Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the planning for the Perth Freight Link is in absolute chaos,

(ii) the project is counter to current state planning priorities set out in 'Perth @ 3.5 million & beyond' which aims for renewal and infill of existing urban areas,

(iii) over 18 groups and three local councils are now part of a formal alliance against this project, and

(iv) no matter how the freight arrives at Fremantle Port it will be at capacity within a decade; and

(b) calls on the Government to commit to suspending federal environmental assessment and all federal funding for the project until such time as the Western Australian Barnett Government:

(i) publicly releases the business case for the project,

(ii) releases a detailed plan for stage 2 and 3 of the Perth Freight Link, showing how it proposes to build the road through Fremantle all the way to the port,

(iii) undertakes formal assessment and community engagement on those plans, and

(v) formally investigates all alternative options, including the Outer Harbour.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is absolutely committed to the Perth Freight Link project. It is a very important project for the Western Australian economy and the community in my home state of Western Australia. It is progressing as planned and construction will start early this year. The Perth Freight Link will provide the missing link in Perth's urban transport corridor by connecting the main industrial areas with the Fremantle port, reducing traffic times for heavy vehicles and improving the safety on arterial roads. The Roe Highway extension component of the project will also service any future development of the outer harbor.

The summary business case for the Perth Freight Link, which was released in December last year, details the significant productivity benefits this project will deliver. It is stated that the project is expected to deliver a 9.5 minute travel time saving for heavy vehicles travelling to the Fremantle port and a total of $840 million in vehicle operating cost savings. In addition, 2,400 jobs will be created to benefit the Western Australian economy. It is not the place of this Senate to make planning decisions on behalf of the great state of Western Australia.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have to take the bait. I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, you are entirely welcome to go down with the sinking ship, if that is the way you see it. To those residents who live in and around the impact area of this $1.6 billion white elephant that you signed off on without seeing the business case—

Government senators interjecting—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is $1.6 billion. There are now three local government areas—

Government senators interjecting—

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Senate needs to come to order.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is entirely indicative of the attitude of this government and the Barnett government. The Liberal Party is now completely isolated on this $1.6 billion white elephant. This project will not be going ahead. There are now three local government areas and 18 community groups in a formal alliance stepping up to stop this project. Not a dollar's worth of Commonwealth or state funds for the transport sector should go into proceeding this freeway project. The Perth Freight Link will not be going ahead in this form.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to remind senators that statements by leave to motions during discovery formal business should not amount to a de facto debate on the motion before us. The question is that general business notice of motion No. 738 be agreed to.