URL:

http://www.alga.asn.au/policy/transport/ActiveTransport_Draft_5.pdf

Abstract:

The Australian situation Australia is confronted with a number of significant challenges in transport, climate change, liveability of our cities and public health, all of which require innovative solutions and national leadership. The Australian Government has traditionally played a strong role in developing the nation’s ability to transport freight across the country, investing heavily in road and rail transport that supports the nation’s economic development. But there has been much less emphasis on addressing passenger transport and community infrastructure, an issue that has largely been seen as a state/territory and local government responsibility. There are signs of change. For example, there has been significant support for local government community infrastructure (a large part of which supports physical activity and active transport), though this has been one-off funding largely related to countering the Global Financial Crisis. Nonetheless, the reality is that Australia is still well behind other OECD nations in the quest to achieve more sustainable, active forms of passenger transport. Australia needs—more than ever—a national, coordinated push towards public transport, cycling and walking as sustainable forms of passenger mobility.