I am pleased to announce I have appointed Anthony Albanese Shadow Minister for Cities to sharpen Labor’s focus on the importance of urban Australia to the national economy.
Labor will also create a new National Urban Policy Dialogue to contribute to the urban debate in Australia.

 

Cities are home to four out of five Australians and produce about 80 per cent of national GDP.

 

It is critical that governments focus on urban efficiency to drive the productivity gains that will create jobs and economic prosperity in the future.

 

It is equally important to deliver policies that will improve sustainability and liveability in cities, particularly with regard to reduced travel time for commuters.

 

Tony Abbott has no strategy for the nation’s cities.

 

Since taking office, Mr Abbott has abolished the Major Cities Unit, slashed billions of dollars’ slated for urban public transport and failed to convene a single meeting of the Urban Policy Forum.

 

His policy disinterest will lengthen commuting times and risk economic stagnation.

 

Mr Albanese, already Labor’s Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, drove a positive and successful urban strategy under the previous Labor Government.

 

He is perfectly placed to drive the policy process that will see Labor offers voters real answers to the challenges facing our cities.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

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