion city areas modelled off other schemes worldwide.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to increase public transport convenience, quality and safety.
- The Australian Progressives support policies that aim to raise the percentage of children that walk, ride or take the bus/train/ferry to school.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to revive rail transport for regional goods distribution.
- The Australian Progressives support efforts to buy or build environmentally friendly and sustainable options for rolling stock.
- The Australian Progressives support the roll-out of autonomous/“self drive” vehicles and develop appropriate road rule and other legal changes to accommodate.
- The Australian Progressives support the standardisation of rideshare legislation with the aim to find middle ground with the professional taxi/hire car industry to avoid unfairly burdening one over the other.
- The Australian Progressives support efforts to measure, report on and set goals to improve air quality near major roads/most traffic pollution affected areas.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to modernise vehicle registration costs.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to reclaim road or parking space as the transition away from private car-centric transport progresses.
CSIRO and Universities
- The Australian Progressives will reform the CSIRO funding model to increase financial security.
- The Australian Progressives will increase funding for all research.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to develop commercialisation expertise to improve returns on investment.
New Industry development
- The Australian Progressives will create a new division in the CSIRO and set up a government Venture Capital fund to seed early stage and emerging growth companies in Australia based on their potential for success. All returns will be directed back into the fund.
- The Australian Progressives will develop government policy to provide technical and business support to help ensure success.
Defence Industry
- The Australian Progressives support maintaining a minimum of 2.75% of GDP for the defence budget
- The Australian Progressives support maintaining defence support industries in Australia, with support services and industries located in major regional areas – subject to security and defence operational requirements.
Space Industry
- The Australian Progressives support policies to build Australia a long term, productive, presence in Space
- The Australian Progressives support the establishment of an independent advisory body on space priorities and funding.
- The Australian Progressives support policies to develop Australian based orbital lift capacity.
- The Australian Progressives support promoting close working relationships with other nations developing their space industry.