In short:
Anthony Albanese says his government will cover 80 per cent of upgrades to ensure the 1,600km Bruce Highway becomes safer.
The $7.2b announcement marks the start of the PM's re-election campaign as he kicks off the new year with visits this week to Queensland, the NT and WA.
What's next?
The frenetic campaign focus will raise speculation Mr Albanese is mulling a shock election date as early as next month.
The federal government has announced it will fund the lion's share of $9 billion in Bruce Highway upgrades as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese kicks off his 2025 re-election pitch with a campaign blitz through Queensland, the NT and WA.
In what is expected to be the first of a series of announcements this week aimed at critical seats Labor needs to win or retain, Mr Albanese will on Monday commit Labor to covering 80 per cent of the cost of raising the minimum safety level of the 1,673-kilometre road.
The state's most critical transport infrastructure is notoriously dangerous, with an average fatal and serious injury crash rate of three to five times higher than any major highway in NSW or Victoria.
Fixing the Bruce Highway will take decades, experts say
Photo shows Truck travels down regional road.
"I've driven the Bruce Highway many times and I know the critical role it plays for Queenslanders, tourists and freight," Mr Albanese said.
"Today's announcement takes the total investment in the Bruce Highway to more than $17 billion …
"This is a special piece of highway. It's a dangerous piece of highway and it needs upgrading."
Mr Albanese's opening gambit for 2025 — a year in which an election is due to be held no later than May 17 — underscores the importance of the nation's northern jurisdictions to the coming contest.
Federal Labor is desperate to claw back seats from the LNP in Queensland, where the Coalition is riding high after last year's state election win.
In WA, the government is eager to retain the three seats it won in 2022 that helped Mr Albanese form a narrow majority.
While not entirely unexpected, Mr Albanese's early January campaign push overturns the traditional political summer truce that normally sees both parties refraining from interrupting holidaying voters until after Australia Day.
Mr Albanese is seeking to seize the Queensland public's attention early in the year (ABC News: Mark Moore)
Instead, Mr Albanese is seeking to seize the public's attention early in the year, repeating last year's effort that saw Labor dominate the summer headlines with its plans to redistribute the stage 3 tax cuts.
The early start will also fuel speculation Mr Albanese is planning to trigger an early election, potentially starting within weeks for a polling day in late February, though Labor strategists emphasise the prime minister has always vowed to go full term.
On the road all week, Mr Albanese is expected to begin his northern odyssey with two days of visits to the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Cairns and Mount Isa.
During the second half of the week, he will spend time in the Kimberley and Perth.
"This election is a choice between building Australia's future or taking Australia backwards," Mr Albanese said in a statement supplied late on Sunday.
"My government cares about Australians. That's why we are delivering cost-of-living relief while strengthening Medicare and investing in infrastructure, child care and dignified aged care.
"Over the next three years, we can work together to build on the foundations we have laid."
The PM again refused to be drawn on the timing of the election, saying only that he would not call it "this Sunday".
The Bruce Highway is notorious for the bad condition of its road surface. (ABC News: Russel Talbot/Facebook)
As the primary road link between Cairns and Brisbane, the Bruce Highway ties together major regional centres including Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville, covering around 62 per cent of the Queensland population.
Labor says $7.2 billion will ensure the road attains a minimum three-star safety rating, a system that tops out at five stars.
The government says priority sections include Maryborough to Benaraby, Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Bowen to Townsville and Ingham to Innisfail.
Money will be spent on installing safety barriers, wide centre lines, tactile line markings that give drivers auditory feedback, wider shoulder construction and increasing run-off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas.
There is also expected to be a focus on resealing and rehabilitating roads damaged by weather events.
States and territories to pay more for major infrastructure projects
Photo shows Machinery digs up the tram tracks along Glenelg's Jetty Road.
Labor's decision to fund 80 per cent of the Bruce Highway upgrades comes despite a push last year by federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King to force states into a 50:50 funding split.
"There were 41 fatalities on the Bruce Highway in 2024. There's been two fatalities already in an accident this year. And that's why this is a priority, that's why we're singling out this highway above all others to receive 80 per cent funding rather than the 50 per cent that is standard," Mr Albanese said.
Ms King said almost half the highway had a two-star rating.
"This historic investment answers the call of Queenslanders to bring the Bruce up to a three-star safety rating so Australians stop losing their loved ones on this road," Ms King said.
"We are providing a significant and long-term commitment to fixing the Bruce, and I call on the Queensland government to partner with us to get this done."
The Coalition's infrastructure spokesperson Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition had long campaigned for upgrades to the highway and welcomed the announcement, but was awaiting further details on exactly when and where the upgrades would be.
"We're absolutely committed to fix this highway, which is so necessary for not just regional Queensland, but indeed our export industries," she said.
Senator McKenzie said the Coalition had already committed to restoring federal funding for the highway to 80 per cent, accusing Labor of "cuts and delays" in recent years.
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said the Coalition had not settled its position on the funding and was awaiting detail.
"We want to see that it's genuine investment in upgrades of the Bruce Highway."