Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

One of the most important roles of government is to properly plan and provide major infrastructure for communities. The Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Cost Benefit Analysis and Other Measures) Bill 2014 continues to build on this government's strong commitment to building the infrastructure of the 21st century. Infrastructure is a key to unlocking economic prosperity through enhancing the productive capacity of Australian industry and business. Infrastructure is crucial to the prosperity of regions across Australia, including the New South Wales Central Coast where for too long underinvestment in infrastructure has resulted in a decline in the quality of our road systems—at a time when rapid population growth has put unprecedented demand on our ageing infrastructure. Lack of investment also meant less opportunity for local businesses, particularly in the construction industry, hence retarding growth and creating fewer job opportunities. This is why this government is committed to building the infrastructure of the 21st century—the roads of the 21st century, the bridges of the 21st century, the rail of the 21st century and the airports of the 21st century. Through these projects, we are ensuring that Australia has the productive infrastructure required to meet future demand and the creation of economic opportunities.

This government's commitment was demonstrated through our first budget, in which we laid out a historic $50 billion infrastructure plan to deliver vital infrastructure across Australia's cities, regional centres and rural communities. From the city to the bush, it is more important than ever that we get our infrastructure priorities and planning right. Every dollar spent by the federal government must have strong justification. We must demonstrate the economic benefit of investing in major infrastructure projects and not repeat the mistakes of the former Labor government, which saw little return relative to financial outlay. As the Deputy Prime Minister said in his second reading speech, we are focused on long-term planning based on robust evidence based findings and a greater understanding of the critical issues facing Australia's infrastructure and land transport system. Moreover, it is crucial that the Commonwealth work in partnership with business, industry and the states and territories to deliver quality infrastructure projects based upon transparency and reliable, independent advice.

In addition to delivering the infrastructure of the 21st century, we are also ensuring that we have a strong, independent, transparent and expert advisory body when it comes to prioritising and determining new projects. The government has been quick to put in place a robust framework to deliver our historic $50 billion infrastructure plan. The Infrastructure Australia Bill 2013 sought to implement our commitment to ensure projects with a value of $100 million or more be considered by Infrastructure Australia, the intent being to give the public confidence that the government is investing in the right projects at the right time. Unfortunately, the amendments moved in the Senate removed this condition from the eventual legislation.

The bill before the House will amend the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 to clarify the legislative and administrative arrangements for Infrastructure Australia. In addition to the measures contained in this bill, new governance measures for Infrastructure Australia came into effect on 1 September 2014. These new measures will see Infrastructure Australia better able to demonstrate transparency and thorough analysis when prioritising projects and providing advice to government. Infrastructure Australia is implementing the key priorities tasked to it by this government, including the undertaking of an audit of nationally significant infrastructure, the development of a 15-year plan on infrastructure priorities, and the assessment of projects receiving government funding of $100 million or more. While such assessments have been the practice previously, the requirement for them will now be guaranteed by law. Importantly, the amount of $100 million will be indexed to ensure that in future years the relative cost of significant infrastructure is maintained.

The last element—the assessment of projects receiving significant government funding—is crucial if we are to avoid the types of mistakes made by the former Labor government, such as with their rollout of the National Broadband Network. The NBN is a perfect example of poor governance. The largest infrastructure project Australia has seen for decades was cobbled together over 11 weeks. It appears that those driving the policy lacked the skills and knowledge to manage the intricacies of a nationwide telecommunications project.

It was only when this government undertook a cost-benefit analysis that it became clear that the coalition's approach of using different technologies would deliver net benefits of approximately $18 billion in current dollars. Without that approach, the project would have been deemed unviable to continue. Labor's plan would have taken four years longer than originally advised, would have cost an additional $29 billion and would have resulted in an increase in consumer internet bills of approximately $43 a month. We are committed to delivering the NBN sooner, at lower cost to the taxpayer and, importantly, more affordably for consumers. This legislation will ensure that incidents like Labor's approach to the NBN rollout are never repeated. This legislation mandates that a project can only be listed in the Infrastructure Priority List if a cost-benefit analysis has been prepared.

Infrastructure Australia will also provide input and guidance on projects such as NorthConnex, which under this government is finally being delivered. I have been fighting for the M1-M2 NorthConnex link from the day that I became a candidate and have continued the fight for it as the member for Dobell. NorthConnex will not only benefit the people of the Central Coast and north-west Sydney, but it will have a flow-on effect across New South Wales. As a nine kilometre tunnel motorway linking the M1 and M2 motorways, NorthConnex will ease traffic congestion, particularly along Pennant Hills Road. It will enable commuters and freight vehicles to bypass up to 21 traffic lights, reducing travel time by up to 15 minutes. NorthConnex delivers more than just reduced travel times; it also delivers investment and jobs.

The major challenge on the Central Coast is the creation of local job opportunities to match labour-force demand. The New South Wales Central Coast is expected to grow by an additional 100,000 people by 2031, requiring more than 45,000 new jobs. For the people of Dobell who commute outside the region, not only will NorthConnex provide shorter and safer travelling options, less time in traffic and more time with their families but it will also provide job opportunities that to date have been unfeasible and unachievable prior to this government's infrastructure investment. We know this because we have undertaken a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis on this project. Substantial infrastructure projects such as NorthConnex are vital in developing a stronger and more prosperous economy to enable us to be more competitive, to be more productive and to raise our standard of living.

In addition to NorthConnex, this government is also delivering the M1 Productivity Package, which will see the widening of the M1 to six lanes between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges. These measures will make life for commuter easier and increase the productivity of companies reliant on the Ml to deliver goods and services, as well as making the journey safer for their drivers. Locally, we are delivering long-overdue upgrades to roads, sporting facilities and aquatic infrastructure to unlock the Central Coast's tourism capabilities. Dobell will benefit from this government's commitment to build the infrastructure of the 21st century with $8.55 million for local infrastructure projects. Importantly, this investment enhances our local economy, drives job growth and encourages greater investment in our region. This government is working closely with local government to deliver vital upgrades to local roads.

Since the election, I have been engaging with my local community. I have been asking them to identify their biggest local issues and overwhelmingly the response has been about substandard local roads. By virtue of rate pegging in New South Wales, we have seen local government struggle to keep pace with the need to upgrade local roads. During the current financial year, the federal government will provide over $23 million to Central Coast local councils, which is to be spent on local priorities. High on this list is the upgrade and renewal of our local roads system.

As identified in our growth plan for the Central Coast, the importance of improving local transport connections is critical to accommodating Dobell's strong population growth. This provides the community with access to employment, facilities and services. In addition to the general grants provided to Wyong and Gosford's local councils, we are investing a further $2.75 million to enhance the safety and quality of local roads. This investment will afford motorists with safer access to and from the growth suburbs of Lisarow and Ourimbah by upgrading the Ridgeway and the lake-side suburbs of Tuggerawong and Wyongah via the Jensen Road upgrade. These upgrades are long overdue. Without the financial assistance of the federal government, it would be difficult for local government to allocate the necessary funds from their restricted revenue pool.

We are also building safer roads through our record $500 million investment in the national Black Spot Program. Under this program, Dobell has been allocated $1.4 million to upgrade dangerous black spots in Toukley, Berkeley Vale, Charmhaven and Holgate. Upgrades to these roads will help save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring our local roads are safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The government's record-breaking infrastructure investment extends beyond roads. In Dobell, we are also seeing the sea infrastructure of the 21st century underway. The Norah Head boat ramp is Dobell's only sea-access boat ramp. The boat ramp plays a vital role in supporting our tourist and fishing economy by drawing locals and visitors alike to our magnificent beaches and coastline. Our $700,000 investment has enabled Wyong Shire Council to commence necessary repair work on this $3.25 million project, with completion due early 2015.

I am also pleased to say that work is progressing on the Tuggerah Sporting Precinct. This project was included in our growth plan for the Central Coast because this is a project that will not only deliver state-of-the-art sporting facilities but also important economic benefits to the Central Coast through increased sports, tourism and, importantly, more jobs. Historically dependent on manufacturing and tourism, our region has felt the pinch of tightening economic conditions and the increasing affordability of international travel.

But we have much to be proud off. We offer a beautiful natural environment, crowned by Tuggerah Lakes, which attracts tourists over the summer months. But our challenge is to generate year-round tourism, which will sustain local business operator outside of the summer months. This challenge can be addressed through growing our sports tourism economy. I want to see Dobell become the choice destination for state and national sporting competitions. Our investment in the Tuggerah Sporting Precinct will enable the hosting of regional and national sports events on the Central Coast. I will continue to support this proposal and the advancement of sports tourism on the Central Coast, as it is critical to our region's prosperity and a catalyst for employment opportunities.

When this bill talks of the rigour of its prioritisation of projects, the proposed Central Coast regional airport comes to mind. The New South Wales Central Coast is one of the eighth largest regions in Australia, yet we are the only one not serviced by a regional airport. This government is working alongside local and state governments to guide necessary regulatory and planning issues, whilst demonstrating transparency and a coordinated approach across the jurisdictions. While the first flight from a Central Coast regional airport is some years away, this project will drive investment, deliver new infrastructure, create jobs and have a positive impact on the Central Coast economy. Sitting within the major transport corridor of the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Northern Rail line, this aviation infrastructure will act as a magnet for industry to establish and invest on the Central Coast.

I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Warren Truss, and the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Honourable Jamie Briggs, for their support and commitment to the Central Coast region. I am proud to be part of the Abbott infrastructure team, which is addressing the needs of communities across Australia.

This government is delivering significant infrastructure projects nationwide and to the people of Dobell. Broadening the reform agenda and actively collaborating transparently with stakeholders can only improve economic growth. Under the infrastructure Prime Minister, we are seeing investment in projects that will leave our communities—including the New South Wales Central Coast community—better off in a variety of ways. By creating safer roads, improving access to tourism, supporting infrastructure, and commencing long-term planning and investment in improving a major transport node, we are doing what we were elected to do; we are delivering.

There will always be more work to be done. This bill will ensure that when the federal government commits to a major infrastructure project it will be assessed and delivered against robust criteria including value for money and, importantly, the best interest of our nation and our communities. I look forward to continuing to deliver the infrastructure of the 21st century to Dobell. I commend this bill to the House.

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