Big broadband spend to be announced

Mr Howard says the government will make a major announcement on broadband services later this week.

This largesse comes on top of a reported $19 billion for roads of national significance and his opening of the $518 million Albury Wodonga bypass on Sunday on the NSW-Victoria border.

"One of the most important responsibilities of the commonwealth government is to provide infrastructure for the future growth and development of our nation," Mr Howard said in his weekly radio address.

Mr Howard is using every spending initiative to promote his Governments electoral chances as he tries to claw back a 10 per cent gap in the polls. 

"Later this week there will be announcements made which will greatly enhance the access of Australians to broadband services.

This is the initiative flagged during the sale of Telstra and announced in last years budget.

"These are but some of the infrastructure investments that the commonwealth is making.