The Turnbull-Joyce Government has announced plans to invest A$700m ($532.8m) to improve roads in Northern Australia.

The total amount has been committed under the Northern Australia Roads Programme (NARP) and Northern Australia Beef Roads Programme.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester has announced A$300m ($228m) in additional funding for Capricornia Michelle Landry.

"The Beef Roads Programme recognises moving cattle from the farm gate to market involves some of the longest and most challenging land transport distances of any industry, anywhere in the world."

The Federal Government announced an investment of around A$100m ($76m) to improve roads that are essential to cattle transportation and around A$200m ($152m) under the NARP to fund high-priority projects.

This builds on the A$360m ($274m) that was invested under the first tranche of NARP.

Chester said: “The Beef Roads Programme recognises moving cattle from the farm gate to market involves some of the longest and most challenging land transport distances of any industry, anywhere in the world.”

“The beef roads and NARP programmes will support economic development in the north by funding targeted upgrades on key roads necessary for transporting cattle, improving the resilience of cattle supply chains, improving safety, and reducing travel times, vehicle operating and maintenance costs.”

Chester further added that the Australian Government proposes to invest A$50bn ($38bn) in key infrastructure projects across Australia to achieve this.

The government is partnering with the Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia governments, which have proposed to co-contribute for these projects.

NARP and Beef Roads projects will be funded on an 80:20 basis.