Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

that is going to build a stronger and more productive economy. As the infrastructure Prime Minister said: we are determined to lay down plans and deliver the infrastructure that helps to build a stronger Australian economy. That is what we are focused on: a stronger Australian economy. Only through a stronger Australian economy, by building the infrastructure of the 21st century, will we create the economic growth and deliver the jobs that are going to go to the people who need that security associated with certainty of jobs and certainty of income.

It is hugely important that the Australian people understand that whilst we have the biggest infrastructure program in Australia's history—the equivalent of building eight new Snowy Mountains schemes in less than a decade—we are delivering and the Labor Party is opposing. How disappointing that must be. On every aspect, the Labor Party is opposing. Once upon a time, they actually supported the East West Link. The now Leader of the Opposition actually put in not one but two submissions supporting the East West Link, but now that the Labor Party are in opposition they are opposing it all. They are opposing infrastructure, they are opposing our asset recycling initiative. I simply refer to the comments today the Chief Executive of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, who said in relation to their latest infrastructure report: 'These figures show in black and white why Australia's governments must get on with asset sales, using the proceeds to invest in infrastructure projects.'

We have an economic plan. Our economic plan delivers more jobs, better infrastructure and greater economic certainty for everyday Australians.

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