Brett Raguse (Forde, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was getting close to a conclusion before the debate on this bill was interrupted, but I want to go back to those statements about the issues of my electorate—its proximity to the capital city of Brisbane and the fact it is bordered by New South Wales. It is a Gold Coast hinterland seat, and I see the member for one of the Gold Coast seats sitting here in the chamber. We know our region has been underfunded, we know that we have a lack of infrastructure, we know that all of those things I have spoken about are serious issues.

My concern is that we now have to get some leverage in place to ensure that we can provide the sorts of facilities and the infrastructure that we require in that region, particularly the road infrastructure which then leads to the transport infrastructure. In fact, I was very happy to have Minister Albanese visit the region some time ago during the announcement about the area of Bromelton—the state development area I spoke about before. It is a major area for development. It will need an enormous amount of private and public investment, certainly in the road infrastructure. It is an area of great interest to the state and to the nation because it will be the largest intermodal port in the country. But at this point in time, essentially there are no major roads that service the area and no corridors have even been put aside. It is going to need an enormous amount of planning, but these bills are all about ensuring that through the road transport logistics industry and through all the users, the growth of that industry—which, in my region, will be a major amount of growth—and the fact that some minimal charges will be put back into the system will provide for the safe use of those roads.

I will continue to bring the issues of my electorate to this chamber, particularly when we have legislation like this that lends itself to allowing us to make better investment. I mentioned earlier in this speech the example of Duck Creek Road—and I will continue to use it. I know that the member for Dobell, who sits next to me, has on a number of occasions been aware that in an area like the seat of Forde—in south-east Queensland, close to the capital city—the level of infrastructure has been very poor. This is one small part that will go towards the transport logistics side of providing infrastructure. Our work with local governments, our Building Australia Fund and Infrastructure Australia will certainly allow us, as a government, to achieve.

Mr Deputy Speaker Scott, I know your area. I have heard you speak many times about the lack of infrastructure in transport logistics. I am sure that this is a start, to have a piece of legislation that will allow us to roll money back into areas of need and priority, particularly if it is for the safe use of roads and if it is in the interests of the public as well as the industry who use those highways. With that, I commend these bills to the House.

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