Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Projects in Capricornia under the $50 billion infrastructure plan include stage 2 of the Yeppoon South flood plain project on the Bruce Highway south of Rocky, $29.4 million in Roads to Recovery grants to help local councils fix the roads and streets in five shires, $38 million to repair or replace seven old bridges in Isaac and Rockhampton shires, $166 million to fix up the Eton Range section on the notorious Peak Downs Highway west of Mackay. This is on top of a $20 million infrastructure package announced for Rocky and Yeppoon under the federal government's National Stronger Regions Fund.

I did mention that infrastructure can save people's lives as well. Investing in better roads through highway duplications, black spot intersection upgrades, road safety treatments—these are the sorts of things that can save people's lives. I know many members opposite share my concern and share my passion for making sure that the national government—the federal government—works with our state colleagues to reduce our national road toll. Our national road toll of 1,200 deaths per year, and the trauma of thousands of serious and minor injuries, is an enormous public health concern. In my role as the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, I will be making sure that we deliver better outcomes for our communities.

Like the member for Capricornia, I am proud to be part of this government, which is getting on with the job of delivering better infrastructure and better outcomes for our regional communities.

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