Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the importance of infrastructure to the future prosperity of our nation;

(2) acknowledges the actions the Government is taking in delivering a record $75 billion investment in infrastructure and transport projects focused on building local communities, connecting the regions and our cities, busting congestion and boosting productivity, while creating local jobs;

(3) notes that for the first time, the Government has committed to a 10 year infrastructure investment pipeline with the recently announced significant infrastructure projects; and

(4) congratulates the Government in working to deliver the infrastructure that will help secure Australia’s prosperity into the future.

The Turnbull government is funding and building the infrastructure of tomorrow today. This government is delivering a record $75 billion of investment in infrastructure and transport projects across Australia. This is focused on building local communities, connecting the regions and boosting productivity, all of which create local jobs. The Turnbull government is building the roads, the rail, the dams and other vital infrastructure. The budget, delivered earlier this month, includes over $24 billion for new projects and initiatives benefitting each state and territory. In a first, the government has committed to a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline. The long-term pipeline recognises our major infrastructure projects take many years to plan, design and deliver, while showing this government will deliver the infrastructure our nation needs into the future, like the $560 million I secured for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, which is critical infrastructure in the south-west. The sound economic policies and budget decisions of the Turnbull government make it possible to fund this type of infrastructure right around the country.

I fought hard for this road and, to my knowledge, this $560 million investment is the largest single investment project by any federal government ever in the south-west. Completing what is a stranded T-junction will reduce general and holiday congestion, improve safety and provide an efficient freight route to the Bunbury Port and its future expansion, as well as a key route to the Busselton-Margaret River Airport. The road is a major economic driver in the south-west.

Also secured was a $140 million grant and $50 million in a concessional loan in funding for the industry-led Myalup-Wellington project, a project to desalinate the Wellington Dam, and pressurised piping for the gravity-fed irrigation delivery system, as well. It will also provide economic growth through irrigated agricultural—and, as we know, water is our most precious resource. With the drying climate in the south-west, this project is critical. The government is investing in regional cities, regional towns and communities with road upgrades on Mornington Road in Wokalup, Ferguson, Boyanup and Bunbury, to name a few. This investment was over $1.1 million, funded through the Black Spot Program, making our roads safer. Three south-west bridges have or are being upgraded and in Burekup a whole new bridge was built to meet current and future transport needs.

The Turnbull government isn't just focused on transport infrastructure. We're generating economic growth through various projects in many programs, including the Mobile Black Spot towers. The Busselton foreshore redevelopment is funded partly through the Building Better Regions Fund, one that is seeing 20,000 jobs around Australia. As I've explained to the House before, this project is providing a world-class foreshore that further enhances the visitor and local experiences. The Busselton jetty is the second most visited tourist attraction in WA, with over 400,000 visitors annually. This will continue to attract visitors to the region. The Margaret River hub of entertainment, arts and regional tourism is another project that will provide economic growth. It's a multipurpose, flexible complex that will host community, cultural and business events to meet the region's long-term needs.

In addition to the economic benefits the Turnbull government's infrastructure investment creates, there's no doubt that it's contributed to the over one million new jobs created since we were elected to office. It's worth noting that last year recorded the highest employment levels on record, with 415,000 new jobs created—that's over 1,000 new jobs created daily. Again, this success should in part be attributed to our infrastructure investment.

The $9.7 million the government is contributing to the Busselton Margaret River Airport upgrade is very important to freight and regional tourism potential, enabling direct routes from both interstate and international cities, landing them directly in the doorstep of the south-west. This project should never be underestimated, and the possibilities of tourism and food and other things we have to offer in the south-west are endless. The freight component is equally as important.

The Turnbull government's infrastructure investment is bearing fruit right across Australia. Our investment is providing better connectivity and growth opportunities for our regions, as well as creating local jobs.

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