Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In March last year the opposition leader—I beg your pardon, the member for Grayndler—said that the former WA state Labor government did many great things for the people of Western Australia, including the Tonkin Highway. I can only assume that it has been a while since the member for Grayndler has been to WA, because, if he had, he would know that the Tonkin Highway is far from complete. In my electorate of Canning the residents of Serpentine Jarrahdale, the fastest growing local government in the country, tell me they have been waiting more than 20 years for the Tonkin Highway to be built south past Thomas Road. They are still waiting. In December I took the Minister for Finance out to Serpentine Jarrahdale to show him why they need the project done now. Unlike the member for Grayndler, we understand that the Tonkin Highway won't be finished until it is built southwards. I note the WA Premier, Mark McGowan, wrote in The West Australian today:

Investment in infrastructure is critical in growing the economy, generating new jobs and supporting sustainable and vibrant communities.

I was pleased to read this, because that is exactly what building the Tonkin Highway south will do. It will reroute heavy haulage trucks away from main streets, making local roads safer, particularly in Byford. It will give a boost to the local economy, stimulating industry in the centre of the Peel region. This will create countless local jobs, particularly for young Australians looking to get into a trade. We need to get this road built soon. (Time expired)

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