Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Normally when taxpayers' money is being spent in one's electorate, we come into this chamber and like to boast about it. However, today I'd like to do the opposite: I would like to voice my objection on behalf of my electorate that a taxpayer funded body, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, is loaning $150 million to the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal Project. Firstly, the mandate of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation is 'to drive investment'; however, this $150 million does not drive investment. This project was long planned, it was announced to the market on 4 June 2015, and it would've happened irrespective of this additional funding. Secondly, this use of taxpayers' funds will increase particulate matter air pollution in Western Sydney, where we already have levels above those recommended by the World Health Organization. One study shows that distributing goods from Moorebank as opposed to the superior, centrally located areas of Wetherill Park or Eastern Creek will increase transportation costs by seven per cent. That's more trucks on the road, not less. Thirdly, it may come as news to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation that the shift from road to rail results in containers being moved by dirty diesel locomotive engines through our populated areas of Sydney, adding to real pollution, not decreasing it.

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